**House Passes Controversial Bill Targeting Non-Profits with Alleged Terror Ties**

On Thursday, the US House of Representatives, under Republican control, voted in favor of a contentious bill that aims to grant the government extensive authority to penalize non-profit organizations suspected of supporting terrorism. The Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, or HR 9495, passed by a narrow margin of 219-184 with 15 Democrats siding with Republicans.

This marked the second attempt to pass the bill. Last week, the measure failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority required under suspended House rules. After passing the House committee on rules, it only needed a simple majority in this latest vote to succeed.

The bill endows the Treasury Department with the power to revoke the tax-exempt status of non-profits it deems as supporters of terrorism. Notably, the Treasury is not required to follow any specific evidentiary standard when making these determinations. While affected organizations can appeal to the IRS or the courts, critics fear that the mere accusation of supporting terrorism could severely hamper advocacy groups.

In the intervening days since the first vote, non-profits closely affiliated with Democrats strongly opposed the bill, arguing it could provide President Donald Trump with extraordinary powers to silence political opposition within civil society. Consequently, 37 fewer Democrats backed the bill during the Thursday vote compared to the prior attempt.

The bill also includes an uncontroversial provision offering tax relief to Americans unjustly imprisoned abroad. However, it is the non-profit measure that has drawn significant criticism for its potential constitutional issues and threats to due process.

Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin, a Democrat, vehemently opposed the bill, describing it as "Orwellian" and accusing it of violating due process and Supreme Court condemnations. He argued that the bill would create severe bureaucratic obstacles for the non-profit sector.

Groups advocating for Palestinian rights have been particularly vocal against the bill, citing concerns over accusations linking them to Hamas. Following Trump's election, the opposition broadened, fueled by fears that the bill could be used to target political enemies.

Republican Congressman Lloyd Smucker of Pennsylvania defended the bill, asserting that "nefarious groups" provided support to Hamas and suggested Democrats only opposed the bill due to Trump's election victory. "Talk about election denialism, when are you gonna accept that Trump won this election?" Smucker remarked.

Democratic opposition warned of potential abuses if the bill becomes law. Washington Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal stated, "Americans want checks and balances, not a blank check for any president to label anyone as a terrorist without evidence." She cautioned that the bill's lack of safeguards left the door open for authoritarian misuse against dissenting voices.