**House Defeats Controversial Bill Aimed at Nonprofits, 52 Democrats Face Backlash**

A bill that would have granted President-elect Donald Trump extensive authority to investigate and close down news organizations, watchdog groups, and various other nonprofits was narrowly defeated in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The proposed legislation faced strong opposition from progressive advocacy groups and lawmakers, who warned it threatened the core democratic right to dissent.

Despite the united efforts of progressive organizations and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 52 Democratic lawmakers, including prominent figures such as Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), and Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), voted in favor of the measure alongside 204 Republicans. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) was the sole Republican to oppose the bill, joining 144 Democrats in voting against it.

The bill, known as the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, sought to empower the Treasury Department, soon to be led by a Trump appointee, to unilaterally revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofits by labeling them supporters of terrorism. Critics argued that this would allow virtually unchecked power over nonprofit organizations.

"Every single Democrat who voted for this is not taking the threat of Trump remotely seriously and should be disqualified from any leadership positions moving forward," stated Georgia State Rep. Ruwa Romman (D-97), a Palestinian American. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) also expressed her disapproval on social media, describing the Democrats who supported the bill as giving Trump "the power to shut down any nonprofit he wants."

Robert McCaw, director of government affairs at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, emphasized the bill's potential to target and suppress dissent. "This bill dangerously weaponizes the Treasury against nonprofit organizations and houses of worship... that dare to support Palestinian and Lebanese human rights or criticize Israel's genocidal actions," said McCaw.

The ACLU raised concerns that the legislation, while providing a nominal 90-day period for nonprofits to defend themselves, lacked substantive due process. "The government may deny organizations its reasons and evidence against them, leaving the nonprofit unable to rebut allegations," the ACLU warned.

Though the bill was not passed under the fast-track procedure used by its backers, it may resurface in the next Congress, which is likely to be under full Republican control. Kia Hamadanchy, senior policy counsel with the ACLU, reassured opponents that they plan to continue their sustained fight against any future iterations of the legislation.

The legislative battle has shed light on a significant divide within the Democratic Party, igniting discussions on the preservation of democratic principles and the role of government oversight in nonprofit sectors.