Mon May 05 16:45:12 UTC 2025: ## Trump Allies Rebel Against Anti-Boycott Bill, Jeopardizing Passage

**Washington, DC** – A bipartisan bill aimed at expanding penalties for boycotting countries friendly to the US, including targeting international organizations like the UN, is facing unexpected opposition from prominent allies of former President Donald Trump. The backlash, centered on free speech concerns, has led to the postponement of a House vote and casts doubt on the bill’s future.

The “International Governmental Organization (IGO) Anti-Boycott Act,” sponsored by Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), would broaden a 2018 law prohibiting boycotts orchestrated by foreign governments. The expansion targets boycotts imposed by IGOs, effectively aiming to counter the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. While the bill doesn’t explicitly mention Israel, its supporters have openly stated its intention to curb BDS activities.

However, several high-profile conservatives, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Charlie Kirk, and Steve Bannon, have publicly denounced the bill. They argue it infringes on Americans’ First Amendment rights to boycott businesses and express political opinions. Their concerns have been echoed by other Republican lawmakers like Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Thomas Massie, who have announced their intention to vote against the legislation.

The opposition from this influential wing of the Republican party has raised significant questions about the bill’s viability. The scheduled House vote has been cancelled, indicating the sponsors may lack the necessary support for passage. The unexpected rebellion underscores a growing internal rift within the Republican party regarding the balance between supporting Israel and upholding free speech principles.

The bill has also faced long-standing criticism from progressive Democrats and Palestinian rights advocates, who argue that such laws stifle free speech and unfairly target activism against Israeli policies. Numerous legal challenges to similar state-level anti-BDS laws have yielded mixed results, highlighting the complex legal and constitutional questions at stake. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between US foreign policy priorities and the protection of fundamental rights within the country.

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