Thread by @ClimateDefiance

This is urgent. No one is talking about it but the U.S. House of Representatives is debating a bill TODAY that would give the President unlimited, unilateral power to shut down any organization that defies him. We explain: (1/8) 🧵

The bill is called H.R. 9495.

It came up for a rushed vote last week, and failed, but only because a 2/3 majority was required. Now Republicans are trying to revive it under regular procedure - meaning it would only require a simple majority. (2/8)

This bill would give the President full and complete power to shut down nonprofits who are not aligned with his agenda - including humanitarian groups, religious organizations, and media companies. (3/8)

Specifically, the bill would give the Secretary of Treasury (and thus, in effect, the President) the power to strip any organization of their 501c3 tax-exempt status. The mechanism to do so would be to simply label the group in question a "terrorist" organization. (4/8)

Stated otherwise, the President could shut down organizations by labeling them as terrorists without having the burden of proof. This could have major implications for the Palestinian rights movement, the climate movement, and journalists. (5/8)

According to Oxfam this would grant the Trump administration "the ability to silence and censor its critics, curb free speech, target political opponents, and punish crucial organizations that speak truth to power and help people in the United States and around the world." (6/8)

In an act of sicking cowardice, 52 House Democrats (roughly 25% of the caucus) voiced support for this measure. They did so because they want to give Trump the power to crack down on pro-Palestine groups.

(7/8)

The so-called Anti Defamation League, who in the last Trump Presidency cosplayed as a part of the resistance, endorsed the bill as well.

The people in power are COWARDS & CROOKS - sold out to billionaires & AIPAC execs. They will not save us. We must save ourselves. END (8/8)