A bill that would allow Trump to label arts nonprofits “terrorist organizations” has entered the US Senate.

The US House of Representatives on Thursday (Nov. 21) passed a bill that could put arts nonprofits across the country in the crosshairs of the culture wars. Stop Terrorism Financing and Tax Penalties Against American Hostages Actor H.R. 9495, would allow the Secretary of the Treasury to designate nonprofit organizations as “terrorist organizations” and revoke their tax-exempt status. The bill, which will now go to the Senate, has been framed by Democrats as potentially providing President-elect Donald Trump with a mechanism to punish his political enemies once he takes office.

The bill began life as a bipartisan measure designed to eliminate tax liability for American hostages while they are held captive overseas, but its broad language and the next president’s penchant for ramping up culture war rhetoric have inspired organizations like Amnesty International and the American Civil Liberties Movement. The ACLU and Pen America are sounding the alarm.

“In any other context, this law would be seen for what it is – a playbook from an authoritarian leader,” Paul O’Brien, executive director of Amnesty International USA, said in a statement..

ACLU organized open letter House Majority Leader Mike Johnson of Louisiana and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, calling attention to the bill’s “potential for abuse.” He warns that “the executive branch will be given a tool that it can use to restrict free speech, censor non-commercial media, persecute political opponents and punish disadvantaged groups across the political spectrum.” The document was signed by representatives of more than 300 organizations. including the Korean Art Forum in New York, the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle, and the Main Line Chinese Culture Center in Philadelphia.

“Given the vague definition of ‘terrorist supporting organizations’ and the broad discretion afforded to the Secretary of the Treasury, we urge the Senate to reject this dangerous legislation that undermines constitutional protections, including the First Amendment,” said Laura Schroeder, Pen America’s advocacy director. Congress. It said so in a statement that described the bill as part of an effort to “weaponize the federal government against civil society.”

“A sixth grader would understand that this is unconstitutional,” Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, said during testimony on the House floor, according to the report. New York Times. “It is an illegitimate power to be given to any president, and a dangerous power to be given to a president who does not hesitate to threaten retaliation and vengeance against his enemies.”

Many Democrats who previously supported the bill have changed their positions, prompting advocates to highlight the bill’s “robust due process,” said Jason Smith, a Republican representative from Missouri and chairman of the House Budget Committee. Time. He added: “This legislation is urgently needed to end the tax exemption for organizations that provide material support to terrorists.”

However, in an increasingly harsh climate where arts organizations are seen as taking positions on any number of issues—from abortion access and systemic racism to transgender rights and support for Palestine—facing a swift and dramatic backlash, many fear HR 9495 will allow attacks.