The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill that would simplify the process of removing tax exemptions from nonprofits accused of providing support to groups the U.S. government accuses of supporting foreign terrorism.

The bill, known as the Stop Terrorist Financing and Tax Sanctions on American Hostages Act, is the most significant piece of legislation yet targeting the pro-Palestinian protest movement and the most coherent example of how the crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests has expanded far and wide. The issue is among the most important free speech debates in America ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.

The vote was 219 to 184, with 30 abstentions and 15 Democrats who broke ranks with the Republicans (who owe their seats in Congress to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee).

After passing the House, a bill that would give the Treasury secretary unilateral authority to shut down any nonprofit the government deems a “terrorist-supporting organization” will now head to the Senate.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) led a coalition of more than 180 nonprofits — including Planned Parenthood, the American Federation of Labor, the United Auto Workers, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People — explaining why this bill is unnecessary and provides future administrations with a playbook to illegitimately constrain power, silence dissent, and target unfavorable groups and vulnerable communities.

Experts believe the bill will be part of a larger body of evidence outlined in the so-called “2025 Project” and “Esther Project,” both authored by the right-wing Heritage Foundation, detailing how the claim to combat anti-Semitism is a crackdown on free speech.

Pro-Israel lobby organizations such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Orthodox Union and a number of other American Jewish organizations have publicly supported the bill, arguing that its opponents are exaggerating its flaws and that the U.S. government should crack down on nonprofits that openly fund terrorist groups.

Other Jewish organizations have expressed strong opposition to the bill, calling it a threat to civil rights and democratic values.

Rabbi Gil Jacobs, CEO of the T’ruah Foundation, expressed disappointment in the vote but stressed the commitment to resistance, saying, “We are proud to demonstrate that faith-based and civil society organizations are willing to stand up to Trump’s agenda.” Jacobs highlighted the unity of 55 Jewish groups that quickly came together to oppose the bill.

Hadar Suskind, president and CEO of Americans for Peace Now, warned in a statement that the bill would not address pressing issues such as the release of hostages from Gaza or terrorism, but would instead enable a political agenda that could lead to the targeting of marginalized communities. “Palestinian and other Arab American groups are at the forefront of this terrible line, but Jews and others will be next in line,” Suskind said, emphasizing the need to oppose the bill to protect civil society.

In a press release, Jamie Beran, executive director of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, noted the stark contrast in support for the bill compared to earlier this year, when a large majority of Democrats now voted against it. Beran emphasized the power of unity in resisting divisive political forces, saying that American Jews understand the dangers of tyranny and must stand together to protect democratic norms and freedoms. “We are all safe in a country that protects due process and the democratic norms that guarantee our freedom,” Beran concluded.