The U.S. House of Representatives rejected on Thursday an amendment preventing firms that support the anti-Israel BDS movement from receiving tax subsidies as part of Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act that would, if enacted, boost retirement savings.
The tally of the motion to recommit was 200 in favor and 222 against with 12 Democrats and two Republicans breaking ranks from their parties.
Reps. Anthony Brindisi (N.Y.), Joe Cunningham (S.C.), Josh Gottheimer (N.J.), Kendra Horn (Okla.), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.), Elaine Luria (Va.) Seth Moulton (Mass.), Max Rose (N.Y.), Elissa Slotkin (Mich.), Abigail Spanberger (Va.), Jeff Van Drew (N.J.) and Susan Wild (Pa.) were the Democrats, while Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Justin Amash (Mich.) were the Republicans.
Anti-BDS legislation has stalled in the House as many Democrats have voiced reservations with such a measure, citing free speech concerns. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) has repeatedly said that the bill, which was passed as part of comprehensive legislation in the Senate, would be moving in the lower chamber “soon.”
Rep. Liz Cheney, chairman of the House Republican Conference, said last week that Democratic leaders “have said repeatedly that they stand with Israel, in spite of these anti-Semitic comments.”
“Well, if they truly stand with Israel, then they ought to put this bill on the floor, and they ought to come down and sign the bill,” she said.
House Republicans have launched a discharge petition by collecting signatures from House members to force a vote on the anti-BDS legislation. At least 218 signatures from House members are required to enable such a vote. With 197 Republicans currently in the chamber, 21 Democrats are needed for the petition to succeed.
