On thursday Nov 21st the House made a big-step forward passing new rules about nonprofit organizations. The bill which got 219 votes for and 184 against gives Treasury Department extra-power to cancel tax benefits for groups it thinks help terrorists
Civil rights watchers are worried that these far-reaching powers (which dont need court approval) could be used wrong in coming years. The bill got strong backing from GOP members while most democrats didnt support it; this shows clear party-line split on whats seen as a sensitive issue
The voting process showed interesting dynamics — Republican representatives pushed hard saying their colleagues across the aisle changed their minds about this common-sense rule just because of recent political changes. The treasury departments new authority would let it act quick without need for lengthy legal process; however this raises questions about oversight and fair-use