Daily Archives: August 15, 2025

What Is H.R. 867 — the IGO Anti-Boycott Act?

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Introduced on January 31, 2025, H.R. 867—also known as the IGO Anti‑Boycott Act—seeks to expand existing anti‑boycott legislation to address calls to boycott friendly countries issued not only by foreign governments but also international governmental organizations (IGOs) like the United Nations or European Union.action.cair.com+8Congress.gov+8Reddit+8

Specifically, it would prohibit certain actions by U.S. individuals or businesses, including:

  • Refusing to do business due to a boycott request from an IGO,
  • Discriminating in employment based on race, religion, sex, or national origin,
  • Providing boycott-related information about individuals’ affiliations with organizations supporting the boycotted country.Congress.gov+1

Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports from the President to Congress, naming countries or organizations that impose such boycotts.X (formerly Twitter)+11Congress.gov+11Congress.gov+11

Why It Matters: Impacts on American Citizens

If enacted, H.R. 867 could turn peaceful political protest into a federal offense—even when aligned with international human rights efforts.

Potential consequences include:

  • Up to 20 years in prison or a $1 million fine for honoring boycott calls from international bodies.Reddit+10Quds News Network+10VoterVoice+10
  • Chilling effects on activism, advocacy, and free speech—targeting individuals, nonprofits, businesses, and faith-based groups engaging in boycotts as a form of political expression.Reddit+9Quds News Network+9VoterVoice+9
  • Broad expansion of government oversight into private, voluntary actions, raising serious First Amendment concerns.VoterVoice+1

Civil liberties advocates have already pushed back:

The American‑Arab Anti‑Discrimination Committee (ADC) hailed the cancellation of the House vote on H.R. 867 as a “victory for free speech”—calling it “a draconian bill that sought to criminalize the free speech of Americans who choose to boycott or criticize Israel.”GovInfo+6ADC – Truly Arab, Fully American.+6Reddit+6

Origins & Legislative Journey

What You Can Do: Protect Free Speech

Even though the House vote for H.R. 867 has been postponed or canceled, it may resurface. Stay informed and act:

  • Contact your Representative: Urge them to oppose any future versions of H.R. 867.VoterVoice
  • Spread awareness: Share the implications across social media and community channels.
  • Support civil liberties groups: Organizations like the ADC are mobilizing to protect free speech rights.ADC – Truly Arab, Fully American.

Key Takeaways (H3 Summary Box)

TopicSummary
Bill PurposeExpands anti-boycott law to include IGOs like UN or EU
Who Introduced It?Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) + 24 co-sponsors
Legal RisksUp to 20 years in prison and $1M fine for peaceful boycotts
Legislative StatusIntroduced Jan 2025; referred to committee; vote canceled for now
Free Speech ImpactBroad First Amendment concerns; civil liberties pushed back hard

Disclaimer

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or policy advice. Legislation can evolve—always check official congressional resources for the most current status.

H.R. 8445: The Bill Everyone’s Talking About, But Few Have Actually Read

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Meta description: Discover the truth about H.R. 8445 — what it says, who wrote it, when it was introduced, and why blaming Trump doesn’t match the facts. A no-nonsense breakdown by author A.L. Childers.

The H.R. 8445 Bill — What It Really Says and Where It Stands

If you’ve been anywhere near social media lately, you’ve probably seen the outrage about H.R. 8445. Depending on who’s talking, it’s either “patriot protection” or “foreign military favoritism.” But here’s the thing — most of the people shouting haven’t read a single page of it.

So let’s fix that.

What Is H.R. 8445?

Introduced in the 118th Congress on May 17, 2024, H.R. 8445 proposes to extend parts of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and USERRA to U.S. citizens serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

That means certain legal and job protections — things like protection from default judgments or job loss while deployed — would apply to Americans fighting alongside Israel.

Status Check: Is It Law Yet?

Nope.

Here’s the paper trail:

  • May 17, 2024 — Bill introduced by Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) with Rep. Max Miller (R-OH).
  • July 17, 2024 — Sent to the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
  • Today — Still sitting in committee. No votes. No floor action. No signature.

“Blaming Trump”? Let’s Set the Record Straight

Some folks are tossing Donald Trump’s name into the conversation — as if this bill was his idea or his doing. That’s simply not true.

  • Who was president when it was introduced? Joe Biden.
  • When did it begin? May 17, 2024 — three and a half years after Trump left office.
  • Who actually wrote it? House Republicans Reschenthaler and Miller — not the White House, not Trump’s staff.
  • Why the Trump talk? Because the sponsors are politically aligned with the pro-Israel wing of the GOP, which overlaps with parts of Trump’s base. But that’s an ideological link, not a legislative one.

Bottom line: The bill started under Biden’s watch. If you’re looking to assign credit or blame, start with the people whose names are on it.

What Supporters Say

  • Protects Americans serving abroad — ensures their jobs and finances are shielded while in the IDF.
  • Strengthens U.S.-Israel ties by recognizing service in Israel’s military as worthy of U.S. legal protections.

What Critics Say

  • Dangerous precedent — could open the door to giving U.S. protections to Americans in other foreign militaries.
  • Policy entanglement — deepens U.S. association with specific military actions in Gaza, raising foreign policy and human rights concerns.

Will Congress Have to Vote?

Yes — if it ever makes it out of committee. That means:

  1. Committee vote
  2. Full House vote
  3. Senate action
  4. Presidential signature

Until all of that happens, it’s just words on paper.

Key Takeaways

  • H.R. 8445 is not law.
  • It was introduced under Biden, not Trump.
  • No votes have taken place.
  • The sponsors are Reschenthaler (R-PA) and Miller (R-OH).
  • Debate centers on whether U.S. legal protections should extend to citizens in a foreign military.

References:

Join the Discussion

What’s your take on H.R. 8445 — necessary protection or political overreach? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or policy advice. Legislative statuses can change — always verify with official congressional sources.

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Excerpt: H.R. 8445 is making waves — but before you blame Trump or praise Biden, let’s look at the facts, the sponsors, and where the bill really stands.

“Blaming Trump”? The Real Story on Who Started H.R. 8445

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H.R. 8445 Explained: What It Is, Where It Stands, and Why It Sparked Debate

Last updated: August 15, 2025

What is H.R. 8445?

In the 118th Congress (2023–2024), H.R. 8445 was introduced to extend certain Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and USERRA protections to U.S. citizens serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In plain English, it aimed to ensure some of the legal and employment safeguards that protect U.S. servicemembers would also cover Americans while they’re serving in the IDF. Congress.govGovInfo

Did H.R. 8445 become law?

No. The bill was introduced on May 17, 2024 and sent to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, then to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on July 17, 2024. It never received a floor vote and did not pass, so no part of it is in effect. Congress.gov

Who sponsored it?

The bill was introduced by Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) and co-sponsored by Rep. Max Miller (R-OH), who framed it as support for Americans fighting alongside a key U.S. ally. reschenthaler.house.gov

Why was it proposed?

Backers argued that Americans serving in the IDF may face employment, financial, or civil challenges back home—protections analogous to SCRA/USERRA could help shield them (e.g., from certain default judgments, interest accruals, or job loss). Congress.gov

Why is it controversial?

Opponents warn that extending U.S. military-style legal benefits to citizens serving in a foreign military sets a complex precedent and entangles U.S. policy with an overseas conflict. Critics also objected on moral and geopolitical grounds given the Gaza war context. Truthout

Pros (arguments from supporters)

  • Protects Americans’ jobs and finances while deployed with a close ally, mirroring what U.S. troops receive. reschenthaler.house.gov
  • Clarifies legal status for U.S. citizens serving abroad, potentially reducing litigation and administrative confusion. Congress.gov

Cons (arguments from critics)

  • Precedent risk: Could open the door to U.S. protections for citizens serving in other foreign militaries, complicating U.S. law and diplomacy. Congress.gov
  • Policy & ethical concerns: Seen by critics as tacit U.S. endorsement of specific military actions in Gaza, raising human rights and foreign policy objections. Truthout

A note on a different “H.R. 8445”

Bill numbers reset each Congress, so there’s also a 117th Congress (2021–2022) bill numbered H.R. 8445—the LGBTQI+ and Women’s History Education Act of 2022—focused on Smithsonian education programming. It, too, did not become law. Congress.govOpenSecrets

Sources

  • Congress.gov bill page & actions for H.R. 8445 (118th Congress). Status: introduced; referred to subcommittee July 17, 2024. Congress.gov
  • Bill text (118th Congress)—scope and proposed amendments relating to SCRA/USERRA. Congress.gov
  • GPO (govinfo) official text mirror for H.R. 8445 (118th). GovInfo+1
  • Press release from Rep. Guy Reschenthaler summarizing intent. reschenthaler.house.gov
  • Analysis/critique discussing potential implications. Truthout
  • Congress.gov text for H.R. 8445 (117th)—LGBTQI+ & Women’s History Education Act; OpenSecrets page noting referral. Congress.govOpenSecrets

Disclaimer

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or policy advice. Legislative statuses can change; always consult official congressional sources or a qualified attorney for the most current, applicable guidance.

H.R. 8445 Explained: What It Is, Where It Stands, Who’s Behind It, and Why the Trump Narrative Misses the Mark

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“Blaming Trump”: Who Was President When H.R. 8445 Was Introduced—and Who’s in Charge?

A talking point you may hear is that “Trump started this bill” or “Trump’s allies kept it going.” Let’s unpack the timeline—and why that framing doesn’t actually track.

  • When was H.R. 8445 introduced? It was officially introduced on May 17, 2024, during the 118th U.S. Congress.
  • Who was president then? President Joe Biden was in office—his term began January 20, 2021. Donald Trump was not in office at that time, nor was he involved in drafting or introducing the bill.
  • Who introduced the bill? The bill was sponsored by Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R‑PA) and co‑sponsored by Rep. Max Miller (R‑OH). Culture WarsCongress.gov
  • So why the Trump talk? Some commentators frame support for H.R. 8445 within the broader context of pro-Israel, MAGA-aligned Republicans. Yet, there is no direct legislative link to Trump himself. Culture Wars

Summary:

  • The bill began under President Biden’s administration—not Trump’s.
  • It was introduced by Republicans in the House, not the White House, with no executive branch involvement.
  • Any association with Trump is indirect, rooted in broader ideological alliances—not the bill’s origin or sponsors.

Voting & Legislative Progress—What’s Next?

  • Has H.R. 8445 been voted on? No. After being introduced on May 17, 2024, it was referred to the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and then to its Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on July 17, 2024. No committee vote or floor vote has occurred. GovInfo+1
  • Will members need to vote later? Yes—if the bill is ever reported out of committee, it would need a committee vote, then a full House vote, followed by any Senate action and the president’s signature to become law.

Why It Matters Who Introduced the Bill and When

Understanding the truth behind “Trump started it”:

  • It’s important for public discourse to anchor itself in fact-based timelines, especially when assigning responsibility or credit.
  • H.R. 8445 was not the product of Trump or his administration, but rather the work of current House members. No prior president—Trump or any other—initiated this bill.

“Blaming Trump”? The Real Story on Who Started H.R. 8445

A common refrain you might hear is that “Trump started this bill.” In reality, here’s how it played out:

  • Introduced on May 17, 2024, long after Trump had left office.
  • President Biden was in office, and the bill came from House members, not the White House.
  • Sponsored by Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R‑PA) and Rep. Max Miller (R‑OH)—their names are on the paperwork, not Trump’s. Academia
  • Some link it to Trump-aligned, evangelical-Israel-supporting circles—but that’s indirect association, not causation. Culture Wars

In short, any mention of Trump in connection to H.R. 8445 reflects broader political alliances, not actual authorship or sponsorship.

Legislative Status: What’s Next?

As of now:

  • No votes have occurred—neither in committee nor on the House floor. Facebook+5OpenSecrets+5Congress.gov+5
  • If the bill progresses, it will necessarily go through:
    1. Committee vote
    2. House floor vote
    3. (If passed) Senate action
    4. Presidential signature (or veto)

Summary Table

ClaimFactSource
“Trump started this bill.”False. Introduced in May 2024 under Biden by Reps. Reschenthaler & Miller.OpenSecretslive.house.govFacebook+1
Has the bill been voted on?No. Still in subcommittee.OpenSecretsFacebook
Who will vote on it?House committee, then full House, then Senate, then president.Legislative process norms

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or policy advice. Legislative status may change—always consult official congressional sources for the most current information.