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

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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

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Origins & Legislative Journey

• Introduced: January 31, 2025.
• Sponsor: Rep. Mike Lawler (R‑NY‑17), with 24 co-sponsors including a mix of Republicans and at least one Democrat (Rep. Joseph Morelle, D‑NY‑25).Congress.gov+1
• Referred to: House Foreign Affairs Committee. No further action (no committee hearing, vote, or floor vote) has taken place.X (formerly Twitter)+8Congress.gov+8Congress.gov+8
• Status: Introduced, not passed—in limbo, and vote has been removed or canceled due to mounting opposition.ADC – Truly Arab, Fully American.+2Quds News Network+2

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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.

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Key Takeaways (H3 Summary Box)

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

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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.