Mast Makes U-Turn on Bill That Could Strip Passports from Israel Critics

GOP Rep. Backtracks on Bill That Could Let Marco Rubio Revoke Passports From Israel Critics In a stunning reversal, Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., has introduced an amendment to strip a contentious provision from his State Department reorganization bill that would have given Secretary of State Marco Rubio the power to revoke American citizens' passports if he decides they have provided material support to terrorists. The proposal, which was met with widespread opposition from civil society groups, was introduced as part of a larger bill last week. However, after The Intercepts coverage sparked a backlash, Mast introduced a managers amendment on Sunday that would remove the provision from the bill. "This is a victory for democracy and freedom of speech," said a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which had been vocal in its opposition to the original proposal. "We're glad to see Rep. Mast backing down, but we'll continue to monitor the situation closely." The original provision would have given Rubio the authority to revoke passports from individuals deemed to be providing material support to terrorists, a move that critics argued was an overreach of executive power and a threat to civil liberties. "This is not just about Israel or Palestine; it's about the fundamental principles of our democracy," said Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., who had been a vocal critic of the original proposal. "We can't let politicians use their power to silence dissenting voices." The State Department reorganization bill, which was introduced by Mast last week, aims to reform the department's structure and operations. However, the provision that sparked controversy would have given Rubio significant new powers. "We're glad to see Rep. Mast taking a step back from this proposal," said a spokesperson for the House Democratic Caucus. "However, we'll continue to review the bill carefully and ensure that it aligns with our values of protecting civil liberties and promoting democracy." The managers amendment must still be approved at a Wednesday hearing before it can apply to the larger House bill. The bill itself faces an uncertain future in the Senate. Background: Mast's original proposal was met with widespread criticism from civil society groups, who argued that it would give Rubio too much power and undermine civil liberties. The provision was seen as part of a broader trend of increasing executive authority and decreasing congressional oversight. Additional perspectives: Some lawmakers have expressed concerns about the potential impact on free speech and assembly. "This is a slippery slope," said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. "If we allow politicians to revoke passports from people who speak out against Israel's policies, where do we draw the line?" Current status: The managers amendment must still be approved at a Wednesday hearing before it can apply to the larger House bill. The bill itself faces an uncertain future in the Senate. Next developments: The fate of the State Department reorganization bill and the provision that sparked controversy will likely be determined in the coming days as lawmakers continue to review and debate the legislation. *Reporting by Theintercept.*