The Anti-Boycott Act (H.R. 3016) helps combat BDS by expanding current laws targeting country-led Israel boycotts to include boycotts by international governmental organizations (IGOs).

Current law prohibits various actions by U.S. persons (individuals or entities) in relation to boycotts imposed by foreign governments on a country that is friendly to the United States and that is not itself the object of a U.S. boycott. This bill applies those prohibitions to similar boycotts imposed by IGOs.

Prohibited actions include (1) refusing to do business with companies organized under the laws of the boycotted country if the refusal is pursuant to an agreement with or request from the country or IGO imposing the boycott; (2) refusing to employ any U.S. person on the basis of race, religion, sex or national origin; and (3) furnishing information about whether someone is associated with charitable or fraternal organizations that support the boycotted country.

The bill was passed by voice vote.

118TH CONGRESS
1st Session

H. R. 3016

To amend the Anti-Boycott Act of 2018 to apply the provisions of that Act to international governmental organizations.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 28, 2023

Mr. LAWLER (for himself and Mr. GOTTHEIMER) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

A BILL

To amend the Anti-Boycott Act of 2018 to apply the provisions of that Act to international governmental organizations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE ANTI-BOYCOTT ACT OF 2018.

(1) In section 1772 (50 U.S.C. 4841), by inserting “, or international governmental organization,” after “foreign country” each place it appears.

(2) In section 1773 (50 U.S.C. 4842), in subsection (a)(1)—

(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting “or international governmental organization,” after “foreign country,”;

(B) in subparagraph (A), in the first sentence, by inserting “or international governmental organization” after “boycotting country”; and

(C) in subparagraph (D), in the first sentence, by inserting “or international governmental organization” after “boycotting country”.