Congressman Lamborn Cosponsors Legislation to Combat BDS Movement, Anti-Israel Boycotts

Statement

This week, Congressman Doug Lamborn joined Congressman Lee Zeldin, both co-chairs of the House Republican Israel Caucus, and 46 of their House Republican colleagues in introducing the Israel Anti-Boycott Act. This legislation amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit boycotts or boycott requests imposed by international governmental organizations against Israel.

This bill protects American companies from being coerced into providing information to international organizations to further boycotts against Israel and holds individuals who attempt to violate this protection accountable. Additionally, it affirms Congress' opposition to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and that Congress considers the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council's creation of a database of companies doing business in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights in March 2016 to be an act of BDS.

Congressman Lamborn issued the following statement:

"I am glad to join my colleague and fellow co-chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus, Lee Zeldin, in cosponsoring this extremely important and relevant legislation. Unfortunately, we have seen a concerning rise in anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiment and violence over the last few years. Sadly, this disgusting rhetoric finds a home, even in the halls of Congress. This legislation protects American business owners from being forced to provide information to international organizations that contribute to these hateful and unwarranted acts and reinforces congressional opposition to the BDS movement. I will continue to call out companies, universities, colleagues, and anyone else who discriminates against our brothers and sisters of the Jewish faith."

The Israel Anti-Boycott Act is supported by the Republican Jewish Coalition and Zionist Organization of America, and the current cosponsors are: Representatives Michael McCaul (TX-10), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Brian Babin (TX-36), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Scott Perry (PA-10), Bill Johnson (OH-06), Ted Budd (NC-13), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), Jackie Walorski (IN-02), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Billy Long (MO-07), Rodney Davis (IL-13), David Kustoff (TN-08), Vicky Hartzler (MO-04), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Mo Brooks (AL-05), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Virginia Foxx (NC-05), Andy Barr (KY-06), Ron Estes (KS-04), David Schweikert (AZ-06), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Alex Mooney (WV-02), Dave Joyce (OH-14), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Randy K. Weber (TX-14), Drew Ferguson (GA-03), Robert B. Aderholt (AL-04), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Ann Wagner (MO-02), Bob Gibbs (OH-07), María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Jake LaTurner (KS-02), Mike Garcia (CA-25), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), Mary Miller (IL-15), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Michelle Steel (CA-48), John H. Rutherford (FL-04), and Burgess Owens (UT-04).

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

To see coverage of this legislation in the Jewish Insider, click here.

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