Hey other states, can you elect a few more Ron Wydens? He's been doing a ton of the heavy lifting lately. Every time we hear about the intelligence community egregiously violating civil liberties, it's always Wyden.
In May 2017, Wyden co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, Senate Bill 720, which made it a federal crime, punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment,[88] for Americans to encourage or participate in boycotts against Israel and Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories if protesting actions by the Israeli government. The bill would make it legal for U.S. states to refuse to do business with contractors that engage in boycotts against Israel.[89] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Wyden#Israel
It's similar to what economists say about not pulling all your eggs in the same basket.
I must add that "good politics" are all about compromise.
In my somewhat grim perspective the best outcome of good politics means none of the constitutents are happy and none are desperately angry.
politics are all about the completely bland and boring averaging
but I come from a land of historically terrible, awful politicians and leaders
These would seem to contravene the First Amendment.
... you won't be left with many allies.
Foreign governments can’t force government contractors to comply with boycotts. This bill AFAIK simply closes the loophole of Palestine not technically being a foreign government.
Congress has been in a state of deadlock for too long to pass any actual laws, so this type of performative theater ahead of midterm elections is what passes for statesmanship.
I think it's a bad law and he's making a big mistake. I'm still a fan though.
> The act does not apply to contracts worth less than $1,000, or to companies that offer to provide the goods or services for at least 20 percent less than the lowest price quoted by a business that has complied with the certification requirement.
So, a contractor if free to boycott as long as they cost the taxpayer a little bit less.
... Also, as sibling commenters pointed out, anti-BDS gag laws are everywhere in this country, and have yet to be struck down.