1. United States
2. Ore.
3. Letter

The proposed Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act aims to provide critical relief for American citizens who have been wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad. However, certain provisions raise concerns about potential civil liberties violations and lack of due process. The broad authority granted to the Secretary to unilaterally designate organizations as "terrorist supporting" risks infringing on free speech and association rights without sufficient oversight or recourse. Furthermore, the use of classified evidence in judicial reviews compromises transparency and undermines the right to a fair trial. While supporting American hostages is a noble cause, this legislation as currently drafted could enable abuse of power and erosion of fundamental freedoms. I urge you to carefully scrutinize these concerning elements and consider amendments to address the due process shortcomings before advancing the bill further. Protecting both American citizens abroad and constitutional rights at home should be the utmost priority. A more balanced approach safeguarding civil liberties is needed.