The ACLU is freaking out about this.

I became aware of this bill because, despite no longer being a financial contributor to the ACLU, they still send me text notifications.

Needles to say, the ACLU is freaking out about this. The link to the page on their website didn't include the full text of the bill, which I'm sharing here. I'll link the page below, in which the ACLU expressed concern specifically that pro-Palestine groups would be targeted.

To be fair, this bill does seem to be two bills in one. The portion that protects hostages from IRS late fees seems to be so clearly common sense that it's odd that it even needs to be codified.

Does the ACLU have a legitimate concern about the "material support" for terrorist organizations bit?

I would say, "Kinda-sorta, but not really."

Yes, so far as I can tell, every pro-Palestine activist group is pro-terrorist. Everybody who has ever said, "From the river to the sea." outside of strident criticism, is pro-terrorist, and an evil person, and should be treated as a neo-Nazi.

That said, I believe that you should be allowed to verbally support Nazism, whether it's in the form of the White Aryan Resistance or Hamas. You're a dick either way; but, you should have the right to give verbal support.

Material support is another thing. By any sensible, legal understanding, "material" support should be distinguished from "verbal" support. But, let's face it, we can't trust the government to accept the boundaries.

That said, the SCOTUS has already dealt with this. Simply wearing Hamas paraphernalia, or even spouting their propaganda is protected speech. The concern I have is that the state may run investigations targeted at groups that spread the propaganda of organizations like Hamas and Hezobollah. I would argue that, even if leaders of the organization are getting talking points directly from terrorist organizations, that alone should still be protected speech, and not fall under "material support." But, the law seems a bit more vague there.

Overall, I don't think that this bill is something to freak out about - especially not to the level that the ACLU is freaking out about it. I think that the ACLU is freaking out about it because the ACLU itself is a pro-terrorist, anti-Israel organization.