Congresswoman Tenney Leads Letter Urging Treasury Review of Spain’s Israel Boycott Laws

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24)today led a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urging a formal review of Spain's recent anti-Israel boycott laws under Section 999 of the Internal Revenue Code, which governs foreign participation in unsanctioned international boycotts.

This letter was signed by Representatives: Sheri Biggs (R-SC) Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA), C. Scott Franklin (R-FL), Harriet M. Hageman (R-WY), Brian Jack (R-GA), Nicholas A. Langworthy (R-NY), Michael V. Lawler (R-NY), Barry Moore (R-AL), Andy Ogles (R-TN), John Rose (R-TN), Derek, Schmidt (R-KS), Keith Self (R-TX), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Daniel Webster (R-FL), Joe Wilson (R-SC), and Rudy Yakym III (R-IN)

Spain enacted sweeping restrictions in October that prohibit arms trade with Israel and ban advertising of products originating from Judea and Samaria. These measures align with the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and risk discriminating against Israel while creating serious legal and economic consequences for U.S. companies operating abroad. Under Section 999, the Treasury Department is required to maintain a list of countries that require or encourage participation in international boycotts not sanctioned by the United States. Inclusion on this list triggers specific reporting requirements and safeguards U.S. businesses from unknowingly complying with discriminatory foreign laws. The letter urges the Treasury to evaluate whether Spain's actions meet the statutory criteria for inclusion and to ensure U.S. law is enforced as intended.

"Spain's actions go beyond rhetoric and cross into formal economic discrimination against one of America's closest allies," said Congresswoman Tenney. "U.S. law mandates foreign governments that participate in or promote unsanctioned boycotts against Israel must be reviewed and held accountable. Section 999 exists to protect American businesses from being coerced into compliance with discriminatory policies and to ensure transparency when our allies are targeted. The Treasury must conduct a thorough review and enforce the law as written. The United States cannot turn a blind eye when foreign governments attempt to economically isolate Israel or undermine American companies in the process."

Read the full letter here.

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