A group of House Republicans is pressing the Treasury Department to review Spain’s recent actions targeting Israel.
Rep. Claudia Tenney, who represents New York’s 24th District, led a letter urging Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to formally examine Spain’s new anti-Israel boycott laws under Section 999 of the Internal Revenue Code.
The letter asks Treasury to determine whether Spain should be listed as a country that requires or encourages participation in international boycotts not sanctioned by the United States.
Spain enacted new restrictions in October that prohibit arms trade with Israel and ban advertising of products from Judea and Samaria. The measures align with the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.
Lawmakers say those policies could discriminate against Israel and create legal and economic consequences for U.S. companies operating overseas.
Section 999 requires Treasury to maintain a list of countries involved in unsanctioned boycotts. Placement on the list triggers reporting requirements and aims to protect American businesses from complying with foreign discriminatory laws.
“Spain’s actions go beyond rhetoric and cross into formal economic discrimination against one of America’s closest allies,” Tenney said.
She said U.S. law requires accountability when foreign governments promote unsanctioned boycotts against Israel.
“Section 999 exists to protect American businesses from being coerced into compliance with discriminatory policies and to ensure transparency when our allies are targeted,” Tenney said. “The Treasury must conduct a thorough review and enforce the law as written.”
Tenney said the United States should not ignore efforts that economically isolate Israel or harm American companies.
The letter was also signed by more than a dozen House Republicans, including Reps. Sheri Biggs, Earl “Buddy” Carter, Nicholas Langworthy, Michael Lawler, Daniel Webster, and Joe Wilson.
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