The Countering BDS Act refers to U.S. legislative efforts, primarily in the U.S. Congress, aimed at countering the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The core purpose of this legislation is to affirm and protect the authority of state and local governments to adopt laws, regulations, or policies that prohibit contracting with, or investing in, companies or individuals that engage in boycotts, divestment, or sanctions against Israel. The most prominent iteration was Title IV of S.1, the "Strengthening America's National Security Act of 2019" (116th Congress), known as the "Combatting BDS Act of 2019." An earlier, standalone version was S.720, the "Combatting BDS Act of 2017" (115th Congress). Critics, including civil liberties organizations like the ACLU, have argued that such legislation infringes upon First Amendment rights, specifically freedom of speech and the right to engage in political boycotts.