US House passes bill punishing universities over ‘Israel’ boycotts
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
US House of Representatives on Thursday passed legislation that would cut federal funding and student financial aid eligibility for colleges and universities that participate in academic or commercial boycotts targeting ‘Israel’.
The Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act passed 237–169, with all Republicans and 33 Democrats voting in favor. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it faces a tougher path to passage.
The measure, co-sponsored by House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Virginia Foxx and Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer, targets institutional participation in boycotts rather than individual students’ speech.
Read more: ‘Israel’ announces three-billion-euro weapons export deal with Greece
Under the bill, universities that engage in certain nonexpressive commercial boycotts or cut ties with ‘Israeli’ companies without a valid business reason could lose access to Title IV federal student aid programs.
The legislation would also require universities receiving federal grants for international study or foreign language programs to certify that they do not restrict students or faculty from participating in academic exchange programs in ‘Israel’.
Foxx praised the vote, saying institutions that support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement should face consequences.
Critics, however, argue the bill raises First Amendment concerns and could restrict political expression and academic freedom on US campuses.
Read more: Germany authorizes nearly $1B in arms exports to ‘Israel’
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Bobby Scott, the top Democrat on the Education Committee, opposed the legislation, arguing that no major US university administration has adopted BDS policies and describing the measure as a “solution in search of a problem.”
The bill now faces a challenging Senate vote, where it would need 60 votes to overcome procedural hurdles before potentially reaching Donald Trump’s desk.
