House Bill Targeting University Boycotts of Israel Passes 237–169 With Support From 33 Democrats
The U.S. House has passed legislation that could cut universities off from federal student aid and other education funding if they participate in certain commercial boycotts of Israel, escalating a national fight over campus activism, Israel and the limits of political expression.
Lawmakers approved the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026, H.R. 4795, in a 237–169 vote Thursday, with 33 Democrats joining 203 Republicans in support of the measure. Two Republicans voted against it.
The bill now heads to the Senate. It would need Senate approval and President Donald Trump’s signature before becoming law.
The legislation would amend federal higher education law to require colleges participating in federal student aid programs to certify that they will not engage in what the bill calls a “nonexpressive commercial boycott” of Israel or entities organized, licensed or regulated under Israeli law.
That could include refusing to conduct business with certain Israeli companies or institutions without what the legislation considers a valid business reason.
Universities that violate those requirements could lose eligibility for federal student aid programs, including Pell Grants and federal student loans.
Also Read: Trump Admin Aims to Strip Schools’ Tax Exemption If They Consider Race
The measure would also affect universities receiving certain international education and foreign-language funding. Those schools would have to annually certify that students and faculty can participate in academic programs in Israel under the same terms offered for programs in other countries.
They would also be required to allow students and faculty from Israeli institutions to participate in their academic programs under the same terms provided to participants from other foreign institutions.
The legislation comes as colleges across the country continue to face pressure over their relationships with Israel following years of pro-Palestinian demonstrations and calls for universities to divest from companies or institutions tied to the Israeli government.
Supporters Call It Anti-Discrimination Measure
Supporters argue the legislation regulates institutional commercial conduct rather than political speech.
“Our universities should not use taxpayer-funded federal programs to discriminate against Israeli students, faculty, institutions, or businesses simply because they are Israeli,” House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Rep. Tim Walberg said in support of the legislation.
Supporters have characterized university boycotts as discriminatory and have argued that taxpayer-funded institutions should not be permitted to exclude Israeli institutions, businesses or scholars based solely on nationality.
The bill is part of a broader push in Congress and state legislatures to restrict participation in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, commonly known as BDS, which seeks to use economic pressure against Israel over its treatment of Palestinians.
Civil Rights Groups Raise First Amendment Concerns
Civil liberties and Palestinian rights advocates argue the legislation crosses a constitutional line by using federal funding to discourage political boycotts.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee said the measure raises First Amendment concerns because political boycotts have historically received constitutional protection.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations also criticized the legislation, arguing that lawmakers should not place Pell Grants and federal student loans at risk because of institutional decisions influenced by student or faculty advocacy.
Critics have also questioned how broadly the legislation could apply because it extends protections to entities organized or regulated under Israeli law, potentially including institutions operating in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The International Court of Justice concluded in a 2024 advisory opinion that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories violate international law.
The House vote also exposed a divide among Democrats over how far Congress should go in responding to campus opposition to Israel. While 33 Democrats supported the measure, 167 opposed it.
Republicans Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio were the only GOP lawmakers to vote against the bill.
The legislation now moves to the Republican-controlled Senate, where its fate will determine whether universities nationwide could soon face a new federal funding requirement tied directly to their commercial and academic relationships with Israel.
