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House Passes Bill to Penalize Universities for Israel Boycotts

The House of Representatives passed the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026, a Republican-backed bill that would penalize colleges and universities for participating in non-expressive commercial boycotts of Israel. The legislation, which passed by a 237-169 vote, requires institutions receiving federal student aid to avoid such boycotts and mandates that they certify students are not unreasonably obstructed from participating in international programs in Israel. Virginia Foxx, the House Republican chair of the education committee, argued that the bill protects Jewish students from hostile environments and ensures that federal taxpayer dollars do not support institutions that discriminate against Israel. Conversely, several Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, argued the bill could be an infringement on First Amendment rights. Jerrold Nadler, a New York representative, expressed opposition to the bill, stating that while he personally dislikes the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, he believes the government should protect the right to free speech even for those who disagree with the movement. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

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