Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2025

Summary

Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026 This bill prohibits institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs from engaging in boycotts against Israel. Specifically, IHEs may not engage in a commercial action intended to limit commercial relations with Israel, or with an entity licensed by, regulated by, or organized under the laws of Israel, that is not based on a valid business reason. Further, IHEs receiving, or applying to receive, Title VI funds (federal funding for foreign language and international education programs) must annually certify that (1) students and faculty are allowed to participate in academic programs located in Israel in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions as programs in other foreign countries, and (2) students and faculty at postsecondary institutions located in Israel may participate in such IHE’s academic programs in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions as students and faculty from other foreign countries.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

House Committee on Education and Workforce · U.S. House of Representatives

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Cosponsors

Recorded votes

• Vote: On Passage

  U.S. HouseSep 3, 2026Result: Passed

  Voted yes (237)Voted no (169)Voted present (0)Absent (27)

  See member positions

Related bills

• H.Res. 1499Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1501) to amend the FAST Act to include certain mineral production activities as a covered project, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 9436) to amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period for which certain regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale are effective; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1490) providing for the condemnation and denouncement of socialism in all its forms, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4795) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit an institution that participates in a nonexpressive commercial boycott of Israel from being eligible for certain funds under that Act, to require an institution that participates in certain programs under that Act to certify that students are not unreasonably obstructed from participating in academic programs in Israel, and for other purposes; and relating to consideration of motions to suspend the rules.Procedurally related

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

1. Sep 14, 2026

   Sent to the executive

   Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

   U.S. Senate

2. Sep 3, 2026

   Debate - the House Proceeded With One Hour of Debate on H.R. 4795.

   DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4795.

   U.S. House of Representatives

3. Sep 3, 2026

   Passed a chamber

   Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

4. Sep 3, 2026

   Passed a chamber

   Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

5. Sep 3, 2026

   Passed a chamber

   Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 169 (Roll no. 295).

   U.S. House of Representatives

Read the record

• Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab) The official record on Congress.gov.