Legis Daily

Accreditation for College Excellence Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-2516| House 
| Updated: 1/13/2026
Burgess Owens

Burgess Owens

Republican Representative

Utah

Cosponsors (12)
Brett Guthrie (Republican)Gregory F. Murphy (Republican)Robert F. Onder (Republican)Claudia Tenney (Republican)Brad Finstad (Republican)Glenn Grothman (Republican)W. Gregory Steube (Republican)Mark B. Messmer (Republican)Randy Fine (Republican)Riley M. Moore (Republican)John W. Rose (Republican)Brian Babin (Republican)

Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prevent accrediting agencies from imposing political or ideological litmus tests on institutions of higher education. It mandates that accrediting agencies confirm their standards do not require, encourage, or coerce institutions to support or oppose specific partisan, political, or ideological viewpoints or beliefs. Furthermore, agencies are forbidden from assessing an institution's or program's commitment to any particular ideology, belief, or viewpoint. The legislation includes specific protections, ensuring that accrediting agencies cannot prohibit institutions from maintaining a religious mission or from requiring adherence to a statement of faith or code of conduct consistent with their religious tenets. It also explicitly allows institutions to require an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, the bill limits the Secretary of Education's authority to establish criteria for accrediting agencies, restricting it to only what is explicitly required by the Higher Education Act, and clarifies institutional eligibility for federal programs based on core educational standards.

Bill Text Versions

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2 versions available

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Timeline
Mar 31, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 31, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Jun 25, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 15.
Jun 25, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jan 13, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 380.
Jan 13, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-444.
  • March 31, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 31, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.


  • June 25, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 15.


  • June 25, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • January 13, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 380.


  • January 13, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-444.

Education

Higher educationPolitical parties and affiliationRacial and ethnic relationsReligionSex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Accreditation for College Excellence Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-2516| House 
| Updated: 1/13/2026
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prevent accrediting agencies from imposing political or ideological litmus tests on institutions of higher education. It mandates that accrediting agencies confirm their standards do not require, encourage, or coerce institutions to support or oppose specific partisan, political, or ideological viewpoints or beliefs. Furthermore, agencies are forbidden from assessing an institution's or program's commitment to any particular ideology, belief, or viewpoint. The legislation includes specific protections, ensuring that accrediting agencies cannot prohibit institutions from maintaining a religious mission or from requiring adherence to a statement of faith or code of conduct consistent with their religious tenets. It also explicitly allows institutions to require an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, the bill limits the Secretary of Education's authority to establish criteria for accrediting agencies, restricting it to only what is explicitly required by the Higher Education Act, and clarifies institutional eligibility for federal programs based on core educational standards.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 31, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 31, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Jun 25, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 15.
Jun 25, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jan 13, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 380.
Jan 13, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-444.
  • March 31, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 31, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.


  • June 25, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 15.


  • June 25, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • January 13, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 380.


  • January 13, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-444.
Burgess Owens

Burgess Owens

Republican Representative

Utah

Cosponsors (12)
Brett Guthrie (Republican)Gregory F. Murphy (Republican)Robert F. Onder (Republican)Claudia Tenney (Republican)Brad Finstad (Republican)Glenn Grothman (Republican)W. Gregory Steube (Republican)Mark B. Messmer (Republican)Randy Fine (Republican)Riley M. Moore (Republican)John W. Rose (Republican)Brian Babin (Republican)

Education and Workforce Committee

Education

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Higher educationPolitical parties and affiliationRacial and ethnic relationsReligionSex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination