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Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-4795| House 
| Updated: 9/3/2026
Virginia Foxx

Virginia Foxx

Republican Representative

North Carolina

Cosponsors (1)
Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)

Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish new conditions for institutions of higher education receiving federal funding, aiming to prevent certain commercial boycotts and promote academic cooperation with key U.S. allies. It mandates that institutions participating in Title IV federal student aid programs annually certify they will not engage in a nonexpressive commercial boycott of a major strategic partner of the United States. Such a boycott is defined as a commercial action, not based on a valid business reason, intended to limit relations with a strategic partner. Institutions failing to certify will be publicly listed and notified, with compliance becoming a condition for Title IV program participation. Additionally, institutions receiving Title VI funds must annually certify they do not unreasonably obstruct academic programs and exchanges with major strategic partners. This ensures equitable participation for students and faculty from both the certifying institution and the strategic partner country in academic activities. Failure to submit this certification will result in ineligibility for Title VI funds, reinforcing the bill's objective to foster economic and academic freedom with U.S. allies.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Jul 29, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 29, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Jun 25, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jun 25, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 9.
Aug 27, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 681.
Aug 27, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-780.
Aug 31, 2026
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1499 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H. Res. 1490 and H.R. 4795. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H.Res. 1490, and H.R. 4795 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R. 4795.
Sep 1, 2026
Rule H. Res. 1499 passed House.
Sep 3, 2026
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1499.
Sep 3, 2026
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1499. (consideration: CR H5483-5488)
Sep 3, 2026
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H. Res. 1490 and H.R. 4795. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H.Res. 1490, and H.R. 4795 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R. 4795.
Sep 3, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4795.
Sep 3, 2026
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Sep 3, 2026
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 169 (Roll no. 295). (text: CR H5483)
View Vote
Sep 3, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • July 29, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 29, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.


  • June 25, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • June 25, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 9.


  • August 27, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 681.


  • August 27, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-780.


  • August 31, 2026
    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1499 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H. Res. 1490 and H.R. 4795. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H.Res. 1490, and H.R. 4795 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R. 4795.


  • September 1, 2026
    Rule H. Res. 1499 passed House.


  • September 3, 2026
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1499.


  • September 3, 2026
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1499. (consideration: CR H5483-5488)


  • September 3, 2026
    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H. Res. 1490 and H.R. 4795. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H.Res. 1490, and H.R. 4795 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R. 4795.


  • September 3, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4795.


  • September 3, 2026
    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.


  • September 3, 2026
    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 169 (Roll no. 295). (text: CR H5483)
    View Vote


  • September 3, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Education

Related Bills

  • HRES 119-1499: Providing 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.
Education programs fundingGovernment information and archivesHigher educationInternational exchange and broadcastingIsraelMiddle EastProtest and dissentSchool administration

Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-4795| House 
| Updated: 9/3/2026
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish new conditions for institutions of higher education receiving federal funding, aiming to prevent certain commercial boycotts and promote academic cooperation with key U.S. allies. It mandates that institutions participating in Title IV federal student aid programs annually certify they will not engage in a nonexpressive commercial boycott of a major strategic partner of the United States. Such a boycott is defined as a commercial action, not based on a valid business reason, intended to limit relations with a strategic partner. Institutions failing to certify will be publicly listed and notified, with compliance becoming a condition for Title IV program participation. Additionally, institutions receiving Title VI funds must annually certify they do not unreasonably obstruct academic programs and exchanges with major strategic partners. This ensures equitable participation for students and faculty from both the certifying institution and the strategic partner country in academic activities. Failure to submit this certification will result in ineligibility for Title VI funds, reinforcing the bill's objective to foster economic and academic freedom with U.S. allies.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jul 29, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 29, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Jun 25, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jun 25, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 9.
Aug 27, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 681.
Aug 27, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-780.
Aug 31, 2026
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1499 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H. Res. 1490 and H.R. 4795. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H.Res. 1490, and H.R. 4795 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R. 4795.
Sep 1, 2026
Rule H. Res. 1499 passed House.
Sep 3, 2026
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1499.
Sep 3, 2026
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1499. (consideration: CR H5483-5488)
Sep 3, 2026
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H. Res. 1490 and H.R. 4795. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H.Res. 1490, and H.R. 4795 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R. 4795.
Sep 3, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4795.
Sep 3, 2026
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Sep 3, 2026
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 169 (Roll no. 295). (text: CR H5483)
View Vote
Sep 3, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • July 29, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 29, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.


  • June 25, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • June 25, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 9.


  • August 27, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 681.


  • August 27, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-780.


  • August 31, 2026
    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1499 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H. Res. 1490 and H.R. 4795. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H.Res. 1490, and H.R. 4795 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R. 4795.


  • September 1, 2026
    Rule H. Res. 1499 passed House.


  • September 3, 2026
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1499.


  • September 3, 2026
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1499. (consideration: CR H5483-5488)


  • September 3, 2026
    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H. Res. 1490 and H.R. 4795. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H.Res. 1490, and H.R. 4795 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R. 4795.


  • September 3, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4795.


  • September 3, 2026
    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.


  • September 3, 2026
    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 169 (Roll no. 295). (text: CR H5483)
    View Vote


  • September 3, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Virginia Foxx

Virginia Foxx

Republican Representative

North Carolina

Cosponsors (1)
Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)

Education and Workforce Committee

Education

Related Bills

  • HRES 119-1499: Providing 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.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Education programs fundingGovernment information and archivesHigher educationInternational exchange and broadcastingIsraelMiddle EastProtest and dissentSchool administration