H.R. 4795

Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026

Sponsor: Virginia Foxx

1 cosponsor
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Official summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service.

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. 

Text of the bill

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Sec. 1. Short title Changed · Aug 27

Where this section came from

  1. Jul 29, 2025 · Introduced in House Referred to House Committee on Education and Workforce, Jul 29
  2. Aug 27, 2026 · Reported in House Marked up by House Committee on Education and Workforce, Jun 25 Reported by House Committee on Education and Workforce, Aug 27 Committee members' individual votes aren't in our records.
What changed in the text

This Act may be cited as the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2025 2026 .

What is a markup?

A markup is a committee meeting where members go through a bill and vote on changes before sending it to the full chamber.

This Act may be cited as the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026.