H.R. 4795 · Where this bill is now
In the Senate
Passed the House Sep 3, 2026. Received Sep 14, 2026; no Senate vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRestricts college boycotts of Israel
This bill would prevent colleges and universities that accept federal student aid from participating in boycotts targeting Israel or Israeli businesses. It also requires schools that receive certain federal international education funding to certify each year that they treat academic programs in Israel the same as programs in other countries, and that Israeli students and faculty can participate in their programs on equal terms.
How it affects you
College students and faculty would be affected if their school participates in federal aid programs, since their institution would be prohibited from certain boycott activities. International students and scholars from Israel would potentially have greater access to participate in U.S. college academic programs under the same conditions as others.
Read the official summary (Reported to House, Aug 27, 2026)
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 4795
AN ACT
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026
Sponsor: Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC-5) · Introduced Jul 29, 2025 · Education · 4 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 14, 2026: “Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Passage · Sep 3, 2026
Passage Passed 237–169
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 33 | 167 | 14 |
| Independents | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Republicans | 203 | 2 | 13 |
35 members voted against most of their party: 33 Democrats voted Yes and 2 Republicans voted No.
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.