Inside Higher Ed
Susan H. Greenberg
September 4, 2026
The House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday that would block federal aid to any college or university that boycotts Israel.
The Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026 passed the Republican-led chamber 237 to 169; 33 Democrats broke with the party line to vote in favor, while two Republicans voted against.
Sponsored by New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottheimer and North Carolina Republican Virginia Foxx, the bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit any institution that engages in a “nonexpressive commercial boycott” of Israel from receiving federal student aid.