Bill to Prohibit Institutions of Higher Education Who Receive Title IV From Boycott or Limit Relations with Isreal to be Considered
Overview
Following yesterday’s action in the Rules Committee on H. Res. 1499, the full House of Representatives is prepared to pass yet another bill seeking to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) this week. Following one hour of closed debate either today or tomorrow, the House will vote on H.R. 4795 (us.list-manage.com/4EMWoaOqihT?e=05bce952ad&c2id=828e2f13ae2569477ba2b7da4ef30812) – The Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026 introduced by Chairwoman Emeritus of the House Committee on Education and Workforce Virginia Foxx (R-NC).
If passed, H.R. 4795 would be the sixth bill reported our of the Education Committee to be voted on and passed by the House. The bill to be considered by the House chamber this week seeks to “prohibit 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.”
The five other HEA bills which have been voted on and passed by the House include—
H.R. 1048 (us.list-manage.com/1031Y5ZZ65G?e=05bce952ad&c2id=828e2f13ae2569477ba2b7da4ef30812) – The DETERRENT Act (Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Foreign Influence Targeting Academic Engagement Act): Passed the House on March 27, 2025 (241–169), strengthening foreign gift reporting requirements under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act.
H.R. 6359 (us.list-manage.com/b7pImqI9F4k?e=05bce952ad&c2id=828e2f13ae2569477ba2b7da4ef30812) – The Pregnant Students’ Rights Act: Passed the House on January 22, 2026 (217–211), requiring colleges and universities to provide information about rights, resources, and accommodations for pregnant students.
H.R. 6472 (us.list-manage.com/MeSlhSCljgE?e=05bce952ad&c2id=828e2f13ae2569477ba2b7da4ef30812) – The Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act: Passed the House on March 4, 2026 (351–72), amending the Higher Education Act to ensure in-state tuition rates for certain residents of U.S. territories.
H.R. 7892 (us.list-manage.com/HL2RDjQu5tc?e=05bce952ad&c2id=828e2f13ae2569477ba2b7da4ef30812) – The No Aid for Ghost Students Act: Passed the House on June 10, 2026, requiring the Department of Education to use identity fraud detection systems when reviewing FAFSA forms.
H.R. 730 (us.list-manage.com/MXdP0NJ0EP3?e=05bce952ad&c2id=828e2f13ae2569477ba2b7da4ef30812) – The Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act: Passed the House on March 24, 2025, supporting math and modeling education programs in higher education and STEM.
What’s Next
CSPEN does not anticipate any of these six bills becoming law prior to the November mid-term elections, with the potential for any further action depending heavily on the outcome of the election. While the likelihood of the legislation becoming law is uncertain, the on-going tracking of all of the HEA bills introduced in both the House and Senate, the legislation marked up in both the House Committee on Education and Workforce and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and efforts to develop and enact final proposals is always part of CSPEN’s agenda.
