Rules Committee · Sep 3, 2026
H.Amdt. 271: Its purpose is not yet published.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
Virginia Foxx (R-NC)
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026
H.R. 4795 · House bill Education
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 237–169
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026 seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. It prohibits institutions of higher education that participate in nonexpressive commercial boycotts of a major strategic partner from being eligible for certain funds. Additionally, it requires institutions participating in Title VI programs to submit an annual certification. This certification must ensure that students and faculty can participate in academic programs in a major strategic partner under the same terms as other foreign countries. The bill also addresses the participation of students and faculty from those strategic partner countries in the institution's own academic programs.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +5
Would students be better off under this?
Ensures access to academic programs and study abroad opportunities in strategic partner countries.
- Scored +5
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
Strengthens ties with major strategic partners through academic and commercial cooperation.
- Scored +5
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?
Encourages collaboration and prohibits boycotts of strategic allies.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?
Could be interpreted as limiting the expressive freedom of institutions to engage in boycotts.
- Scored -3
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?
Potentially limits institutional freedom to choose commercial partners based on political views.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: the vote on whether to pass the bill This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President. Passed 237 yes · 169 no
09/03/2026 · Roll call 295 · recorded as “On Passage”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Academic Opportunities: By requiring institutions to permit students and faculty to participate in academic programs such as conferences, teaching exchanges, study abroad programs, and joint research, the bill aims to ensure access to global educational activities in major strategic partner countries (Section 3, SEC. 639(b)(1)).
-
Equality in Academic Participation: The bill ensures that students and faculty from postsecondary institutions in major strategic partner countries can participate in academic programs offered by the certifying institution under the same terms and conditions as those from other foreign institutions (Section 3, SEC. 639(b)(2)).
-
Economic and Security Stability: It is the sense of Congress that preventing limitations on cooperative efforts between educational institutions and major strategic partners serves the security, stability, and economic vitality of the United States (Section 3, SEC. 639A).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Loss of Federal Funding: Institutions of higher education that engage in a nonexpressive commercial boycott of a major strategic partner may become ineligible for certain funds under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (Section 2, SEC. 487(a)(30)(A)).
-
Financial Risk for Non-Compliant Institutions: Institutions that fail to submit the required annual certification by July 31 will be ineligible to receive any funds under Title VI for the following fiscal year, including funds that would have been available from previous years (Section 3, SEC. 639(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — Ensures access to academic programs and study abroad opportunities in strategic partner countries. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Increases academic access for students to study abroad and engage in research with strategic partners. Would business owners be better off under this? — Protects commercial relations with strategic partners from nonexpressive boycotts. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Ensures students and faculty from strategic partner countries can participate in U.S. academic programs.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — Encourages collaboration and prohibits boycotts of strategic allies. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — Strengthens ties with major strategic partners through academic and commercial cooperation. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Discourages commercial boycotts of strategic partners.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Facilitates joint research and collaborative educational activities with strategic partners.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — Could be interpreted as limiting the expressive freedom of institutions to engage in boycotts.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Promotes commercial relations and economic vitality with major strategic partners.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Increases federal oversight and certification requirements for higher education institutions. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — Potentially limits institutional freedom to choose commercial partners based on political views.
- 9/14/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 9/3/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 169 (Roll no. 295).
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 169 (Roll no. 295). (text: CR H5483)
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4795.
- 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.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1499. (consideration: CR H5483-5488)
- 9/1/2026
- Rule H. Res. 1499 passed House.
- 8/31/2026
- 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.
- 8/27/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-780.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 681.
- 6/25/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 9.
- 7/29/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey