Gottheimer, Foxx introduce bipartisan bill to deny aid to colleges supporting BDS boycotts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) this week introduced the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, a bipartisan bill that would bar colleges and universities from receiving federal student aid if they participate in commercial or academic boycotts associated with the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.
The legislation targets institutions that engage in non-expressive commercial boycotts of Israel, a term defined in the bill as actions taken to limit commercial relations with Israel—or those doing business with Israeli institutions—without a valid business reason.
“The goal of the BDS movement is the destruction of the democratic State of Israel, America’s critical ally in the global fight against terror,” said Rep. Gottheimer (NJ-5). “BDS has no place on college campuses or anywhere in our country.”
Gottheimer said the bill gives the Department of Education a new tool to combat what he described as “dangerous, hate-fueled, antisemitic” activity on college campuses, noting rising incidents of antisemitism and threats toward Jewish students.
“We must do everything possible to ensure they can learn safely, speak freely, and get the education they deserve,” Gottheimer added.
Rep. Foxx (NC-5), who chairs the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, echoed the urgency: “The antisemitic rot that has corroded college campuses must be eradicated — enough is enough. If an institution of higher education chooses to capitulate to the caustic BDS movement, there will be consequences — starting with this bipartisan legislation.”
Key provisions of the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act include:
- Requiring colleges to certify that they are not engaging in non-expressive commercial boycotts of Israel in order to be eligible for federal student aid
- Prohibiting recipients of Title VI International Education Programs funding from allowing academic boycotts, while promoting reciprocal academic exchange
- Requiring the Department of Education to publish a list of institutions that do not comply with certification requirements
