H.R. 4795: Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026
Sponsor
Virginia Foxx
Republican · NC-5
What H.R. 4795 does
H.R. 4795, the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026, would bar colleges and universities that take part in federal student aid programs from boycotting Israel. Specifically, they could not take a commercial action meant to limit commercial relations with Israel, or with an entity licensed, regulated or organized under Israeli law, unless it rests on a valid business reason.
Colleges that receive or apply for Title VI funds, which support foreign language and international education programs, would also have to certify each year that students and faculty can take part in academic programs in Israel on the same terms as programs in other foreign countries, and that students and faculty at Israeli institutions can take part in the college's programs on the same terms as those from other foreign countries.
How the House voted
Passed · September 3, 202633 Democrats broke with their party to vote yes
Jake Auchincloss
Kathy Castor
Gil Cisneros
Jim Costa
Joe Courtney
Henry Cuellar
Donald Davis
Lois Frankel
Laura Gillen
Jared Golden
Vicente Gonzalez
Greg Landsman2 Republicans broke with their party to vote no
Warren Davidson
Thomas MassieOn Passage: H R 4795 Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act · Roll no. 295 · Official record
HR4795 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Sep 14, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
House: Passed 237-169
Sep 3, 2026
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 169 (Roll no. 295). (text: CR H5483)
+6 more actions this day
House: Passed
Sep 1, 2026
Rule H. Res. 1499 passed House.
House: Committee Action
Aug 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.
House: Committee Action
Aug 27, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-780.
House: Vote: 24-9
Jun 25, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 9.
House: Committee Action
Jul 29, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
About the Sponsor
Virginia Foxx
Republican, North Carolina's 5th congressional district · 21 years in Congress
Committees: Rules, Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform
View full profile →
Cosponsors (1)
This bill has 1 cosponsor: 1 Democrat. Cosponsors represent 1 state: New Jersey.
Committee Sponsors
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
0 of 21 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Education and Workforce Committee
0 of 37 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
30 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 4795 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 487(a) of Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a))
adding at the end the following: ``(30)(A) The institution will not engage in a nonexpressive commercial boycott of a major strategic partner of the United States
H.R. 4795 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Education
- Introduced
- Jul 29, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Sep 14, 2026
H.R. 4795 Bill Text
“To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit an institution that participates in a nonexpressive commercial boycott of Israel from being eligible for certain funds under that Act, to require an institution that participates in certain programs under that Act to certify that students are not unreasonably obstructed from participating in academic programs in Israel, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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