Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced bipartisan legislation to prohibit colleges and universities from receiving federal student aid if they engage in commercial boycotts dictated by those in the boycott-sanction-divest (BDS) movement. H.R. 10257, the Protect Economic Freedom Act, makes those institutions ineligible for funding under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.

“Enough is enough. Appeasing the antisemitic mobs on college campuses threatens the safety of Jewish students and faculty and it undermines the relationship between the U.S. and one of our strongest allies. If an institution is going to capitulate to the BDS movement, there will be consequences – starting with the Protect Economic Freedom Act.” said Chairwoman Foxx.

“The goal of the antisemitic BDS movement is to annihilate the democratic State of Israel, America’s critical ally in the global fight against terror. While students and faculty are free to speak their minds and disagree on policy issues, we cannot allow antisemitism to run rampant and risk the safety and security of Jewish students, staff, faculty, and guests on college campuses. The new bipartisan Protect Economic Freedom Act will give the Department of Education a critical new tool to combat the antisemitic BDS movement on college campuses. Now more than ever, we must take the necessary steps to protect our Jewish community,” said Rep. Gottheimer.

The Protect Economic Freedom Act requires colleges and universities to certify that the institution is not engaging in a non-expressive commercial boycott of Israel, otherwise the institution will forgo its ability to receive federal student aid. The bill mirrors existing laws enforced by the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security that prohibit U.S. persons from participating in unsanctioned foreign boycotts. It also directs the U.S. Department of Education to make publicly available a list of all institutions that fail to certify.  

Throughout the course of the Committee’s investigation into antisemitism on college campuses, it became clear that radical, anti-Israel individuals were attempting to coerce institutions into divesting from and boycotting Israel. One of the most poignant examples was found at Northwestern University, where it was discovered that faculty members and Northwestern’s Provost were willing to appease organizers of illegal encampments by removing Sabra hummus from campus dining facilities because of the brand’s perception as an Israeli product. In addition to damaging economic partnerships, engaging in commercial boycotts undermines the U.S.-Israel relationship and appeases antisemitic mobs.

The full text of the bill can be read here.