Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) today spoke on the House Floor in support of H.R. 4795, Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, bipartisan legislation authored by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) to ensure colleges and universities are held accountable for participating in antisemitic boycotts and discriminatory practices.
Chairman Walberg’s remarks, as prepared for delivery:
"In recent years, we have seen campaigns to boycott Israel spread across American campuses. These campaigns have pressured colleges and universities to cut financial, commercial, and academic ties with Israeli companies and institutions. That can mean restricting study abroad opportunities, research partnerships, academic exchanges, conferences, and other programs involving Israel.
"And we cannot ignore the role these campaigns have played in fueling the alarming rise of antisemitism on college campuses. It’s no coincidence that some of the largest supporters of these campaigns have applauded the October 7th attacks and continue to use antisemitic language.
"The boycott, divest, and sanctions, or BDS, movement singles out and demonizes Israel. It rejects the truth that Israel is a close friend and strategic partner of the United States. Our universities should not use taxpayer-funded federal programs to discriminate against Israeli students, faculty, institutions, or businesses simply because they are Israeli.
"H.R. 4795 would prohibit participating institutions from engaging in boycotts of Israel that are not based on legitimate business reasons. It would also require colleges and universities to treat academic opportunities involving Israel the same as those involving other countries, ensuring Israeli students and faculty have the same access to academic programs and opportunities as their peers from around the world.
"This is about fairness.
"It is about protecting academic freedom.
"And it is about accountability for federal taxpayer dollars.
"The federal government provides significant support to higher education. American taxpayers should not be funding institutions that utilize federal programs while simultaneously pursuing discriminatory boycotts or unequal academic treatment based solely on ties to Israel.
"H.R. 4795 passed the Committee with bipartisan support, 24 to 9. That vote reflects what should be an important bipartisan consensus: our institutions of higher education should be welcoming places for scholarship and exchange—not hotbeds of antisemitism and discrimination. I hope the floor vote reflects this principle.
"I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4795 and send a clear message that academic and economic freedom must be protected on our campuses."
