All Roll Calls
Yes: 237 • No: 169
119-hr-4795119th CongressWALLET
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]
Passed House
Summary
Conditions federal higher-education funding on ending nonexpressive commercial boycotts of major U.S. strategic partners. This bill would stop colleges from taking commercial actions meant to limit relations with designated partner countries or entities when there is no valid business reason and would tie compliance to federal funding eligibility.
Show full summary
- Institutions: Colleges and universities would be banned from engaging in "nonexpressive commercial boycotts" of major strategic partners and could lose eligibility for federal Higher Education Act funding if they violate that ban.
- Students and faculty: Schools seeking Title VI program funds would have to submit an annual certification by July 31 that they allow reciprocal participation with major strategic partners in study abroad, exchanges, conferences, joint research, and other academic programs on the same terms as other countries. Missing the July 31 filing makes the institution ineligible for Title VI funds for the following fiscal year, including funds that would have come from a prior year.
- Policy signal: The bill states that limiting cooperative efforts with major strategic partners undermines U.S. security and economic vitality and directs institutions to maintain academic cooperation.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
College boycott limits tied to student aid
Upon enactment, colleges would need to avoid covered commercial boycotts to remain eligible for federal student aid under Title IV. The rule would cover refusing business or ending business ties to limit trade with covered U.S. strategic partners. It would apply only when the action lacks a valid business reason. Covered partners would include countries described in section 4 of Public Law 113-296 and entities licensed, regulated, or legally organized there. Actions covered by regulations implementing section 1773(a)(2) exceptions in the Anti-Boycott Act of 2018 would remain excluded.
Equal college exchange access, stricter funding rules
After enactment, colleges participating in or applying for Higher Education Act Title VI programs would submit yearly certifications by July 31. They would promise equal terms for students and faculty taking part in academic programs with covered U.S. strategic partners. This would apply in both directions, including conferences, teaching and cultural exchanges, study abroad, joint research, and other collaborations. Covered partners would include countries described in section 4 of Public Law 113-296 and entities licensed, regulated, or legally organized there. Each certification would cover its submission date through July 31 of the following year. Missing the deadline would block all Title VI funding in the first fiscal year beginning afterward, including money from earlier grants. Congress would also express a nonbinding view that limits on these partnerships do not serve U.S. security, stability, or economic strength.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]
NC • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 9/3/2026
On Passage
Yes: 237 • No: 169