Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]
Introduced
Summary
Links federal student aid to an annual pledge by colleges not to engage in certain commercial boycotts of designated U.S. partners. The bill would add yearly certifications, require the Department of Education to publish nonfilers, and make Title IV and Title VI participation conditional on compliance.
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- Institutions: Colleges and universities that take Title IV funds would have to certify by July 31 each year that they will not carry out "nonexpressive commercial boycotts" of "major strategic partners."
- Students and families: Schools that fail to submit the yearly certification would be publicly listed within seven business days and could become ineligible for Title IV funds in the first fiscal year after the July 31 deadline, which could jeopardize student access to federal aid.
- International programs and exchanges: The bill would create a parallel certification for Title VI funding and international programs, tightening federal conditions on academic collaboration with designated partner countries.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Anti-boycott pledge for federal student aid
If enacted, colleges that take federal student aid would have to certify each year, by July 31, that they will not take "nonexpressive commercial boycott" actions against a defined major strategic partner. The pledge would cover from the date signed through the next July 31. Within 7 business days after July 31, the Education Department would post and notify schools that did not file. Schools’ program participation agreements would also need to include this obligation.
Equal access pledge for international education grants
If enacted, colleges seeking federal international education funds would need to file a yearly pledge by July 31. The pledge would say they allow their students and faculty to join programs in a defined major strategic partner country on the same terms as other countries, and allow that partner’s students and faculty to join their programs on the same terms. This applies to study abroad, joint research, conferences, teaching, and similar exchanges. The pledge would cover from the date signed through the next July 31. If a school misses the July 31 filing, it would be ineligible for Title VI funds in the first fiscal year that starts after that date, including money tied to a grant from a prior year.
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
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov