High Country Times

Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx and U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer have introduced bipartisan legislation targeting colleges and universities that engage in commercial boycotts associated with the boycott-sanction-divest (BDS) movement. The proposed legislation, known as H.R. 10257 or the Protect Economic Freedom Act, aims to make these institutions ineligible for federal student aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.

Chairwoman Foxx emphasized, "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." She added that there would be consequences for institutions that support the BDS movement, beginning with this new legislative measure.

Representative Gottheimer also voiced his concerns regarding antisemitism linked to the BDS movement, stating, "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." He stressed that while open discourse is encouraged on policy issues, unchecked antisemitism cannot be tolerated due to its potential impact on campus safety.

The Protect Economic Freedom Act mandates colleges and universities certify they are not engaging in non-expressive commercial boycotts of Israel. Failure to comply would result in losing eligibility for federal student aid. This bill parallels existing laws enforced by the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security concerning unsanctioned foreign boycotts. It also requires public disclosure by directing the U.S. Department of Education to list institutions failing certification.

The committee's investigation into campus antisemitism revealed instances where anti-Israel pressures led institutions toward divestment actions against Israel-linked entities. A notable example cited was at Northwestern University, where actions were taken based on demands related to Israeli products like Sabra hummus.