A bipartisan divide among House Democrats became visible on September 3, when the House approved legislation targeting certain university boycotts of Israel.
H.R. 4795, the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026, passed by a vote of 237–169. According to the official House roll call, 203 Republicans and 33 Democrats voted in favor, along with one independent. Two Republicans—Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio—voted against the measure, while 167 Democrats opposed it.
The legislation, sponsored by Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina with Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey as its only cosponsor, would amend federal higher-education law. Under the bill, institutions participating in certain “nonexpressive commercial boycotts” of Israel could become ineligible for specified federal funding. It also includes requirements concerning academic programs and exchanges involving Israel for institutions receiving certain federal support.
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