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BANNER ELK, N.C. – Today, Representatives Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced the bipartisan Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, legislation that prohibits colleges and universities from receiving federal student aid if they engage in commercial and academic boycotts dictated by those in the boycott-sanction-divest (BDS) movement. 

“The antisemitic rot that has corroded college campuses must be eradicated – enough is enough. The safety and security of Jewish students, faculty, and staff should never be threatened under any circumstances. If an institution of higher education chooses to capitulate to the caustic BDS movement, there will be consequences – starting with this bipartisan legislation,” said Representative Foxx. 

“The goal of the BDS movement is the destruction of the democratic State of Israel, America’s critical ally in the global fight against terror. BDS has no place on college campuses or anywhere in our country. At a time when our Jewish students are facing death threats, being physically assaulted, and blocked from going to class simply for who they are, we must do everything possible to ensure they can learn safely, speak freely, and get the education they deserve,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “That’s why I’m proud to help introduce the bipartisan Protect Economic Freedom Act to give the Department of Education a critical new tool to combat the dangerous, hate-fueled, antisemitic BDS movement on college campuses. We cannot allow antisemitism to run rampant and endanger Jewish students, staff, and faculty. Now more than ever, we must stand up and protect our Jewish community.”

 BACKGROUND

The Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act would: 

• Require colleges and universities to annually certify that the institution is not engaging in a non-expressive commercial boycott of Israel or forgo ability to receive federal student aid. 
• Define “non-expressive commercial boycott of Israel” to mean a commercial action (including engaging in refusals to deal with Israel and terminating business activities) intended to limit commercial relations with Israel or persons or entities conducting business in Israel or in Israeli-controlled territories.
• Direct the Department of Education to make publicly available a list of all institutions who do not certify.
• Requires colleges and universities that are recipients of International Education Programs (Title VI) funding do not allow academic boycotts but instead engage in academic exchange reciprocity.