Contact Congress about H.R. 4795: Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2025
Colleges would have to make new yearly promises to keep some federal education funds. They could not take part in a covered business boycott of major U.S. partner countries, including Israel. They also would need to treat academic programs with those countries like programs with other foreign countries.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2025 is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 9.
Latest action on H.R. 4795: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 9.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects colleges and universities that receive federal student aid money or Title VI international education funds. It also affects students, faculty, and foreign academic partners who take part in study abroad, exchanges, conferences, joint research, or similar programs. The biggest direct impact would fall on schools with boycott policies or academic program limits involving major U.S. partner countries, including Israel.
Why this matters: This bill matters because it ties federal college funding to how schools handle boycotts and academic ties with major U.S. partner countries. Schools could have to change business policies, international programs, or reporting practices to keep some funds. The bill could open more academic access with countries such as Israel, but it could also limit how schools make choices about business, ethics, and international partnerships.
Key provisions in H.R. 4795
- The bill adds a new anti-boycott rule to the Higher Education Act. Colleges in federal student aid programs would have to certify each year that they will not take part in a covered business boycott of a major U.S. partner country.
- The bill defines the covered boycott as a business action meant to limit trade with a major U.S. partner country. The action must lack a valid business reason, and existing Anti-Boycott Act of 2018 exceptions would still apply.
- The bill uses an existing legal definition of “major strategic partner” from Public Law 113-296. That definition includes Israel and entities licensed, regulated, or organized under the laws of those countries.
- The Department of Education would have to publish a public list of schools that miss the anti-boycott certification. It must post the list within seven business days after July 31 each year and notify those schools.
- Schools would have to follow the new anti-boycott rule as part of their federal student aid agreement. That agreement controls a school’s participation in Title IV student aid programs.
How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 4795
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about H.R. 4795
- What is H.R. 4795?
- Colleges would have to make new yearly promises to keep some federal education funds. They could not take part in a covered business boycott of major U.S. partner countries, including Israel. They also would need to treat academic programs with those countries like programs with other foreign countries.
- How do I support or oppose H.R. 4795?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about H.R. 4795?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain H.R. 4795 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
