BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. — Rep. Josh Gottheimer voted Thursday for legislation that would block federal funding from going to universities that boycott Israel, as the House passed the measure 237-169.
The Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, backed by Republicans and supported by Gottheimer, would prevent universities receiving federal taxpayer dollars from discriminating against academic partnerships or investments involving Israel.
“It simply says that if your university takes federal taxpayer dollars, it can't discriminate against academic partnerships or investments with one country,” Gottheimer said during a speech urging colleagues to support the bill.
Gottheimer, a Jewish Democrat, was among 33 House Democrats who voted for the measure. It passed with the support of nearly all House Republicans, with two Republicans voting against it.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where it would need to pass before becoming law.
The vote also highlighted a divide among Jewish Democrats over how to balance opposition to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement with free speech protections.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., also Jewish, voted against the legislation despite saying he opposes BDS.
“I oppose the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement,” Nadler said before the vote, but added that he supported Americans’ right to free expression.
“It is the only way to ensure speech I do agree with is equally protected,” Nadler said.
The legislation comes amid continued battles on college campuses over Israel and the war in Gaza, including calls for universities to sever financial and academic ties with Israel.
Supporters of the bill say universities receiving taxpayer funding should not be permitted to discriminate against Israel or Jewish institutions through academic or economic boycotts. Opponents argue the measure could infringe on constitutionally protected speech.
The legislation is the latest congressional effort to address campus policies surrounding Israel and the broader debate over antisemitism, free expression and the limits of federal funding.
