Accreditation for College Excellence Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Ms. FOXX. 3724.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3724, the End Woke Higher Education Act. No woke week could possibly be complete without a robust debate regarding the state of free speech on college campuses. However, first I can't help but acknowledge the juxtaposition of this floor debate and debates in the university setting.

The Constitution's Speech and Debate Clause grants Members of Congress the absolute freedom of speech on the House floor. It is a privilege that has survived 248 years of nationhood.

Sadly, the privilege of the First Amendment and campus free speech has not. Therefore, I will use this time at this pulpit to make three conservative statements to express three truths that would otherwise be punishable offenses on today's college campuses.

Men and women are biologically different. This position held by swimmer Riley Gaines endangered her very life on a trip to San Francisco State University. Student activists assaulted Ms. Gaines during a speaking engagement, forcing police to lead her into a safe room.

DEI policies overlook qualified candidates. This sentiment expressed in a tweet by conservative-libertarian Georgetown lecturer Ilya Shapiro led to a 122-day investigation and his eventual coerced resignation.

Finally, wear what you want on Halloween. This opinion, shared in an email by Professor Erika Christakis, sparked outrage at Yale. The unchecked student overreaction drove Professor Christakis to stop teaching classes.

Men and women are biologically different, DEI policies overlook qualified candidates, and wear what you want on Halloween--these three statements, as unobjectionable and inoffensive as they may seem, are widely censored on college campuses. That is because, for every example of retaliatory censorship, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of examples of self-censorship and social pressure to conform.

That is why I support H.R. 3724. Not only does H.R. 3724 aim to protect politically disfavored speech, but all speech. To achieve this goal, it would, among other things, mandate viewpoint neutrality in the college accreditation process, require robust free speech policies before public colleges access title IV funds, and prohibit universities from giving political litmus tests to students and faculty.

Mr. Chair, I thank Representative Owens of Utah, Representative Williams of New York, Representative Houchin of Indiana, Representative Walberg of Michigan, Representative Stefanik of New York, Representative Crenshaw of Texas, Representative Kiley of California, and Representative Murphy of North Carolina for their significant contributions to this bill.

With enough like-minded Members committed to the First Amendment, we can once again renew free expression as a pillar of post-secondary education.

Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 3724, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Williams), the bill's sponsor.

Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Chair, I thank Congresswoman Foxx for her courageous leadership in these historic and important times.

Mr. Chair, I am proud to speak in support of H.R. 3724, which includes my bill, the Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act.

This package ensures transparency both in the accreditation process and at the institutional level, protecting the right to free speech, the liberty of religious conscience, and the safeguards against discrimination.

Our Nation's colleges and universities are at the very best when they facilitate the free, open, and civil exchange of ideas among students and faculty alike, with robust disagreements serving to teach students how to think and how to engage with those who come to the table with different perspectives.

In the interest of protecting students' ability to learn and grow from these interactions, this legislation ensures the universities do not stray from the guiding principles of the First Amendment. Throughout history, we have witnessed dangerous extremists weaponize educational institutions to promote their ideology and to suppress dissent. The open forum is worth protecting.

In the not-too-distant future, everyone in this Chamber will pass the torch to a new generation of leaders, not just in government, but in business, journalism, and every other sector of life.

We owe it to them to make sure that the educational halls in which they learn are more than a one-way conduit through which ideologues seek to cram their own views of the world on captive students. Their formative educational years should be spent thinking critically and discussing freely the issues that they will grapple with in their adult lives.

The prosperity of our Nation depends on that next generation and the ability to think independently and engage productively with those who have different perspectives. Those are valuable tools they will have to use throughout their lives.

College students should feel secure in the knowledge that their rights are protected on campus, that campuses follow the law and certify their practices and policies on free speech to prospective students and families. Especially now, as students are increasingly unsure how their school will react to the turbulent political issues of today, it is necessary that institutions of higher education act with transparency and moral clarity, to protect the open forum and, by extension, the students they have been entrusted with.

This legislation speaks to universities directly: If you do not protect the lawful and Supreme Court-tested First Amendment rights of your students, you will lose your funding.

Mr. Chair, I urge the House to do right by our Nation's students and pass this bill.

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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg).

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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens), the bill's sponsor.

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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Good).

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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Kiley).

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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from California.

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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, it is astounding to me that associations of higher education in this country are opposing this bill, absolutely astounding. That should send a message to the American people about what the status of higher education is right now.

I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Murphy).

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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, we have groups that are supporting this bill, strong support. Over the years, we have worked with experts in the field to craft these policies.

Let me read just some of the praise. The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal states: This legislation is an essential step in restoring the fundamental purpose of higher education to foster free inquiry and equip students to think critically and independently.

Too many institutions have prioritized ideological conformity over academic excellence. Accreditation bodies and universities have increasingly promoted DEI initiatives that risk undermining intellectual diversity and free expression.

I won't read all of these, but Young America's Foundation has given strong support, as has the Defense of Freedom Institute. The American Council of Trustees and Alumni stated: ``The respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act is a step in the right direction toward protecting freedom of speech, association, and religion on college and university campuses across the country.''

``. . . Congress is listening to major public concerns as the battle for the soul of American education continues to play out in the form of hegemonic diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, the heckler's veto, disinvitations, and deplatforming.''

In addition, we have the National Panhellenic Conference, the North American Interfraternity Conference, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, the Defense of Freedom Institute, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, and Young America's Foundation supporting this bill.

Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to the time remaining?
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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Chair, I indicate to my friends and colleagues that we have an opportunity in the bill before us today to make a strong stand for free speech.

This bill does not mandate any political viewpoint or ideology. It simply demands, from the accreditation process down to the classroom, that all levels of postsecondary education respect the free speech rights of students.

Postsecondary education should empower students to discover truth and think critically. American universities risk losing sight of this core mission by refusing to engage with certain viewpoints.

The End Woke Higher Education Act will restore the essential freedoms that make our universities the global leaders of open debate and intellectual growth, ensuring that the next generation of Americans can think for themselves and engage in the pursuit of truth.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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