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Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 3, 2026
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4795, the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act.

Anti-Semitism on American campuses is not a fringe problem, and it is not slowing down. Across the United States and our institutions of higher learning, we have seen a concerted and coordinated effort to isolate Jewish students and faculty.

In fact, as we have heard, the Combat Antisemitism Movement reported 531 incidents in the U.S. on college and university campuses in 2025.

I am incredibly proud of the work that the Education and Workforce Committee has done to combat the spread of this vile ideology, and American taxpayers' dollars should not go to subsidize universities that are actively singling out one of our closest allies to discriminate against them.

This isn't an issue over protests or slogans. In too many instances, this hatred has become a form of institutional discrimination supported by our colleges and universities. When that line is crossed, Congress has every right to intervene and demand that if you receive Federal dollars, there are basic standards that must be met.

I am grateful for Dr. Foxx and her leadership in this space, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this measure.

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