“I don't want to talk about the actual bill. I brought up something from 10 years ago to change the subject. I hope that people will be distracted by talking about that instead.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from Congress.
Recent debates
8 latest topics
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026
13 statements
Moment of Silence in Honor of the 25th Anniversary of September 11
2 statements
Honoring Former U.S. Representative Charles Hatcher of Georgia
2 statements
Recognizing Firefighters from California's Third Congressional District
17 statements
Saluting White Plains Beautification Foundation
2 statements
Celebrating Rural Lawyer Julie Bear
4 statements
Operation Midway Blitz Anniversary
2 statements
Catherine Watts Celebrates 100th Birthday
4 statements
House of Representatives
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026
A bill to prohibit federal funds from going to universities that boycott Israel. In discussion, Republicans spoke in support of the bill, arguing it would combat anti-Semitism on campuses. Democrats opposed the bill, saying it would violate free speech and academic freedom. Some debate time was spent on procedural matters like demanding a recorded vote.
“I don't like this bill. I want universities to boycott Israel. I say the bill punishes free speech. I say Israel is an apartheid state. I say many Jews agree with me. I say a minister in Israel posted a gas chamber image. I say students should boycott that. I say the bill takes away education from working-class students. I say this bill is bad. I say Trump is dismantling education. I say we should protect free speech and the right to boycott.”
“I am against this bill. I say it takes away rights of Americans. I say it helps a foreign government. I say that government does bad things. I say we should talk about that instead. I say this bill punishes American students. I say it is not allowed by the Constitution. I say we should vote against it.”
“I want the last word. I put a statement in the record. The statement says this bill is bad. It says the bill takes away free speech. It says the bill punishes schools for political views. I want us to vote against it.”
“I want to put another statement in the record. This one is from a teacher's union. The union says the bill is bad. It says the bill takes away freedom. It says the bill does not protect students and teachers. It says the bill does not help education.”
“I want to say one more thing. Students and teachers can say what they want. That is not the same as the school having a policy. No school has a policy to boycott Israel. This bill is not clear. It may not stop schools from boycotting Israel. Boycotting Israel is speech. Speech is protected by the First Amendment. The government can't take away money for speech. No school is boycotting Israel anyway. We should stop anti-Semitism. But we should not stop free speech. I think you should vote no on this bill.”
“I want a recorded vote on this bill. The vote happened. Most voted yes. Some changed their votes. The bill passed. The vote result is recorded. Someone wanted to reconsider the vote. We will not vote again.”