House Republicans in Washington passed legislation Thursday aimed, they say, at protecting free speech on college campuses. 

But some lawmakers and university advocates warn it could end up undermining efforts to protect Jewish students from hate speech. 

The “End Woke Higher Education Act” passed the House 213-201, with widespread Republican support and the backing of four Democrats. The vote comes as Republicans have sought to fight what they argue are restrictions on conservative thought at universities across the country.

What You Need To Know

  • House Republicans on Thursday passed their "End Woke Higher Education Act," which they argue aims to protect free speech — including conservative voices — on college campuses

  • Some lawmakers and the Association of American Universities warn the bill could actually undermine efforts to protect Jewish students were it to ever become law
  • Rep. Dan Goldman, a New York Democrat, accused congressional Republicans who have railed against university leaders for their handling of demonstrations on college campuses in the past year of "hypocrisy" for moving forward with the bill
  • This legislation would still need to clear the Senate, where it faces a difficult path forward

Syracuse-area Republican Rep. Brandon Williams was among those spearheading the legislation.

“Throughout history, we have watched dangerous extremists weaponize educational institutions to promote their ideology and to suppress dissent … 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," Williams said during the debate on the House floor.

The legislation is widely seen as a “messaging bill” — a measure that has little chance of becoming law but helps further a political message.

Some advocates and lawmakers warn that, at a time when concerns about antisemitism on college campuses has been on the rise, certain language in the bill could actually undermine efforts to protect Jewish students were it to ever become law. 

In a letter to House leaders, the head of the Association of American Universities wrote, “this misguided legislation would dangerously undermine public universities' ability to implement crucial time, place, and manner policies for campus expression, jeopardizing their ability to protect student safety.”

In the past year, as pro-Palestinian demonstrators set up encampments on some university campuses, Republicans in particular have railed against university administrators. And in certain cases, the way some of those school leaders handled questions about antisemitism during congressional hearings paved the way for their very public resignations.

In an interview, Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman argued the House GOP’s bill does not solve the problem of antisemitism. 

“The hypocrisy of Republicans to pay so much lip service to combating antisemitism, to going publicly and haranguing university presidents to get them fired, and then to turn around when they have legislation and action, and actually undercut their ostensible goal is remarkable,” he said.

Asked about the concerns raised about the bill,  Williams said in a statement that it “restores balance to campus speech.”

“The illegal actions of pro-terrorist agitators and antisemitic provocateurs are not protected by the First Amendment,” he continued. 

This legislation would still need to clear the Senate, where it faces a difficult path forward.