Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB927

Introduced
2/4/25  

Caption

This bill prohibits an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student aid programs from requiring a student enrolled at the IHE, an employee or contractor of the IHE, or an applicant for admission to or employment or contracting at the IHE to make certain ideological oaths or similar statements.Specifically, the bill prohibits an IHE from compelling, requiring, inducing, or soliciting such an individual to (1) endorse an ideology that promotes the differential treatment of an individual or group of individuals based on race, color, or ethnicity; or (2) provide a statement indicating certain information about the individual, including the individual's views on efforts involving diversity, equity, and inclusion or other specified concepts.Additionally, the bill prohibits an IHE from providing preferential consideration to a student, employee, or contractor based on the individual's unsolicited support for an ideology that promotes the differential treatment of an individual or group of individuals based on race, color, or ethnicity.

Impact

If enacted, HB 927 would significantly impact how higher education institutions manage admissions and employment processes. It would prohibit these institutions from soliciting personal statements regarding applicants' views on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, effectively limiting any mandates that might infringe upon individual beliefs. Supporters of the bill argue that it would protect freedom of thought and expression by preventing any institutional pressure on students and employees to adhere to specific ideological beliefs as a condition of their engagement with higher education.

Summary

House Bill 927 aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 by prohibiting institutions of higher education from requiring ideological oaths or similar statements as a condition for admission, employment, or contracting. This bill responds to concerns about educational institutions potentially compelling individuals to endorse specific ideologies related to race, ethnicity, and social justice. The legislation seeks to ensure that students and staff are not coerced into expressing or conforming to particular ideological viewpoints, thereby reinforcing academic freedom within higher education settings.

Contention

The bill raises notable points of contention particularly around issues of diversity and inclusion in academic environments. Advocates for the bill argue that it safeguards against discriminatory practices that could arise from ideological conditioning. However, critics argue that, by limiting the ability of colleges and universities to seek commitment to diversity initiatives, it undermines efforts designed to foster inclusive educational environments. There is concern that the bill could hinder progress in addressing systemic inequalities and could dilute the focus on social justice within academic curricula and campus culture.

Congress_id

119-HR-927

Policy_area

Education

Introduced_date

2025-02-04

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB6848

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit institutions of higher education from requiring ideological oaths or similar statements, and for other purposes.

US SB5511

A bill to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to provide additional opportunities for older individuals to volunteer at facilities that serve older individuals or individuals in younger generations, and for other purposes.

US HB435

Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the award of federal funds to an institution of higher education (IHE) that hosts or is affiliated with a school-based service site that provides abortion drugs or abortions to its students or to employees of the IHE or the site. An IHE that hosts or is affiliated with a site must, in order to remain eligible for federal funds, annually certify that the site does not provide abortion drugs or abortions to students or employees.

US SB16

Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the award of federal funds to an institution of higher education (IHE) that hosts or is affiliated with a school-based service site that provides abortion drugs or abortions to its students or to employees of the IHE or the site. An IHE that hosts or is affiliated with a site must, in order to remain eligible for federal funds, annually certify that the site does not provide abortion drugs or abortions to students or employees.

US HB74

This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to implement or enforce mandates that require individuals to wear face coverings or receive vaccinations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The bill provides for an exception that applies in health care settings.

US HB153

Family Integrity to Reform Elections Act or the FIRE Act This bill prohibits the use of campaign funds to compensate the immediate family member of a candidate or an individual holding federal office. It also requires disclosure of payments made to immediate family members. Specifically, the bill prohibits an authorized committee of a candidate or any other political committee that is established, maintained, or controlled by a candidate or an individual holding federal office from directly or indirectly compensating the immediate family member of the candidate or individual for services provided to or on behalf of the committee. The prohibition does not apply to a political committee of a political party. Next, the bill requires a political committee to report on disbursements to an immediate family member of the candidate or the individual holding federal office. Finally, the bill requires any penalty for a violation of the bill to be imposed on the candidate or the individual holding federal office if the candidate or individual involved knew of the violation. Further, it prohibits the committee involved from reimbursing the candidate or individual for the penalty.

US HR282

Expressing that compelled political litmus tests used by public institutions to require individuals to identify with specific ideological views are directly at odds with the principles of academic freedom and free speech and in violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution.

US HB481

Wildfire Smoke Relief Act This bill provides for assistance for the purchase of smoke inhalation prevention equipment to specified individuals at risk of wildfire smoke-related illness. The President, in carrying out the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), shall provide (1) assistance to a state or local government, local public health authority, or a coordinated care organization to purchase and provide such equipment to at-risk individuals; and (2) cost-efficient transitional shelter assistance to at-risk individuals in any case in which such equipment is insufficient to mitigate the risk of illness.

US HB279

Pharmacist Conscience Protection Act This bill prohibits the federal government and federally funded entities from discriminating or otherwise taking adverse action against a pharmacist, pharmacy owner, or pharmacy technician who declines to store, fill prescriptions for, or make referrals for drugs that cause abortions (or that the individual provider believes in good faith cause abortions). Individuals or the Department of Justice may bring civil actions for violations of this bill.

US HB393

Modern GI Bill Act This bill authorizes individuals who are entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to apply amounts of such assistance to repay federal student loans for up to 36 months. The bill sets a cap and annual cost-of-living increases for the amount of educational assistance that may be paid to an individual under this bill during FY2024 and the following years.

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