House GOP passes 'End Woke' universities bill

House Republicans passed a controversial bill on Thursday aimed at curbing what they see as growing restrictions on conservative speech at American universities.

The “End Woke Higher Education Act” passed by a narrow margin of 213-201, largely along party lines, with only four Democrats joining in support. The bill’s backers claim it will protect free speech on college campuses, but critics warn it could have unintended consequences, particularly in the fight against antisemitism.

Spearheaded by Syracuse-area Republican Rep. Brandon Williams, the legislation is part of a broader GOP effort to counter what they describe as ideological suppression in higher education. “Throughout history, we have watched dangerous extremists weaponize educational institutions to promote their ideology and to suppress dissent,” Williams said on the House floor. “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.”

However, some university advocates and lawmakers have raised red flags, arguing that the bill, if it became law, could weaken efforts to protect Jewish students from hate speech, particularly amid a surge in antisemitism on college campuses. In a letter to House leaders, the president of the Association of American Universities warned that the bill would undermine universities’ ability to regulate campus expression in ways that ensure student safety. “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,” the letter stated.

The bill comes at a time of heightened tension over antisemitism on campuses, fueled by pro-Palestinian demonstrations and congressional scrutiny of university administrators. Recently, some university leaders have faced public resignations after struggling to address antisemitism in congressional hearings. Democrats, including Rep. Dan Goldman, have been vocal in criticizing the bill, accusing Republicans of undermining their stated goal of combating 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,” Goldman said.

Rep. Williams responded to the criticism, defending the bill as a measure to restore balance to campus discourse. “The illegal actions of pro-terrorist agitators and antisemitic provocateurs are not protected by the First Amendment,” he said, arguing that the legislation targets unlawful actions, not protected speech.

The bill faces a steep challenge in the Senate, where it is unlikely to gain the necessary support to advance further.