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.
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to bar colleges and universities from requiring ideological oaths or statements from students, employees, contractors, or applicants. Specifically, it prohibits institutions from compelling or soliciting endorsements of an ideology that promotes differential treatment based on race, color, or ethnicity, or from requiring or soliciting statements about a person’s race/ethnicity, views on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) topics, or related concepts. It also prohibits preferential treatment based on unsolicited statements in support of such ideologies. The bill provides several carve-outs: it does not restrict academic research or coursework; it allows individuals to voluntarily provide information about these topics on their own initiative; and it preserves some routine institutional requirements, such as disclosures related to research, compliance with antidiscrimination law, or discussions of pedagogical approaches or experiences with students with learning disabilities. The measure would affect institutions that receive federal higher education funding, by adding these prohibitions to the existing legal framework.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition on ideological oaths and statements: Institutions cannot compel or solicit endorsements of race- or ethnicity-based differential treatment or require statements about race, ethnicity, national origin, or views on DEI, antiracism, social justice, intersectionality, or related concepts from students, employees, or applicants.
- 2Prohibition on preferential treatment based on unsolicited statements: Institutions cannot give preferential consideration to someone based on an unsolicited statement in support of the above ideologies.
- 3Clear exceptions:
- 4- Does not restrict academic research or coursework.
- 5- Individuals may voluntarily provide the described information on their own initiative.
- 6- Institutions may require certain disclosures or certifications (e.g., compliance with antidiscrimination law) and may discuss pedagogy or experiences with learning disabilities.
- 7- Institutions may require disclosure or discussion of the content of a person’s research or artistic creations as applicable.
- 8Scope of coverage: Applies to institutions of higher education that are subject to the Higher Education Act (i.e., those receiving federal funds), and to students, employees, contractors, and applicants for admission or employment/contracting.
- 9Legislative status: Introduced in the House on February 4, 2025, sponsored by Mr. Crenshaw; referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce.