WASHINGTON — A GOP measure preventing accrediting organizations from requiring colleges to adopt diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies for accreditation passed the U.S. House Thursday, though its future remains uncertain.
The End Woke Higher Education Act passed by a vote of 213-201. This measure is one of several anti-woke initiatives from Republican lawmakers.
This higher education bill, opposed by the Biden administration and major college associations, was introduced amid a looming government shutdown and the 2024 campaign.
Four House Democrats supported the measure: Reps. Don Davis of North Carolina, Jared Golden of Maine, Mary Peltola of Alaska, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington.
Main Points of the Legislation
Two bills are included in the legislation: the Accreditation for College Excellence Act by Utah Rep. Burgess Owens and the Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act by New York Rep. Brandon Williams.
Rep. Owens stated, “House Republicans passed the End Woke Higher Education Act to stand up for academic freedom, defend students’ constitutional rights, and ensure that colleges and universities aren’t forced to bend the knee to activist accreditors pushing political agendas as a condition for federal funding.”
Owens’ bill specifies that accreditation standards must not require institutions to support or oppose specific political viewpoints or beliefs or treat individuals disparately. Williams’ bill mandates schools disclose free speech policies to students and faculty to receive Title IV funds.
Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 includes federal student financial aid programs.
Strong Opposition
The legislation is unlikely to pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate. The Biden administration opposed the measure, stating it would “micromanage both public and private institutions, undermining their ability to recognize and promote diversity.”
Rep. Bobby Scott criticized the measure as a “baseless attempt to inject culture wars into an ever-important accreditation process,” adding it tries to create new rules for campus speech and association rights.
Leading college associations also opposed the bill. In a joint letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, six major associations led by the American Council on Education argued the bill would undermine efforts to protect free speech and ensure discrimination-free learning environments.
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