The bill introduced by Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) relates only to academic boycotts against Israel. Where the state bills proscribed penalties, including a reduction of funding against any institution that participated in an association that called for a boycott and even prohibited reimbursing faculty for travel expenses to attend conferences by such groups, the congressional one threatens to cut off all funding under the Higher Education Act to any university “…if the institution, any significant part of the institution, or any organization significantly funded by the institution adopts a policy or resolution, issues a statement, or otherwise formally establishes the restriction of discourse, cooperation, exchange, or any other involvement with academic institutions or scholars on the basis of the connection of such institutions or such scholars to the State of Israel.”

-this is dangerous stuff. What's amazing to me is that it has bipartisan support. I always find it ironic when Republicans have no problem introducing legislation that further mandates organizations and businesses, therefore adding to their "bureaucracy." The ethos that government should be "small" doesn't mean brick and mortar small, it means legislatively small. Every new policy, every new intrusion grows the behemoth that is the US govt.

That legislators try to stifle people's ability to boycott that which they find reprehensible fly's in complete contrast with why our nation was founded.

Basing it on Israel being a “Jewish state” serves not only to undermine the Jewish effort to be accepted like any other people, but actually promotes resentment and hostility toward Jews.

-This is true not just of this instance but if many instances when US policy differs in relation to Israel. There are many people that are pro-Israel but are offended by the special way that US policy favors them.

Thank you for the list of legislative participants. Accountability is a rare thing these days. As always, great piece Mitchell