Thirty-three House Democrats broke with party leadership Thursday to help pass Republican legislation that would strip federal funding from universities engaged in boycotts of Israel, exposing a deepening rift within the Democratic caucus over Middle East policy.

The bill passed 237-169, with all but two Republicans voting in favor. The legislation would require colleges and universities to certify they are not participating in "nonexpressive commercial boycotts" of Israel in order to receive federal funding, targeting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement that has gained momentum on campuses nationwide.

Republican supporters framed the measure as a stand against antisemitism, while Democratic opponents called it an unprecedented government intrusion into institutional autonomy and free speech. The vote revealed significant internal divisions within the Democratic Party, where a majority of voters now hold unfavorable views of Israel according to recent polling, yet dozens of lawmakers sided with the GOP on the issue.

Rare GOP Defections

Only two Republicans opposed the bill: Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio, both of whom have criticized Washington's approach to Middle East policy. Their dissent highlighted the rare bipartisan consensus that has emerged in Congress around support for Israel, making the measure's passage all but certain despite vocal opposition from civil liberties groups.

The legislation now moves to the Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain. If enacted, the bill would force universities to choose between maintaining policies that may align with BDS principles and losing access to billions in federal research funding, financial aid programs, and other government support that many institutions depend on for operations.

Campus Tensions Fuel Legislative Push

The push for the legislation comes amid escalating tensions on college campuses over student activism related to Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. University administrators have faced pressure from both sides: pro-Palestinian activists demanding institutional divestment from companies doing business with Israel, and pro-Israel groups calling for crackdowns on what they characterize as antisemitic speech and actions.

Critics of the bill argue it conflates legitimate criticism of Israeli government policy with discrimination against Jewish people, and warn that the certification requirement could chill academic freedom and scholarly exchange. The American Civil Liberties Union has called the measure "constitutionally suspect," noting that similar state-level boycott restrictions have faced legal challenges with mixed results in federal courts.

Supporters counter that taxpayer dollars should not flow to institutions that participate in what they view as economic warfare against a key U.S. ally. The bill's Republican architects have pointed to resolutions passed by some academic departments calling for boycotts of Israeli institutions, as well as instances where universities have discouraged or blocked study abroad programs with Israeli partners, as evidence of the problem they aim to address.