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HR 2117 112th Congress House Education Administrative law and regulatory procedures Department of Education Education programs funding Higher education Intergovernmental relations School administration State and local government operations Teaching, teachers, curricula Vocational and technical education

Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act

Introduced: July 1, 2011 Introduced by: Foxx, Virginia Republican · North Carolina See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 34 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 29, 2012
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Feb 28, 2012
Ms. Foxx moved that the committee rise.
Feb 28, 2012
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Polis amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Foxx demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
Feb 28, 2012
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 28, 2012
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 303 - 114 (Roll no. 79).
Feb 28, 2012
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 176 - 241 (Roll no. 78).
Feb 28, 2012
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Capps motion to recommit. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment which adds a provision entitled "PROTECTING STUDENTS FROM HIGHER LOAN COSTS AND A DEVALUED EDUCATIONAL DEGREE".
Feb 28, 2012
Mrs. Capps moved to recommit with instructions to Education and the Workforce. (consideration: CR H995-996; text: CR H995)
Feb 28, 2012
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H988)
Feb 28, 2012
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2117.
Feb 28, 2012
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
Feb 28, 2012
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Feb 28, 2012
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H992-997)
Feb 28, 2012
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2117 as unfinished business.
Feb 28, 2012
On motion that the committe rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Feb 28, 2012
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 563, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Polis amendment No. 5.
Feb 28, 2012
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Bishop (NY) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Bishop (NY) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
Feb 28, 2012
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 563, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bishop (NY) amendment No. 4.
Feb 28, 2012
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 563, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Polis amendment No. 3.
Feb 28, 2012
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 563, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Foxx amendment No. 2.
Feb 28, 2012
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Grijalva amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Grijalva demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
Feb 28, 2012
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 563, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Grijalva amendment No. 1.
Feb 28, 2012
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2117.
Feb 28, 2012
The Speaker designated the Honorable Candice S. Miller to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.
Feb 28, 2012
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 563 and Rule XVIII.
Feb 28, 2012
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2117 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workforce now printed in the bill.
Feb 28, 2012
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 563. (consideration: CR H980-992)
Feb 28, 2012
Rule H. Res. 563 passed House.
Feb 27, 2012
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 563 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2117 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workforce now printed in the bill.
Jul 22, 2011
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 116.
Jul 22, 2011
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 112-177.
Jun 15, 2011
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 3, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Jun 3, 2011
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Feb 28, 2012 House · vote #79 On Passage Passed 303–114 See who voted →
Feb 28, 2012 House · vote #78 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Failed 176–241 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 5

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to 4 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 956 — An amendment numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-404 to require the Secretary to present a plan to prevent… Failed Feb 28, 2012
HAMDT 955 — An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-404 to strike the prohibition on the Secretary of Educati… Failed Feb 28, 2012
HAMDT 954 — An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-404 to link state authorization regulations to student ou… Failed Feb 28, 2012
HAMDT 953 Foxx, Virginia An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-404 to repeal a section of the credit hour regulation imp… Agreed to Feb 28, 2012
HAMDT 952 — An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-404 to retain the requirement that states have a process … Failed Feb 28, 2012
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act - Repeals certain Department of Education regulations that for purposes of determining whether a school is eligible to participate in programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA): (1) require institutions of higher education and postsecondary vocational institutions (except religious schools) to be legally authorized by the state in which they are situated, (2) delineate what such legal authorization requires of states and schools, and (3) define "credit hour."

Prohibits the Secretary of Education from promulgating or enforcing any regulation or rule that defines "credit hour" for any purpose under the HEA.

What's happening now February 29, 2012

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 1297 Identical bill A bill to preserve State and institutional authority relating to State authorization and the definition of credit hour.
  • HRES 563 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2117) to prohibit the Department of Education from overreaching into acad…
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 45
All 45 Democratic 1 Republican 13
R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · Jul 22, 2011
Kissell, Larry
· Jul 22, 2011
 R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Jul 22, 2011
 R
Rogers, Mike D.
Alabama · Jul 22, 2011
Roskam, Peter
· Jul 22, 2011
SMITH, LAMAR
· Jul 22, 2011
EMERSON, JO
· Jul 14, 2011
 R
Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck"
Tennessee · Jul 14, 2011
Jenkins, Lynn
· Jul 14, 2011
Marino, Tom
· Jul 14, 2011
 R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Jul 14, 2011
 R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · Jul 1, 2011
BURTON, DAN
· Jul 1, 2011
Chaffetz, Jason
· Jul 1, 2011
 D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Jul 1, 2011
Conaway, K.
· Jul 1, 2011
Granger, Kay
· Jul 1, 2011
Hultgren, Randy
· Jul 1, 2011
Reed, Tom
· Jul 1, 2011
Shuster, Bill
· Jul 1, 2011
 R
Smith, Adrian
Nebraska · Jul 1, 2011
 R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Jul 1, 2011
THORNBERRY, WILLIAM
· Jul 1, 2011
Bonner, Jo
· Jun 21, 2011
BRADY, KEVIN
· Jun 21, 2011
Coffman, Mike
· Jun 21, 2011
 R
Guthrie, Brett
Kentucky · Jun 21, 2011
MICA, JOHN
· Jun 21, 2011
MYRICK, SUE
· Jun 21, 2011
Olson, Pete
· Jun 21, 2011
Austria, Steve
· Jun 14, 2011
Barletta, Lou
· Jun 14, 2011
BIGGERT, JUDY
· Jun 14, 2011
 R
Carter, John R.
Texas · Jun 14, 2011
 R
DesJarlais, Scott
Tennessee · Jun 14, 2011
Gowdy, Trey
· Jun 14, 2011
HERGER, WALLY
· Jun 14, 2011
Marchant, Kenny
· Jun 14, 2011
MCKEON, HOWARD
· Jun 14, 2011
PLATTS, TODD
· Jun 14, 2011
Roby, Martha
· Jun 14, 2011
Rokita, Todd
· Jun 14, 2011
Ross, Dennis
· Jun 14, 2011
 R
Thompson, Glenn
Pennsylvania · Jun 14, 2011
 R
Walberg, Tim
Michigan · Jun 14, 2011
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2117: Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2117/
MLA
"H.R. 2117: Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2117/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2117, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2117/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2117: Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2117/)
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