H.R. 2555, Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2026

September 30, 2026

Cost Estimate

As reported by the House Committee on Education and Workforce on August 27, 2026

H.R. 2555, Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2026As reported by the House Committee on Education and Workforce on August 27, 2026
By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars		2026	2026-2031	2026-2036
Direct Spending (Outlays)		0	0	0
Revenues		0	0	0
Increase or Decrease (-) in the Deficit		0	0	0
Spending Subject to Appropriation (Outlays)		0	*	not estimated
Increases net direct spending in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2037?	No	Statutory pay-as-you-go procedures apply?		No
	No	Mandate Effects
Increases on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2037?	No	Contains intergovernmental mandate?		No
	No	Contains private-sector mandate?		No
* = between zero and $500,000.

H.R. 2555 would amend the Higher Education Act to prohibit colleges and universities that receive funds under the act from penalizing single-sex social organizations, such as fraternities and sororities, or students who join such organizations, based solely on the organizations’ membership policies.

CBO expects the relevant institutions would comply with the requirements of H.R. 2555; thus, enacting the bill would not affect institutional eligibility for funding from the Department of Education.

Based on the costs of implementing similar activities, CBO estimates that the costs to the Department of Education to implement H.R. 2555 would be less than $500,000 over the 2026-2031 period. Any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Leah Koestner. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

Phillip L. Swagel Director, Congressional Budget Office

Phillip L. Swagel

Director, Congressional Budget Office