The U.S. General Services Administration moved to impose an anti-DEI certification requirement on federal funding recipients, including colleges and universities, under a proposal tied to compliance with the administration’s DEI-related executive orders and guidance. The certification language flags potential violations such as race-based scholarships and certain “overcoming obstacles” narratives or diversity statements in hiring. Higher-education groups urged GSA to rescind the proposal, warning that institutions could be forced to certify practices they consider incompatible with their policies and mission. If finalized as proposed, the requirement is likely to face legal challenges, and institutions that do not comply could face expensive litigation rather than immediate funding loss. The reporting notes a similar earlier dispute in which Harvard University recovered $2.2 billion in federal funding after a judge ruled the administration mishandled a freeze. But the article emphasizes most colleges may not have the fiscal flexibility to fight long court battles, raising the prospect of a “bullying effect” on institutional behavior beyond campuses.