The U.S. General Services Administration proposed a requirement that federal funding recipients, including colleges and universities, certify compliance with Trump-era DEI-related executive orders. The certification language flags potential violations tied to race-based scholarships, “overcoming obstacles” narratives, and diversity statements in hiring. Higher education groups are urging GSA to rescind the proposal, warning the certification could function as leverage over institutional behavior. If finalized, the plan is expected to face legal challenges, especially given prior litigation involving federal funding freezes. The proposal matters because it could expose institutions to loss of all federal funding for noncompliance, a high-stakes risk that many schools may not be able to litigate successfully.