Congress Drops the Hammer on Foreign Influence in Higher Education with the Passage of the DETERRENT Act
WASHINGTON DC - In a decisive step to protect national security and safeguard academic freedom, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act, targeting foreign financial influence in American universities.
Introduced by Republican Study Committee (RSC) member Rep. Michael Baumgartner (WA-5), the legislation directly addresses the growing threat of foreign adversaries, particularly the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), manipulating U.S. higher education through strategic financial contributions.
“The passage of the DETERRENT Act with bipartisan support is a significant and hard-won victory in the fight to protect academic integrity from foreign interference, said Rep. Baumgartner. “This bill reflects a growing consensus that transparency and accountability are essential in safeguarding American universities from the influence of foreign adversaries, particularly the Chinese Communist Party. It is a crucial step forward, but it is important to remember that universities don't have to wait for federal action to begin taking these necessary steps. Adopting the DETERRENT framework now—by disclosing foreign funding, establishing robust oversight, and ensuring that no outside power undermines the pursuit of knowledge—can help preserve the free exchange of ideas and innovations that are central to our academic institutions.”
"American universities will not be pawns for the hidden agendas of the Chinese Communist Party or any nation threatening our national security,” said RSC Chairman August Pfluger. “Foreign adversaries have been manipulating our education system for years, and Congress is sending an unmistakable message – our universities are not for sale. I applaud Rep. Baumgartner for his leadership on this critical piece of legislation.”
Recent investigations have uncovered billions in undisclosed foreign contributions, exposing a critical national security vulnerability. The DETERRENT Act ensures universities can no longer hide behind bureaucratic complexity when national security is at stake.