Press Releases

WASHINGTON—The U.S. House of Representatives passed Representative Michael Baumgartner’s (R-Wash.) legislation, the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act, that would protect American students from the influence of foreign adversaries, particularly the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Specifically, this bill lowers the threshold for reporting gifts and contracts from foreign sources to the Department of Education from $250,000 to $50,000.

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Rep. Baumgartner issued the following statements:

“Malign influences pose a national security threat to our country, especially when it comes to the CCP. We passed Rep. Baumgartner’s bill to strengthen transparency and accountability in our higher education institutions and keep the CCP away from our students,” Chairwoman McClain said. “It is unfortunate, but not surprising, that 168 Democrats voted against protecting American students from the CCP’s influence today. House Republicans, however, will continue to keep our promise to make America secure.”

“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. 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,” Rep. Baumgartner said.