High Country Times

Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg addressed the committee today, focusing on legislation aimed at reducing foreign influence in American education and improving child nutrition. The session considered five bills, with a particular emphasis on two key areas: enhancing nutritional options for students and safeguarding educational institutions from foreign interference.

Walberg began by welcoming Delegate James Moylan to the committee, noting his addition to several subcommittees related to education and workforce development. He then turned attention to the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, introduced by Representative Thompson. This bill seeks to expand milk choices in schools beyond current restrictions that limit options to fat-free and low-fat varieties. Walberg emphasized the importance of providing more nutritional choices, highlighting bipartisan support for the bill's passage in previous sessions.

The discussion also focused on the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act. According to Walberg, this legislation addresses concerns about foreign adversaries targeting U.S. students through various means such as research theft and propaganda dissemination. The act aims to increase transparency by lowering reporting thresholds for foreign gifts and contracts at academic institutions.

Walberg criticized the Biden-Harris administration for not investigating foreign influence under section 117 of the Higher Education Act. He expressed confidence that reintroducing the DETERRENT Act would address these issues by closing loopholes and increasing disclosure requirements.

The committee also examined three additional bills designed to counter Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence in K-12 schools: the PROTECT Our Kids Act, CLASS Act, and TRACE Act. These measures focus on halting CCP funding flows, ensuring transparency about foreign funding sources, and empowering parents with information about foreign-funded resources.

In conclusion, Walberg expressed optimism about passing these legislative measures, which he believes will enhance student safety and health while promoting American values in education.