High Country Times

Today, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg expressed his support for the bipartisan Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act on the House Floor. The bill, H.R. 1048, is sponsored by Representative Michael Baumgartner.

Chairman Walberg emphasized concerns about foreign nations, particularly adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party, contributing significant funds to American universities. He highlighted issues such as stolen research, antisemitic propaganda, and academic censorship resulting from these foreign relationships. "Foreign nations, including our biggest adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party, contribute billions to American universities," Walberg stated.

Walberg pointed out that under the Higher Education Act, schools are required to report foreign gifts and funding. However, he criticized what he described as "loose legislative language," a lack of action from the Biden-Harris administration, and non-compliance by colleges. This has led to undetected infiltration of billions in foreign funds into the country. He cited a Congressional investigation revealing nearly $40 million in unreported research contracts with the Chinese Communist Party at two research universities.

The DETERRENT Act aims to address these issues by closing loopholes and enforcing stricter reporting requirements for foreign funding and contracts. It also proposes penalties for institutions that fail to comply with these regulations. "This bipartisan bill is a commonsense solution to an irrefutable problem," Walberg said.

He thanked Representative Baumgartner for introducing the legislation and acknowledged contributions from other committee members including Representatives Harris, Owens, and Messmer. Walberg urged his colleagues to support the DETERRENT Act as a measure to protect national security interests while holding educational institutions accountable.