House Passes Bill to Block Chinese Influence in U.S. Higher Education

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to combat Chinese Communist Party influence in American higher education, marking a significant step in protecting national security and academic integrity.

At a Glance

H.R. 1516 passed to prevent DHS funding for universities partnering with Confucius Institutes or CCP-linked entities
Bill aims to counter espionage, intellectual property theft, and communist propaganda in U.S. universities
Legislation builds on previous restrictions, including the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act
Strong bipartisan support emphasizes the need to protect American innovation and sovereignty

House Takes Action Against Chinese Influence in Academia

In a decisive move to safeguard American higher education, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 1516, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act. This legislation, introduced by Homeland Security Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Subcommittee Chairman August Pfluger, aims to curtail the growing influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in U.S. universities.

“The Chinese Community Party is utilizing Confucius Institutes to infiltrate American university campuses and engage in espionage, steal intellectual property, intimidate Chinese dissidents, promote communist propaganda, and funnel sensitive information back to the People’s Liberation Army,” said Congressman Pfluger. “This bill protects students and universities while ensuring that American dollars are not enabling foreign malign influence.”

House passes legislation to combat China's influence on higher education in America https://t.co/aURWE9LJe5

— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) September 11, 2024

Key Provisions and Support

The bill prevents Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds from being allocated to American universities that host Confucius Institutes or maintain relationships with Chinese entities of concern. This measure is designed to protect U.S. institutions from the CCP’s influence and safeguard critical research and development from potential theft.

Speaker Johnson and House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green have expressed strong support for the bill. Speaker Johnson stated, “As higher education continues to be plagued by radical agendas and indoctrination, I commend Rep. Pfluger’s leadership in ensuring the Chinese Communist Party does not interfere with American students’ education. H.R. 1516 is critical to protecting students against China and its proxies.”

Historical Context and Ongoing Concerns

This legislation builds upon previous efforts to limit Chinese influence in U.S. higher education, such as the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which prohibited Department of Defense funding to institutions hosting Confucius Institutes. The continued focus on this issue reflects the persistent concerns raised by U.S. law enforcement and intelligence officials regarding the Chinese government’s attempts to infiltrate academia for military and commercial espionage purposes.

“The Chinese government [poses] a particular threat to U.S. academia” and “does not play by the same rules of academic integrity that U.S. educational institutions observe.” law enforcement reported.

The CCP’s 2017 National Intelligence Law, which requires entities to assist Chinese intelligence services, has further heightened concerns about agreements between U.S. universities and Confucius Institutes or related entities. This law underscores the potential risks associated with such partnerships and the need for increased scrutiny and regulation.

Bipartisan Recognition of the Threat

Despite political divisions on many issues, there is growing bipartisan agreement on the need to address the CCP’s influence in higher education. Both Republicans and some Democrats acknowledge that universities must exercise greater caution in their dealings with foreign governments, especially the CCP.

“A lot of Democrats think that universities need to be more careful,” one lobbyist says. “But they aren’t in favor of a blanket prohibition. So it might be a difficult vote for them.”

The passage of H.R. 1516 represents a significant step in the ongoing efforts to protect American academic institutions from foreign influence and ensure the integrity of U.S. higher education. As the bill moves to the Senate, it will likely continue to generate debate on balancing national security concerns with the benefits of international academic cooperation.