Bill Passed to Curb Chinese Influence in US Schools

The bill that was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday aims to crack down on U.S. universities collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Proposed by Representative August Pfluger, a Republican from Texas, it seeks to prevent educational institutions partnering with Confucius Institutes or receiving funding from Chinese sources from obtaining grants provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 
 
Confucius Institutes are language and cultural centers funded by China's government within foreign universities. The CCP selects and pays for textbooks as well as teachers who come to America to teach about Chinese culture, history, and language. However, these institutes have been accused of being a front for Beijing's influence operations overseas. 
 
Accordingly, any American university hosting a Confucius Institute is already banned from receiving funding from the Department of Defense. On this basis, Pfluger argued that DHS should follow suit: "You're either going to take a step in support of the strength of the United States...or you're going to be on the side of somebody else's security," he said. 
 
Despite mass closures after 2020, when the State Department designated CIUS as a foreign mission representing China’s interests, reports suggest some institutes rebranded under different names continue their operations. 
 
However, not everyone agreed with this legislation. Democratic Representatives Bennie Thompson and Seth Magaziner voiced opposition against its broad wording, which could potentially exclude all types of DHS funding for any college receiving money from China—even disaster relief funds. 
 
While supporting Congress’s efforts at ensuring DHS funds only go towards partners advancing U.S. interests—homeland security or democratic norms—the White House expressed concerns over whether there might be better ways than denying such essential funding altogether due to susceptibility towards increasing monetary influence exerted by the People's Republic of China (PRC) upon academic institutions: 
 
"The administration appreciates Congress's efforts. However, there may be more appropriate ways.” 
 
In response, an amended version narrowed down the definition of Chinese entities of concern to those assisting persecution of Uyghur Muslims, working against US-Taiwan relations, or participating in the Thousand Talents Program—China’s initiative to attract talent possessing critical military technology. Only funding recipients from these entities will disqualify a college from receiving DHS grants. 
 
The bill passed later with 249-161 votes, including thirty-six Democrats voting for it. It also mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security report any colleges among its grant recipients collaborating with Confucius Institutes or other Chinese entities causing concern. 
 
Pfluger hailed the passage as protecting students and universities while ensuring American dollars aren't enabling foreign malign influence: "This bill protects... while ensuring that American dollars are not enabling foreign malign influence," he said. 
 
In related news, Georgia Tech University recently announced the discontinuation of the Shenzhen Institute (GTSI) in Shenzhen, China, citing an extensive national security role and the Commerce Department's blacklisting of Tianjin University since December 2020—their partner institution. However, current students can still graduate through the program. 
 
Representative John Moolenaar, who had launched an investigation into this partnership, welcomed Georgia Tech’s decision, hoping others would follow suit considering its potential impact on America's long-term national security: "It is my hope that other American institutions... will pay close attention here.”