Last week, the Prime Minister from UC Berkeley appeared before Congress but hesitated to promise transparency regarding foreign funding. During questioning from Prime Minister Rich Lyon, he sidestepped whether he would open up about the money Berkeley has received from foreign governments. “I’m not ready to make that commitment today,” he responded.
What’s even more surprising is that he acknowledged that foreign entities often approach colleges, yet he couldn’t provide a specific example. It raises an important question: shouldn’t Americans know who is financing our public universities? If Berkeley remains secretive, it invites skepticism about what the institution might be hiding.
This isn’t merely an academic issue; it poses a tangible threat to our national security.
Back in January, the University of Michigan severed ties with Chinese universities amid concerns that their funding could be tied to the military-industrial complex in Beijing. Recently, the Department of Education initiated an investigation into universities to assess compliance with federal law and the accuracy of foreign funding disclosures.
While we commend the University of Michigan for cutting off financial ties with the Chinese Communist Party, serious doubts linger. Why did so many millions in foreign funds get reported late or misclassified as coming from “non-governmental entities,” which might have links to foreign states? What else are they concealing?
That’s why I reintroduced the Deterrence Act, which aims to bring long-term transparency concerning foreign influences in higher education. The bill does three main things:
- It enhances transparency of foreign funding by lowering the threshold for reporting foreign gifts from $250,000 to $50,000, requiring faculty and staff at research-focused institutions to reveal any foreign financial connections.
- It holds agencies accountable by introducing penalties and the potential for suspension of federal funding for failing to disclose foreign financial support.
- It prioritizes national security by scrutinizing gifts from hostile nations more closely.
Personally, I believe in the value of international educational exchange; I’ve experienced it myself. Growing up as the son of a forestry professor at Washington State University, I saw how such exchanges can enhance understanding. As a college student, I had the opportunity to study in various countries, from France to Kuwait, seeking to grasp a multitude of perspectives. I even spent time in Mozambique working with the Jesuits, teaching and coaching.
Nevertheless, there’s a stark difference between genuine academic collaboration and foreign intervention disguised as philanthropy.
Passing the Deterrence Act, with bipartisan backing, is a significant achievement in the ongoing effort to safeguard academic integrity against foreign influences. The bill resonates with a growing understanding that accountability and transparency are vital for protecting American universities from manipulative foreign entities, particularly the Chinese Communist Party.
This is a considerable stride, yet universities shouldn’t just wait on federal intervention. They should proactively implement frameworks that make it clear foreign funds and their sources are known, establishing oversight to ensure external influences don’t compromise our academic values.
In April, President Trump signed a Presidential Order to boost transparency and impose stricter reporting mandates on foreign gifts. I support President Trump’s decisive action, as it underlines the critical matters discussed in the Deterrence Act. This order reinforces our commitment to maintaining academic integrity and shielding universities from foreign interferences, particularly from hostile regimes like the Chinese Communist Party.
While the House has passed the deterrence law with strong bipartisan support, I’m calling on the Senate to take decisive action, so it becomes law—not just an enforcement mechanism that can be reversed. The time to act is now.
This concern extends beyond foreign influence; it’s about who our universities truly serve.
For years, Americans have witnessed rising tuition costs while a kind of ideological conformity stifles genuine discussions of ideas. Universities increasingly seem disconnected from the needs of workers and local communities. The public has every right to question whether our institutions prioritize Americans or cater to the highest foreign bidders.
It’s time for universities to focus back on their core mission:
- Lower tuition fees.
- Encourage the open exchange of ideas.
- Align degrees with job market realities.
- Assist students in graduating and finding employment.
- Prioritize students and taxpayers.
The House has taken action. The President has acted. Now, it’s the Senate’s turn.
Let’s turn the Deterrence Act into law to eliminate harmful foreign influences in our education system and prioritize American interests.
