**House Restricts College Ties with Certain Chinese Organizations to Safeguard Funding**

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6 days ago - Politics

House Passes Bill to Limit College Connections with Certain Chinese Organizations

In a significant move, the House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at restricting how U.S. colleges and universities interact with specific Chinese groups. This decision, driven mainly by Republicans, is intended to enhance national security and ensure that American educational institutions do not receive federal money if they maintain ties to certain Chinese organizations seen as problematic.

The new bill states that starting one year after it becomes law, any college or university with connections to these groups, known as Confucius Institutes and other Chinese entities of concern, will not be able to access funds from the Department of Homeland Security. To continue receiving this critical financial support, schools must sever their relationships with these organizations.

However, there's a possibility for schools to receive a temporary one-year exception. The Secretary of Homeland Security can grant this waiver, but only if the college proves that it can properly safeguard sensitive information and that the relationship does not pose a risk to U.S. security.

The passing of this bill is important because it directly affects how colleges can partner with foreign organizations. Schools now have to closely examine their connections to avoid losing essential federal funding. Going forward, institutions will also be required to report how these rules influence their operations and partnerships.

As colleges adapt to this new requirement, the changes could reshape not only funding sources but also student programs and educational collaborations with foreign entities.

This is a new law that stops colleges from getting money from the Department of Homeland Security if they have ties to Confucius Institutes or certain Chinese groups.

  1. Main Rules:

    • Colleges with relationships with Confucius Institutes or Chinese groups that could be a problem for U.S. security will not get federal money.
    • To get funding again, these colleges must end their ties with these organizations.

  2. Definitions:

    • A Confucius Institute is a Chinese-funded center that promotes Chinese culture.
    • A Chinese entity of concern is a university in China that supports military activities or harms U.S. interests, like spreading false information or violating human rights.

  3. Exceptions:

    • The Secretary of Homeland Security can allow some colleges to receive funds if they have strong safety measures to protect sensitive information. This waiver can last up to one year and can be renewed.

  4. Support:

    • The Department of Homeland Security will help colleges comply with these rules and offer guidance when needed.

  5. Reporting:

    • After 18 months of the law taking effect, the Secretary of Homeland Security must report to Congress about how the law is working and which colleges are affected.

Overall, this law aims to protect U.S. security by limiting the influence of certain Chinese institutions on American colleges.

419 votes

Yes

266

No

153

Not Voting

14

  1. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  2. On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 266 - 153 (Roll no. 120).
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  3. Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 266 - 153 (Roll no. 120).
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  4. Considered as unfinished business.
  5. POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate of H.R. 881, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Pfluger demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  6. The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  7. DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 881.
  8. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881 under a closed rule with one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
  9. Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 377.
  10. Rule H. Res. 377 passed House.
  11. Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 377 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881 under a closed rule with one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
  12. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-87.
  13. Reported in House

    This is a new law that stops colleges from getting money from the Department of Homeland Security if they have ties to Confucius Institutes or certain Chinese groups.

    1. Main Rules:

      • Colleges with relationships with Confucius Institutes or Chinese groups that could be a problem for U.S. security will not get federal money.
      • To get funding again, these colleges must end their ties with these organizations.

    2. Definitions:

      • A Confucius Institute is a Chinese-funded center that promotes Chinese culture.
      • A Chinese entity of concern is a university in China that supports military activities or harms U.S. interests, like spreading false information or violating human rights.

    3. Exceptions:

      • The Secretary of Homeland Security can allow some colleges to receive funds if they have strong safety measures to protect sensitive information. This waiver can last up to one year and can be renewed.

    4. Support:

      • The Department of Homeland Security will help colleges comply with these rules and offer guidance when needed.

    5. Reporting:

      • After 18 months of the law taking effect, the Secretary of Homeland Security must report to Congress about how the law is working and which colleges are affected.

    Overall, this law aims to protect U.S. security by limiting the influence of certain Chinese institutions on American colleges.

  14. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 62.
  15. Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended).
  16. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  17. Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Discharged
  18. Introduced in House

    This is a bill that stops colleges and universities from getting money from the Department of Homeland Security if they have relationships with certain Chinese organizations, like Confucius Institutes.

    1. Restrictions: Colleges that work with Confucius Institutes or other Chinese entities involved in military or intelligence activities will not receive federal funding. This rule starts one year after the bill is passed.

    2. Definitions:

      • Confucius Institute: A Chinese-funded cultural program at colleges.
      • Chinese entity of concern: Any college in China that helps China's military or works against U.S. interests, like spreading false information or supporting human rights abuses.

    3. Consequences: Colleges must stop their relationships with these institutes if they want to keep receiving funds from the Department of Homeland Security.

    4. Reporting: The Secretary of Homeland Security must report to Congress about schools that have links to these Chinese entities and still get funding.

    This law is important because it aims to protect U.S. interests by limiting foreign influence in American education.

  19. Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
  20. Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
  21. Introduced in House