Congressman Pat Harrigan Votes to Crack Down on Foreign Influence in U.S. Research Institutions

Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) voted to pass H.R. 1048, the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act. The legislation strengthens transparency requirements for universities receiving foreign money, particularly from adversarial regimes like China, and enforces tough penalties for noncompliance.

“The Chinese Communist Party is funneling money into our universities to buy influence, shape our institutions, and steal cutting-edge research," said Congressman Harrigan. "This bill exposes their tactics and shuts the door. If you're taking foreign money, you will report it.”

H.R. 1048 reduces the reporting threshold for foreign gifts from $250,000 to $50,000 for countries of concern and their state-linked entities. It also requires faculty and staff to disclose foreign contracts or donations and imposes strict penalties for violations, including steep fines and the loss of Title IV funding.

Congressman Harrigan is urging the Senate to act without delay and pass this critical legislation. America's research institutions must be protected from foreign interference, and the American people deserve full transparency.