On March 27, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the DETERRENT Act with a vote of 241 to 169, aiming to enhance transparency regarding foreign financial influence in American higher education institutions. The legislation mandates that colleges report any foreign gifts or contracts valued at $50,000 or more, significantly lowering the current threshold of $250,000, and bans donations from nations like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. This act addresses concerns over national security and academic integrity by exposing and limiting foreign influences that might undermine these principles.

Congressman Pat Harrigan @RepPatHarrigan

Since 2011, Chinese Communist Party-linked entities have funneled over $426 million into our universities to buy influence and steal research.

That’s a national security threat—which is why I didn’t hesitate to vote for the DETERRENT Act.