The House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at reducing Chinese influence in American universities. This comes as part of “China Week,” a week designated by House Republican leadership to push through a package of China-related legislation. On September 9, the House passed 15 bills focused on maintaining the United States’ technical leadership and curbing China’s malign influence.
The bill, introduced by August Pfluger (R-Texas), aims to prevent schools that partner with Confucius Institutes (CI) or receive Chinese-based funding from obtaining grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Currently, universities hosting Confucius Institutes are already banned from receiving funding from the Department of Defense. Pfluger argues that the DHS should follow suit in order to protect national security.
Confucius Institutes are funded by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and have been found to have longstanding ties to CCP’s United Front Work Department, which coordinates its influence operations. Despite many institutes closing down after being designated as Chinese foreign missions, a significant number have re-branded under similar programs.
While most representatives voted along party lines, with 36 Democrats supporting the bill, some expressed concerns about its broad language potentially affecting all types of DHS funding for American colleges receiving money from China. The White House also supported the spirit of the bill but questioned its approach.
The amended version narrows down entities of concern to those involved in persecuting Uyghur Muslims or working against U.S.–Taiwan relations or participating in China’s Thousand Talents Program. Only institutions receiving funding from these entities will be disqualified from receiving DHS grants.
After passing his bill, Pfluger stated that Confucius Institutes are being used by CCP for espionage and other malicious activities on American university campuses. He believes this legislation will protect students and universities while preventing foreign malign influence.
In related news, Georgia Tech recently announced it would end its partnership with Tianjin University in China due to national security concerns and Tianjin University’s blacklisting by the Commerce Department since December 2020. Rep. John Moolenaar welcomed this decision and called on other colleges with similar ties to consider their impact on long-term national security.
