Today, Homeland Security Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Subcommittee Chairman August Pfluger's legislation, H.R. 1516, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives.
Pfluger's legislation prevents DHS funds from flowing to American universities that host a Confucius Institute or maintain a relationship with a Chinese entity of concern.
“The Chinese Community Party is utilizing Confucius Institutes to infiltrate American university campuses and engage in espionage, steal intellectual property, intimidate Chinese dissidents, promote communist propaganda, and funnel sensitive information back to the People’s Liberation Army," said Congressman Pfluger. "This bill protects students and universities while ensuring that American dollars are not enabling foreign malign influence."
“As higher education continues to be plagued by radical agendas and indoctrination, I commend Rep. Pfluger’s leadership in ensuring the Chinese Communist Party does not interfere with American students’ education,” said Speaker Johnson. “H.R. 1516 is critical to protecting students against China and its proxies.”
House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green added: “I applaud the passage of Chairman Pfluger’s bill to protect our campuses from the propaganda and espionage used by the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate academia and undermine our sovereignty. Beijing’s sinister ambitions cannot be overlooked, excused, or ignored––especially at our institutions of higher education and research. I urge the Senate to take up and pass this crucial bill to protect American innovation and rightly restrict federal funding to colleges or universities that maintain any links with CCP.”
Rep. Pfluger spoke on the House Floor in support of his legislation.
"Thank you, Chairman/Madam Chair for recognizing me today to speak on my bill H.R. 1516, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act.
Our nation’s most glaring national security threat, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is using every tool at their disposal to undermine our nation’s standing in the world and establish themselves as the premier global leader.
For years, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in conjunction with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), has exploited the open and collaborative nature of American academia to conduct widespread industrial and military espionage inside the United States.
Established in 2004, various academic institutions across the country organized Confucius Institutes as a way to promote Chinese language and culture, support local Chinese teaching internationally, and facilitate cultural exchanges on campus.
However, it quickly became apparent that Confucius Institutes were nothing more than a Trojan horse acting as an extension of the CCP’s global influence apparatus.
These operations have allowed the CCP to have an immense impact on decisions made by academic institutions; enabled individuals to spy for the CCP on activities across the country; promoted CCP's aggressive national strategy known as Military-Civil Fusion; helping PRC develop an advanced military by 2049.
Thankfully, our society has somewhat woken up to these dangers; Congress has taken steps over recent years.
The FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act prohibited DOD funding from going to institutions hosting Confucius Institutes; it's time for DHS follow suit.
We must make every effort protect Americans’ tax dollars from being used fund CCP nefarious activities ensure US institutions operate without undue influence from CCP.
The legislation discussed today ensures schools prioritize security scientific research technological development efforts above paycheck from CCP entities affiliated with CCP PLA.
Specifically restricts DHS funding going universities maintaining relationships connected supporting PRC Military-Civil Fusion programs safeguards taxpayer dollars ensuring appropriate use encourages ending relationships partners not having America best interest mind.
More importantly guarantees US institutions free malign influence protects students faculty speaking out against nefarious activities ensures universities colleges remain safe research development stolen PRC
Many colleagues argue today bill different Committee last Congress correct stronger since beginning multiple instances dangers poses US flying surveillance balloon continental DOJ indicting individuals working highest levels government New York bold decisive action combat growing influence accomplishes goal
Furthermore worked good faith last Congress advance floor majority chose let die Democrat colleagues concerned combating malign influence college campuses would passed bill
Arguments stripping critical funding HBCUs MSIs HSIs inherently false multiple district all conscious decision not accept money links prohibition almost voluntary suspended ties alternative programs providing same opportunities advertised through
Individuals bring fact only five known left threat untrue rebrand educational efforts operating full force little transparency type assistance receive collected Department Education June April shows collected over billion entities connected restrictive because language allows Secretary waiver GAO never issued waiver under ban proves unnecessary already working sever ties
Lastly obligates individuals organizations assist services advancing wide variety intelligence work means institute enters agreement linked required knowingly unknowingly share information actions continue step right direction correcting course clear-eyed united combating greatest faces hope everyone supports thank bringing markup cosponsored debate measure yield."