WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced the Safeguarding American Education From Foreign Control Act. This bill requires universities to disclose gifts disclose gifts they receive from foreign adversaries, regardless of the amount of the gift or contract. This bill aligns with President Trump’s America First agenda by preventing foreign money and influence from infiltrating our higher education institutions. Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-9) is introducing the companion bill in the House.
Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “Americans deserve to know if universities are accepting money from our enemies like China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. This bill delivers that transparency and stops hostile nations from hiding their influence on our campuses.”
Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) are cosponsors.
Neetu Arnold, Paulson Policy Analyst, The Manhattan Institute: “When it comes to malign foreign influence at our universities, no amount should go overlooked. Senator Banks’ bill provides the first line of defense by strengthening transparency for gifts from adversarial countries.”
Key Provisions of the Safeguarding American Education from Foreign Control Act are:
- Requiring Disclosures – Universities Must Report:
- All gift disclosures from foreign sources associated with a covered nation (Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea)
- Reports from Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
- Investigations enacted by the Department of Education
- Guaranteeing transparency by ensuring the Department of Education transmits disclosure reports to the FBI, ODNI, and Department of State
- Enforcing accountability by allowing the FBI and the ODNI to request the DOJ bring forward action for inability to comply with disclosure requirements.
Full bill text can be found here.
Background:
Sen. Banks previously introduced the Safeguarding American Education From Foreign Control Act in the 118th Congress as a member of the House of Representatives. Then-Sen. Vance led the bill in the Senate.
According to Americans for Public Trust, China donated more than $175 million to American universities last year.
Universities are required to report gifts from and contracts with foreign sources above $250,000. But the law fails to capture gifts that fall below that threshold.
Read more about the bill here.