HR4902-119

What This Bill Does

This bill prohibits U.S. colleges and universities from accepting gifts or entering into contracts with "foreign countries of concern" - nations deemed threats to U.S. national security. The Secretary of Education, working with defense and intelligence officials, can designate additional countries beyond those already defined in existing law (which includes China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea).

Who Benefits and How

National security interests benefit from reduced foreign influence over American higher education institutions. U.S. government agencies gain oversight power to limit financial ties between universities and adversarial nations. American research institutions and students may be protected from potential espionage or intellectual property theft facilitated through foreign funding arrangements.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Universities and colleges face new compliance requirements and lose access to potentially significant foreign funding sources. Institutions with existing research partnerships, endowments, or contracts with designated countries must terminate those arrangements. Schools with international programs or exchange agreements with affected countries will need to restructure or end those relationships, potentially reducing educational opportunities and revenue.

Key Provisions

• Bans all gifts from foreign countries of concern to institutions of higher education
• Prohibits contracts between U.S. colleges/universities and designated foreign countries
• Defines "foreign countries of concern" to include China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and any country the Secretary determines is "detrimental to U.S. national security"
• Preserves individual student tuition payments from foreign nationals, so international students can still attend U.S. schools
• Requires coordination between the Secretary of Education, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and Director of National Intelligence for country designations