S.1738 - Securing Academia from Foreign Entanglements Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Securing Academia from Foreign Entanglements Act aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. It seeks to prohibit institutions of higher education from receiving gifts from or entering into contracts with foreign countries of concern. The bill defines "foreign country of concern" to include covered nations as defined in title 10, United States Code, and any country determined by the Secretary, in consultation with other officials, to be engaged in conduct detrimental to U.S. national security or foreign policy.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is to limit the financial influence of certain foreign countries on American universities and colleges. This could reduce the potential for undue influence or espionage within academic institutions. It may also lead to a decrease in funding available to these institutions, potentially affecting research and educational programs.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced risk of foreign influence and espionage in academic institutions.
- Protection of intellectual property and sensitive research data.
- Increased transparency in funding sources for higher education.
- Strengthened national security by limiting foreign access to research and development.
- Promotes academic integrity by reducing reliance on potentially compromised funding.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential loss of funding for universities, impacting research and educational programs.
- May hinder international collaborations and exchange programs.
- Could create bureaucratic hurdles for institutions seeking international funding.
- Risk of overly broad definitions of "foreign country of concern," limiting legitimate collaborations.
- Potential for unintended consequences on academic freedom and open inquiry.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's broad goals of providing for the common defense and promoting the general welfare (Preamble). Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3), which could be interpreted to include regulating financial interactions between foreign countries and educational institutions. However, the implementation must be carefully considered to avoid infringing on academic freedom, which could be argued as a component of free speech (Amendment I).
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).