H.R.1048 - Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions Act; DETERRENT Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1048, the DETERRENT Act, aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to enhance transparency and oversight of foreign gifts and contracts involving institutions of higher education. It seeks to strengthen disclosure requirements, prohibit contracts with certain foreign entities and countries of concern, and address conflicts of interest arising from foreign funding. The bill also mandates investment disclosure reports for specified institutions holding investments of concern.
Expected Effects
The DETERRENT Act will likely increase scrutiny of foreign influence in higher education by requiring more detailed reporting of foreign gifts and contracts. It will also restrict certain collaborations with entities from countries deemed a national security risk. This could lead to a decrease in funding from certain foreign sources and a shift in research priorities at universities.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in higher education funding.
- Reduced potential for undue foreign influence on academic research and curriculum.
- Enhanced national security by limiting collaboration with entities of concern.
- Greater public awareness of foreign investment in educational institutions.
- Standardized reporting and enforcement mechanisms.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for reduced funding for research and academic programs.
- Increased administrative burden for universities to comply with new regulations.
- Possible chilling effect on international collaborations that are beneficial.
- Risk of overbroad restrictions that hinder legitimate academic exchange.
- Potential for unintended consequences on specific academic fields or programs.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on disclosure requirements and restrictions on foreign contracts aligns with the government's power to regulate commerce and provide for national security. The First Amendment's guarantee of academic freedom could be implicated if the restrictions are overly broad or discriminatory. However, the government has a legitimate interest in protecting national security and preventing undue foreign influence, which may justify some limitations on academic collaborations. The bill does not appear to infringe on any other specific constitutional rights.
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).