H.R.542 - No Foreign Gifts Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 542, the "No Foreign Gifts Act of 2025," aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. It seeks to prohibit institutions of higher education that receive federal funds from accepting gifts from countries that have provided material support to foreign terrorist organizations, as determined by the Secretary of State, or from China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran.
The bill also requires institutions to report any offers of gifts from these countries to the Secretary in order to maintain eligibility for federal funding.
The bill is intended to safeguard academic integrity and national security by limiting foreign influence in US higher education.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would restrict the financial resources available to institutions of higher education from specific foreign nations. This could lead to a decrease in funding for research, scholarships, and other programs supported by these foreign gifts.
Universities would need to establish stricter protocols for vetting and reporting potential foreign gifts to comply with the new regulations.
It may also strain diplomatic relations with the named countries.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced Foreign Influence: Limits potential influence from countries that may have interests adverse to the U.S.
- Enhanced National Security: Prevents funding from countries that support terrorism.
- Transparency: Requires reporting of gift offers, increasing accountability.
- Protection of Academic Integrity: Safeguards research and curriculum from undue foreign influence.
- Discourages Undue Reliance: Encourages universities to seek funding from diverse sources.
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced Funding: May decrease funding for research and educational programs.
- Administrative Burden: Creates additional reporting requirements for universities.
- Strained International Relations: Could negatively impact relationships with certain countries.
- Potential for Overreach: The broad designation of countries like China and Russia may be seen as overly restrictive.
- Limited Scope: May not address all forms of foreign influence in higher education.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the constitutional power of Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3). It does not appear to infringe upon individual liberties protected by the Bill of Rights.
However, some might argue that restricting the flow of information and collaboration could indirectly affect academic freedom, potentially raising First Amendment concerns, although this is not a direct restriction on speech itself.
The bill's focus on national security and preventing support for terrorism falls within the federal government's enumerated powers related to defense and foreign policy.
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).