H.R.881 - DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 881, the "DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act," aims to restrict Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding to institutions of higher education that maintain relationships with Confucius Institutes, the Thousand Talents Program, or Chinese entities of concern. The bill defines "Chinese entity of concern" broadly, encompassing entities involved in military-civil fusion, defense industrial base participation, or activities undermining U.S. interests. It allows for waivers under specific conditions related to national security interests and robust safeguards, subject to Congressional notification.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely cause institutions of higher education to terminate relationships with Confucius Institutes and other entities deemed a security risk by the US government. This could reduce Chinese influence on US campuses. It may also impact academic and cultural exchange programs.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced national security by limiting foreign influence in academic research.
- Protection of sensitive data and federally funded development activities.
- Increased transparency regarding foreign funding in higher education.
- Reduced risk of intellectual property theft and espionage.
- Strengthened safeguards against foreign interference in U.S. elections.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential disruption of academic and cultural exchange programs.
- Possible chilling effect on research collaborations with Chinese institutions.
- Increased administrative burden on institutions to comply with the restrictions.
- Risk of hindering legitimate academic inquiry and free exchange of ideas.
- Potential for unintended consequences on U.S.-China relations.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the Constitution is complex. Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8) and to provide for the common defense. However, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech and association, which could be implicated if the restrictions are overly broad or infringe on academic freedom. The waiver provision and reporting requirements attempt to balance national security concerns with these 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).