Press Releases

Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) today issued the following statement after voting for the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act. The measure passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 241-169.

“The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been infiltrating America’s classrooms, trying to buy influence and embed themselves in U.S. higher education. Through billions in undisclosed gifts and backdoor contracts riddled with stipulations and ‘strings,’ the CCP has used this as leverage to push propaganda on students and faculty, steal our intellectual property and indoctrinate the next generation of American leaders. Despite reporting requirements, lax federal laws have made it far too easy for institutions to prioritize financial gain over national security.

“The DETERRENT Act will end this parasitic relationship between U.S. higher education and our adversaries. It strengthens transparency by forcing universities to disclose financial support from foreign regimes and blocks dangerous partnerships with entities tied to our enemies. Countering China and strengthening U.S. global strategic interests starts with rooting out CCP influence in our own backyard. We must stop the CCP and other foreign threats from corrupting our academic institutions or exploiting young minds to benefit their agenda.” 

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