Protecting Higher Education from Foreign Threats

Summary#

This bill would add section 117A to the Higher Education Act of 1965. It would make an institution of higher education ineligible to receive federal funds for any award year in which the institution employs a "CCP-funded instructor." The bill defines a CCP-funded instructor as a professor, teacher, or any other individual who provides instruction directly to students and who received funds, directly or indirectly, from the Chinese Communist Party while employed by the institution. An institution that loses eligibility may regain eligibility in a later award year by demonstrating, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that it no longer employs a CCP-funded instructor. The amendment would take effect 180 days after enactment.

What it means for you#

• For colleges and universities: If the institution employs an instructor who meets the bill's definition of a CCP-funded instructor during an award year, the institution would be ineligible to receive federal funds for that award year. The institution can seek to regain eligibility in a later award year by showing the Secretary that it no longer employs such an instructor.
• For instructors: The rule covers professors, teachers, or any person who provides instruction and who received funds, directly or indirectly, from the Chinese Communist Party while employed by the institution.
• For students and others: No publicly available information.
• For federal officials: The institution must satisfy the Secretary in order to regain eligibility.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs or budgetary effects. The bill text does not include appropriations or cost estimates.

Proponents' View#

Sponsor: W. Steube. No publicly available information on proponents' arguments or statements in the bill text or provided metadata.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opponents' arguments or statements in the bill text or provided metadata.