This bill expands foreign source disclosure requirements for universities, lowering the threshold from 250,000 to 50,000 dollars and requiring disclosure of any gifts from countries like China or Russia. It prohibits contracts with foreign countries of concern without waivers and violations can cost schools their federal student aid eligibility.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill expands foreign source disclosure requirements for universities, lowering the threshold from 250,000 to 50,000 dollars and requiring disclosure of any gifts from countries like China or Russia. It prohibits contracts with foreign countries of concern without waivers and violations can cost schools their federal student aid eligibility.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions Act or the DETERRENT Act</strong></p><p>This bill expands oversight and disclosure requirements related to foreign sources and institutions of higher education (IHEs).</p><p>Specifically, the bill requires an IHE to annually disclose to the Department of Education (ED) any year in which the IHE</p><ul><li>receives a gift from a foreign country of concern (e.g., China or Russia) or foreign entity of concern of any dollar amount;</li><li>receives a gift or contract from a foreign source (other than a foreign country of concern or foreign entity of concern) that is valued at $50,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts or contracts within a calendar year (current disclosure threshold is $250,000 or more), or which has an undetermined monetary value;</li><li>enters into a contract with a foreign country of concern or foreign entity of concern after receiving a waiver for such contract; or</li><li>is substantially controlled by a foreign source.</li></ul><p>Additionally, the bill</p><ul><li>prohibits IHEs from entering into contracts with a foreign country of concern or with a foreign entity of concern without obtaining a waiver,</li><li>requires certain IHEs to disclose gifts or contracts between covered individuals (e.g., researchers) and foreign sources, and</li><li>requires private IHEs with specified assets or investments to file annual investment disclosure reports.</li></ul><p>The bill requires ED to investigate possible violations of this bill and outlines the various penalties for each violation. Penalties may include losing eligibility for federal student financial aid.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Lowers foreign gift disclosure threshold to 50,000 dollars
Requires disclosure of any gift from countries of concern
Prohibits contracts with foreign countries of concern without waiver
Requires disclosure of researcher foreign source relationships
Violations can result in loss of federal student aid eligibility
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Universities would face stricter reporting requirements for foreign funding, particularly from China, Russia, and other designated countries. Schools that fail to comply could lose federal student aid eligibility, potentially affecting millions of students.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Education
Related Subjects
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Contracts and agency
Education programs funding
Financial services and investments
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Subversive activities
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
1048, 119th Congress (2025). "DETERRENT Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1048
