Protecting Higher Education from Foreign Threats Act

House Bill

H.R. 455

119th Congress

Protecting Higher Education from Foreign Threats Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 15, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Charles J. Fleischmann

Representative

Republican

TN-3

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Education

Summary

This bill prohibits federal funds to institutions of higher education that employ instructors who received funding from the Chinese Communist Party while providing direct instruction to students. Institutions can regain eligibility by demonstrating to the Department of Education that they no longer employ such instructors. The bill targets concerns about CCP influence in American higher education.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill prohibits federal funds to institutions of higher education that employ instructors who received funding from the Chinese Communist Party while providing direct instruction to students. Institutions can regain eligibility by demonstrating to the Department of Education that they no longer employ such instructors. The bill targets concerns about CCP influence in American higher education.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Protecting Higher Education from Foreign Threats Act This bill prohibits an institution of higher education (IHE) from receiving federal funds for an award year in which the IHE employs an instructor who, while employed at the IHE and providing direct instruction to students, received funds from the Chinese Community Party. An IHE may regain eligibility for federal funds by demonstrating to the Department of Education that it no longer employs such instructor.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Bars federal funds to institutions with CCP-funded instructors
Applies to instructors providing direct student instruction
Institutions can regain eligibility by removing affected instructors
Department of Education verifies compliance
Targets Chinese Communist Party influence concerns

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This legislation addresses national security concerns about Chinese government influence in American universities. Critics argue the bill could chill academic exchange and research collaboration. The focus on instructors directly teaching students aims to prevent ideological influence while preserving some research relationships. Implementation would require universities to track foreign funding sources for all teaching faculty.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Education

Related Subjects

Asia

China

Education programs funding

Higher education

Teaching, teachers, curricula

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

455, 119th Congress (2025). "Protecting Higher Education from Foreign Threats Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-455