Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. MESSMER. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of the DETERRENT Act.

This important legislation will bring vital transparency and accountability to gift reporting requirements for colleges and universities.

For decades, the Chinese Communist Party, Iran, and Russia have targeted America's college systems by pushing dangerous propaganda aimed at influencing impressionable students.

As my colleagues have pointed out, many American universities have been far too cozy with our international adversaries. They accept generous investments masked as research projects and infrastructure opportunities, which turn out to be funded by regimes that wish to do us harm.

Not only did those corrupt arrangements create dangerous environments for our students and faculty, they also put America's national security at risk.

I am pleased that my bill, the INSTRUCT Act, is included as one of the DETERRENT Act's main provisions. My legislation requires that colleges and universities disclose to American intelligence agencies any and all financial investment data so we can ensure they remain free of the exploitation of hostile foreign influences.

I urge my colleagues to pass this bill, not just because it makes sense, but because it will put our adversaries on notice that we are watching them. Most importantly, it will protect our Nation's students from foreign manipulation and provide them with the transparent and safe learning environment that they deserve.

Again, I wish to thank Chairman Walberg for his leadership on this issue.

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