CONGRESSMAN WILSON AND SENATOR RUBIO INTRODUCE THE FOREIGN INFLUENCE TRANSPARENCY ACT
On March 3, Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced the Foreign Influence Transparency Act for the 117th Congress. For too long, foreign entities have taken advantage of exemptions under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and made transactions with American universities that are often undisclosed. Additionally, colleges and universities have seldom complied with current law (20 U.S.C. 1011f) requiring disclosure of gifts or contracts with foreign sources. This bill increases transparency and accountability through these reporting requirements.
"Foreign entities, such as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) controlled Confucius Institutes, have been taking advantage of both our institutions of higher education and K-12 schools," Congressman Wilson said. "The CCP isn't shy about this. In 2009, Li Changchun, then head of propaganda for the CCP, called Confucius Institutes ‘an important part of China's overseas propaganda set-up.' Colleges and universities must be transparent about their relationships with these malign actors. This bill holds these institutions accountable, allowing parents and students to see the source of their education."
"I'm proud to once again reintroduce the Foreign Influence Transparency Act, which seeks to bring greater transparency to the activities of foreign governments operating in the United States," Senator Rubio said. "This legislation will strengthen foreign disclosure requirements for American colleges and universities and close existing loopholes in our law so that entities like China's Confucius Institutes are required to register with the Department of Justice as foreign agents."
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