Rep. Julie Fedorchak votes to protect American higher education from foreign adversaries

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) today voted in favor of H.R. 1048, the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act, to protect America's institutions of higher learning from undue foreign influence. The legislation strengthens reporting requirements for foreign gifts and contracts, increases penalties for noncompliance, and prohibits certain contracts between American institutions and entities tied to foreign adversaries.

"Foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party have worked for years to infiltrate our universities and serve their own agendas," Fedorchak said. "This bill strengthens transparency and accountability, helping protect American students and faculty from hidden foreign manipulation. The next generation of American leaders should be shaped by the principles of freedom, integrity, and critical thought-not by the interests of hostile foreign governments."

The DETERRENT Act addresses longstanding concerns over foreign entities-such as China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar-using substantial financial gifts and contracts to gain influence in American universities. Despite existing laws requiring disclosure of these financial ties, compliance has been inconsistent, with reports showing that many institutions have failed to properly disclose billions in foreign contributions.

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