Committee passes Pfluger’s bill ending funds to U.S. universities hosting CCP institutes

The U.S. House Homeland Security Committee on Nov. 8 approved legislation offered by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) to prohibit U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds from flowing to American universities that host Chinese Communist Party-supported (CCP) Confucius Institutes or Chinese entities of concern.

“It is time that we draw a line in the sand — either you support national security or you do not,” Rep. Pfluger said. “This is a very simple bill that ensures universities that take money or have a relationship with the Chinese Communist Party do not get the access to national security-related research dollars that the Department of Homeland Security offers.”

The congressman on March 9 led a dozen Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), in introducing the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act, H.R. 1516. 

If enacted, the bill would require DHS to ensure that an institution of higher education (IHE) that has awarded a contract to, entered into an agreement with, or received an in-kind donation or gift from a Chinese entity of concern or Confucius Institute is ineligible to receive any funds from DHS unless the IHE terminates the relationship, according to the congressional record bill summary.

The IHE may regain eligibility for these funds upon termination of the relationship, the summary says.

First established in America in 2004 by the CCP, Confucius Institutes were marketed as a mechanism to promote Chinese language and culture, support local Chinese teaching internationally, and facilitate cultural exchanges, Rep. Pfluger said on the House floor.

“However, it quickly became apparent that Confucius Institutes were an extension of the CCP’s global influence apparatus, allowing it to impact the decisions of academic institutions, spy on activities inside the homeland, and promote Military-Civil Fusion programs,” he said.

The U.S. government has taken some successful action against this encroachment in the last several years, according to Rep. Pfluger, and DHS now must take similar action.

“Under no circumstances should a school in the United States be allowed to receive DHS funding while tacitly accepting the CCP’s money that comes with the price tag of fealty,” the congressman said, adding that H.R. 1516 “ensures that schools prioritize the security of their scientific research and technological development efforts above a paycheck from the CCP or entities affiliated with the CCP.”

The measure now heads to the full chamber for consideration.