DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 881
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-08: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-09T13:27:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to protect U.S. national security by limiting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding to U.S. colleges and universities that maintain ties to Chinese government-funded cultural programs or certain Chinese institutions linked to military, security, or human rights concerns. It seeks to prevent potential risks such as unauthorized access to sensitive research or influence operations.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Chinese entity of concern: Refers to any university or college in China involved in military-civil fusion (blending civilian and military tech development), defense activities, support for Chinese security forces, undermining U.S.-Taiwan relations, persecution of Uyghur Muslims, election interference, or affiliation with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
- Confucius Institute: A cultural center funded by the Chinese government, often hosted on U.S. campuses to promote language and culture.
- Relationship: Includes contracts, agreements, donations, or gifts from these entities or programs.
- Thousand Talents Program: A Chinese initiative to recruit global talent for technology and education, administered by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
- Institution of higher education: U.S. colleges and universities as defined under federal education law.
- Funding Restrictions: Starting 12 months after enactment, DHS cannot provide funds (e.g., grants) to any U.S. higher education institution with a relationship to a Confucius Institute, Thousand Talents Program, or Chinese entity of concern, unless the institution ends the relationship.
- Waivers: The DHS Secretary, after consulting the Director of National Intelligence, can grant case-by-case waivers for up to one year (renewable annually) if the institution has strong safeguards against unauthorized access to research or data, and the relationship either serves U.S. national security interests or poses no risk to the U.S. or its allies. Waivers require congressional notification with justification and take effect 30 days after issuance.
- Support and Reporting: DHS must offer outreach and technical assistance to help institutions comply. The Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress detailing affected institutions, funding restrictions applied, waivers issued, and assistance provided.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new funding prohibitions specifically targeting relationships with Confucius Institutes and defined Chinese entities, which were not previously restricted in DHS funding rules. It builds on prior laws addressing foreign influence in U.S. education (e.g., those scrutinizing foreign donations) but adds mandatory termination of ties for eligibility and formal waiver processes tied to national security assessments. No direct amendments to existing statutes are specified, but it enforces compliance through DHS grant administration.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: DHS will face administrative burdens in verifying relationships, issuing waivers, providing assistance, and reporting to Congress, potentially straining resources for grant oversight.
- On Citizens: U.S. students, faculty, and researchers at affected institutions may lose access to DHS-funded programs (e.g., cybersecurity or disaster preparedness grants), limiting educational and research opportunities. It could indirectly affect international students from China by reducing collaborative programs.
- On International Relations: The bill may heighten U.S.-China tensions by signaling distrust of Chinese academic and cultural initiatives, potentially leading to retaliatory measures against U.S. institutions abroad or reduced bilateral educational exchanges.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Higher Education Institutions: Primary targets, as they must sever ties to regain DHS funding; about 100 U.S. campuses previously hosted Confucius Institutes, though many have closed voluntarily.
- Department of Homeland Security and Intelligence Community: Responsible for enforcement, waivers, and consultations.
- Chinese Government and Entities: Confucius Institutes, universities, and programs like Thousand Talents face barriers to U.S. partnerships.
- U.S. Congress: Receives reports and notifications, influencing oversight of national security policy.
- U.S. Students, Faculty, and Taxpayers: Impacted by funding shifts and potential research disruptions; taxpayers fund DHS grants.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes enforceable funding conditions under DHS authority, potentially leading to lawsuits if institutions challenge relationship definitions or waiver denials as arbitrary. It aligns with existing foreign agent registration laws but could raise questions about overreach in regulating private donations.
- Constitutional: May spark free speech or academic freedom debates, as restricting foreign ties could be seen as limiting universities' autonomy, though proponents argue it safeguards against foreign influence without directly censoring content.
- Political: Reflects bipartisan concerns over Chinese influence operations and human rights (e.g., Uyghur issues), but could polarize views on U.S.-China engagement. Enactment might encourage similar restrictions in other federal agencies, amplifying geopolitical competition in education and technology.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5], Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8], Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-08: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-05-07: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-05-07: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 266 - 153 (Roll no. 120). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H1891) (Roll call 120)
- 2025-05-07: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 266 - 153 (Roll no. 120). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H1891) (Roll call 120)
- 2025-05-07: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1895-1896)
- 2025-05-07: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate of H.R. 881, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Pfluger demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- 2025-05-07: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- 2025-05-07: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 881.
- 2025-05-07: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881 under a closed rule with one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
- 2025-05-07: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 377. (consideration: CR H1891-1894)
- 2025-05-06: Rule H. Res. 377 passed House.
- 2025-05-05: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 377 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881 under a closed rule with one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
- 2025-05-05: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 62.
- 2025-05-05: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-87.
- 2025-05-05: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-87.
Bill Versions
- DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act — issued 2025-05-07 — PDF (8 pages)
- DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act — issued 2025-01-31 — PDF (4 pages)
- DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act — issued 2025-05-08 — PDF (7 pages)
- DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act — issued 2025-05-05 — PDF (10 pages)