H.R. 1048 · Passed House · Education

DETERRENT Act

What it does

Requires colleges and universities to disclose to the Department of Education any gift from a foreign country or entity of concern, such as China or Russia, regardless of amount.
Lowers the disclosure threshold for gifts or contracts from other foreign sources from $250,000 to $50,000 per calendar year, including gifts of undetermined value.
Prohibits institutions from contracting with a foreign country or entity of concern without a waiver and requires disclosure of any such contract made under a waiver.
Requires certain institutions to disclose gifts or contracts between researchers and foreign sources, and requires private institutions with specified assets to file annual investment disclosure reports.
Directs the Department of Education to investigate possible violations.

Official summary

Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions Act or the DETERRENT Act This bill expands oversight and disclosure requirements related to foreign sources and institutions of higher education (IHEs). Specifically, the bill requires an IHE to annually disclose to the Department of Education (ED) any year in which the IHE receives a gift from a foreign country of concern (e.g., China or Russia) or foreign entity of concern of any dollar amount; receives a gift or contract from a foreign source (other than a foreign country of concern or foreign entity of concern) that is valued at $50,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts or contracts within a calendar year (current disclosure threshold is $250,000 or more), or which has an undetermined monetary value; enters into a contract with a foreign country of concern or foreign entity of concern after receiving a waiver for such contract; or is substantially controlled by a foreign source. Additionally, the bill prohibits IHEs from entering into contracts with a foreign country of concern or with a foreign entity of concern without obtaining a waiver, requires…

Latest action

Mar 31, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions