All Roll Calls
Yes: 266 • No: 153
HR881119th CongressWALLET
DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act
Sponsored By: Representative Pfluger
Passed House
Summary
blocks Department of Homeland Security funding for colleges with ties to Confucius Institutes, the Thousand Talents Program, or specified Chinese entities. This bill would make those institutions ineligible for DHS funds unless they end those relationships and sets narrow waiver and reporting rules.
Show full summary
- Institutions of higher education: Colleges and universities with any contract, agreement, gift, or in-kind support from a Confucius Institute, the Thousand Talents Program, or a defined Chinese entity of concern would be ineligible for DHS funding beginning the first fiscal year that starts 12 months after enactment. Eligibility is restored if the institution terminates the relationship.
- Students and researchers: DHS-funded research, development, training, or other DHS-backed programs at affected campuses could be cut off unless the school severs ties or secures a waiver.
- DHS oversight and waivers: The Secretary of Homeland Security, after consulting the Director of National Intelligence, may grant one-year waivers that can be renewed annually and must report annually to congressional homeland security committees. The Secretary must also provide outreach and technical help to colleges to comply.
- Definition and scope: A "Chinese entity of concern" is defined broadly and includes universities tied to military-civil fusion, the defense industrial base, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, entities that support repression of Uyghurs, election interference, or other listed harms.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Limits on DHS funds for colleges with Chinese ties
This bill would bar DHS money to any U.S. college that has a “relationship” with a Confucius Institute, the Thousand Talents Program, or a Chinese entity of concern. A relationship would include any contract, agreement, gift, or in‑kind donation. The ban would start in the first fiscal year that begins more than 12 months after enactment. A college that ends the tie would be eligible again. DHS could grant a one‑year waiver, after consulting the Director of National Intelligence, and renew it yearly. To get a waiver, the college would need strong safeguards to stop unauthorized access to sensitive research, and the tie must be in the U.S. national security interest or pose no national security risk. Waivers would take effect after 30 days, and DHS would notify key committees in Congress. The bill would define covered groups: Confucius Institutes are PRC‑funded cultural centers; Thousand Talents Programs are run or funded by the PRC Ministry of Industry and Information Technology; and “Chinese entities of concern” would include PRC universities tied to military‑civil fusion or the defense base; linked to security or intelligence bodies or the Chinese Academy of Sciences; funded by groups under the Central Military Commission; or involved in undermining U.S.–Taiwan ties, repressing Uyghurs, or interfering in U.S. elections. DHS would report to Congress 18 months after enactment and every year after on implementation.
DHS help for colleges on compliance
DHS would offer outreach and technical help to colleges that ask for it. This help would explain how to follow the new eligibility rules and how to apply for waivers. Support would be provided only upon a school’s request.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Pfluger
TX • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]
NY • R
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Evans (CO)
CO • R
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5]
AL • R
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8]
TX • R
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Joyce (PA)
PA • R
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 5/7/2025
On Passage
Yes: 266 • No: 153