H.R. 1048 Passed the House Education

DETERRENT Act

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to strengthen disclosure requirements relating to foreign gifts and contracts, to prohibit contracts between institutions of higher education and certain foreign entities and countries of concern, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5] Introduced February 6, 2025 Cosponsors 21 (18 R, 1 I, 2 D) Latest action March 31, 2025

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 certain IHEs to disclose gifts or contracts between covered individuals (e.g., researchers) and foreign sources, and
- requires private IHEs with specified assets or investments to file annual investment disclosure reports.
The bill requires ED to investigate possible violations of this bill and outlines the various penalties for each violation. Penalties may include losing eligibility for federal student financial aid.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

Actions

  1. Mar 31, 2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  2. Mar 27, 2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Mar 27, 2025 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 241 - 169 (Roll no. 83).
  4. Mar 27, 2025 Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 241 - 169 (Roll no. 83).
  5. Mar 27, 2025 The House adopted the amendments en gros as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
  6. Mar 27, 2025 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  7. Mar 27, 2025 The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1048.
  8. Mar 27, 2025 The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
  9. Mar 27, 2025 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1312-1316)
  10. Mar 25, 2025 Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1048 as unfinished business.
  11. Mar 25, 2025 On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
  12. Mar 25, 2025 Mr. Walberg moved that the committee rise.

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