Bill · H.R. 2778· House(119-HR-2778)
Safeguarding American Education From Foreign Control Act
- Introduced
- 4/9/2025
- Last activity
- 4/9/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Erin Houchin
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Safeguarding American Education From Foreign Control Act," proposes amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965. It seeks to increase disclosure requirements for institutions that are owned or controlled by foreign sources. It also mandates reporting for gifts or contracts that meet specific value thresholds. These requirements differ based on whether the source is associated with a "covered nation." Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Education to share these records with the FBI and the Director of National Intelligence.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+4
The bill expands the federal government's oversight and information-sharing authority regarding higher education financing.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The bill increases the transparency of foreign financial contributions to educational institutions.
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?+3
The bill mandates sharing educational financial disclosures with the FBI and DNI, enhancing domestic intelligence gathering.
The opposite
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?-2
Mandatory disclosure and transmittal of institutional records to intelligence agencies may reduce institutional privacy.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?-2
The bill requires sharing sensitive financial records with law enforcement and intelligence agencies, which may impact institutional privacy.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency for Foreign Financial Ties: Under Section 2(a)(1), institutions must file disclosure reports when receiving gifts or entering contracts with foreign sources that meet certain value thresholds. This ensures that the government is notified of significant foreign financial involvement in educational institutions.
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Heightened Oversight of High-Risk Sources: Section 2(a)(1)(2)(B) requires any gift or contract of any value to be reported if the foreign source is associated with a "covered nation." This provides a stricter level of scrutiny for specific foreign entities.
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Information Sharing for National Security: Section 2(a)(3) requires that within 10 days of receiving a report, the Secretary must transmit it to the Director of the FBI and the Director of National Intelligence. This ensures that intelligence and law enforcement agencies are informed of foreign financial transactions involving educational institutions.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Reporting Burdens for Non-Covered Nations: According to Section 2(a)(1)(2)(A), institutions must report gifts or contracts from foreign sources not associated with a covered nation if they equal or exceed $250,000 within a calendar year. This creates a specific reporting requirement for these financial transactions.
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Broad Information Transfer to Law Enforcement: Section 2(b) requires the Secretary of Education to transmit any report, document, or record received under section 117, as well as records generated during compliance investigations, to the Director of the FBI and the Director of National Intelligence. This includes records regardless of the date they were received or the status of an investigation.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4Improves Government Transparency+3Improves Privacy Rights-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy-2
- 4/9/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.