Bill · S. 1738· Senate(119-S-1738)
Securing Academia from Foreign Entanglements Act
- Introduced
- 5/13/2025
- Last activity
- 5/13/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Dan Sullivan
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Securing Academia from Foreign Entanglements Act," seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. It aims to prohibit institutions of higher education from receiving gifts from or entering into contracts with specific foreign countries of concern. These countries include covered nations and any country determined by the Secretary to be detrimental to U.S. national security or foreign policy. The act changes disclosure requirements regarding foreign government agencies. However, it does not affect standard costs of attendance like tuition or room and board.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+3
The bill expands federal authority by prohibiting institutions from engaging in specific financial relationships with foreign countries.
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?+2
The bill aims to secure academic institutions from foreign entanglements that could pose risks to national security.
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+1
By limiting influence from foreign countries of concern, the bill seeks to protect U.S. foreign policy interests.
The opposite
Would students be better off under this?-2
The restriction on foreign gifts and contracts may limit the total pool of funding available to support students and their institutions.
Does this make college cost less?-2
The prohibition on gifts and contracts from certain foreign nations may reduce the available financial resources for higher education institutions.
Would high-income households be better off under this?-1
Reductions in institutional funding could indirectly affect the quality or availability of private educational resources.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
National Security Protection: By prohibiting institutions from receiving gifts or entering contracts with foreign countries of concern, the bill aims to secure academia from foreign entanglements (Section 2, Sec. 117A(b)).
-
Clear Definitions for Oversight: The bill defines a "foreign country of concern" to include covered nations and countries whose conduct is detrimental to U.S. national security or foreign policy, providing a framework for what is prohibited (Section 2, Sec. 117A(a)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Institutional Funding: Institutions of higher education will be prohibited from receiving gifts or entering into contracts with certain foreign countries, which may impact their available resources (Section 2, Sec. 117A(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students-2Good For High Income Households-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+2Improves International Alliances+1
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability-2
- 5/13/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate
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.