Press Releases

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1516, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act. This legislation prevents the Department of Homeland Security from sending taxpayer dollars to American universities that host a Confucius Institute or maintain a relationship with a Chinese entity of concern.

H.R. 1516 builds on the Department of Defense funding restrictions originally implemented in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act on institutions of higher education that host Confucius Institutes by expanding the prohibition to include funding from the Department of Homeland Security. Confucius Institutes have been identified as a way the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People’s Liberation Army (Chinese Military) conduct espionage through an academic setting.

Specifically, the legislation includes an amendment from Congressman Huizenga requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to Congress any institution of higher education that has a relationship with a Confucius Institute or Chinese entity of concern and receives funds from the Department of Homeland Security. The Huizenga Amendment was adopted with bipartisan support by a vote of 253-151 and H.R. 1516 passed the House by a vote of 249-161.

Congressman Huizenga released the following statement after passage of H.R. 1516:

“This legislation is another important step forward in the effort to stop the Chinese Communist Party from spreading propaganda, stealing intellectual property, and conducting other nefarious activities on American soil,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “I am glad my amendment gained bipartisan support to not only protect American innovation and taxpayer dollars, but also to hold our colleges and universities accountable.”