The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday, March 12, to address concerns about foreign influence in American higher education. The session will focus on financial contributions from authoritarian governments in China and the Middle East that are allegedly used to influence U.S. universities and promote agendas contrary to American interests.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), chair of the HELP Committee during the 119th Congress according to the official website, is leading efforts to increase oversight of foreign involvement in academic institutions. The committee is considering measures such as the DETERRENT Act, which aims to improve clarity, transparency, and accountability regarding how colleges and universities report foreign gifts.
The hearing titled "Transparency and Trust: Exposing Malign Foreign Influence in Higher Education" is scheduled for 10:00 AM ET at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington.
The HELP Committee works on legislation related to public health, education, workforce issues, and retirement programs with an aim to protect health and support worker rights (official website). It also provides oversight of federal laws and agencies involved in these sectors (official website), including organizations like the FDA and NIH (official website). Additionally, the committee plays a significant role in shaping regulations that affect health and education throughout the United States (official website).
"If you are a member of the press and plan on attending in person, please RSVP to your respective press gallery."
For further information or updates from HELP Republicans, visit their website or follow @GOPHELP on Twitter.
