Polk Times

Congressman Scott Franklin, representing Florida's 18th District, announced his support for the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act. Approved in the House of Representatives by a 241-169 vote, the measure focuses on limiting foreign influence in American universities.

Franklin explained the motivation behind the legislation, stating, "The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been infiltrating America’s classrooms, trying to buy influence and embed themselves in U.S. higher education." He emphasized that the CCP has used substantial, undisclosed funding to gain leverage in pushing propaganda, committing intellectual property theft, and indoctrinating students and faculty. Franklin mentioned that current federal laws have not effectively stopped these activities.

In his statement, Franklin expressed that the DETERRENT Act is crucial to eliminating the influence of foreign adversaries in U.S. higher education. "The DETERRENT Act will end this parasitic relationship between U.S. higher education and our adversaries," he stated, adding that the act aims to increase transparency by mandating universities disclose foreign funding and halt partnerships with entities affiliated with hostile regimes.

Franklin concluded by highlighting the importance of addressing these foreign influences: "Countering China and strengthening U.S. global strategic interests starts with rooting out CCP influence in our own backyard. We must stop the CCP and other foreign threats from corrupting our academic institutions or exploiting young minds to benefit their agenda."