Two bills seeking to restrict the influence of foreign nations on Michigan’s public schools and universities will advance to the full House after passing out of committee on Wednesday.

The bills are sponsored by Reps. William Bruck, R-Erie, and Nancy Jenkins-Arno, R-Rollin Twp., introduced House bills 4239 and 4238, aiming to restrict the influence of foreign nations on Michigan schools and universities.

House Bill 4239 would lower the threshold for reporting foreign donations and grants from $100,000 to $50,000. The bill would also ban funding from “foreign countries of concern,” ensuring these nations no longer have a say in university curricula. Supporters argue that this measure will protect academic integrity and prevent undue influence from foreign governments that may have interests counter to those of the United States, including

  • The People’s Republic of China
  • The Russian Federation
  • The Islamic Republic of Iran
  • The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
  • The Republic of Cuba
  • The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
  • The Syrian Arab Republic

“We’re trying to create transparency, we are trying to create accountability, and, in essence, we’re creating risk mitigation,” Bruck said. He emphasized that this legislation is not meant to hinder global collaboration but to ensure that financial contributions from foreign sources do not compromise national security or educational independence.

Similarly, House Bill 4238 would place the same restrictions on public schools. Rep. Bruck acknowledges that these measures could impact on funding.

“It’s probably going to interfere with the amount of money and grants and gifts that universities get. But however, within the bill, we are providing the means to do that,” Bruck said, adding that the influence of the Chinese Communist Party is prominently pernicious.

While the bills do not completely ban foreign donations or influence, they seek to make the process more transparent. If schools wish to interact with any of the “foreign countries of concern”, which include China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Venezuela, or nations under their influence, they may need to obtain federal approval. These restrictions aim to prevent potential conflicts of interest while allowing for necessary oversight.

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In a statement released previously this month, Bruck noted: “Our foreign adversaries, especially the Chinese Communist Party, have ramped up their efforts to increase their influence and undermine patriotic values in our country. Nowhere is that more apparent than in higher education, which has been invaded by China’s Confucius Institutes or their equivalents. A wealth of publicly available statements, manifestos, and other information from the CCP shows their clear goal of increasing their regime’s influence on Americans and discouraging young students’ loyalty to their own country. We need to put an end to that wherever it is happening in Michigan. It is time for us to remove the welcome mat that hostile foreign actors have exploited for so long to further their intrusion in our state.”

The issue of foreign influence on schools remains a topic of debate, not only for the safety of the United States but also for the security of students at these institutions. As lawmakers continue to weigh the implications, both bills will now proceed to the House of Representatives for a final decision.