Us Congress House Bill HB9793

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/24/24
• Refer: 9/24/24

Caption

No Foreign Gifts Act of 2024

Impact

The impact of HB 9793 on state laws will primarily manifest in the regulation of funding for higher educational institutions. By prohibiting gifts from nations specified under the act, the bill seeks to mitigate perceived risks associated with foreign influence in academia. This regulatory framework aims to safeguard educational institutions from financial dependencies that could compromise their integrity or align their interests with foreign governments perceived to be adversarial.

Summary

House Bill 9793, also known as the No Foreign Gifts Act of 2024, proposes significant amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 by instituting a prohibition on institutions of higher education receiving gifts from specific countries. The countries included in this prohibition are identified as those that have provided material support to foreign terrorist organizations, as determined by the Secretary of State, along with China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. The bill's intent is to enhance national security by curtailing financial influences from potentially hostile foreign actors within the educational sector.

Contention

While proponents argue that the bill will fortify national security and protect American educational values from foreign interference, critics raise concerns regarding academic freedom and the potential restriction of legitimate international educational exchanges. The opposition posits that isolating educational institutions from foreign funding could hinder research initiatives and limit the availability of diverse perspectives within academic dialogues. Furthermore, there are apprehensions about the lack of clarity regarding which entities fall under the bill's definitions of 'material support' or 'foreign terrorist organizations,' leading to potential overreach and unintended consequences.