Lawmakers examined foreign financial contributions to U.S. universities and the potential implications for research security and transparency at a Thursday hearing of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP).
Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) said international funding can support valuable research partnerships but may pose national security risks if it is not fully disclosed. “Just because somebody elsewhere contributes to our university does not mean it is malicious,” Cassidy said. “We cannot prejudge, but we cannot be naive.” He urged Senate consideration of the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions Act (DETERRENT Act, H.R. 1048), which would expand reporting requirements for foreign gifts under the Higher Education Opportunity Act. The measure passed the House in March 2025 but has not yet been taken up by the Senate in this Congress.
The AAMC joined a June 2024 letter with the higher education community opposing the DETERRENT Act’s inclusion as an amendment to the House-version of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA, H.R. 8070) [refer to Washington Highlights, June 14, 2024]. The DETERRENT Act ultimately was not included in the final fiscal year 2025 NDAA.