Floor SpeechNeutral2025-03-27

DEFENDING EDUCATION TRANSPARENCY AND ENDING ROGUE REGIMES ENGAGING IN NEFARIOUS TRANSACTIONS ACT

EnvironmentTradeEducation

Context

On 2025-03-27, Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA-44) delivered a floor speech titled "DEFENDING EDUCATION TRANSPARENCY AND ENDING ROGUE REGIMES ENGAGING IN NEFARIOUS TRANSACTIONS ACT" in the House. The speech addressed the environment and also covered trade policy, education. It referenced legislation: HR1048.

Full Text

DEFENDING EDUCATION TRANSPARENCY AND ENDING ROGUE REGIMES ENGAGING IN NEFARIOUS TRANSACTIONS ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 56 (Thursday, March 27, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 56 (Thursday, March 27, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E261] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] DEFENDING EDUCATION TRANSPARENCY AND ENDING ROGUE REGIMES ENGAGING IN NEFARIOUS TRANSACTIONS ACT ______ speech of HON. NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGAN of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Chair, I oppose H.R. 1048, the DETERRENT Act, because it imposes unnecessary, overly broad reporting mandates on universities under the pretense of national security. While protecting research from foreign influence is important, this bill goes too far, sweeping in respected organizations like the United Nations and the World Health Organization. It creates a complex and punitive reporting system that burdens universities with vague requirements and excessive penalties, while assigning enforcement to the Department of Education, which is understaffed and lacks national security expertise. The Trump Administration is also trying to dismantle the Department of Education. The bill also mandates a public database of faculty contracts and donations, raising privacy concerns and exposing researchers to potential harassment. This approach does not strengthen security--it creates red tape that harms academic collaboration. That is why I oppose it, along with major higher education groups and research institutions. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR1048

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DEFENDING EDUCATION TRANSPARENCY AND ENDING ROGUE REGIMES ENGAGING IN NEFARIOUS TRANSACTIONS ACT Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 56 (Thursday, March 27, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 56 (Thursday, March 27, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E261] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] DEFENDING EDUCATION TRANSPARENCY AND ENDING ROGUE REGIMES ENGAGING IN NEFARIOUS TRANSACTIONS ACT ______ speech of HON. NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGAN of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Chair, I oppose H.R. 1048, the DETERRENT Act, because it imposes unnecessary, overly broad reporting mandates on universities under the pretense of national security. While protecting research from foreign influence is important, this bill goes too far, sweeping in respected organizations like the United Nations and the World Health Organization. It creates a complex and punitive reporting system that burdens universities with vague requirements and excessive penalties, while assigning enforcement to the Department of Education, which is understaffed and lacks national security expertise. The Trump Administration is also trying to dismantle the Department of Education. The bill also mandates a public database of faculty contracts and donations, raising privacy concerns and exposing researchers to potential harassment. This approach does not strengthen security--it creates red tape that harms academic collaboration. That is why I oppose it, along with major higher education groups and research institutions. ____________________ Referenced legislation: HR1048