Congress passes bill to prevent CCP influence in American universities, backed by Alabama Republicans

Republican members of Congress believe the Chinese Communist Party wields too much influence in universities across America. Alabama’s congressional delegation supported the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act on Wednesday, with the exception of U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham).

“It is time that we draw a line in the sand—either you support national security or you do not.” U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), the bill’s sponsor, said. “This is a very simple bill that ensures universities that take money or have a relationship with the Chinese Communist Party do not get the access to national security-related research dollars that the Department of Homeland Security offers.”

The bill passed 249-161 in a vote along party lines.

The law would prevents funds from the Department of Homeland Security from flowing to American universities that host a Confucius Institute or maintain a relationship with a Chinese entity of concern such as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

U.S. Reps. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) and Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) communicated their support for the legislation yesterday.

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Moore argued that these institutes are just a cover for nefarious actions by the government of China.

“Confucius Institutes at American universities are nothing more than an extension of the CCP’s global apparatus used to impact the decisions of these institutions and spy on the United States,” Moore said in a statement. “Schools that choose to maintain a relationship with the CCP through these institutes are putting the national security of our country at risk and should not receive taxpayer funding.”

Carl said he voting for the bill because it’s “an issue of national security.”

I just voted to protect American educational institutions from Chinese interference.

This is an issue of our national security, and there is no room for communist ideology infiltrating our universities.

— Rep. Jerry Carl (@RepJerryCarl) September 10, 2024

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” Weekdays 9-11 am on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee