•      "We understand that Congress and policymakers are concerned with research security, as well as foreign malign influence, at our institutions. However, the DETERRENT Act is the wrong action to take to address these issues and we urge you to vote against the legislation. The bill is duplicative of existing interagency efforts, unnecessary, and puts in place a problematic expansion of data collection by the U.S. Department of Education that will broadly curtail important, needed international research collaboration and academic and cultural exchanges. Rather than adding duplicative and confusing regulations, Congress should examine the research security provisions in the CHIPS and Science Act, recent National Defense Authorization Acts, and NSPM-33 that are currently being implemented." Source: A letter by the American Council on Education, regarding a similar, bill in Congress last year (DETERRENT Act)

•      "Historically, collaborations with global partners—and careful federal investments in research—have enabled our colleges and universities to make bold, forward-thinking strides in health, science, and technology for people around the world. These partnerships help drive intellectual and campus diversity, strengthen the inner workings of our economy, and give us an undeniable competitive edge. However, H.R. 5933 does nothing to meaningfully protect research security at colleges and universities. For example, colleges must report any gift from a representative of a ‘country of concern’ no matter the value—even a cup of coffee. The faculty’s information is then shared in a publicly searchable database, regardless of whether the action was nefarious or not. This is so excessive and burdensome—to say nothing about the potential discriminatory effect—that it would disincentivize universities from conducting critical research using collaborative partners from around the world. Schools are already grappling with recruiting and retaining students and scholars. And, if passed, H.R. 5933 would stall decades of innovative progress and jeopardize global research initiatives. [...] We must take targeted and thoughtful steps to protect our research and development initiatives without jeopardizing our global partnerships that will benefit us all." Source: Rep. Bobby Scott (Democrat, Virginia, District 3), via a press release on the similar DETERRENT Act