Should Congress prohibit public K-12 schools from receiving PRC and CCP funding?
The Combating the Lies of Authoritarians in School System Act prohibits public elementary and secondary schools from receiving funding and making contracts with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), or any entity acting on behalf of the PRC or CCP. Also, if more than $10,000 in aggregate from any foreign source is received, the school must submit a disclosure to the Department of Education within 30 days identifying the source’s name and country of origin.
Sponsor: Rep. David Joyce (Republican, Ohio, District 14)
View full bill text ➔
How do you feel?
Oppose
Support
Opponents say
• "In fact, the Administration is making it harder to improve public education. Earlier this week, the Trump Administration permitted Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to sabotage the work of the Institute of Education Sciences–a place that produces high-quality research and is used to improve our public schools. So, the proposals we are considering today will not actually improve students’ education and outcomes. We are considering a series of bills that only add complexity and confusion and, frankly, are solutions in search of a problem." Source: Rep. Robert Scott (Democrat, Virginia)
• "Foreign influence has not posed a threat to K-12 classrooms. Confucius Classrooms, which are affiliated with Confucious Institutes, are centers for Chinese culture and language established at public and private elementary and secondary schools––either to bolster a Chinese language program already at the school or to start a new one. Many countries around the world lack quality Chinese language and culture resources and Confucious Institutes and Classrooms provide those resources for free. However, over nearly five years, the number of U.S. Confucius Classrooms has dropped from more than 500 to currently no more than 16." Source: Minority Views
Proponents say
• "American classrooms and what is taught in them should be guided by Americans, not by foreign influences. The Chinese Communist Party’s attempts to interfere with our curriculum and students is a direct threat to our national security that must be addressed. Protecting our children is a top priority, and this legislation is a vital step in preventing the CCP’s influence from spreading through the American education system. Thank you to Representative Rulli for his support in protecting our young minds in Ohio and across the country." Source: Rep. Dave Joyce (Republican, Ohio)
• "American students are being force fed Chinese Communist Party propaganda as school systems nationwide accept significant funding from CCP linked financial institutions. In New York alone, China’s infiltration into New York schools totaled to a shocking $375,575 in CCP connecting funding. No price can be put on the minds of our next generation. As the new school year begins, Communist China cannot be allowed access to our classrooms and students." Source: Rep. Elise Stefanik (Republican, New York)
- Joyce, Rulli Introduce Legislation to Prevent CCP Influence in America’s Classrooms (Press Release)
- House education committee advances bills on Chinese influence, whole milk in schools (K-12 Dive)
- Legislation meant to restrict foreign influence in Michigan schools advances to full House (Michigan Public)
- Keep China out of US schools, 2 US reps for Valley propose (Salem News)
- Rep. David Joyce’s Largest Donors (OpenSecrets)
