[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

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                               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.

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