House Targets Confucius Institutes in Campus Funding Ban
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 2025 — The U.S. House of Representatives is poised to vote this week on legislation that would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from awarding funds to American universities that host Confucius Institutes or maintain ties with Chinese entities deemed a security concern.
The bill, titled the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act (H.R. 881), was introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) and is part of a broader effort to limit foreign influence in higher education. Although most Confucius Institutes in the U.S. have closed under pressure from Congress and federal agencies, lawmakers argue that many institutions continue to engage in successor partnerships or indirect affiliations with Chinese state-linked organizations.
If enacted, the legislation would bar DHS funding to such institutions and require DHS to submit reports to Congress identifying universities that continue these relationships while receiving federal support. The bill passed out of the House Homeland Security Committee in April with bipartisan backing. A 12-month grace period would be provided to allow institutions time to comply.
The measure reflects continued scrutiny of the role of the Chinese Communist Party in shaping narratives on American campuses.
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