Spokane U.S. Rep. sponsors bill to increase transparency surrounding foreign donations to universities

The U.S. House has passed a bill to get oversight over universities that receive foreign donations. Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) sponsored the bill, which he hopes will provide more transparency to “investments” made, particularly from China, Russia, and other U.S. adversaries.

The Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions Act furthers Republican-led efforts to reinforce reporting requirements for foreign funding, according to reporting in The Spokesman-Review. GOP lawmakers argued that some nations use financial ties to influence American colleges.

Baumgartner is the vice chair of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development.  He expressed concerns about foreign entities with potentially harmful intentions manipulating U.S. institutions for strategic purposes.

Dems argue foreign donations bill would burden colleges

Democrats against the bill argue that it would create an unmanageable burden for universities and hinder international cooperation. Baumgartner told the Spokesman-Review that he had not discussed the bill with Washington’s Democratic senators, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. Critics also point out that it relies on the Department of Education for enforcement at a time when President Donald Trump is working to dismantle the agency.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Southwest Washington) was one of two Democrats who co-sponsored the bill this year. “I evaluate legislation on its merits, not the party that proposes it,” she told the Spokesman-Review. “I think this is something that matters to folks in my community, and it’s important to support the ideas, and not just the partisanship.”

Colleges and universities must report foreign gifts and contracts valued at $250,000 or more. The new bill lowers the number to $50,000 for most countries and to $0 for “countries and entities of concern” designated by the State Department.

“Being a member of Congress is a lot more than just voting on any single bill, but it is very special, and it’s been an incredible first three months,” Baumgartner said on the Capitol steps. “I was pleased to start with a very meaningful piece of legislation, and it was great that the committee chair and the rest of the conference and a good number of Democrats supported it and trusted me to carry this bill forward, and now it’s on to the next step.”

The bill now heads to the Senate.

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