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WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep Michael Baumgartner, R-Spokane, became the first freshman representative to have a bill pass through the House of Representatives when The DETERRENT Act passed 241-169, with 210 Republican votes and 31 Democratic votes.
“This legislation increases transparency around foreign influence in American universities and holds institutions accountable,” Baumgartner wrote in his newsletter. “It’s a commonsense measure to ensure our education system remains focused on students—not foreign agendas, such as those of the Chinese Communist Party, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.”
H.R. 1048, the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act requires foreign donors contributing more $50,000 or more to a university be disclosed, down from the current requirement that foreign donors of $250,000 and more be disclosed.
Colleges and universities that don’t comply with the act will face fines and loss of federal Title IV money.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Baumgartner was also one of 17 co-sponsors of HR 1417, the Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program Act.
“This bill would expand support for rural healthcare facilities— many of which are grappling with aging infrastructure, limited resources, and growing service needs,” Baumgartner wrote in his newsletter. The bill is now in the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
Baumgartner also pledged to keep communicating regularly with constituents, including holding town halls, as well as social media, television and radio interviews and his newsletter.
