Elise Stefanik

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., joined Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., in introducing two new bills designed to block hostile foreign regimes from infiltrating America's higher education system through research funding and overseas university campuses.

The legislation targets nations such as China and Qatar, which the lawmakers say have poured millions into elite American universities while gaining access to sensitive research and spreading anti-American ideology on campuses.

One measure, the "Defending American Research Act," would require universities seeking federal research grants to certify they do not operate branch campuses in adversarial or high-risk countries.

The second bill, the "No Branch Campuses in Hostile Countries Act," would prohibit universities from receiving federal research and development funding for five years if they accept money from certain foreign governments for research tied to national security or military-related technologies, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum computing.

Scott blasted universities for allowing America's adversaries to gain influence inside U.S. institutions.

"America has enemies, and we need to start acting like it," Scott said. "Countries like Communist China and terror-supporting Qatar should not be able to use America's colleges and universities as outposts to spy on us, steal sensitive research, and spread anti-American propaganda, but we've been letting them do it for years."

Stefanik warned that foreign governments have used financial ties to push anti-American agendas while gaining access to critical research.

"Hostile foreign nations like China and Qatar have funneled millions of dollars to some of America's most prestigious universities," said Stefanik. "This funding has allowed these nations to promote harmful anti-American ideologies on college campuses and gain access to sensitive research with national security applications."

She said the legislation would stop federal taxpayer dollars from going to universities that continue operating in hostile nations or partnering with foreign governments on sensitive research projects.

Gottheimer said the bipartisan legislation sends a clear message that universities cannot take money connected to hostile regimes while also benefiting from American taxpayer funding.

"We know adversaries like the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] are exploiting our universities to access cutting-edge research and push their anti-American agendas," Gottheimer said. "If you're taking money tied to hostile nations, you shouldn't be getting U.S. taxpayer dollars, full stop."

The push comes as the Education Department recently released new data showing colleges and universities disclosed more than $5.2 billion in foreign gifts and contracts in 2025 across more than 8,300 transactions.

The disclosures were filed under Section 117 of the "Higher Education Act," which requires federally funded institutions to report foreign gifts and contracts valued at $250,000 or more each year.

According to the department, Qatar was the largest reported source of foreign funding in 2025 with more than $1.1 billion, followed by the United Kingdom with over $633 million, China with roughly $528 million, and Switzerland with about $451 million.

Japan, Germany, and Saudi Arabia also ranked among the largest contributors.