Bill Overview
Title: DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act
Description: This bill restricts funding to an institution of higher education (IHE) that has a relationship with a Chinese entity of concern or Confucius Institute. A Confucius Institute is a cultural institute directly or indirectly funded by the Chinese government. Specifically, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must ensure that an IHE that has awarded a contract to, entered into an agreement with, or received an in-kind donation or gift from a Chinese entity of concern or Confucius Institute is ineligible to receive specified funds from DHS. The IHE may regain eligibility for these funds if it terminates the relationship.
Sponsors: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Target Audience
Population: Students, faculty, and staff at higher education institutions with Confucius Institute affiliations
Estimated Size: 250000
- Institutions of higher education (IHEs) with relationships to Confucius Institutes or other Chinese entities of concern will be directly affected by losing DHS funding, potentially impacting their operations and programs.
- Students and faculty at these institutions may experience changes in resource availability, program offerings, or research opportunities.
- The cut in funding might force IHEs to cut programs or staff, directly affecting employees of these institutions.
- A significant number of students and educators participate in programs affiliated with Confucius Institutes globally.
- The Chinese government has established numerous Confucius Institutes around the world, regularly engaging with higher education institutions.
Reasoning
- The policy is expected to impact a specific group within institutions of higher education (IHEs) that are linked to Confucius Institutes or other Chinese entities of concern. This includes faculty, staff, and students who might face changes in the educational environment and resources due to funding restrictions.
- These IHEs often benefit from resources, cultural exchanges, and educational programming offered by Confucius Institutes. Losing DHS funds could lead to budget reallocation or program reductions that affect these IHEs.
- The population is estimated at about 250,000 in the U.S., including those directly involved with or benefiting from Confucius Institutes, and they might see impacts across research opportunities, cultural exchange programs, and resources.
- Considering a total budget of $5 million both in year 1 and over ten years aligns with focusing on cost-effective interventions, possibly involving administrative adjustments, retrenchment of agreements, or restructuring of programs.
- We also include perspectives from individuals unaffected by the policy to present a balanced view of its impact on the broader community.
Simulated Interviews
University Professor (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe Confucius Institutes offer valuable cultural insights and educational resources.
- Restricting funding might lead to a reduction in the resources available for our department.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 8 |
University Student (New York)
Age: 20 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the language exchange programs offered by Confucius Institutes.
- Losing access to these resources feels limiting for students interested in Asian studies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Researcher (Texas)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy limits our collaborative research opportunities with international partners.
- Funding disruptions could slow down or halt ongoing projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Assistant Professor (Illinois)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our institution already severed ties with a Confucius Institute.
- The policy won't affect us, but it highlights ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
University Administrator (Washington)
Age: 54 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our goal is to manage these transitions smoothly without significant disruption to student programs.
- We'll prioritize finding alternative partnerships to sustain international efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (Florida)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see much impact personally, but it's interesting geopolitically.
- This policy is part of broader national security concerns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Graduate Student (Massachusetts)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I depend on the resources provided through our Confucius Institute.
- It's disheartening to see such valuable cultural exchanges under threat.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Journalist (North Carolina)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy highlights the intersection of education and geopolitics.
- Institutions will face tough choices, affecting their global engagement strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Tech Entrepreneur (Oregon)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Such policies may create barriers to cultural understanding.
- My business values international perspectives, which are nurtured by exchanges provided by Confucius Institutes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
PhD Student (Colorado)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to diverse views and materials is crucial for my research.
- These changes limit the international scope of education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- IHEs may find it challenging to find immediate alternative funding to replace DHS grants, impacting their programs and operations.
- Potential legal challenges from affected institutions could influence the cost structure and duration of the policy.
- Reputational and operational impacts on IHEs might indirectly affect local economies, particularly in communities reliant on the spending and contributions of these institutions.