Bills · S 1684
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 1684Education
A bill to require audits of institutions with respect to disclosures of foreign gifts, and for other purposes.
INTRO MAY 8· LAST ACTION MAY 8
READING
6MIN
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LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it aims to increase transparency and accountability regarding foreign influence in U.S. higher education. Currently, there are concerns that foreign governments or entities might exert undue influence on academic institutions through undisclosed gifts or contracts. This bill addresses those concerns by mandating regular audits and imposing severe financial penalties for non-compliance or for accepting funds from 'foreign countries of concern.'
If this bill becomes law, colleges and universities will likely become much more careful about their foreign funding sources and reporting practices, potentially leading to fewer hidden foreign financial ties. If it doesn't pass, the current system of foreign gift disclosure would remain largely unchanged, potentially leaving existing transparency gaps and concerns about foreign influence unaddressed.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
The Department of Education must audit at least 30 institutions every two years to check compliance with foreign gift reporting requirements.
This establishes a mandatory, recurring oversight process to ensure colleges are transparent about foreign funding.
PROVISION 02
Audits will prioritize institutions with large endowments, a history of foreign funding, prior non-compliance, or links to 'foreign entities of concern' or federal agreements.
This ensures that high-risk institutions, or those with significant foreign ties, are specifically targeted for scrutiny.
PROVISION 03
Imposes a 300% excise tax on income an 'applicable institution' receives from a 'foreign country of concern.'
This creates a strong financial deterrent against colleges accepting funds from nations deemed as national security risks.
PROVISION 04
Imposes a 110% excise tax on any foreign funding an institution fails to report, as discovered during an audit.
This directly penalizes institutions for non-compliance with existing reporting laws, aiming to improve disclosure.
PROVISION 05
Audit results must be reported to Congress and made publicly available on the Department of Education website.
This increases public awareness and accountability regarding foreign financial influences on U.S. higher education.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Texas
YRS IN OFFICE
13
BILLS LED
131
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAY 8
Introduced in Senate
MAY 8
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 1684
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMay 8, 2025
Last actionMay 8, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · FINANCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAY 8, 2025
Senate BillS 1684Education
A bill to require audits of institutions with respect to disclosures of foreign gifts, and for other purposes.
INTRODUCED MAY 8, 2025· LAST ACTION MAY 8, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
