Why one California congressman split with the his party on a bill to curb foreign influence in higher education

March 28, 2025

A bill designed to limit foreign influence in U.S. divided Orange County’s congressional delegation.

The House passed the bill on Thursday, March 27. It would to the U.S. Department of Education foreign gifts and contracts over $50,000 and is aimed at preventing foreign governments — particularly adversaries like China — from using financial donations to gain influence over U.S. academic institutions.

require universities to report

Only one Orange County , joined Republicans in voting for the legislation, called the DETERRENT Act, while Reps. Lou Correa, Mike Levin, Dave Min and Linda Sánchez all voted against it.

Democrat, Rep. Derek Tran