House Hearing Focuses on Espionage

The House Education and Workforce Committee held a hearing focused on national security threats and foreign espionage activities on college and university campuses.

In their opening comments, the majority generally highlighted the need to focus on ensuring that the open exchange of scholarly ideas and research collaboration does not leave the United States vulnerable to geopolitical rivals stealing intelligence or scientific advancement. The minority focused their comments on the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education and college affordability as their top priorities, indicating that the witness testimony demonstrated that institutions take the threat of foreign malign influence seriously and have safeguards in place.

The witnesses highlighted policies, procedures and vetting processes at the University of Michigan, state law and institutional agreements with foreign entities the University of Florida that have strong protections for higher education, the impact of the reduction in force at the Department of Education according to the Government Accountability Office, and the transnational repression experienced by a student at Stanford University.

For more information, please contact:
Stephanie Giesecke