# Plain Language Summary: Defund the CCP On Campus Act of 2023

This bill would cut off federal funding to colleges and universities that have Confucius Institutes or give money to organizations that run them. Confucius Institutes are educational and cultural programs funded by the Chinese government through its Ministry of Education. They operate on some American college campuses, typically offering Chinese language classes, cultural events, and educational programs. If this bill passes, any college that hosts one of these institutes or financially supports them would lose access to federal money—which includes grants, student loans, research funding, and other federal education dollars.

The practical impact would be significant for affected schools. Most American colleges and universities rely heavily on federal funding for everything from student financial aid to research grants to infrastructure improvements. Losing that funding would force schools to make difficult choices: either shut down their Confucius Institute, stop funding it, or lose substantial federal support. For students at these institutions, this could mean reduced financial aid availability, fewer research opportunities, or cuts to academic programs. The bill's supporters argue this protects American campuses from foreign government influence, while critics worry it could limit cultural exchange and language education options.

The bill also requires the Department of Education to study which colleges have funded Confucius Institutes over the past ten years and report back to Congress within six months. This would create a record of which institutions are affected and could face funding cuts if the law passes. Currently, the number of active Confucius Institutes on American campuses has already declined significantly from its peak, as many universities have closed them in recent years due to similar concerns about Chinese government involvement.

Defund the CCP On Campus Act of 2023

Santos, George

Defund the CCP On Campus Act of 2023 This bill prohibits federal funding for any institution of higher education (IHE) that (1) provides funds to a Confucius Institute or an entity that funds such an institute, or (2) has a Confucius Institute. A Confucius Institute is a public educational and cultural promotion program that is funded and arranged by a government-organized group under China's Ministry of Education. Additionally, the Department of Education must study and report on the number of IHEs (1) that have funded or provided funds to an entity that has funded a Confucius Institute, and (2) that have a Confucius Institute.