H.R.1005 - Combating the Lies of Authoritarians in School Systems Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1005, the "Combating the Lies of Authoritarians in School Systems Act" or "CLASS Act", aims to prevent elementary and secondary schools from accepting funds or entering into contracts with the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It mandates that schools receiving federal financial assistance disclose any foreign funding or contracts to the Secretary of Education.
The bill requires schools to report the source, amount, and terms of any foreign funding or contracts within 30 days of receipt. This is intended to increase transparency and potentially limit the influence of foreign entities in US education.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R.1005 would likely reduce or eliminate financial ties between US public schools and the PRC government and the CCP. Schools would need to seek alternative funding sources if they currently rely on such funds.
The disclosure requirements would increase administrative burdens for schools but also provide greater public awareness of foreign influence in education. The bill may also impact educational programs and cultural exchange initiatives funded by the PRC.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency regarding foreign funding in US schools.
- Reduced potential for undue influence by foreign governments in educational content.
- Protection of American values and perspectives in education.
- Enhanced national security by limiting foreign government access to US schools.
- Promotion of accountability in the use of federal financial assistance.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential loss of funding for educational programs that benefit students.
- Increased administrative burden for schools to comply with disclosure requirements.
- Possible strain on relationships between US and Chinese educational institutions.
- Risk of hindering cultural exchange programs and language learning initiatives.
- Could be perceived as discriminatory or xenophobic, potentially harming international relations.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the US Constitution is complex. Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8), which could be argued to extend to regulating funding from foreign governments to US schools. However, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech and academic freedom, which could be invoked if the bill is interpreted as restricting the curriculum or viewpoints presented in schools.
The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, raising questions about the federal government's authority to dictate terms for local schools. The bill attempts to address this by conditioning the receipt of federal funds, which is generally permissible under the Spending Clause.
Overall, the constitutionality of the bill would likely depend on how narrowly it is interpreted and whether it unduly infringes on protected rights or state autonomy.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).