Contact Congress about H.R. 1048: DETERRENT Act

Colleges would have to report more foreign gifts, contracts, and some investments. Deals with high-risk foreign countries or groups would usually be banned unless the school gets a short waiver.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

DETERRENT Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Latest action on H.R. 1048: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects colleges and universities that receive foreign money, sign foreign contracts, run major research programs, or hold large endowments. It also affects faculty and staff at large research schools who have their own foreign gifts or contracts. Foreign donors, companies, governments, and partner groups could face more public reporting and tighter limits. Students and families could see more public information about foreign ties at schools, but some international programs or funding streams could change depending on how schools respond.

Why this matters: Foreign money and partnerships can shape research, campus programs, and school finances, and this bill would make many of those ties easier to see. Supporters see that as a way to protect national security and academic trust. Critics may worry that the rules could add major costs, chill useful global partnerships, or expose sensitive information. The real effect would depend on how schools, the Department of Education, and other federal agencies carry out the rules.

Key provisions in H.R. 1048

• Colleges would have to report more foreign gifts and contracts. Reports would include names, purposes, dates, amounts, conditions, and supporting records.
• Every gift from a foreign country or group of concern would have to be reported. Every waiver-approved contract with one of them would also be reported, no matter the dollar amount.
• The Department of Education would have to run a public, searchable website for these reports. Some personal details would stay hidden from the public.
• Federal agencies would get full, unredacted reports within 30 days. That includes the FBI, intelligence agencies, and federal science agencies.
• Colleges generally could not sign contracts with foreign countries or groups of concern. A school could ask for a one-year waiver for a specific contract if it meets national security and school-benefit tests.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 1048

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 1048

What is H.R. 1048?

Colleges would have to report more foreign gifts, contracts, and some investments. Deals with high-risk foreign countries or groups would usually be banned unless the school gets a short waiver.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 1048?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 1048?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 1048 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.