On Wednesday, the House Education and Workforce Committee held a markup on multiple bills to limit foreign influence in American education. The Committee voted to advance the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act, legislation I introduced with Congressman Baumgartner. The DETERRENT Act would provide transparency and clarity to foreign gift reporting requirements for colleges and universities. We must pass this legislation to protect students from foreign adversaries like China who are trying to expand their influence in American colleges and universities, indoctrinate students, censor free speech, and steal important research.
This week, I had the opportunity to sit down with the Chief of the Quincy Police Department, Dalton Turmell, to hear more about the department's efforts to keep our community safe. These heroes make sacrifices each day to protect our communities and deserve our utmost respect. Please know that I will always back the blue and ensure they have the necessary resources and support.
In 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent Raul Gonzalez died from injuries sustained in an ATV accident after pursuing immigrants who crossed the border illegally. This week, I voted in favor of, and the House passed the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act in his honor. The bill would permanently prohibit any illegal alien who flees from Border Patrol from ever receiving any legal immigration status in the U.S. Furthermore, any person who engaged in a high-speed chase with Border Patrol or law enforcement assisting Border Patrol would face up to two years in prison. Those who endanger the lives of our Border Patrol agents must be held accountable.
Reviewing the State of the Bureau of Indian Education Schools
Reviews conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General (OIG) have found significant deficiencies in the way the Bureau of Indian Education monitors the maintenance of its facilities. On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to participate in a hearing to learn how we can revitalize BIE schools and provide a safe learning environment for students. We must work with the Trump administration to address the challenges BIE schools face whether it be basic building maintenance or the lack of adequate technology infrastructure.
