Washington, D.C. — The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization – through its Orthodox Union  Advocacy Center (OUA) – welcomes the reintroduction of the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act. This is a critical bill to expose and stop the flow of foreign funds fueling antisemitism on college campuses. 

Introduced by Representative Baumgartner (R-WA) and Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI), this legislation will hold universities accountable for accepting undisclosed money from hostile governments that push propaganda and endanger Jewish students.

“For too long, hostile governments have funneled billions of dollars into American universities to spread anti-American and antisemitic propaganda,” said Nathan Diament, executive director of OU Advocacy. “Much of this money is hidden from public scrutiny. We urge Congress to act swiftly to pass this bill, and put an end to foreign-backed antisemitism in higher education.”

The DETERRENT Act ensures greater enforcement of Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, closing long-standing loopholes that have allowed adversarial countries to wield influence over U.S. academic institutions without disclosure. This includes countries like Qatar, which has funneled billions of dollars into American universities while simultaneously providing a safe haven for Hamas leadership.

Last Congress, the DETERRENT Act passed the House in a 246-170 bipartisan vote. The Senate failed to take up the bill for a vote. 

OUA supported the DETERRENT ACT when it was first introduced last Congress and will continue to fight to pass this legislation. 

For more information about the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center and its initiatives, visit https://advocacy.ou.org/.