Rep. Bobby Scott Criticizes HR 1048 as 'Nonsensical and Reckless' for Undermining Education Department

Opposition to HR 1048, the DETERRENT Act

• 🏛️ Representative Bobby Scott rises in opposition to HR 1048, the DETERRENT Act, highlighting the administration's actions to dismantle the Department of Education.
• ⚠️ Scott describes the bill as "nonsensical and reckless" for adding responsibilities to a department that is actively being weakened and losing staff.

Impact on International Partnerships

• 🌍 The bill is criticized for risking the isolation of America from global partnerships in research and education.
• 🚫 Current law requires reporting of foreign gifts large enough to exert influence, but HR 1048 mandates reporting of gifts of any value from individuals in "countries of concern."

Burdensome Reporting and Penalties

• 📉 The Department of Education, having already lost half its staff, would face an exponentially larger number of reports to process under HR 1048.
• ☕ Scott argues that requiring reports for minor items like a "cup of coffee" is not a solution to the problem of unreported large gifts.
• 🎓 The bill could also impose burdensome penalties on institutions, potentially incentivizing discrimination against and discouraging the hiring of talented international faculty due to difficulties in tracking citizenship status.
• 🎯 Scott emphasizes that Congress should focus on pressing issues like achievement gaps, college affordability, and school safety, rather than targeting vulnerable groups and hindering international academic collaboration.