H.R. 9074 requires colleges and universities to report to the Secretary of Education whenever they receive a gift or enter into a contract with a foreign entity that is valued at $50,000 or more. This aims to increase transparency regarding foreign influence in higher education.
Supporters of H.R. 9074 argue that the bill promotes transparency and accountability in higher education, helping to ensure that foreign funding does not compromise academic integrity and national security. Many view it as a necessary step to protect U.S. institutions from potential foreign interference.
Critics of H.R. 9074 express concerns that the bill may stifle international collaboration and research funding in higher education. They argue that the reporting requirements could create bureaucratic hurdles and discourage foreign donations, ultimately harming academic institutions and their ability to innovate.
The bill H.R. 9074, sponsored by Scott Perry, mandates disclosure from higher education institutions regarding substantial gifts or contracts from foreign sources. Perry's top donor industries include Health Professionals and Retired individuals, with significant contributions totaling $157.5 million. Notably, there is a direct overlap with the Retired sector, which has contributed $37.5 million to Perry. This raises questions about potential conflicts, as the bill could affect funding and operations of educational institutions that may also receive support from these donor sectors.
Furthermore, the lobbying activity related to this bill indicates substantial financial interests, particularly from entities like SKYFRONT and VERDEGO AERO, which have contributed significant sums through various lobbying firms. The presence of undisclosed amounts from other entities adds to the opacity of financial influences in this legislative area. Voters should be aware that while the intent of the bill may be to increase transparency, the financial ties of the sponsor could lead to biased outcomes favoring donor interests over public accountability.
These industries are both affected by this bill and among the sponsor's top donors.
| Industry | Match Type | Related Subject | Donations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retired (W06) | Sector | Education | $37,500,000 |
| Total from overlapping industries | $37,500,000 | ||
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| VERDEGO AERO | THE JACKSON GROUP, LLC | $200,000 |
| PELION VENTURE PARTNERS | THE JACKSON GROUP, LLC | $38,000 |
| REFORMING AMERICA'S TAXES EQUITABLY (RATE) | SURROUND SOUND STRATEGIES, LLC | $30,000 |
| ANELLO PHOTONICS | THE JACKSON GROUP, LLC | $30,000 |
| SKYFRONT | THE JACKSON GROUP, LLC | $15,000 |
| 47G | THE JACKSON GROUP, LLC | $15,000 |
| GRAIN CHAIN | THE JACKSON GROUP, LLC | $5,000 |
| SKYFRONT | THE JACKSON GROUP, LLC | undisclosed |
| ADNEURIS THERAPEUTICS, INC. | MAD GLOBAL STRATEGY | undisclosed |
| ALUCHEM INC. | MAD GLOBAL STRATEGY | undisclosed |
| JOHN BRIAN LEDBETTER MISSIONS | JOHN BRIAN LEDBETTER MISSIONS CORPORATION | undisclosed |
| JOHN BRIAN LEDBETTER MISSIONS CORPORATION | JOHN BRIAN LEDBETTER MISSIONS CORPORATION | undisclosed |
| GPA MIDSTREAM ASSOCIATION | SHUMAKER ADVISORS, LLC | undisclosed |
| WESTLANDS WATER DISTRICT | DENNIS CARDOZA CONSULTING SERVICES | undisclosed |
| INDUSTRIOUS GROUP INC. | THORN RUN PARTNERS | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Scott Perry, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
