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DESIST Act Introduced to Prohibit JROTC Programs Controlled by Communist China

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The DESIST Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and Representatives Mike Waltz and Chrissy Houlahan, aims to prevent the Department of Defense from establishing or maintaining Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) programs at private schools linked to the People's Republic of China, Chinese Communist Party, or the People's Liberation Army. The legislation comes as a response to growing concerns over China's influence in American education institutions, with Sen. Cruz highlighting the CCP's efforts to control what Americans see, hear, and ultimately think.

Key Takeaways:

  • The DESIST Act prohibits the Department of Defense from establishing or maintaining JROTC programs at private schools operated or controlled by entities linked to the People's Republic of China, Chinese Communist Party, or the People's Liberation Army.
  • The legislation was introduced by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Representatives Mike Waltz and Chrissy Houlahan in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  • The move is part of a broader effort to combat the Chinese Communist Party's influence in American education institutions, with Sen. Cruz leading the push to untangle and close Confucius Institutes on American college campuses.
  • The DESIST Act is an important step in continuing the effort to combat the CCP's influence in American schools, following the passage of the SCRIPT Act, which banned Defense Department resources for films that self-censor their content at the request or in anticipation of a request by the CCP.
  • Sen. Cruz has highlighted the CCP's efforts to influence American educational institutions, with billions of dollars spent on the initiative.
  • The legislation aims to ensure that American taxpayers will no longer foot the bill for JROTC programs controlled by Communist China.

Statistics:

  • Over 100 Confucius Institutes operated on American college campuses until the passage of language prohibiting DOD funding in 2017 (Source: Sen. Cruz's statement).
  • Today, only a handful of Confucius Institutes remain open (Source: Sen. Cruz's statement).
  • Billions of dollars have been spent by the Chinese Communist Party to influence American educational institutions (Source: Sen. Cruz's statement).

Sources:

  • Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) quote from the press release.
  • Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) quote from the press release.
  • Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) quote from the press release.
  • Sen. Cruz's statement on the Chinese Communist Party's influence in American education institutions.

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