House education hearing spotlights foreign‑influence risks in research and debate over student‑aid cuts

Chairman Wahlberg convened a House Committee on Education and Workforce hearing to examine foreign influence, research security and university transparency, opening with an appeal to protect federally funded research while preserving academic exchange.

Domenico Grasso, president of the University of Michigan, told the committee Michigan is expanding background checks, tightening lab controls and strengthening communication with federal partners after a series of campus incidents. "We stand committed to protecting the interests and security of The United States," Grasso said, noting the university had ended one relationship with a Chinese institution after discussions with congressional panels.

Cassandra Farley, senior director for research integrity, security and compliance at the University of Florida, described a centralized, risk‑based program that reviews all international agreements, screens new research hires and requires annual research‑security training. She described Florida statutes that mandate reporting of foreign gifts and contracts and said UF will not enter agreements with entities on U.S. restricted‑party lists.

The Government Accountability Office warned that staffing reductions at the Department of Education have undercut oversight. GAO’s Melissa Emery Arris testified that Education stopped assessing critical servicer performance metrics—accuracy and call quality—because Office of Federal Student Aid staffing fell about 46% (a loss GAO recorded as 656 employees). "Without this service or oversight, Education lacks reasonable assurance that borrower records are correct," Arris said. Committee members repeatedly raised concerns about the department’s recent transfer of defaulted loan management to the Treasury Department.

The hearing also included personal testimony from Elsa Johnson, editor in chief of the Stanford Review, who said she was contacted by a person using the name "Charles Chen," moved to conversations on WeChat and received travel offers and intimidating calls. "There was no university resource to call," Johnson said, arguing universities need anonymous reporting mechanisms and better support for students who face transnational repression.

Members split on emphasis: Democrats repeatedly pressed the committee to focus on college affordability and the effects of Education Department staff cuts, while Republicans pressed universities for stricter vetting, mandatory training, and full transparency on foreign gifts and contracts. Several members cited the Deterrent Act and Section 117 of the Higher Education Act as tools for improving transparency; witnesses described ongoing efforts to comply and strengthen controls.

The committee left the record open for 14 days for additional written submissions and testimony. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing; members requested follow‑up information from witnesses on audits, endowment investments, and Section 117 compliance.