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Congress·Reported·3 months ago

Congress seeks to block federal K–12 funds for schools with China-backed education partnerships

Also known as: PROTECT Our Kids Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
✓ Review
✓ House

247–164

Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(1)
Student
Neutral

Key Points

  • Would block federal education money for K–12 schools that partner with or get help from China-backed language/culture programs, including Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms.
  • Also targets any direct or indirect support tied to the Chinese government, like teaching materials, staff, money, or other resources provided through a middle person.
  • The funding ban would start 1 year after the bill becomes law, giving schools time to end these relationships or change how programs are run.
  • Schools with older contracts that extend past the start date could ask the Education Department for a waiver by submitting the full contract text and explaining why it helps students and U.S. interests.
  • The Education Department would have to notify schools within 90 days after enactment and give guidance on how to comply.
EducationNational SecurityForeign Policy

Milestones

5 milestones17 actions
Dec 4, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Dec 4, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Dec 4, 2025House

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 247 - 164 (Roll no. 313). (text: CR H5032)

Dec 4, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 247 - 164 (Roll no. 313). (text: CR H5032)

Dec 4, 2025House

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 90 days after the bill is enacted

Education Department sends notice and compliance guidance to K–12 schools

Schools get a clear checklist of what relationships or support could put federal funds at risk and what they need to do next.

Starting soon after enactment, during the 1-year lead time

Schools review partnerships, donations, teaching materials, and staffing for China-linked support

Districts may pause or renegotiate programs while they check whether they would trigger the funding ban.

Before the 1-year effective date, if contracts extend beyond it

Eligible schools with pre-existing contracts submit waiver requests (including unredacted contracts and translations)

Some schools may be able to keep federal funds temporarily while older contracts run out, but only if they do the paperwork and the Department approves.

1 year after enactment

Funding ban takes effect for schools with covered China-linked support

If a school still has a covered partnership/support and no waiver, it can no longer receive federal education funds covered by the bill, which can force program cuts or rapid changes.

After the 1-year effective date, on each contract’s end date

Waiver periods end as covered pre-enactment contracts terminate

Schools that got a waiver may need to transition away from the covered relationship by the contract end date or risk losing funding later.

Vote Results

1 vote
HousePassedPassageDec 4, 2025

On Passage

247
164
Democrat
33 – 164 · 16
Republican
214 – 0 · 6
View full roll call

Related News

2 articles
Fox News·3 months ago

3 House bills target Chinese Communist Party influence in US schools

Covers House action on H.R. 1069 (PROTECT Our Kids Act) alongside related bills; describes the federal funding ban tied to Confucius Institute/Classroom-type support.

R+
Office of Rep. Kevin Kiley·3 months ago

Rep. Kevin Kiley’s PROTECT Our Kids Act Passes the House

Member statement reacting to House passage; summarizes the bill’s aim to prevent federal dollars from supporting China-backed K–12 programs (e.g., Confucius Classrooms).

R+

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

PROTECT Our Kids Act

Bill NumberHR 1069
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 916 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4312, H.R. 1005, H.R. 1049, H.R. 1069, H.R. 2965 and H.R. 4305. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4312, H.R. 1005, H.R. 1049, H.R. 1069, H.R. 2965, and H.R. 4305 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)
R: 2

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.