U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) have introduced the Transparency in Reporting of Adversarial Contributions to Education (TRACE) Act, which aims to increase transparency about foreign funding in K-12 schools. The legislation is intended to give parents more information regarding the involvement of foreign governments and entities in their children’s education.
Senator Cruz stated, “The Chinese Communist Party spends vast resources to control what Americans see, hear, and ultimately think. Our foreign adversaries are actively targeting American educational institutions, and the TRACE Act will help protect our classrooms from foreign influence by providing parents with the transparency they deserve. I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation without delay.”
Senator Lummis added, “The Chinese Communist Party has spread its influence across American life, targeting our farmland, technology, and even school systems. Parents deserve peace of mind knowing their children are learning American values, not propaganda from our foreign adversaries. This legislation prioritizes transparency while protecting our children from harmful foreign agendas.”
A similar bill was introduced in the House by Representative Aaron Bean (R-FL-04). Rep. Bean commented, “American schools are for education, not espionage. We cannot allow our students—the future of our great nation—to be corrupted by foreign adversaries who are systematically and aggressively attempting to influence our nation’s K-12 schools. That’s why it’s crucial we parents understand the potential impact of foreign influence on our children’s classrooms and take concrete steps to prevent foreign nations from reaching America’s youth. I want to thank Senator Cruz for joining me in this critical effort and spearheading this legislation in the Senate.”
The bill has received support from advocacy groups such as Parents Defending Education Action and Heritage Action.
Alfonso Aguilar, Director of Federal Affairs for Parents Defending Education Action, said, “Senator Cruz’s TRACE Act is extremely necessary. Parents should know if a foreign government or entity is providing funding to their children’s schools, trying to influence what is taught to them or seeking to access important data and intellectual property. A 2023 investigation from our partner organization Defending Education uncovered Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence in numerous public schools and school districts across the nation. Their research showed that entities with ties to the CCP such as the Confucius Institutes have provided curriculum content, funding and Chinese teachers to U.S. public schools. Disturbingly, they also found that the Chinese government efforts appeared to target school districts near over twenty American bases. Our investigation, however, only discovered some or the CCP’s growing involvement in our public schools. The TRACE Act would ensure that parents have a full and continuous accounting of China’s meddling in their children’s education.”
The TRACE Act would require schools to allow parents access to review any curriculum provided by or purchased with funds from a foreign source. Schools would also need to notify parents about any contracts or financial transactions involving foreign entities as well as disclose how many employees receive compensation from another country or adversary nation.
Senator Cruz previously introduced similar legislation in 2024.
Ted Cruz has won several recent Senate elections representing Texas: he defeated Colin Allred in 2024 with 53.1% of the vote; Beto O’Rourke in 2018 with 50.9%; and Paul Sadler in 2012 with 56.5%.
