PROTECT Our Kids Act
Key claim: The PROTECT Our Kids Act would prohibit federal education funding for any elementary or secondary school that partners with or receives support from Chinese government-funded cultural/language institutes (including Confucius Institutes and Classrooms), subject to limited Department of Education waivers.
Abstract
(HR1069 · 119th Congress) Promoting Responsible Oversight To Eliminate Communist Teachings for Our Kids Act or the PROTECT Our Kids Act This bill prohibits federal education funding for any elementary or secondary school that directly or indirectly receives support from the Chinese government. Specifically, the bill prohibits such funding for any school that (1) has a partnership in effect with a cultural or language institute funded by the Chinese government, including a Confucius Institute; (2) operates a learning center supported by the Chinese government (commonly referred to as a Confucius Classroom); or (3) receives support from an individual or entity acting on behalf of the Chinese government, including support in the form of teaching materials, personnel, funds, or other resources. However, the Department of Education (ED) may issue a waiver of the prohibition if a school has an existing contract with one of these entities and the school demonstrates that the contract is for the benefit of the school and promotes the security, stability, and economy of the United States. The bill directs ED to provide notice of the bill’s requirements to schools, as well as guidance for achieving compliance with the requirements. Latest action (2025-12-04): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Why this matters
The bill would extend to elementary and secondary schools the federal funding-cutoff mechanism previously applied to higher education around Confucius Institutes, meaning K-12 districts hosting Chinese-government-supported cultural or language programs could lose federal education dollars unless they secure a Department of Education waiver. It sits alongside the CLASS Act and HR1049 as part of a cluster of 119th Congress proposals converting foreign-influence concerns into conditions on Title-program eligibility, with direct implications for district language offerings, partnerships, and compliance reporting.