House Republicans Refuse to Consider Rep. Salinas’ Amendment to DETERRENT Act

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) condemned House Republicans for refusing to consider her amendment to the DETERRENT Act. Rep. Salinas’ amendment would require that all U.S. Department of Education (ED) workers who were illegally fired by the Trump Administration be reinstated before considering this legislation.

“If enacted as written, the DETERRENT Act would put more burdensome requirements on an already decimated and demoralized workforce at the U.S. Department of Education. It is counterproductive to put this bill forward while Donald Trump and Elon Musk continue their illegal firing spree, with the goal of eliminating the Department entirely,” said Rep. Salinas. “My amendment was simple: reinstate every worker who was unlawfully terminated before bringing this legislation up for a vote. House Republicans refused to consider my proposal. Ultimately, I voted against the DETERRENT Act because it is deeply unserious and ignores the reality that thousands of hardworking Americans are being fired by Trump and Musk for no reason at all, ruining lives and threatening America's position as a world leader in research and higher education." 

On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle ED. Now, Republicans want to increase ED’s responsibilities and threaten institutions’ financial futures if they do not meet additional reporting requirements. 

The Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act adds new and onerous reporting requirements under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act that will make it nearly impossible for colleges and universities to be transparent about their partnerships with other countries. For example, faculty must report certain gifts and contracts from any representative of a “country of concern” – regardless of whether it pertains to their job duties or personal life. This information is then shared in a public database, regardless of whether the action was nefarious. This is so excessive and burdensome that it would disincentivize universities from complying with Section 117 and conducting vital global research that will move America forward.

At the same time, many universities are already bracing for funding cuts and other negative impacts of the Trump Administration’s efforts to eliminate ED. The DETERRENT Act does nothing to address these concerns, while adding unnecessary requirements that only make life harder for the few workers who remain at the Department. 

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