Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced Monday (March 1) a push for legislation to counteract foreign influence, particularly infiltration from the Chinese Communist Party.
DeSantis again followed the policy of former President Trump by announcing a new state law that would prohibit Florida schools, companies and governments from receiving large donations from seven hostile countries, including China (the Chinese Communist Party), that violate U.S. intellectual property and trade secrets and infiltrate American society.
The seven countries mentioned in the bill are: Communist China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria and Venezuela.
“We need to take action and stand firm against Chinese Communist and foreign influence and interference in American research, Education and public affairs.” DeSantis said at a news conference Monday.
DeSantis said the legislation would close loopholes, strengthen institutional review and provide common-sense protections, starting with Florida’s education system, which is a prime target for the influence of Chinese Communist infiltration.
“The massive infiltration and theft of U.S. scientific research by the Chinese Communist Party is well documented, with multiple related arrests on college campuses across the United States in the past few years alone.” He said, “It’s Time we address these issues, and our schools have no tolerance for secret foreign influence.”
DeSantis specifically cited the Trump Administration‘s efforts to push back against the infiltration of Chinese Communist Confucius Institutes in Florida’s education system, arguing that this new Florida bill would prevent taxpayer money from being used to fund these education systems.
The bill also requires any school, company or government to report gifts greater than $50,000 that come directly or indirectly from foreign governments or individuals, and it calls for increased scrutiny of related travel and research funded by foreign entities.
“We must ensure that our research, innovation and talent benefits Florida and our country, not foreign interests like the Chinese Communist Party.” DeSantis said. “That’s why Florida will be a leader in bringing these issues into the sunlight through these new transparency measures.”
DeSantis said institutions that violate the rules will be required to pay a fine to Florida of 105 percent of the value of the undisclosed gift.
“It’s not only a matter of creating a barrier against foreign influence, but also a measure of sound fiscal management to ensure that tax dollars don’t (end up) in the hands of people like Maduro (Venezuelan dictator), Kim Jong-un (North Korean dictator) or the Chinese Communist Party.” DeSantis said.
DeSantis proposed actions in February to limit censorship, free speech violations and political manipulation in the big tech sector, including social media companies Facebook and Twitter.
According to a CPAC straw poll released Sunday (Feb. 28), the top three candidates in the 2024 Republican presidential primary are Trump with 55 percent support, followed by Florida Gov. DeSantis with 21 percent and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem with 4 percent.
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