Lawmakers in a Texas House committee put national security in the backseat and put a controversial STD proposal upfront.
The Republican-controlled House Higher Education Committee passed State Rep. Donna Howard’s (D–Austin) controversial proposal that would require government universities to develop an “HPV plan.” HPV stands for human papillomavirus, a common sexually transmitted disease.
Critics charged that Howard’s proposal, known as House Bill 1787, would turn Texas into a “de facto marketing arm of Merck,” a major pharmaceutical company.
Committee members also considered national security in Texas higher education during the Tuesday hearing. State Rep. Joanne Shofner (R–Nacogdoches) proposed a measure that would require “a sworn statement” from non-citizen students and employees of government universities.
Specifically, House Bill 3741 would require foreign students and foreign employees to assert, “By signing this document, I affirm that I am not an agent of a foreign nation hostile to the United States of America or the State of Texas.”
Shofner said her measure is a response to actions taken by nations such as China.
National security in higher education has been highlighted by multiple exposés about Chinese Communist Party infiltration into these institutions, particularly for the purpose of stealing research that contributes to national defense.
However, Shofner’s proposal, as currently written, contains no enforcement mechanism or sanctions if one were to lie when signing this statement. In response to a question from Rep. Stan Lambert (R–Abilene), Shofner stated, “At that point, I assume the State Department would get involved.” State Rep. Gary VanDeaver (R–New Boston) expressed skepticism at Shofner’s answer.
The proposal was left pending in committee.
The House Higher Education Committee is chaired by State Rep. Terry Wilson (R–Georgetown).
The last day of the 2025 legislative session is June 2.
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