State Department must report on exchange programs and Chinese competition
H.R. 6428 — To require the Secretary of State to submit a report on participation in educational and cultural exchange programs. · Filed by Ami Bera (D-CA) · 6 cosponsors · Introduced Dec 4, 2025 · Reported out
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What it does
This bill requires the State Department to report every 5 years on participation in U.S. educational and cultural exchange programs (like Fulbright, Young African Leaders Initiative, and others), including detailed metrics on participant outcomes, funding, and whether participants develop more favorable views of the U.S. The bill also requires the State Department to track and report on Chinese exchange programs operating in the same countries, framed as a competitive soft-power assessment.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is a mandatory reporting requirement. It does not appropriate funds, create new programs, or change existing policy — it requires the State Department to document and disclose program participation, outcomes, and comparative data on Chinese exchange activities.
What the text implies
- The bill frames exchange programs explicitly as 'soft power tools' and 'strategic interests,' signaling a shift toward viewing cultural diplomacy primarily through a competitive/geopolitical lens rather than mutual understanding or educational benefit.
- Requiring State Department to track and report Chinese exchange program participation by country may create pressure to expand U.S. programs in response, potentially driving budget increases without explicit appropriation language.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who it affects
The bill mandates transparency and accountability for how U.S. tax dollars fund exchange programs and whether they achieve stated diplomatic goals.