NewsLocal News

Actions

Utah House backs call to close Chinese Communist Party-funded Confucius Institutes at state universities

The resolution, which did not receive a vote in the Senate, comes amid concerns that the programs pose a national security risk.
China US Confucius Institutes
Posted at 5:22 AM, Mar 03, 2021
and last updated 2021-03-03 07:22:58-05

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House gave a second vote of approval Tuesday to a resolution that calls on two of the state’s universities to close their Chinese language programs amid concerns that they pose a national security risk and could aid espionage efforts by the Chinese Communist Party, The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

House lawmakers previously approved the bill as a joint resolution of both the House and the Senate. But after it became clear it would die in the Senate without a vote, Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Riverton, brought the proposal back to become solely a House resolution.

The proposal passed with a 69-1 vote Tuesday night, with Rep. Joel Briscoe, D-Salt Lake City, voting in opposition.

Click here to read the full story from The Salt lake Tribune.