From his perch as the chairman of the U.S. House Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee, U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., showcased a report from Parents Defending Education (PDE) “exposing how millions of dollars linked to the Chinese Communist Party have been used to fund and establish programs in K-12 school districts across the nation.”
Bean’s office noted the report “found that 155 elementary and secondary schools, most notably 20 near U.S. military bases, have been compromised by the infiltration of CCP connected funds and programming” and the congressman weighed in on the findings.
“The Chinese Communist Party is a serious, complex threat to our democratic republic and our very way of life. Americans deserve to know whether their schools are being purchased and manipulated by this rogue regime that seeks to undermine our democracy,” said Bean.
This report is all about transparency. I applaud the PDE for shining a light on where Beijing is peddling its influence within the halls of the very institutions that are tasked with shaping the minds and hearts of America’s future leaders. I will continue to support tough-on-China policies and put Americans first, including in the classroom,” he added.
First elected to Congress last year, Bean represents parts of Northeast Florida. He served in both chambers of the Florida Legislature, rising to become the president pro tempore of the state Senate.