H.R. 9971 explained · 119th Congress · Pending in Congress
Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act
Cosponsors: 2 (2 D, 0 R) · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-14
Introduced: 2026-07-27
Latest action (2026-07-27): Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
What H.R. 9971 does, in plain terms
Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2032 and revises international education programs. These programs provide grants to institutions of higher education and related entities to (1) enhance instruction in international and foreign language studies, and (2) promote international business skills and education. First, the bill reauthorizes programs related to international and foreign language studies. Specifically, it extends (1) the Graduate and Undergraduate Language and Area Centers and Programs, which include the National Resource Centers program; (2) the Language Resource Centers; (3) the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Programs; and (4) the American Overseas Research Centers. Next, the bill reauthorizes the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships program. It also revises the program to permit graduate students to receive a stipend for the beginning, intermediate, or advanced study of a foreign language related to the student's area of specialization. Further, the bill extends the Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information Access program. It also modifies the program, such as by (1) revising the types of available grants, and (2) allowing the Department of Education to establish a national database on international and foreign language education. Finally, the bill reauthorizes programs related to international business skills and education. Specifically, it reauthorizes the Centers for International Business Education program. It also reauthorizes and revises the Business and International Education program, including by (1) renaming the program; and (2) mandating certain program activities, such as incorporating specified programs and studies into professional education and technical training curricula.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.
Constitution Index
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H.R. 9971 has not been graded yet. New measures with an official summary are graded daily under the published rubric.
The Framers
“Founders’ Verdict”
Confidence 0.50
Archived SI output (machine-generated)No editorial review recorded. This historical SI verdict was machine-generated by software and predates the review desk; check it against the official bill text.
Synthesis
The bill reauthorizing Title VI of the Higher Education Act is constitutional under the Spending Clause and Necessary and Proper Clause, as it falls within Congress's power to provide for the general welfare through conditional spending, provided it does not unduly interfere with state reserved powers.
The proposed legislation falls within the constitutional authority of Congress under the General Welfare Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause. The power to lay and collect taxes to provide for the general welfare enables Congress to appropriate funds for educational programs that serve national interests, such as international education. The bill reauthorizes an existing program under the Higher Education Act, which is a valid exercise of the spending power. While education is not explicitly enumerated, the Constitution does not prohibit Congress from promoting the general welfare throug…
The Constitution enumerates specific powers to the federal government, and education is not among them. The Tenth Amendment expressly reserves to the states or to the people all powers not delegated to the United States. Title VI of the Higher Education Act, by funding and directing international education programs, exceeds the limited sphere of federal authority. The General Welfare Clause does not grant Congress a general power to legislate for the public good; it is limited to the enumerated powers. Therefore, this bill is an unconstitutional intrusion into the reserved powers of the states…
The reauthorization of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which concerns international education, must be examined under the enumerated powers of Congress. The Constitution grants Congress power over education only insofar as it is necessary and proper to carry out its specific enumerated powers, such as providing for the general welfare or regulating commerce among the states. However, the general welfare clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) is not an unlimited grant of power; it must be tied to a specific enumerated end. International education may serve to promote commerce or …
The bill reauthorizes title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, directing federal funds toward international education. This action falls within Congress's power to lay and collect taxes for the general welfare, as established by Article I, Section 8, Clause 1. The Necessary and Proper Clause further permits Congress to choose the means to effectuate this object, as recognized in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), where this Court held that the Constitution grants implied powers to carry out enumerated ends. The reauthorization of existing programs neither infringes upon state sovereignty nor v…
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