Most House Dems Vote Against Crackdown On Foreign Influence In US Schools
Most House Dems Vote Against Crackdown On Foreign Influence In US Schools
A majority of House Democrats have once again put other nations above the United States, as evidenced by their opposition to a measure aimed at limiting the influence of foreign countries in American schools. On Monday, more than 160 House Democrats voted against two bills intended to limit foreign influence in U.S. educational institutions.
Both measures passed with bipartisan majorities, though the top Democratic leadership and most party members opposed each one.
In explaining his opposition, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries gave a conflicting response when questioned by Fox.
“We just want to educate our children, focus on reading, writing and arithmetic, developing a holistic child, giving the ability to them to think critically,” he said. “We’re not going to be lectured by a group of Republicans who are dismantling the Department of Education in real-time. Literally 90% of the Department of Education as it existed last year is now gone.”
It’s not clear how Jeffries reconciled his stated goals for American schools with the Trump administration’s efforts to diminish the Department of Education, which has been responsible for introducing all kinds of “woke” initiatives that have zero focus on the subjects he mentioned.
He also accused Republicans of “attacking public education just like they’re attacking public health and attacking public safety,” though he failed to actually mention why he did not support legislation limiting foreign influence in U.S. schools.
One of the measures, sponsored by House GOP Policy Committee Chairman Kevin Hern, R-Okla., would bar federal funding for elementary and secondary schools that conduct programs, cultural exchanges, or other classroom activities financed by the Chinese government, Fox reported.
The bill would also prohibit federal funds from going to schools that receive direct or indirect support from individuals or entities linked to the Chinese government. “That bill passed 247–166, with 33 Democrats in favor and 166 against,” the outlet reported.
The second bill, introduced by Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., would require all public elementary and secondary schools to inform parents of their right to request information about any “foreign influence” within their child’s school.
The notifications would be issued through the school’s local education agency — such as a school board or district office — that oversees administrative operations for the school and others in the area.
The measure passed 247–164, with 33 Democrats joining Republicans in support and 164 Democrats voting against it.
Republicans said the measures were commonsense efforts to prevent harmful foreign influence in U.S. schools.
Democrats, however, criticized both bills during floor debate, claiming they had concerns about their scope and potential unintended consequences. Some tried to paint Republicans as racists and bigots, which is par for the Democrat course.
“The bill gives no guidance on what acting directly or indirectly on behalf of means, or how you are supposed to know and how a parent’s contribution to a school program should be evaluated,” Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., said, Fox reported. “And really, are you supposed to scrutinize all parents’ contributions or just those from parents of Chinese American students?”
Regarding China, the country’s communist-led government is increasingly attempting to influence the American education system through initiatives like the Confucius Institutes, which promote Chinese language and culture but are also seen as vehicles for spreading Chinese propaganda.
Launched in 2004, there are over 100 Confucius Institutes in the U.S. The Chinese government funds these institutes, providing resources and teachers.
The Chinese government approves all teachers and events, which can limit academic freedom and restrict discussions on sensitive topics.
Over $17 million has been given to 143 school districts across 34 states through the Confucius Classrooms initiative. Critics argue that this funding can undermine U.S. educational integrity and promote a pro-China narrative.
By comparison, China does not allow U.S. money and influence to flow into its schools
Lisa Kennedy recently married Fred in Hawaii: Who is the Fox News star’s new husband?
Lisa Kennedy recently married Fred in Hawaii: Who is the Fox News star’s new husband?
Fox News personality Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery has entered a new chapter in her personal life after marrying Fred in a beautiful outdoor ceremony in Hawaii.
Kennedy shared photographs from the celebration at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, giving followers a glimpse of the man she now calls her husband and the friends who joined them for the occasion.
“Married the love of my life at the Four Seasons Lanai in a Heidi Merrick dress drenched in sunshine and aloha,” Kennedy wrote. “I love you forever, Fred!!”
While Kennedy has been open about how much Fred means to her, she has kept many details about her new husband firmly outside the public spotlight.
Kennedy and Fred celebrate their marriage in Hawaii
The couple exchanged vows during an outdoor ceremony overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Kennedy wore a sparkling white Heidi Merrick gown with a fitted silhouette, completing her bridal look with a veil and colorful tropical bouquet. Fred wore a light-blue suit with a white shirt, light-colored tie and brown shoes. The newlyweds also wore traditional Hawaiian leis.
Photographs showed Kennedy and Fred walking hand in hand as guests applauded, with the bride raising her bouquet in celebration. Another captured them cutting their multi-tiered wedding cake against a backdrop of palm trees, ocean views and the evening sky.
The wedding announcement became a major moment among Kennedy’s followers, receiving more than 154,000 likes and nearly 2,000 comments.
Several familiar Fox News personalities were also part of the celebration. Emily Compagno, Abby Hornacek and Alexis McAdams were among the recognizable guests photographed in Hawaii.
Emily later wrote that they had the “best time celebrating Kennedy and Fred’s marriage,” adding, “The Fox family showed up for our favorite girl.”
Who is Kennedy’s husband, Fred?
Despite the attention surrounding their wedding, Fred remains largely a private figure.
Based on what Kennedy has publicly shared, his surname, profession and detailed background have not been revealed. Even when announcing her marriage, Kennedy continued referring to her husband simply as Fred.
What she has shared, however, offers some insight into how unexpectedly their relationship entered her life.
Lisa Kennedy and her new husband Fred / Youtube
Kennedy discussed Fred publicly when announcing their engagement on The Five in December 2025. She revealed that he had proposed on December 10 and said the two had met recently and “unexpectedly.”
During the emotional on-air conversation, Kennedy described the impact their meeting had on her life.
“He is the most beautiful, wonderful human being,” she said. “And I had totally given up until those elevator doors opened and I met him out of the blue — he changed my life.”
Kennedy has not provided additional details about exactly where that first meeting occurred or the circumstances surrounding it.
Their relationship began before the public announcement
Although viewers did not learn about the engagement until December 2025, Kennedy revealed another detail suggesting Fred had quietly been part of her life for some time.
She told her The Five colleagues that she had secretly brought him to the Fox Christmas party the previous year.
“I snuck him in. Don’t tell security,” Kennedy joked during the conversation.
That revelation indicated the couple had already been seeing each other by at least December 2024, even though Kennedy had kept the relationship away from public attention.
Dana Perino was among those particularly moved by the engagement news.
Perino recalled learning about it while Kennedy was appearing on America’s Newsroom, telling her colleague that the announcement had made her cry.
“And Fred is such a wonderful guy,” Perino said before telling Kennedy, “I cried because I’m so happy for you.”
From a private romance to a Hawaiian wedding
Kennedy continued keeping Fred’s personal details private even as she became more open about their relationship.
That approach remained evident at their wedding. While she shared numerous photographs of their special day and publicly expressed her love for her new husband, she did not use the occasion to reveal his surname, career or other biographical information.
Instead, Kennedy kept the attention on their marriage and the happiness surrounding it.
The couple received congratulations from numerous familiar names, including Kat Timpf, Janice Dean, Sandra Smith, Griff Jenkins, Abby Hornacek and Meghan McCain.
For followers who had watched Kennedy announce her engagement months earlier, the Hawaiian ceremony provided the next chapter in a relationship that had largely developed outside the public eye.
What is publicly known about Fred remains limited, but Kennedy has made one thing unmistakably clear: she considers him the man who unexpectedly entered her life, changed it and ultimately became her husband.
From secretly attending a Fox Christmas party together to an emotional engagement announcement and finally exchanging vows beside the Pacific Ocean, Kennedy and Fred have now made their commitment official — while continuing to keep much of their story between themselves.
