Brooks backs Hanes in effort to ban Communist-backed Confucius Institutes

By Dylan Smith, Managing Editor • dylan@southerntorch.com

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — Congressman Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) praised State Rep. Tommy Hanes (R-Bryant) and his proposed bill that would bar Confucius Institutes from publicly-funded college campuses.

Confucius Institutes have come under intense scrutiny as of late, as more evidence points toward the institutes being a propagandist arm of the communist government of China. 

Earlier this week Hanes publicly announced his bill which landed widespread praise among conservative circles statewide. 

The Eagle Forum of Alabama and College Republican Federation of Alabama have endorsed the effort, with the latter initially raising the issue publicly, prompting Hanes to take action.

In addition to statewide organizations, the National Association of Scholars recently announced their support of the bill.

Brooks penned a formal letter to state government leaders requesting swift action in closing Confucius Institutes, which he says are backed and funded by the Communist Party of China. 

“Alabama leaders should use every possible tool at their disposal to close Communist Chinese-funded Confucius Institutes at both Troy and Alabama A&M,” said Brooks. “These so-called ‘institutes’ are nothing more than Communist Chinese propaganda units.”