Senator Demands Florida Universities Report How They Defend Against Chinese Influence

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) speaks during a news conference about the partial government shutdown at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 17, 2019. Alex Wong/Getty Images

A Florida senator sent a letter to the presidents of public universities in his state, asking them to turn over details of how they safeguard their intellectual properties from communist China.

In the Dec. 3 letter (pdf), Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) warned Florida’s institutions against “countries that are actively trying to exploit your hard work and take credit for your successes.”