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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) on Thursday joined U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) in introducing legislation to ensure public colleges and universities cannot withhold recognition, access to facilities, or other benefits from religious student organizations.
The Equal Campus Access Act of 2025 (S.2859) would ensure that religious student organizations will not face discrimination on college campuses. The legislation would codify a rule issued in the first Trump administration to withdraw federal support for colleges and universities that restrict the activities of religious organizations on campus.
“I believe our youth should be encouraged to express their faith, individually or as part of a faith-based student group. Their constitutional First Amendment rights of religion, free speech, or assembly should not be infringed upon, especially at institutions of higher learning,” said Hyde-Smith, who chairs the Senate Pro-Life Caucus. “This bill would codify that right and ensure schools pay a price for violating religious liberties.”
“Freedom of religion, speech, and association are Constitutionally protected rights in every place in America, including America’s campuses,” said Lankford. “This bill makes clear that public colleges must grant religious student organizations the same rights as every other student group. At a time when our nation needs hope and unity, the ability to exercise your faith must be protected, not cast aside.”
S.2859 is intended to ensure that public colleges and universities cannot restrict student religious organizations solely because of their religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership selection criteria, or conduct standards.
Hyde-Smith also cosponsored a similar Lankford bill in the 118th Congress, which was introduced when the Biden administration moved to rescind the initial Trump rule. She also signed a public comment letter led by Lankford and U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) that encouraged then Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to retain the rule.
In addition to Hyde-Smith and Senator Scott, other original cosponsors of the Equal Campus Access Act include U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), John Kennedy (R-La.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas). U.S. Representative Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) introduced House companion legislation (HR.5505).
Dozens of organizations support the legislation, including the Christian Legal Society, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC), U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee for Religious Liberty, Religious Freedom Institute, Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, and American Association of Christian Schools.
