Congress·In Committee·S. 2859

Sen. Lankford Introduces Bill to Strip Funding From Colleges That Discriminate Against Religious Groups

Equal Campus Access Act of 2025

1 day ago·View on Congress.gov

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Key Points

This bill would cut off federal funding under the Higher Education Act for any public college or university that denies religious student organizations the same rights, benefits, or privileges given to other student groups on campus.
From policy text
“None of the funds made available under this Act may be provided to any public institution of higher education that denies to a religious student organization any right, benefit, or privilege that is otherwise afforded to other student organizations at the institution”
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Protected rights explicitly include full access to campus facilities and official recognition by the school — both of which are essential for student groups to hold events, recruit members, and receive campus funding.
From policy text
“including full access to the facilities of the institution and official recognition of the organization by the institution”
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The bill specifically shields religious groups from being penalized for their beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or conduct standards. This means a religious group could require its leaders to share the group's faith, even if the school has an "all-comers" nondiscrimination policy.
From policy text
“because of the religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or standards of conduct of the religious student organization”
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The penalty for noncompliance is severe — losing all funding under the Higher Education Act, which includes federal student financial aid like Pell Grants and student loans. Most public universities depend heavily on this money, making it a powerful enforcement tool.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Lankford with 25 Republican co-sponsors and referred to the Senate HELP Committee. It would amend Part B of Title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
From policy text
“Part B of title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1011 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following”
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones3 actions

Mar 19, 2026Senate

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.

Sep 18, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6732-6734)

Sep 18, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Related News

2 articles

Picayune Item·6 months ago

Hyde-Smith Renews Support for 'Equal Campus Access Act'

Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith joined colleagues in introducing legislation to ensure public colleges cannot withhold recognition or facilities from religious student organizations. The bill aims to protect First Amendment rights and ensure schools face consequences for violating religious liberties.

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Daily Journal·6 months ago

Johnson County Congressional delegation updates: week of Sept. 21

The update notes that Senators James Lankford and Tim Scott introduced the Equal Campus Access Act of 2025. Senator Todd Young stated the bill would protect religious liberty and strengthen freedom of expression on campuses, ensuring students are afforded the same rights as all Americans.