U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) have introduced the Equal Campus Access Act of 2025, also known as S.2859. This legislation aims to ensure that public colleges and universities cannot deny recognition or access to facilities for religious student organizations. The proposed law seeks to eliminate discrimination against these groups based on their religious beliefs, practices, or leadership criteria.
Hyde-Smith emphasized the importance of protecting the constitutional rights of students in higher education. “I believe our youth should be encouraged to express their faith, individually or as part of a faith-based student group,” she stated. “Their constitutional First Amendment rights of religion, free speech, or assembly should not be infringed upon, especially at institutions of higher learning.” She asserted that the bill would codify these rights and hold schools accountable for violating religious liberties.
Lankford echoed these sentiments, stating, “Freedom of religion, speech, and association are Constitutionally protected rights in every place in America, including America’s campuses.” He expressed the belief that public colleges must grant religious student organizations the same rights as other student groups. The legislation comes at a time when many feel that the ability to exercise faith is increasingly at risk.
Details of the Legislation
The Equal Campus Access Act is designed to ensure that public institutions cannot restrict student religious organizations solely based on their beliefs or conduct standards. The bill builds on a rule issued during the first term of the Trump administration, which aimed to withdraw federal funding from colleges that limited religious organizations’ activities.
Hyde-Smith previously cosponsored a similar bill during the 118th Congress when the Biden administration sought to rescind the Trump-era rule. She also signed a public comment letter, initiated by Lankford and U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), urging then Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to maintain the existing protections for religious groups.
Support and Sponsorship
In addition to Hyde-Smith and Lankford, the Equal Campus Access Act has garnered support from a significant number of original cosponsors, including Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), among others.
The House companion legislation, HR.5505, was introduced by U.S. Representative Tim Walberg (R-Mich.). The proposed law has gained endorsement from various organizations, including the Christian Legal Society, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee for Religious Liberty.
Supporters argue that the bill reinforces fundamental rights and provides a necessary framework for religious groups operating within educational institutions. As the legislation moves forward, it is expected to spark discussions about the balance between religious freedom and institutional policies in the context of higher education.
