Lummis Joins Lankford to Safeguard Religious Student Organizations

September 18, 2025

Washington, D.C.- Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) today joined Senator James Lankford (R-OK) in introducing the Equal Campus Access Act to protect religious student organizations from discrimination on college campuses. This legislation would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ensure that public universities receiving federal funds cannot deny religious student groups the same rights and benefits granted to other campus organizations.

"The First Amendment does not only apply to those we agree with," said Lummis. "For too long, college campuses have drifted from being places of open debate, diverse ideas, and faith, instead isolating those who speak out about their conservative views and religious values. I am proud to join my colleagues in ensuring our colleges once again respect differing beliefs and experiences on campus."

"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."

Lummis and Lankford are joined on this legislation by Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Budd (R-NC), Todd Young (R-IN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Jim Banks (R-IN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jim Risch (R-ID), John Kennedy (R-LA), and John Cornyn (R-TX).

This legislation is supported by the following organizations: Christian Legal Society, Cru, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), US Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee for Religious Liberty, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Seventh-day Adventist Church - North American Division, Coalition for Jewish Values, Religious Freedom Institute, Coalition of Virtue, Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC), National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), 1st Amendment Partnership, Faith & Liberty in the Nation's Capital, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty (CALL), Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society / Asian American Christian Fellowship, The Impact Movement, ReJOYce in Jesus Campus Fellowship, Reformed University Fellowship National (RUF), The Navigators, Young Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), Ratio Christi, Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority, Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Catholic Medical Association, Christian Medical & Dental Associations, Coptic Medical Association of North America (CMANA), Anglican Chaplains / Anglican Office for Government and International Affairs (AOGIA), Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), Association of Christian Schools International, American Association of Christian Schools, Fellowship of Christian University Students (Dallas, TX), Georgia Baptist Mission Board, Michigan Catholic Conference, Queens Federation of Churches, Kansas Family Voice, Frontline Policy Council (Georgia), New Jersey Family Policy Center, and the Maryland Family Institute.

Background:

Lummis co-sponsored this legislation in 2023 following the Biden administration's proposal to roll back protections for religious student organizations.

View the full bill text here.

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