Senators Young, Lankford, Scott push to ensure equal rights for faith-based student groups on college campuses

Monday, September 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) recently introduced the Equal Campus Access Act of 2025 to ensure that religious student organizations will not face discrimination on college campuses.

“America’s college campuses should be places where students feel free to live out their faith,” said Senator Young. “The Equal Campus Access Act would protect religious liberty and strengthen the freedom of expression on campuses to ensure that students are afforded the same rights as all Americans.”

“Freedom of religion, speech, and association are Constitutionally protected rights in every place in America, including America's campuses,” said Senator 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.”

In addition to Senators Young, Lankford, and Scott, U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), 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) co-sponsored the legislation.

Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI-5) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.