Capito Helps Introduce Legislation to Protect Students from Discrimination on College Campuses

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and their Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the Equal Campus Access Act of 2025 to ensure that religious student organizations will not face discrimination on college campuses.

Companion legislation was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Tim Walberg (R-Mich.).

"I was proud to join Senators Lankford and Scott in introducing the Equal Campus Access Act of 2025, which affirms college students' First Amendment rights of religion, speech, and assembly. Now more than ever, it is important that religious student organizations are able to assemble without fear of discrimination.," Senator Capito said.

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

"All too frequently, we hear about instances of students' free speech and free association being restricted on college campuses, especially due to their religious beliefs. While the Trump administration and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting student liberties on campuses, we've seen other administrations try to undermine the foundational principle of academic freedom and the right to religious expression. Our legislation will ensure that future administrations cannot erode religious freedom and ideological diversity on college campuses," Congressman Walberg said.

For full text of the bill click here.

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