Bars federal higher education funds from going to public colleges that deny religious student groups the same recognition, facility access, or other benefits given to other student groups.

Official title: Equal Campus Access Act of 2026

Next stop House floor: awaiting a vote

Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions

House

Introduced 18-SEP-2025

Referred 18-SEP-2025

Approved by committee 25-JUN-2026

Reported 16-SEP-2026

On the calendar 16-SEP-2026

Key points

Prohibits funds under the Higher Education Act from going to public institutions that deny religious student organizations rights, benefits, or privileges available to other student organizations.
Covers full access to campus facilities and official recognition of the organization by the institution.
Applies when a denial is based on the group's religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or standards of conduct.
Adds Section 124 to Part B of Title I of the Higher Education Act, and is cited as the Equal Campus Access Act of 2026.

AI-generated from the Reported in House text of 16-SEP-2026 · verify · report an error

Official CRS summary

Covers an older version. The newest CRS summary describes the bill as of "Introduced in House" (18-SEP-2025); the text has changed since (Reported in House, 16-SEP-2026).

CRS is the Library of Congress's nonpartisan research office. Read it on congress.gov

Committee referrals (1)

Education and Workforce Committee (House)

Policy area

Education

Sponsor Tim Walberg (R-MI) Cosponsors · 14

■ 14 R

14 Republicans

congress.gov page Reported in House (16-SEP-2026) Introduced in House (18-SEP-2025)