PRESS RELEASE: DFI Statement on ‘Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act’

WASHINGTON—DFI President and Co-Founder Bob Eitel released the following statement on H.R. 7683, Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act, ahead of today’s House Committee on Education and the Workforce markup of the bill:

”DFI wishes to extend its appreciation to Rep. Brandon Williams for introducing H.R. 7683, Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act, which pushes back against the harsh illiberalism that has swept across too many of our colleges and universities in recent years.

“We are especially pleased to see in the bill various provisions long advocated by DFI, including a prohibition on political litmus tests in higher education for students, faculty, and applicants; mandatory annual disclosures of institutional policies related to speech, association, and religious liberty; and the creation of a private cause of action for an aggrieved individual or organization to seek redress for violations of the Act.

“We thank Dr. Virginia Foxx and Representative Williams, as well as Representatives Greg Murphy, Erin Houchin, Tim Walberg, Elise Stefanik, and Kevin Kiley, for their leadership on these important issues and look forward to the bill’s consideration by the Committee on Education and the Workforce.”