Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on First Amendment Rights on Public College and University Campuses

Washington, D.C.— On June 2, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., the Subcommittee on Constitution and Civil Justice will hold a hearing to examine First Amendment protections for students on public college and university campuses.

The Subcommittee will explore current threats to First Amendment protections for students and faculty on public college and university campuses across the United States. The recent trend in public colleges and universities efforts to limit free speech and religious freedom through speech codes and other restrictions on freedom of conscience merit Congressional inquiry in order to examine whether or not states are violating the First Amendment with said restrictions on speech and expression.

Witnesses for Tuesday’s hearing will include:

•     Greg Lukianoff, President and CEO, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE);
•     Kim Kolby, Director, Center for Law and Religious Freedom, Christian Legal Society;
•     Jamie Raskin, Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law;
•     Wendy Kaminer, Boston, Massachusetts.
 
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee Chairman Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) issued statements below on this hearing:
 
Chairman Goodlatte: “Our colleges and universities have historically been some of the best examples of our First Amendment at work in society. Recent attitudes towards limiting free speech and religious expression by college and university administrators is troubling because taxpayer dollars support these public institutions, and students and faculty should be guaranteed these First Amendment rights when they step onto these campuses. We have an obligation as lawmakers to ensure that these First Amendment protections, which are extended to state governments as well as public university campuses by the Fourteenth Amendment, are being upheld across the country.”

Congressman Franks: "Where in the body of the U.S. Constitution do we find the authority to regulate the inner workings of the Citizens’ mind? All of our freedoms rest upon the freedom of thought. Limiting free speech on college campuses should frighten us all - where else can the next generation engage in a free exchange of ideas?
 
“Religious liberty involves much more than freedom of worship alone. The fundamental rights of free speech and the free exercise of religion do not stop at the exit door of your local house of worship, but instead, extend to every area of life. Public college and university campuses should be no exception."
 
The hearing will take place in 2141 Rayburn House Office Building and will be webcast live at judiciary.house.gov.