3 controversial Biden rule change proposals withdrawn ahead of Trump's inauguration
2. Religious liberty for faith-based student organizations
The Department of Education has also signaled its intention to withdraw a proposed rule that would have rescinded a rule implemented by the Trump administration declaring that public colleges and universities “shall not deny to any student organization whose stated mission is religious in nature” any “right, benefit, or privilege that is otherwise afforded to other student organizations” due to “the religious student organization’s beliefs, practices, policies, speech, membership standards, or leadership standards, which are informed by sincerely held religious beliefs.”
In a notice published in the Federal Register last week, the federal agency noted that the proposal had received 58,000 comments and pointed to “the concerns raised by commenters both in support of and in opposition to” the proposal as well as “the forthcoming change in administration” and “the significant resources needed to review and consider all relevant matters presented in the public comments” as the reasons why it was withdrawn.
Julie Burke, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, praised this development in a statement shared with The Christian Post earlier this week. “The Biden-Harris administration’s dropping of its midnight rule to repeal the Free Inquiry Rule is a win for every student’s First Amendment rights,” she said. “Under the rule, the Department of Education would have sought to enable universities to prevent religious student groups from speaking freely and from selecting their own leaders consistent with their beliefs.”
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“The First Amendment is for everyone, and this freedom is crucial to preserving a pluralistic society,” Burke added. “But once these protections are thrown out the window on campuses, campuses cease to be a free marketplace of ideas. Alliance Defending Freedom rejoices in this decision as it allows students to speak freely.”
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
