NBJC Opposes House Majority Higher Ed Bill (PROSPER Act)
Washington, DC – The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS, opposes the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform Act or the PROSPER Act, which was recently introduced by the Republican Majority in the House Education and Workforce Committee.
David J. Johns, NBJC’s Executive Director, released the following statement in response to the troubling provisions of the legislation that would grant religious universities the legal ability to discriminate against LGBTQ/SGL people and other groups that do not share their faith or religion:
“The PROSPER Act is an attempt to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, which has provided federal aid to students and colleges for generations. The provisions within the PROSPER Act are antithetical to the values of our country in providing an education in a free, safe and open environment. In the name of religion, House Republicans have introduced legislation that would allow religious universities to openly discriminate by prohibiting same-sex relationships on their campus, allowing religious student groups to bar people from joining who are not of the same faith, and diminish university control over granting controversial speakers access to their campuses. In addition, the PROSPER Act would eliminate the federal government’s power to revoke tax-exempt status or disqualify student access to federal aid of those colleges and universities that institute policies related to their religious mission or affiliation. These provisions have no place in legislation meant to open the doors of opportunity for all students, no matter their background. Instead of strengthening the support provided to institutions of higher education to provide academic, residential and communal spaces that are inclusive, safe and supportive, the Republicans in the House are pushing an extreme bill that will undoubtedly open the door to discrimination in the name of religion.
“I commend the Senate HELP Committee where Republicans and Democrats have committed to working in a bipartisan manner to update the federal higher education law. This work should maintain a focus on supporting students and institutions not a political religious agenda. Any maneuvers to use religious freedom to legitimate discrimination should be met with resistance.
