U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
SB5573: Religious Education Fairness Act
Status: In committee, September 29, 2026
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide that educational programs classified as Theology and Religious Vocations or Philosophy and Religious Studies at educational institutions that qualify for the religious exemption under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 are not subject to ineligibility for title IV assistance based on low earning outcomes.
What the bill says
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide that educational programs classified as Theology and Religious Vocations or Philosophy and Religious Studies at educational institutions that qualify for the religious exemption under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 are not subject to ineligibility for title IV assistance based on low earning outcomes.
From the introduced text, September 29, 2026:
A BILL To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide that educational programs classified as Theology and Religious Vocations or Philosophy and Religious Studies at educational institutions that qualify for the religious exemption under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 are not subject to ineligibility for title IV assistance based on low earning outcomes. SECTION 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Religious Education Fairness Act . SECTION 2. Protection of religious exercise Section 454(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087d(c) ) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2), by striking An educational program and inserting Except as provided in paragraph (8), an educational program ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (8) Protection of religious exercise An educational program at an institution is not subject to this subsection if the program is classified under the Theology and Religious Vocations or Philosophy and Religious Studies under the Classification of Instructional Programs maintained by the National Center for Education Statistics at an institution that qualifies for the religious exemption provided under section 901(a)(3) of the Education Amendments of 1972 and section 106.12(c) of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). .
Sponsors
- Lankford, James (R, SD-OK) · primary sponsor
- Cruz, Ted (R)
Latest actions
- : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- : Introduced in Senate
Subjects: Education
Common questions
- What is SB5573?
- SB5573 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): Religious Education Fairness Act.
- What does SB5573 do?
- In its own words: To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide that educational programs classified as Theology and Religious Vocations or Philosophy and Religious Studies at educational institutions that qualify for the religious exemption under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 are not subject to ineligibility for title IV assistance based on low earning outcomes.
- What is the status of SB5573?
- In committee as of September 29, 2026. Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (September 29, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5573?
- Lankford, James (R, SD-OK), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB5573?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5573
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.