Draft anti-SLAPP legislation; H.R.7612, the Students Bill of Rights Act of 2024; H.R.7683 - Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act; draft legislation related to free expression at universities receiving federal funding; due process protections in the Department of Education's proposed title IX regulations; draft Senate legislation known as the "NO FAKES Act 2023; H.R.6943 - No AI FRAUD Act.
H.R.7612, the Students Bill of Rights Act of 2024; H.R.7683 - Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act; draft legislation related to free expression at universities receiving federal funding; due process protections in the Department of Education's proposed title IX regulations.
Duration: March 1, 2012
to
present
General Issues: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties , Education , Constitution
Spending: about $255,000 (But it's complicated. Here's why.)
It can be tricky to figure out how much an organization spent on a particular lobbying engagement. The law only requires lobbyists to report the amount they were paid for federal lobbying each quarter rounded to the nearest $10,000—and if it's less than $3,000 in a given quarter (or less than $13,000 for organizations with in-house lobbyists), they don't have to disclose it at all. Plus, some organizations include spending that doesn’t belong in the report—for instance, money spent lobbying state governments or other legal work.
Agencies lobbied since 2012: U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Education - Dept of, Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS), President of the U.S., White House Office, Justice - Dept of (DOJ), State - Dept of (DOS), Justice - Dept of (DOJ)
Lobbyists
Lobbyists named here were listed on a filing related to this lobbying engagement. They may not be working on it now. Occasionally, a single lobbyist whose name is spelled two different ways on filings may be represented twice here.
Disclosures Filed
Once a lobbying engagement begins, the lobbyist or firm is required to file updates four times a year. Those updates sometimes change which lobbyists are involved or add new issues being discussed. When lobbyists stop working for a client, the firm is also supposed to file a report disclosing the end of the relationship.
1st Quarter, 2024
In Q1, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 19.
Original Filing: 301567301.xml
Lobbying Issues
Draft anti-SLAPP legislation; H.R.7612, the Students Bill of Rights Act of 2024; H.R.7683 - Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act; draft legislation related to free expression at universities receiving federal funding; due process protections in the Department of Education's proposed title IX regulations; draft Senate legislation known as the "NO FAKES Act 2023; H.R.6943 - No AI FRAUD Act.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
H.R.7612, the Students Bill of Rights Act of 2024; H.R.7683 - Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act; draft legislation related to free expression at universities receiving federal funding; due process protections in the Department of Education's proposed title IX regulations.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
1st Quarter, 2024
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) amended a lobbying report for in-house lobbying in Q12024 on April 19
Original Filing: 301567306.xml
Lobbying Issues
Draft anti-SLAPP legislation; H.R.7612, the Students Bill of Rights Act of 2024; H.R.7683 - Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act; draft legislation related to free expression at universities receiving federal funding; due process protections in the Department of Education's proposed title IX regulations; draft Senate legislation known as the "NO FAKES Act 2023; H.R.6943 - No AI FRAUD Act.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
H.R.7612, the Students Bill of Rights Act of 2024; H.R.7683 - Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act; draft legislation related to free expression at universities receiving federal funding; due process protections in the Department of Education's proposed title IX regulations.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
4th Quarter, 2023
In Q4, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 19.
Original Filing: 301530293.xml
Lobbying Issues
H.R. 2952, a bill to amend the Federal Rules of Evidence to limit the admissibility of evidence of a defendants creative or artistic expression against such defendant, and for other purposes; book bans; Julian Assange prosecution.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
H.R. 5894, Labor-H Appropriations Act for FY24 (issue: Lawler amendment re: anti-semitism); campus free speech draft legislation; H. Res. 927, a resolution condemning antisemitism on University campuses; Education and Workforce investigations of college campuses; issues related to anti-semitism on college campuses.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
3rd Quarter, 2023
In Q3, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 18, 2023.
Original Filing: 301504788.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE reviewed and provided analysis of drafts of a potential Student Bill of Rights and an additional draft piece of legislation that would protect free expression on college campuses.
FIRE also provided analysis to Ed and Workforce committee staff and other congressional offices regarding how to combat anti-Semitism without infringing on students' free speech rights.
FIRE analyzed and joined a coalition letter to Senator Schumer opposing the Stop CSAM Act (S.1199) which would have undermined free speech online by imposing liability on social media companies for hosting content related to conduct, including expression, related to child exploitation.
We met with a Senate office to discuss our support for the RAP Act (H.R. 2952) which would change the federal rules of evidence to protect the free speech rights of artists, so their fictional works are not used as the basis of criminal prosecutions, unless there is additional evidence tying the works to details of the crimes only the perpetrators would know.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
FIRE reviewed and provided analysis of drafts of a potential Student Bill of Rights and an additional draft piece of legislation that would protect free expression on college campuses.
FIRE also provided analysisto Ed and Workforce committee staff and other congressional offices regarding how to combat anti-Semitism without infringing on students' free speech rights.
We met with House ED and Workforce staff to discuss definitions of hazingthat would threaten free speech rights and we also discussed how bias response teams in K-12 schools could jeopardize student speech rights.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
2nd Quarter, 2023
In Q2, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 17, 2023.
Original Filing: 301478087.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE prepared draft legislation for a congressional office to constitutionally address anti-Semitic harassment and other forms of discriminatory student-on-student harassment within a framework that complies with the First Amendment.
FIRE reviewed and analyzed the Campus Free Speech Restoration Act (HR 2508) and a Resolution on Campus Free Speech (H.Res. 282) in anticipation of further engagement on these bills to ensure they are consistent with the the First Amendment.
FIRE participated in a press conference in support of the Federal Rap Act (H.R. 2952) and had discussions with the bill sponsors about the legislation.
FIRE also discussed our concernswith how the Departmentof Education is handlingcampus free speech and due process issues, in and out of the context of enforcement of Title IX with Senator Marco Rubio's office in advance of a Senate hearing with ED Secretary Miguel Cardona.
FIRE also engagedin a grassroots lobbying campaignby emailing our supporters to urge them to contact congressional offices to express opposition to the RESTRICT Act (S. 686), which we oppose over free speech concerns.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
FIRE prepared draft legislation for a congressional office to constitutionally address anti-Semitic harassment and other forms of discriminatory student-on-student harassment within a framework that complies with the First Amendment.
FIRE reviewed and analyzed the Campus Free Speech Restoration Act (HR 2508) and a Resolution on Campus Free Speech (H.Res. 282) in anticipation of further engagement on these bills to ensure they are consistent with the the First Amendment.
FIRE also discussed our concernswith how the Departmentof Education (ED) is handlingcampus free speech and due process issues, in and out of the context of enforcement of Title IX with Senator Marco Rubio's office in advance of a Senate hearing with ED Secretary Miguel Cardona.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
1st Quarter, 2023
In Q1, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 15, 2023.
Original Filing: 301452139.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE submitted a formal comment to the Department of Education to oppose the Department's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM, Docket No. ED-2022-OPE-0157, RIN 1840-AD72) which would rescind regulations related to religious student organizations at certain public institutions of higher education (IHEs). We also submitted a formal comment to the Department of Education in Response to its Request For Information (RFI, Docket ID ED-2023-OPE-0029) related to the effectiveness of the existing Free Inquiry Rule. Our comment defended the existing rule. FIRE discussed FIRE's position on the NPRM and on the RFI with minority staff for the Senate Judiciary Committee and majority staff for the House Education and Workforce Committee.
FIRE also had discussions with majority and minority staff for the House Education and Workforce Committee regarding free expression on campus, culminating in FIRE addressing the majority committee members on the same topic.
We also contacted Senator Mike Lee's office to talk about his past efforts to enact federal legislation that would seek to alter obscenity law.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
FIRE submitted a formal comment to the Department of Education to oppose the Department's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM, Docket No. ED-2022-OPE-0157, RIN 1840-AD72) which would rescind regulations related to religious student organizations at certain public institutions of higher education (IHEs). We also submitted a formal comment to the Department of Education in Response to its Request For Information (RFI, Docket ID ED-2023-OPE-0029) related to the effectiveness of the existing Free Inquiry Rule. Our comment defended the existing rule. FIRE discussed FIRE's position on the NPRM and on the RFI with minority staff for the Senate Judiciary Committee and majority staff for the House Education and Workforce Committee.
FIRE also had discussions with majority and minority staff for the House Education and Workforce Committee regarding free expression on campus, culminating in FIRE addressing the majority committee members on the same topic.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
4th Quarter, 2022
In Q4, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 19, 2023.
Original Filing: 301435275.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE had meetings with congressional offices in the House and Senate to discuss campus free speech and review draft language thathas not yet been introduced. These discussions also included the possibilitythat the issue would be addressed in any Higher Education Act Reauthorization that might be introduced in the future.
FIRE reviewed congressional resolutions opposing book bans including HRes 1392 and SRes 838. We wrote publicly in support of aspects of each resolution. We also shared feedback on draft language for an additional resolution on banned books that has not yet been introduced.
FIRE also participated in a Congressional Roundtable hosted by the Republican members of the House Education and Labor Committee on the topic of campus freespeech.
We also communicated our opposition to theStudents Access to Freedom and Educational Rights (SAFER Act/S.5158) to Senate and House offices, explaining the free speech and due process problems with the legislation.
FIRE also analyzed the Stop the Sexualization of Children Act (HR 9197), theChildren and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act (S. 1628), the Kids Online Safety Act (S. 3663), the Fair Access to Banking Act (S. 563/HR1729). We did not engage in any advocacy on those bills, but conducted research in anticipation of future advocacy on them.
FIRE also engaged in grassroots lobbying by publishing a video on YouTube urging viewers to contact their member of Congress in support of theRestoring Artistic Protection Act of 2022 (HR 8531) which prohibits federal prosecutors from introducing an artist's rap lyrics againstthem as proof or wrongdoing in criminalprosecutions,subject to some exceptions.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
FIRE had meetings with congressional offices in the House and Senate to discuss campus free speech and review draft language thathas not yet been introduced. These discussions also included the possibilitythat the issue would be addressed in any Higher Education Act Reauthorization that might be introduced in the future.
FIRE reviewed congressional resolutions opposing book bans including HRes 1392 and SRes 838. We wrote publicly in support of aspects of each resolution. We also shared feedback on draft language for an additional resolution on banned books that has not yet been introduced.
FIRE also participated in a Congressional Roundtable hosted by the Republican members of the House Education and Labor Committee on the topic of campus freespeech.
We also communicated our opposition to theStudents Access to Freedom and Educational Rights (SAFER Act/S.5158) to Senate and House offices, explaining the free speech and due process problems with the legislation.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
3rd Quarter, 2022
In Q3, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 20, 2022.
Original Filing: 301419378.xml
Lobbying Issues
A vast majorityof FIRE's expenses incurred during the quarter are attributable to the staff hours that went into preparing FIRE's Comment to the Department of Education on its proposed regulations on the enforcement of Title IX, Docket No. ED-2021-OCR-0166, RIN 1870-AA16. FIRE's comment offered detailed objections to aspects of the proposalthat would violate free speech and due process rights.
FIRE also had communications with congressional offices regarding the possibility of future legislation on campus free speech. Those conversations included discussion of the Restoring Academic Freedom on Campus Act (H.R. 8945) and improvements FIRE would like to see tothe bill.
We also analyzed the Restoring Artistic Protection Act (RAP Act H.R. 5831), the SLAPP Protection Act of 2022, (H.R. 8864) and legislation on combatingIslamophobia (S. 3384/ H.R. 5565) in anticipation of potentially engaging on those bills. FIRE has not yet engaged any congressional offices on any of those bills.
Finally, FIRE discussed the Banned Book Resolution (H. Res. 1392) with a congressional office.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
A vast majorityof FIRE's expenses incurred during the quarter are attributable to the staff hours that went into preparing FIRE's Comment to the Department of Education on its proposed regulations on the enforcement of Title IX, Docket No. ED-2021-OCR-0166, RIN 1870-AA16. FIRE's comment offered detailed objections to aspects of the proposalthat would violate free speech and due process rights.
FIRE also had communications with congressional offices regarding the possibility of future legislation on campus free speech. Those conversations included discussion of the Restoring Academic Freedom on Campus Act (H.R. 8945) and improvements FIRE would like to see tothe bill.
We also analyzed legislation on combatingIslamophobia (S. 3384/ H.R. 5565) in anticipation of potentially engaging on those bills. FIRE has not yet engaged any congressional offices on any those bills.
Finally, FIRE discussed the Banned Book Resolution (H. Res. 1392) with a congressional office.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
3rd Quarter, 2022
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) filed a lobbying registration on Oct. 19, 2022 for in-house lobbying efforts, effective July 1, 2022.
Original Filing: 301410218.xml
Issue(s) they said they’d lobby about: Free speech rights, higher education student rights, faculty rights, due process on college campuses. .
2nd Quarter, 2022
In Q2, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 20, 2022.
Original Filing: 301395440.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE reviewed federal court cases relating to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) in anticipation of the release of proposed Title IX regulations issued by the Department of Education. and reviewed the text of the proposed Title IX regulations when they were published on June 23.
FIRE met with congressional offices and committees to discuss free speech issues relating to institutions of higher education, due process concerns relating to campus disciplinary proceedings, Title IX regulations, academic freedom, and the expansion of FIREs free speech mission beyond campus. FIRE reviewed legislative text, provided feedback on draft legislation that has not been introduced on the topic of campus free speech, and offered edits to draft legislative language relating to these issue areas.
FIRE submitted a comment to the Department of Health and Human Services in response to a public Request for Information (RFI) regarding health misinformation. In our comment we told HHS that if it were to follow the RFI with the initiation of formal rulemaking, it must be mindful that government attempts to regulate medical misinformation could infringe on free speech rights and threaten academic freedom at institutions of higher education.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
1st Quarter, 2022
In Q1, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 20, 2022.
Original Filing: 301367782.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE participated in a roundtable on the issue of free speech on college campuses hosted by the Republican members of the House Education and Labor Committee.
We also expressed concerns over provisions in the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization (S. 3623 later enacted in HR 2471) that would provide grants to institutions of higher education to use potentially biased trainings when training those on campus who are responsible for adjudicating Title IX claims. We were also concerned about the implications of the federal government adopting a definition of affirmative consent in the bill.
FIRE also worked with Senate offices on potential legislation on campus free speech that has not yet been introduced.
FIRE also met with OMB and Department of Education staff to share some of our general free speech and due process concerns with respect to the Department of Education's plan to amend the existing Title IX regulations.
We also have been doing extensive research in preparation for commenting on the Department of Education's proposal to amend the Title IX regulations when that new rule is proposed.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
4th Quarter, 2021
In Q4, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 20, 2022.
Original Filing: 301335849.xml
Lobbying Issues
On the invitation of the Republicanmembers of the House Judiciary Committee, FIRE held a conference call briefing them on campus free speech where we presented on our new campus rankings.
FIRE shared our opposition to the nomination of Catherine Lhamon to lead the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights with Senate offices.
At the request of a Senate office, FIRE provided proposed changes to a potential bill draft on campus free speech.
FIRE provided Rep. Greg Murphy's office with feedback regarding H Res. 770, a resolution on campus free speech.
On November1, 2021, FIRE participated in a Roundtable on campus free speech hosted by Representative Greg Murphy.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
3rd Quarter, 2021
In Q3, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 19, 2021.
Original Filing: 301306044.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE urged Senators to reject the Administration's nominee to lead the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.
We also wrote to and met with staff for members of South Carolina's House delegation to talk to them about academic freedom in response to letters they sent to Clemson University and the University of South Carolina that asks those institutions to restrict instruction and programs related to critical race theory.
We provided input to Senator Sullivan's office on a potential bill draft in support of campus free speech.
And finally, on the request of House Republicans on the Judiciary Committee, we began preparations for an online briefing to those members on the topic of free speech on college campuses. The briefing occurred after this covered period and will be on the next quarter's report.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Education/Civil Liberties
2nd Quarter, 2021
In Q2, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 20, 2021.
Original Filing: 301285385.xml
Lobbying Issues
As part of the Department of Education's June 7-11, public hearing on Title IX, FIRE provided verbal testimony and a written comment to provide our input on the Department's enforcement of Title IX. We emphasized the need to maintain robust due process protections and ensure that enforcement of Title IX was consistent with judicial precedents on fair procedures and free speech. We also met with the Office for Civil Rights to discuss the same.
FIRE also met with members of Congress to discuss amendments FIRE would make to the the Campus Free Speech Restoration Act (H.R. 4007) to ensure that it tracks the judicial precedent and is a helpful tool for protecting free speech on college campuses.
In meetings with staff for members of the House of Representatives, we shared our perspective on the direction would like the Department of Education to go, explaining our hope that the Department would maintain policies that protect campus free speech and due process.
We also engaged Senate offices to share our concerns about Catherine Lhamon's nomination to return to the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights as the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, a position we think she should not be confirmed to unless she makes concrete commitments under oath to maintain the robust due process protections and the U.S. Supreme Court compliant definition of sexual harassment in the Title IX regulations.
Finally, on the request of a Senate office, we reviewed draft language regarding a proposal to ensure that Court Orders signed electronically have security measures to ensure their authenticity. Ultimately, we concluded that proposal was outside the scope of FIRE's mission.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
As part of the Department of Education's June 7-11, public hearing on Title IX, FIRE provided verbal testimony and a written comment to provide our input on the Department's enforcement of Title IX. We emphasized the need to maintain robust due process protections and ensure that enforcement of Title IX was consistent with judicial precedents on fair procedures and free speech. We also met with the Office for Civil Rights to discuss the same.
FIRE also met with members of Congress to discuss amendments FIRE would make to the the Campus Free Speech Restoration Act (H.R. 4007) to ensure that it tracks the judicial precedent and is a helpful tool for protecting free speech on college campuses.
In meetings with staff for members of the House of Representatives, we shared our perspective on the direction would like the Department of Education to go, explaining our hope that the Department would maintain policies that protect campus free speech and due process.
We also engaged Senate offices to share our concerns about Catherine Lhamon's nomination to return to the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights as the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, a position we think she should not be confirmed to unless she makes concrete commitments under oath to maintain the robust due process protections and the U.S. Supreme Court compliant definition of sexual harassment in the Title IX regulations.
Finally, on the request of a Senate office, we reviewed draft language regarding a proposal to ensure that Court Orders signed electronically have security measures to ensure their authenticity. Ultimately, we concluded that proposal was outside the scope of FIRE's mission.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
1st Quarter, 2021
In Q1, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 19, 2021.
Original Filing: 301258953.xml
Lobbying Issues
As is FIRE's custom with every new President, FIRE sent President Biden a letter on his inauguration day highlighting FIRE's priorities. The letter included discussion of campus free speech and due process and discussed those issues in the context of Title IX. Staff for the majority and minority of the House Education and Labor Committee as well as the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee were copied on the letter.
FIRE also wrote to Senate offices with questions we wanted posed to Miguel Cardona during his confirmation hearing in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
FIRE also internally analyzed two bills addressing Confucius Institutes on college campus in anticipation of the possibility of doing congressional advocacy. Those bills were S. 590 and S. 822.
Finally, early in second quarter, FIRE had a meeting with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to discuss campus free speech. Preparation for the meeting took place during the covered time period.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
4th Quarter, 2020
In Q4, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 21, 2021.
Original Filing: 301243674.xml
Lobbying Issues
In the prior quarter, FIRE Senior Fellow Samantha Harris testified about Title IX before the House of Representatives' Education and Labor Committee. During this reporting period, FIRE helped Samantha prepare supplemental testimony in response to follow up questions from the Committee's members.
FIRE also wrote to the members of theHouse of Representatives' Education and Labor Committee to support recent actions by the Departmentof Education to defend academic freedom. The Department of Education was copied on that correspondence.
Finally, FIRE had a teleconference call with the Department of Education to talk about how campus censorship targets speakers from all parts of the political spectrum. FIRE followed up the call by providing the department with recent examples.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
3rd Quarter, 2020
In Q3, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 19, 2020.
Original Filing: 301214708.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE Senior Fellow Samantha Harris was invited to testify before the House Education and Labor Committees Civil Rights and Human Services subcommittee in a hearing on September 10, titled On the Basis of Sex: Examining the Administrations Attacks on Gender-Based Protections. In her testimony, which FIRE staff helped her research and prepare, Ms. Harris explained why the Department of Educations new Title IX rules are not an attack on gender-based protections, but instead effectively protect all students ability to receive an education.
FIRE also contacted members of Congress to share our concerns with the anti-Semitism provision in H.R. 2574.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
2nd Quarter, 2020
In Q2, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 20, 2020.
Original Filing: 301199763.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE wrote to congressional offices to communicate our concerns with the Confucius Act S.939, urging edits to ensure that the bill adequately protects academic freedom.
FIRE also organized a grassroots lobbying campaign, communicated with the Department of Education, Congressional offices and OMB to urge the Department of Education to finalize and publish new Title IX Regulations. Once those regulations were finalized we conducted a webinar for Congressional staff explaining the new regulations and conveying FIRE's support for them.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
FIRE wrote to congressional offices to communicate our concerns with the Confucius Act S.939, urging edits to ensure that the bill adequately protects academic freedom.
FIRE also organized a grassroots lobbying campaign, communicated with the Department of Education, Congressional offices and OMB to urge the Department of Education to finalize and publish new Title IX Regulations. Once those regulations were finalized we conducted a webinar for Congressional staff explaining the new regulations and conveying FIRE's support for them.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
1st Quarter, 2020
In Q1, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 17, 2020.
Original Filing: 301170700.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE submitted a formal comment to the Department of Education on its proposed regulations on Eligibility of Faith-Based Entities, Docket No. ED-2019-OPE-0080, RIN 1840-AD45. Our comment largely in support of the free speech provisions and provisions on the rights of religious student organizations can be read at: https://www.thefire.org/fire-comment-on-religion-ed-regulations-feb-18-2020/.
FIRE also met and had telephone calls with Congressional offices to discuss free speech on campus, including FIRE's support for H.R. 1672, the Free Right to Expression in Education Act, a bill that would prohibit public institutions from restricting speech to certain outdoor areas of campuses, often misleadingly labeled as "free speech zones." We also discussed how colleges should be addressing anti-Semitism on college campuses without violating the First Amendment. During those conversations FIRE shared its concerns about the President's Executive Order on Combating Anti-Semitism.
FIRE also wrote to the Department of Education and the Office for Management and Budget (OMB) to urge them to finalize the pending Title IX regulations. FIRE had a telephone call with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights urging it to finalize the Title IX regs. The substance of the proposed regulations was not discussed. We did discuss an open OCR Title VI investigation into Georgia Tech, and advised OCR that we would be submitting a letter that FIRE sent to the institution about the facts underlying the complaint to the OCR for its consideration during the investigation.
FIRE also reviewed drafts of HR 6379 (the CARES Act) dealing with COVID-19 relief for its implications on nonprofits and others who engage in constitutionally protected federal lobbying. We communicated our concerns to Congressional offices.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Education/Civil Liberties
4th Quarter, 2019
In Q4, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 21, 2020.
Original Filing: 301125533.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with Congressional offices to discuss free speech on campus, including FIRE's support for H.R. 1672, the Free Right to Expression in Education Act, a bill that would prohibit public institutions from restricting speech to certain outdoor areas of campuses, often misleadingly labeled as "free speech zones." We also discussed how colleges should be addressing anti-Semitism on college campuses without violating the First Amendment. During those conversations FIRE shared its concerns about the President's Executive Order on Combating Anti-Semitism.
FIRE also met with the White House's Office For Management and Budget (OMB) to discuss FIRE's support for the pending regulations on the enforcement of Title IX. Department of Education staff called in to the meeting with OMB.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Education/Civil Liberties
3rd Quarter, 2019
In Q3, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 21, 2019.
Original Filing: 301077510.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE had a meeting with the Department of Education to discuss ways the Department could protect free speech on college campuses. FIRE also met with Congressional offices, the Department of Justice, and White House General Counsel to discuss addressing anti-Semitism on college campuses without infringing on free speech rights. FIRE also communicated with Congressional offices to discuss free speech and academic freedom on college campuses.
Agencies Lobbied
White House Office
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
FIRE had a meeting with the Department of Education to discuss ways the Department could protect free speech on college campuses. FIRE also met with Congressional offices, the Department of Justice, and White House General Counsel to discuss addressing anti-Semitism on college campuses without infringing on free speech rights. FIRE also communicated with Congressional offices to discuss free speech and academic freedom on college campuses.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
2nd Quarter, 2019
In Q2, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 19, 2019.
Original Filing: 301051649.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE communicated with congressional staff about free speech on college campuses. Specifically, we communicated our concerns over the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act (S. 852) and opposed it being added on as an amendment to the Equality Act (HR 2574); our support for the Free Right to Expression in Education Act (FREE Act, H.R. 1672); and our support for S. Res. 233 which promotes campus free speech.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
1st Quarter, 2019
In Q1, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 19, 2019.
Original Filing: 301031914.xml
Lobbying Issues
Most of FIRE's lobbying during this period was the writing and submission of our formal comment to the Department of Education on the pending Title IX regulations. FIRE advocated for student free speech and due process in the regulations and our comment is publicly available on our website. We later filed a supplemental comment to the department to respond to other comments that were filed in the process. Again, we advocated for student free speech and due process.
On February 11, 2019, FIRE sent a letter to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo urging the State Department to avoid warrantless surveillance of Chinese nationals studying at U.S. Colleges. That letter is available on our website.
FIRE had conversations with congressional offices regarding our concerns about the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act (S. 852), which we oppose on free speech grounds.
FIRE also spoke with congressional offices about the President's Executive Order on Campus Free Speech.
Finally, FIRE had conversations with congressional offices about our support for The Free Right to Expression in Education Act (H.R. 1672) which would prohibit public colleges and universities from restricting student expression to misleadingly labelled "free speech" zones.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
4th Quarter, 2018
In Q4, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 18, 2019.
Original Filing: 301009965.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with staff at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) who were joined by staff at the Department of Education to offer commentary on a preliminary draft of proposed regulations on Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance. We argued in support of the First Amendment and due process protections in the draft and identified ways those protections could be strengthened.
FIRE also met with staff for members of Congress in both chambers to discuss concerns about efforts to include the unconstitutional Anti-Semitism Awareness Act (S.2940 and HR 5924) as a rider in the annual budget.
We had additional meetings with Congressional offices to promote campus free speech and due process.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
3rd Quarter, 2018
In Q3, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 19, 2018.
Original Filing: 300992572.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE testified before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on the topic of free speech on college campuses. We provided written and verbal testimony. FIRE also participated in an event at the Department of Justice focussing on free speech on campus.
FIRE met with members of Congress to discuss free speech on campus, freedom of association on campus, and due process on campus. The meetings included discussion of FIRE's support for the FREE Act (S. 2394) and our opposition to the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act (S. 2940, H.R. 5924). FIRE also had a meeting with members of Congress at the Library of Congress to discuss FIRE President Greg Lukianoff and NYU Professor Jonathan Haidt's book, the Coddling of the American Mind.
FIRE met with the officials at the Department of Education to discuss free speech on campus. The conversation also covered support for the Supreme Court's definition of peer-on-peer harassment set forth in Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
2nd Quarter, 2018
In Q2, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 20, 2018.
Original Filing: 300974878.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE worked with Rep. Ron DeSantis on model legislation regarding the responsibility of institutions of higher education to combat peer-on-peer harassment in a manner that is constitutional.
FIRE also had discussions with House Judiciary Committee staff regarding the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act (H.R. 5924 and S.2940) and the FREE Act (S. 2394).
FIRE met with Congressional staffers to promote the FREE Act.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
FIRE worked with Rep. Ron DeSantis on model legislation regarding the responsibility of institutions of higher education to combat peer-on-peer harassment in a manner that is constitutional.
FIRE also had discussions with House Judiciary Committee staff regarding the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act (H.R. 5924 and S.2940) and the FREE Act (S. 2394).
FIRE met with Congressional staffers to promote the FREE Act.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
1st Quarter, 2018
In Q1, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 20, 2018.
Original Filing: 300954431.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE had discussions with Congressional staffers about the pending Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. In particular we discussed campus free speech issues, freedom of association issues, and due process issues that FIRE would like to see addressed in the reauthorization. Some of these conversations were in the context of the PROSPER Act (H.R. 4508), while other conversations were focussed on FIRE's support of the FREE Act (S. 2394) which would prohibit public institutions of higher education from quarantining speech to misleadingly labeled free speech zones.
FIRE also had communications with congressional staffers to urge congress to prohibit institutions of higher education from demanding students' passwords to their social media accounts. No bill is pending on this issue.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
4th Quarter, 2017
In Q4, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 19, 2018.
Original Filing: 300930206.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE promoted free speech, freedom of association, and due process on college campuses. FIRE met with staff for members of Congress to discuss these issues. Some of the discussions focussed on addressing anti-Semitism on campus in a manner that does not infringe on students' free speech rights. We also had meetings to discuss social media password protection for college students.
FIRE also lobbied on H.R. 4508, the PROSPER Act, urging members of Congress to include provisions on the topics listed above.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Education/Civil Liberties
3rd Quarter, 2017
In Q3, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 28, 2017.
Original Filing: 300918010.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE communicated with the Congressional offices, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Education regarding free speech and due process on college campuses. We urged the Department to rescind guidance, under Title IX and begin formal notice and comment on its replacement so that all stakeholders perspectives could be considered as is required under the Administrative Procedure Act.
We also met with congressional offices to discuss free speech/privacy concerns posed when colleges demand access to student and prospective students' social media and email passwords.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
FIRE communicated with the Congressional offices, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Education regarding free speech and due process on college campuses. We urged the Department to rescind guidance, under Title IX and begin formal notice and comment on its replacement so that all stakeholders perspectives could be considered as is required under the Administrative Procedure Act.
We also met with congressional offices to discuss free speech/privacy concerns posed when colleges demand access to student and prospective students' social media and email passwords.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
2nd Quarter, 2017
In Q2, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 20, 2017.
Original Filing: 300895699.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with members of Congress as well as officials at the Departments of Justice and Education to discuss free speech and due process on college campuses and how to address anti-Semitism and harassment against students based on religion more generally.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with members of Congress as well as officials at the Departments of Justice and Education to discuss free speech and due process on college campuses and how to address anti-Semitism and harassment against students based on religion more generally. At the request of the House Judiciary Committee, FIRE analyzed and gave feedback regarding H.R. 1973.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
1st Quarter, 2017
In Q1, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) lobbied for Foundation For Individual Rights in Education . The report was filed on April 24, 2017.
Original Filing: 300878921.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with members of Congress to discuss free speech on college campuses and how to address anti-Semitism and harassment against students based on religion more generally.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
4th Quarter, 2016
In Q4, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 11, 2017.
Original Filing: 300845136.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with Senator Ben Sasse to discuss free speech and due process on college campuses. FIRE also opposed the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
4th Quarter, 2016
Foundation For Individual Rights in Education amended a lobbying report for in-house lobbying in Q42016 on Jan. 11, 2017
Original Filing: 300845155.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with Senator Ben Sasse to discuss free speech and due process on college campuses. FIRE also opposed the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
3rd Quarter, 2016
In Q3, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 20, 2016.
Original Filing: 300837056.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with Congressional offices to discuss free speech and due process on college campuses. We also conducted a Hill briefing on free speech on college campuses.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with Congressional offices to discuss free speech and due process on college campuses. FIRE conducted a Hill briefing on free speech on college campuses.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
2nd Quarter, 2016
In Q2, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 20, 2016.
Original Filing: 300820719.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE had meetings and correspondences with hill staffers to discuss due process on campus and free speech on college campuses.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met and had correspondences with Hill staffers to discuss due process and free speech on college campuses.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
1st Quarter, 2016
In Q1, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 25, 2016.
Original Filing: 300804332.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with congressional staffers to discuss the issue of due process on college campuses.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with congressional staffers to discuss free speech zones on college campuses.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
1st Quarter, 2016
Foundation For Individual Rights in Education filed a lobbying registration on Feb. 1, 2016 for in-house lobbying efforts, effective Feb. 29, 2016.
Original Filing: 300785816.xml
Issue(s) they said they’d lobby about: FIRE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to defending the individual rights of students and faculty at institutions of higher education. These rights include free speech, due process, religious liberty, and freedom of conscience. .
4th Quarter, 2015
In Q4, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 18, 2016.
Original Filing: 300774133.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with congressional staffers to discuss the issue of campus sexual assault. We also did a training for congressional staffers on the same topic. We discussed the Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA- S. 590; H.R. 1310) , the Safe Campus Act (H.R. 3403), and the Fair Campus Act (H.R. 3408). FIRE is not endorsing any bills but explaining what we like and oppose in each bill. We are advocating that any final legislation on campus sexual assault include robust due process and procedural protections like the right to counsel and the right to exculpatory and inculpatory evidence.
FIRE also met with congressional staffers to discuss efforts to eliminate overly restrictive speech codes on campus, threats to academic freedom, and overreach by the Department. There is no specific legislation pending on these issues.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with Congressional Staffers to discuss the issue of campus sexual assault. We also conducted a briefing on the issue for congressional staffers. We discussed the Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA-)S. 590 and H.R. 1310, the Safe Campus Act (H.R. 3403), and the Fair Campus Act (H.R. 3408). FIRE has not endorsed any of these bills. Instead we are explaining to Congress which provisions in each bill we like and which provisions we oppose. FIRE is advocating that any final legislation must include meaningful due process/ procedural protections, like the right to active assistance of counsel and the right to the disclosure of any exculpatory and inculpatory evidence known to a college.
FIRE also met with Congressional staffers to discuss overly restrictive speech codes on college campuses, threats to academic freedom, and overreach by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. No legislation is pending on those issues.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
3rd Quarter, 2015
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) filed a lobbying registration on Jan. 11, 2017 to represent Foundation For Individual Rights in Education, effective July 16, 2015.
Original Filing: 300845149.xml
Issue(s) they said they’d lobby about: Free Speech, Due Process, and religious liberty on college and university campuses. .
3rd Quarter, 2015
In Q3, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 16, 2015.
Original Filing: 300755455.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with congressional staffers to discuss the issue of campus sexual assault. We discussed the Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA- S. 590; H.R. 1310) , the Safe Campus Act (H.R. 3403), and the Fair Campus Act (H.R. 3408). FIRE is not endorsing any bills but explaining what we like and oppose in each bill. We are advocating that any final legislation on campus sexual assault include robust due process and procedural protections like the right to counsel and the right to exculpatory and inculpatory evidence.
FIRE also met with congressional staffers to discuss efforts to eliminate overly restrictive speech codes on campus and threats to academic freedom. There is no specific legislation pending on these issues.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with Congressional Staffers to discuss the issue of campus sexual assault. We discussed the Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA-)S. 590 and H.R. 1310, the Safe Campus Act (H.R. 3403), and the Fair Campus Act (H.R. 3408). FIRE has not endorsed any of these bills. Instead we are explaining to Congress which provisions in each bill we like and which provisions we oppose. FIRE is advocating that any final legislation must include meaningful due process/ procedural protections, like the right to active assistance of counsel and the right to the disclosure of any exculpatory and inculpatory evidence known to a college.
FIRE also met with Congressional staffers to discuss overly restrictive speech codes on college campuses and threats to academic freedom. No legislation is pending on those issues.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
3rd Quarter, 2015
Foundation For Individual Rights in Education filed a lobbying registration on July 20, 2015 for in-house lobbying efforts, effective July 16, 2015.
Original Filing: 300741634.xml
Issue(s) they said they’d lobby about: Free Speech, Due Process, and religious liberty on college and university campuses. .
2nd Quarter, 2015
In Q2, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education did no lobbying for itself. The report was filed on July 20, 2015.
Original Filing: 300741521.xml
1st Quarter, 2015
In Q1, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education did no lobbying for itself. The report was filed on April 3, 2015.
Original Filing: 300712500.xml
4th Quarter, 2014
In Q4, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education did no lobbying for itself. The report was filed on Jan. 16, 2015.
Original Filing: 300698906.xml
3rd Quarter, 2014
In Q3, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 20, 2014.
Original Filing: 300686981.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE submitted formal written commentary on the Department of Education's proposed regulations to implement changes to the Clery Act in the VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2013. We also submitted formal written commentary to the Senate's Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee regarding the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.
FIRE also had a meeting with Catherine Lhamon the Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights for the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR). We discussed free speech and due process on campus.
FIRE also met with staffers for Senators Blumenthal, Murray, and Harkin to discuss campus sexual assault. We also discussed sexual harassment on university campuses with Senator Murray's staff. We followed up this meeting with a letter. Finally, we met with staffers for Representative Lois Frankel to discuss campus sexual assault.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
2nd Quarter, 2014
In Q2, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 21, 2014.
Original Filing: 300665261.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE wrote a letter to the members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions regarding the issue of sexual assault on college campuses. FIRE had meetings with legislative aides for Senators on the Committee to discuss the issue as well. FIRE also conducted briefings on the issue of sexual assault on college campuses for legislative aides for Senators on the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee and Representatives on the Judiciary Committee. Both of those briefings were conducted at the Committees' requests. FIRE also sent a letter expressing our concerns regarding the Tyler Clementi Act to the bill's sponsor.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
1st Quarter, 2014
In Q1, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 21, 2014.
Original Filing: 300644636.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE attended the Department of Education Negotiated Rulemaking sessions regarding the implementation of the Campus SaVE Act. FIRE made public statements about the process as it unfolded relating to the proper scope of the sessions. We also spoke out on attempts to codify the Department of Education's guidance to college and universities with respect to the standards of proof in college sexual misconduct hearings. We also publicly criticized attempts to require that universities adopt an affirmative consent standard to define sexual misconduct.
FIRE also met with Congressional staffers to discuss college students due process rights during suspension and expulsion hearings.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
IRE attended the Department of Education Negotiated Rulemaking sessions regarding the implementation of the Campus SaVE Act. FIRE made public statements about the process as it unfolded relating to the proper scope of the sessions. We also spoke out on attempts to codify the Department of Education's guidance to college and universities with respect to the standards of proof in college sexual misconduct hearings. We also publicly criticized attempts to require that universities adopt an affirmative consent standard to define sexual misconduct.
FIRE also met with Congressional staffers to discuss college students due process rights during suspension and expulsion hearings.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
4th Quarter, 2013
In Q4, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 17, 2014.
Original Filing: 300617847.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE communicated with staff for Members of Congress, urging them to pass legislation that would provide university students facing non-academic suspensions or expulsions from colleges and universities the right to hire lawyers at their own expense to represent them during the disciplinary process. During the period covered in this report, FIRE also began additional research of federal statutes that apply to institutions of higher education to assist us in answering questions Members of Congress may pose to us regarding the policy suggestions included in our comment on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act provided to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce during Quarter 3 (2013). FIRE also spoke with a staffer on the Senate HELP committee to provide the committee with an update on the policy revisions at University of Montana approved by the Departments of Education and Justice as per a recent settlement of a Title IX investigation.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
3rd Quarter, 2013
In Q3, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 21, 2013.
Original Filing: 300605760.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE submitted an official comment to the House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce regarding the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act which is set to expire soon. In FIREs comment we urged the Committee to include provisions: 1) defining the term sexual harassment in a manner that protects free speech and is consistent with United States Supreme Court authority; 2) prohibits public universities from limiting constitutionally protected expressive activities to tiny so-called free speech zones; 3) prohibiting universities from demanding passwords to student and faculty social media accounts and private emails; 4) requiring universities to disclose information about their policys impact on free speech; 5) protect the rights of student journalists; and 5) provide students facing suspensions or expulsions from public colleges and universities the right to counsel in campus suspension of expulsion hearings.
FIRE met with various congressional offices to discuss these recommendations.
FIRE also wrote a letter to the Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights about due process and free speech concerns stemming from a recent settlement of a Title IX case against the University of Montana.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
2nd Quarter, 2013
In Q2, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 22, 2013.
Original Filing: 300584883.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE met with staff in several congressional offices to discuss ideas that FIRE believes should be incorporated in the Higher Education Act which is set to expire this year and up for reauthorization. Our suggestions include: language to constitutionally define harassment on college campuses; legislation to prohibit universities from demanding access to student and faculty private social media or email accounts; Legislation requiring universities to submit information to the Dept. of Education regarding their policies and how they effect free speech on campus, and legislation defining open areas on public universities as traditional public forums.
FIRE also drafted a coalition letter sent to the Department of Education and the Department of Justice criticizing the settlement agreement the two agencies entered into with the University of Montana on May 9, 2013. The letter was not finalized and sent until the third quarter.
Agencies Lobbied
Education - Dept of
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
1st Quarter, 2013
In Q1, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 22, 2013.
Original Filing: 300560594.xml
Lobbying Issues
The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization (S.1925)FIRE was concerned with a portion of the bill dealing with due process rights on university campuses. The section of the bill dealing with due process on campus is Section 304 of the bill. FIRE also opposed a section of the bill that would have created a National Center for Campus Public Safety.
FIRE also met with several congressional offices about legislation to prohibit universities from demanding access to student and faculty private social media or email passwords.v One such bill is the Social Networking Online Protection Act.
FIRE met with congressional offices about legislation requiring universities to submit information regarding their policies and how they effect free speech on campus to the Department of Education. FIRE suggested that this type of provision may be included in the Higher Education Act Reauthorization.
On February 25, 2013 FIRE wrote a letter to the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) urging it to issue further guidance regarding (1) the First Amendment and Title IX; and (2) due process rights of students accused of sexual assault on university campuses.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
4th Quarter, 2012
In Q4, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 11, 2013.
Original Filing: 300527441.xml
Lobbying Issues
The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Bills (S.1925) and (H.R. 4970). FIRE was concerned with aspects of each version of the bill dealing with due process rights on university campuses and language in H.R. 4970 that would create a National Center for Campus Public Safety. The portions of the bills dealing with due process are found in Section 304 of each bill. The portion of H.R. 4970 dealing with the potential creation of a National Center for Campus Public Safety is found in Section 305.
FIRE also had brief conversations with two congressional offices about religious liberty on university campuses and free speech on campus. These conversations did not relate to any specific legislation.
On 12/6/12 FIRE sent a letter to the acting head of Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights' (OCR) reiterating our opposition to the agency's Dear Colleague Letter of April 4, 2011 reducing the due process rights of students accused of sexual misconduct on campus.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
3rd Quarter, 2012
In Q3, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 18, 2012.
Original Filing: 300511314.xml
Lobbying Issues
FIRE sent a letter on July 24, 2012 to Members of the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus to inform them of First Amendment implications of addressing bullying legislatively. The letter did not address any particular legislation.
In August 2012, FIRE also corresponded with the congressional offices of Members of Congress who had written to Vanderbilt University to express concern about a policy the University adopted preventing belief based organizations from obtaining official university recognition, unless they allowed any student--even those who disagreed with organizations' core mission--to serve as leaders of those organizations. FIRE wrote these offices to inform them of an online video FIRE produced challenging the Vanderbilt policy. A similar correspondence was sent in September to the offices of Members of Congress who are in the Congressional Prayer Caucus.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. House of Representatives
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
2nd Quarter, 2012
In Q2, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 19, 2012.
Original Filing: 300490810.xml
Lobbying Issues
The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Bills (S.1925), (H.R. 4271) and (H.R. 4970). FIRE is concerned with aspects of each version of the bill dealing with due process rights on University campuses and language in H.R. 4970 that would create a National Center for Campus Public Safety. The portions of the bills dealing with due process are found in Section 304 of each bill. The portion of H.R. 4970 dealing with the creation of the National Center for Campus Public Safety is found in Section 305.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Lobbying Issues
FIRE is concerned with due process and First Amendment issues raised by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights' (OCR) April 2011 "Dear Colleague" letter (DCL) regarding college and university compliance with Title IX. The DCL fails to offer a definition of sexual harassment that is consistent with the First Amendment; mandates that an inappropriately low standard of evidence be used in sexual assault and sexual harassment disciplinary hearings on university campuses; and requires colleges and universities that allow appeals of hearing results in sexual assault and sexual harassment cases to allow accusers to appeal exonerations.
1st Quarter, 2012
In Q1, Foundation For Individual Rights in Education had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 19, 2012.
Original Filing: 300466788.xml
Lobbying Issues
The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Bill (S. 1925) and (H.R. 4271). FIRE is concerned with 2 aspects of both versions of the Bill dealing with due process rights on college and university campuses. The portions of the Bill dealing with this issue are found in Section 304 of both the House and Senate versions of the Bill.
Agencies Lobbied
U.S. Senate
Type of Issue
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
1st Quarter, 2012
Foundation For Individual Rights in Education filed a lobbying registration on April 13, 2012 for in-house lobbying efforts, effective March 1, 2012.
Original Filing: 300460117.xml
Issue(s) they said they’d lobby about: The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending core constitutional rights on university campuses. .
Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives and Secretary of the Senate
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