FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2006

CONTACT: Steve Forde
Telephone: (202) 225-4527

McKeon Praises Unanimous U.S. Supreme Court Ruling to Ensure Equal Access for

Military Recruiters on College Campuses

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. House Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) today applauded a unanimous decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to protect the rights of military recruiters seeking access to colleges and universities that accept federal funding. 

 

“Military recruiters ought to have the same opportunities on college campuses as any other employer or organization there for recruiting purposes,” said McKeon.  “If colleges and universities are willing to accept taxpayer dollars to operate, they also must be willing to accept those who recruit the men and women who defend our nation – and our freedom.”

 

The unanimous Supreme Court decision reaffirms the Solomon Amendment, a 1996 law that grants the Secretary of Defense the ability to deny federal funding to colleges and universities that prohibit or prevent Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) or military recruitment on campus.  McKeon has joined colleagues on the Education & the Workforce Committee and throughout the House to strengthen the enforcement of the law since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

 

“Today’s ruling sends a clear signal regarding the constitutionality of the Solomon Amendment,’’ concluded McKeon.  “Equally as important, it also sends a clear message that our Armed Forces will remain the best trained and most skilled in the world.’’ 

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