Republicans Push for Ban on DEI Initiatives in Federal Government

Congressional Republicans have proposed a bill to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government.

The Dismantle DEI Act was introduced by Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, and aims to abolish all federal DEI programs and stop funding for DEI-related initiatives at agencies receiving federal funds. Vance criticized the DEI agenda as “a destructive ideology that fosters hatred and racial division.”

“It has no place in our federal government or society,” Vance stated. “I am proud to introduce this legislation to eradicate DEI from our federal bureaucracy by eliminating these programs and cutting off funding for DEI policies wherever they exist. Taxpayer dollars should not support this radical and divisive ideology, and this bill will ensure they do not.”

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., are co-sponsors of the bill. Schmitt emphasized the importance of dismantling DEI programs in government.

“I am honored to join Senator Vance in this critical effort to remove DEI programs from our federal institutions once and for all,” Schmitt added.

Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, who is leading the bill in the House, highlighted how DEI has fueled division and racial bias.

“This bill is a necessary step to restore merit and equality, not equity, in America’s government institutions and eliminate the DEI bureaucracy that creates division and wastes taxpayer money,” Cloud argued. “Funding these divisive policies, especially with American tax dollars, is absurd, and it is time for Congress to end them once and for all.”

Fifteen House Republicans have backed Cloud’s bill.

Republicans across the country have taken action to dismantle DEI programs, such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis banning the programs in state universities and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott prohibiting the use of DEI statements in hiring at state universities.

At an NAACP event in Detroit, President Joe Biden praised diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as America’s “core strength.”

On his first day in office, Biden signed an executive order advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government. The order required federal agencies to identify barriers to providing services to underserved populations and develop more effective ways to serve those groups.