by JD Davidson
Republican U.S. Senator J.D. Vance wants to halt all diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government, saying the program breeds hatred and racial division.
Vance, Ohio, has joined several other GOP lawmakers to introduce the Dismantle DEI Act, which would end federal programs and funding for federal agencies and contractors that receive federal money.
It also targets groups receiving federal grants and educational accreditation agencies.
“The DEI agenda is a destructive ideology that breeds hatred and racial division. It has no place in our federal government or anywhere else in our society,” Vance said. “I am proud to introduce this legislation, which would root out DEI from our federal bureaucracy by eliminating such programs and defunding DEI policies wherever they exist. American tax dollars should not be co-opted to advance this radical and divisive ideology – this bill will ensure that does not happen.”
Vance also accused President Joe Biden and the administration of implementing DEI policies across the federal government.
He said the legislation would repeal executive orders, fire chief diversity officers, close DEI offices, end DEI and critical race theory training, ban mandatory employee DEI commitments, and withdraw all DEI funding from the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Health and Social Services and other federal agencies.
It would also prevent federal contracts from being sent to entities engaging in illegal DEI practices and would stop recipients of federal grants in the healthcare, energy, and other industries from engaging in DEI practices.
It would also prevent educational accreditation agencies from using their accreditation powers to develop and implement DEI policies at educational institutions.
Vance’s co-sponsors are: Sens. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee; Bill Cassidy, Louisiana; Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota; Eric Schmitt, Missouri; and Rick Scott, R-Florida.
Representative Michael Cloud of Texas and 15 other members introduced companion legislation in the House.
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Ohio native J.D. Davidson is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience at newspapers in Ohio, Georgia, Alabama and Texas. He served as a reporter, editor, editor-in-chief and publisher. JD Davidson is the magazine’s regional editor Central Square.
Photo “Michael Cloud” by Creative services at home. Photo “JD Vance” by J.D. Vance. Cover photo “United States Senate” by United States Congress.
