WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, the Dismantle DEI Act is scheduled for markup in the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. The Act, which was introduced by incoming Vice-President Senator J.D. Vance and Congressman Michael Cloud, aims to ban diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and funding in the federal government. Demelza Baer, director of Public Policy at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, released the following statement, below:
“We unequivocally denounce this dangerous and regressive piece of legislation,” said Baer. “Make no mistake, if passed into law, the Dismantle DEI Act would have devastating consequences for historically excluded communities, and impede progress towards building a more just and equitable society.
“This legislation is a harmful overreach that would hurt the majority of Americans by using a misleading name to disguise its broader impact. While claiming to address Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts—initiatives that are vital to a fair and just society—it instead halts progress in critical areas unrelated to its stated purpose, rolling back hard-fought gains of the Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Rights Movement, LGBTQ+ Movement, and much of the progress of the last century.
“This proposed measure is part of a highly organized effort meant to kick open the doors to insidious workplace discrimination by going after programs that educate workers on their rights and what crosses the line at work.
“And it wouldn’t stop there. The bill also threatens women and minority business programs, and the essential work of countless employee-led and student-led groups protecting and advocating for the rights of women, people who are disabled, Black and Brown people, and the LGBTQIA community. We refuse to stand idly by in the face of this blatant attempt to dismantle our rich and pluralistic democracy.”
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