Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives has taken a major step toward rolling back federal initiatives promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) by passing the “Dismantle DEI Act” (H.R.8706) along party lines. The legislation aligns with President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign promise to eliminate programs that advance critical race theory (CRT) and DEI policies, which he has labeled as divisive and dangerous ideologies.
The bill, approved by the House Oversight Committee in a 23-17 vote, seeks to dismantle DEI offices, training programs, and regulations across federal agencies. If enacted, it would prohibit federal employee training that promotes concepts such as systemic privilege or inherent superiority based on race, gender, or other immutable characteristics. Additionally, the bill bars the federal government from requiring contractors to implement DEI hiring or training practices.
Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas), a key advocate for the legislation, criticized DEI programs as “politically correct racism” that prioritize race and gender over merit. “DEI basically institutes discrimination in the name of getting rid of discrimination,” said Cloud. He argued that federal hiring should be merit-based, asking, “Have you done a good job? What’s your work ethic like? Are you qualified to do the job?”
Cloud also highlighted safety concerns, suggesting that prioritizing DEI over qualifications has, in some cases, compromised competency in critical positions. He underscored that the legislation is about restoring fairness and ensuring competency within the federal workforce.
President Joe Biden’s administration made DEI a cornerstone of its policies, starting with Executive Order 13985 on his first day in office. This order led to over 500 DEI-related actions by federal agencies, including “Equity Action Plans” submitted by more than 80 agencies, as documented in a report by the medical group Do No Harm. The initiatives include broad measures promoting LGBTQIA+ rights, such as equitable healthcare coverage for gender-affirming care and DEI-focused education reforms.
The administration’s DEI agenda extended to the Department of Education, which implemented guidelines for inclusive language, gender-neutral policies, and safeguarding student privacy regarding gender identity. The Biden administration’s 2023 budget allocated $86 million for DEI programs in the State Department alone, while other agencies spent millions on DEI training and personnel.
The proponents see the bill as a long-overdue correction to what they view as an overreach by the Biden administration. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, who introduced the companion bill (S.4516) in the Senate, stated, “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.”
The Path Forward
If the Dismantle DEI Act passes both chambers of Congress, it is likely to find a supportive partner in the incoming Trump administration. Trump’s campaign platform included a pledge to abolish DEI initiatives and advance a clear, merit-based approach in federal hiring and governance.
Trump’s allies argue that his administration’s decisive stance on CRT and DEI marks a sharp contrast to the Biden administration’s policies, which they believe exacerbated divisions. “This is a very dangerous ideology that the Biden administration has force-fed the American people,” said Cloud, referencing the extensive DEI staffing and spending under Biden.
With Trump set to take office in January, the Dismantle DEI Act could represent a key step in his broader agenda to reshape federal policies and dismantle what he has called the “woke bureaucracy.”