Vance wants to stop all federal DEI programs

Republican U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance wants all diversity, equity and inclusion programs stopped in the federal government, saying the agenda breeds hatred and racial division.

Vance, R-Ohio, joined several other GOP lawmakers to introduce the Dismantle DEI Act, which would end federal programs and funding for federal agencies and contractors who receive federal money.

It also targets groups that receive 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'm proud to introduce this legislation, which would root out DEI from our federal bureaucracy by eliminating such programs and stripping funding for DEI policies anywhere it exists. Americans' tax dollars should not be co-opted to spread this radical and divisive ideology – this bill would ensure they are not."

Vance also accused President Joe Biden and the administration of implementing DEI policies throughout the federal government.

He said the legislation would rescind executive orders, terminate chief diversity officers, close DEI offices, end DEI and critical race theory training, outlaw mandatory employee DEI pledges and revoke all DEI funding from the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health and Human Services, and other federal agencies.

It would also prevent federal contracts from going to entities that use outlawed DEI practices, and stop federal grant recipients across the medical, energy and other industries from employing DEI practices.

It would also prevent educational accreditation agencies from leveraging their accreditation powers to advance and implement DEI policies at educational institutions.

Vance's co-sponsors include Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee; Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana; Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota; Eric Schmitt, R-Missouri; and Rick Scott, R-Florida.

Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, introduced companion legislation in the House, along with 15 other members.