Democrats seek to codify DEI in federal programs

House Democrats have introduced two pieces of legislation to codify diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices in federal programming opportunities. 

Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), ranking member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (Mass.) reintroduced the Federal Government Equity Improvement Act and the Equity in Agency Planning Act on Friday. 

The two bills would push federal agencies to enact policies focused on providing equal opportunity for all, including people of color, women, rural communities and individuals with disabilities. 

The Federal Government Equity Improvement Act, led by Raskin, would create the interagency Equity Subcommittee on the Performance Improvement Council to help develop data and share the best ways to provide fair government services. 

The subcommittee would also be required to seek input directly from those receiving federal services. 

“The federal government must be transparent, accountable, and responsive to everyone it serves—not just those who have had easier access to government services and decision making,” Raskin said in a statement to The Hill.  

The Equity in Agency Planning Act, led by Pressley, would require agencies to prioritize improving equitable provision of services. 

Pressley’s legislation would also require agencies to consult with nongovernmental organizations and stakeholders to develop and revise their strategic plans to work toward this goal. 

“We must center racial equity and justice in every administrative and policy decision across federal agencies,” Pressley said in a statement. “Our bills would help us do just that by building on the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic executive orders and providing essential tools to advance equity through data collection and critical stakeholder engagement.”

Democrats hope the new legislation will expand President Biden’s executive order on advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government. 

Signed on Biden’s first day in office, the order required that federal agencies evaluate what challenges stand in the way of providing services to underserved populations. 

Once those challenges were determined, agencies were instructed to find better ways to serve these groups. 

“Since its very first executive order on its very first day, the Biden-Harris Administration has championed a historic, whole-of-government effort to ensure equity in federal operations and services, transforming how the federal government serves the communities it has failed or neglected in the past,” Raskin said.  

But with Republicans dedicated to dismantling DEI initiatives, it’s unclear if the two new bills will make it through the current Congress. 

Though advocates say DEI policies and programs help close systemic barriers that keep people of color, women and LGBTQ communities from accessing opportunities in the workforce, education and government programs, Republicans have argued such policies are divisive and unfairly promote or prioritize certain groups of people. 

While more than 30 states have introduced or passed more than 100 bills to restrict or regulate DEI initiatives, the latest blow came when the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion was dissolved last month. 

“With diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives under assault by Republicans nationwide, these bills are deeply necessary to ensure government works for all people,” Pressley said. 

Updated at 12:01 p.m. EDT