House Democrats have put forward two bills to make sure that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices are included in federal opportunities.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), who is part of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (Mass.) reintroduced the Federal Government Equity Improvement Act and the Equity in Agency Planning Act on Friday.
Raskin's Federal Government Equity Improvement Act 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 have to directly ask for input from those receiving federal services.
Raskin stated, “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.
The Equity in Agency Planning Act, led by Pressley, would make it necessary for agencies to prioritize improving equitable provision of services.
Pressley’s legislation would also make it necessary for agencies to work with non-government organizations and stakeholders to develop and revise their plans to work toward this goal.
Pressley said, “We must center racial equity and justice in every administrative and policy decision across federal agencies.
Democrats are hoping that the new legislation will expand President Biden’s Executive Order Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.
The order, signed on Biden’s first day in office, made federal agencies evaluate the challenges in providing services to underserved populations.
After identifying these challenges, agencies were told to find better ways to serve these groups.
Raskin stated, “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.
Though Republicans are focused on dismantling DEI initiatives, it’s uncertain if the two new bills will get through the current Congress.
Advocates believe DEI policies and programs help eliminate the systemic barriers that prevent people of color, women, and LGBTQ communities from accessing opportunities in the workforce, education, and government programs, while Republicans argue that such policies are divisive and unfairly promote or prioritize certain groups of people.
More than 30 states have introduced or passed over 100 bills to limit or regulate DEI initiatives. The most recent setback came when the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) was dissolved last month.
Rep. Pressley said that with Republicans attacking diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, these bills are very important to make sure that the government serves everyone.
