RELEASE: Rep. Cloud’s Dismantle DEI Act Passes Out of House Oversight Committee

WASHINGTON — Congressman Michael Cloud’s (R-TX) bill, the Dismantle DEI Act, passed out of the House Oversight Committee on a party-line vote, 23-17. This legislation would eliminate divisive so-called “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) practices within the federal government and return to a colorblind, merit-based system in our taxpayer-funded institutions.

The Dismantle DEI Act represents a comprehensive effort to end all DEI-related activities within federal agencies, prevent DEI mandates in federal contracting and grants, and ensure that federal accreditation bodies prioritize merit and qualifications over identity-based quotas. This bill seeks to restore fairness and competence in government operations by targeting these wasteful and discriminatory practices, such as the over 500 reported by Do No Harm recently.

Rep. Cloud released the following statement:

“DEI programs masquerade as fairness while instead fostering division, inefficiency, and discrimination in our institutions. They waste taxpayer dollars and undermine the merit-based principles that have made America strong. The Dismantle DEI Act takes aim at this harmful ideology and will root it out of our government, ensuring our institutions focus on the mission of serving the American people efficiently and effectively. I look forward to advancing this bill out of committee and bringing the debate to the House floor.”

Under President Biden, federal DEI programs have ballooned, costing taxpayers billions and forcing American institutions to prioritize identity politics over excellence. For example, in 2023 alone, the Biden administration allocated over $16 million for federal diversity training and requested an additional $83 million for DEI programs at the State Department. In contrast, the Dismantle DEI Act will slash these wasteful initiatives intended to benefit a select few Americans over others.

This legislation’s passing reflects a growing recognition among lawmakers that divisive DEI policies harm rather than help. Congressman Cloud has been a leading voice in promoting government reform and ensuring accountability in all aspects of federal spending.

Read more from the DailyWire here.

Rep. Cloud’s opening remarks:

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion—these are words that, on the surface, seem to represent ideals we can all support. But when these principles are redefined and implemented as an ideology within our federal government, they take on a meaning that diverges from their original intent. Under the guise of progress, this ideology seeks to categorize individuals based on immutable characteristics rather than valuing the content of their character or their individual achievements.

This framework is a rejection of the fundamental principles of justice and equality that we have long strived to uphold as a nation. It undermines the progress we’ve made—progress that took generations, hard-fought battles, and even a Civil War to achieve. From the abolition of slavery to the victories of the civil rights movement, Americans have worked tirelessly to right the wrongs of discrimination. Yet DEI policies threaten to codify new forms of discrimination, undoing the very progress that so many have bled and sacrificed to secure.

True justice is—and must remain—blind. It should not consider race, sex, or other characteristics when evaluating an individual. Instead, it must focus on fairness, merit, and equal opportunity. As lawmakers, it is our duty to craft laws that reflect these values. Likewise, the executive branch must administer these laws impartially, without favor or prejudice.

Unfortunately, the Biden administration has embedded DEI initiatives into nearly every corner of the federal government. These programs often mandate compliance from contractors and grant recipients, forcing divisive ideologies onto Americans who simply want to contribute to their communities and pursue their livelihoods.

The Dismantle DEI Act aims to correct this course by taking three key steps:

1. Eliminating DEI offices across federal agencies.

2. Ending DEI requirements for federal contractors and grant applicants.

3. Restoring accountability to ensure taxpayer dollars are used to serve all Americans, not to perpetuate division.

A recent report from Do No Harm revealed that the Biden administration has pursued or planned over 500 DEI-related actions. These initiatives have not only failed to achieve their stated goals but have also resulted in absurd and wasteful programs that drain resources while dividing our nation. Worse, they sometimes lead to unqualified individuals being placed in critical roles for the sake of meeting DEI benchmarks, jeopardizing efficiency and public safety.

Mr. Chairman, this is not progress. This is a dangerous detour that risks erasing the strides we’ve made toward a more perfect union. By dismantling these harmful policies, we can reaffirm our commitment to the ideals of equality, merit, and justice that make our nation great.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill and help restore the principles of fairness and unity in our government. Thank you, and I yield back.”