The Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services convened a hearing titled "Sacrificing Excellence for Ideology: The Real Cost of DEI" in Washington. The discussion focused on the perceived negative impacts of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which some members argue promote division and discrimination.
Subcommittee Chairman Glenn Grothman opened the session by stating that DEI policies have infiltrated various institutions over the past 60 years, dividing Americans into groups rather than individuals. He criticized these policies as destructive to American unity.
Dr. Judge Glock from the Manhattan Institute highlighted issues with race contracting programs like the 8(a) Program and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. He noted that significant funds are allocated based on race and sex rather than contract quality, leading to potential fraud cases.
Dr. Erec Smith from The Cato Institute expressed concerns about DEI practices undermining academic rigor and individual accountability. He linked many current DEI practices to Marxist critical theory.
Dan Lennington from the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty suggested reforms to federal law to eliminate benefits based on racial preferences. He emphasized the need for Congress to lead by example in enforcing civil rights laws.
During the hearing, Subcommittee Chairman Grothman questioned how self-identification affects DEI policies, while Rep. Paul Gosar explored the origins of modern DEI and its impact on federal spending. Dr. Glock affirmed that abolishing DEI could reduce federal costs significantly.
Rep. Brandon Gill engaged with Dr. Shaun Harper regarding whether race should be considered in hiring practices. Dr. Harper advocated for workplace diversity reflecting national demographics but did not endorse preferring any single race.
The hearing provided a platform for discussing diverse perspectives on DEI's role in society and its implications for equality and discrimination.
