East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Jim Risch of Idaho and Eric Schmitt of Missouri have introduced the Dismantle DEI Act, aiming to make permanent former President Trump's executive actions that terminated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The proposed legislation seeks to prevent future administrations from reinstating similar policies associated with the Biden era.

“Woke identity politics have impeded American progress for the last time,” stated Risch. “President Trump’s executive action to end wasteful DEI initiatives will save taxpayer dollars and elevate individuals with the proper merit to make America great again. The Dismantle DEI Act restores commonsense by ensuring a person’s qualifications and hard work are what qualifies them for a position, not divisive DEI ideology.”

Schmitt added, “DEI has plagued our federal government, academic institutions, and other aspects of our society for far too long, all while disregarding merit in the process. America is the greatest meritocracy the world has ever seen, and no taxpayer dollars should be wasted on funding this divisive ideology which undercuts the values our country was founded on. President Trump understands that these programs have absolutely no business in the federal government, and I am proud to introduce this critical legislation with Congressman Cloud that will save taxpayer dollars and put a stop to this DEI madness.”

On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14151 titled "Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing." This order ended DEI programs across federal departments and agencies while identifying federal contractors associated with these programs.

The Dismantle DEI Act aims to:

- Ensure all DEI offices are terminated without being renamed or repurposed.

- Prohibit federal funds from supporting DEI training or related activities.

- Allow individuals legal recourse against violations.

Risch and Schmitt's initiative is supported by several U.S. Senators including Mike Crapo of Idaho, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Steve Daines of Montana, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Jim Banks of Indiana, Tim Sheehy of Montana, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Ted Budd of North Carolina, and Josh Hawley also from Missouri.