Beatty Calls on Biden Transition Team to Terminate Trump Anti-Diversity Training Executive Order
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Chair of the House Financial Services Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee, wrote a letter to President-elect Joseph R. Biden to urge him to rescind President Trump’s Executive Order to end diversity and inclusion training programs in the federal government promptly after taking office.
“Executive Order 13950, which is based on the pernicious premise that diversity is “offensive and anti-American,” effectively terminates diversity and inclusion training programs within all federal departments and agencies, the U.S. uniformed services, and among federal contractors, subcontractors, and certain federal grant recipients,” Beatty wrote. “In hearings throughout the 116th Congress, the Financial Services Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee, which I chair, has received testimony from industry leaders and experts acknowledging the positive correlation between diversity performance and the bottom line.” She added, “President Trump’s Executive Order is designed to eliminate the use of diversity and inclusion training programs that are essential in the prevention of discrimination, unconscious bias, and sexual harassment in the workplace and in promoting understanding, increasing profitability, and contributing to a more effective workforce.”
On September 22, 2020, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 13950, “Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping,” rolling back diversity and inclusion training programs within all federal departments and agencies, the U.S. uniformed services, and among federal contractors and subcontractors and certain federal grant recipients. The order also established within the Department of Labor a hotline for the investigation of complaints and requires the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) to craft a request for seeking information from federal contractors, subcontractors, and their employees regarding the training, workshops, or similar programming provided to employees, under the threat of termination of any existing contract and preclusion of future contracting opportunities.
Prior to today’s letter, Beatty introduced a bill (H.R. 8595) to invalidate Executive Order 13950 and preserve diversity and inclusion training programs at federal departments and agencies as well as in the private sector. She also sent a letter to the Trump Administration expressing her opposition to Executive Order 13950 on September 18, 2020. In addition, during a Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee hearing in early September, the Offices of Minority Women and Inclusion (OMWIs) directors testified that diversity and inclusion training programs at their respective financial regulatory agencies are a critical tool for fostering greater inclusivity, mutual respect, and acceptance of all employees in the federal workforce.
A copy of the full letter can be viewed on Beatty’s website.
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