Ending of Dei Programs Through Executive Order
Floor Speech
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Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to talk about something that happened on January 20.
On January 20, the President of the United States took the oath of office at this Capitol. Shortly thereafter, he signed several executive orders.
One executive order was Executive Order No. 14151. That executive order ended all DEI programs. The argument that DEI initiatives constitute reverse discrimination fundamentally misunderstands both the history and the purpose of these programs.
DEI initiatives emerged as thoughtful, evidence-based responses to documented inequities suffered by rural communities, minorities, women, the poor, and the disabled. These programs represent America at its best, acknowledging our Nation's shortcomings and tireless work to overcome them.
The ratification of the 14th Amendment in 1868 codified equal protection as a constitutional principle. Yet, Americans soon discovered that simply declaring equal protection didn't automatically create it.
The real challenge was in translating these legal guarantees into everyday justice through their implementations. When the landmark Supreme Court decisions in 2023 and 2024 further restricted race- conscious university admissions and workplace policies, they accelerated a retreat from this understanding.
The history of DEI efforts in America is not some partisan agenda. It is part of our Nation's ongoing work to ensure that America's promise extends to every American. In 2025, as we face renewed attacks on these principles, we must renew our commitment to this work.
Let me be clear: Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not about guarantees and preferences; they are about removing barriers. They are not about lowering standards; they are about ensuring that the standards we apply don't inadvertently favor some groups while disadvantaging others who are equally qualified.
When our military, for example, embraced diversity and inclusion, it didn't become weaker. It became the most formidable fighting force in human history.
When our businesses embraced diverse talents and perspectives, they didn't become less competitive. They gained access to broader markets and built the strongest economy in the world.
When our universities created more inclusive learning environments, they didn't sacrifice excellence. Instead, they became global leaders in research and education.
The world is always watching us to see what we will accomplish, but now more than ever before, they are watching us to see who we will become.
I still believe in an America where a child's potential isn't limited to his ZIP Code, the color of his skin, their gender, or other factors beyond their control.
I believe in an America where we can acknowledge our imperfect past while working together toward a more perfect future.
Most of all, I believe in the fundamental goodness and fairness of the American people.
When we move beyond slogans, when we truly see each other as fellow citizens on one shared journey, we find that what unites us is far greater than what divides us.
While the temptation is great, we cannot let this moment divide us. We were never meant to be the divided States. We were created as and have thrived for over 250 years as the United States.
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Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, one of the problems I think that many people have with DEI programs--which is one of the same problems they had with affirmative action, if you recall--they viewed it as two parallel lines, where you took a person who was less qualified and you elevated him to the level of somebody who was more qualified.
That is not DEI. That was not affirmative action. Instead, people should look at it as a circle and every single person within the circle are all qualified to do the job, but there is just one single problem: There are folks in the circle, although they are qualified, they never get chosen. There are women in the circle who never get chosen simply because they are female. Hispanics, Blacks in the circle don't get chosen simply because of the color of their skin. People need to view it as: Everybody in the circle is qualified, but DEI comes in and grabs people who are not chosen only because of the color of their skin or because of their sex.
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Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his remarks.
What is interesting is when the President signed that executive order to do away with three words: diversity, equity, and inclusion, it sent universities in a tailspin. They didn't know what to do. In fact, the President himself ended a program--and I am glad the gentleman from Illinois serves on the Agriculture Committee. I am glad that you and others wrote letters and he restored the program that gave young scholars scholarships to go to college, 1890 universities. He said that it was a DEI program, and then later he reversed it. It was a program where these kids had to score high scores on the ACT in order to qualify. They had to have high GPAs.
Not to mention the impact it has had on businesses. There are businesses that have ended their DEI programs simply because of that executive order.
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Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining.
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Mr. FIELDS.
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