Bills to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs in higher education as well as local governments have been debated in the legislature this year, but so far none have become law.
Early this morning, a House subcommittee approved a Senate bill that would ban D.E.I. offices and staff in city and county governments. Chuck Hurley of The Family Leader told lawmakers at the hearing that D.E.I violates the Christian belief that every human being should be valued.
“We think it’s high time to move past the D.E.I. phenomenon that has actually resulted in using race to discriminate against people,” Hurley said.
Denise Rathman, a lobbyist for the Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, said ending D.E.I. initiatives doesn’t make discrimination go away.
“If everybody was in fact, were in fact treated with love and respect, that’d be fantastic,” she said. “Unfortunately, we don’t like in a perfect world right now.”
Tom Cope, a lobbyist for the Iowa chapter of the American Planning Association, said planning for roads, housing and other public structures needs to consider the impact on everybody.
“Taking a look at diversity, equity and inclusion is an important part of that process to help ensure that everybody has a seat at the table,” Cope said.
Republican Representative Skyler Wheeler of Hull closed the hearing with this comment: “I encourage my political opponents to continue to defend D.E.I. because it is extremely unpopular.”
Late this afternoon, a Senate subcommittee will review a House-passed bill to forbid D.E.I. programs at private colleges that enroll students who receive Iowa Tuition Grants from the state. The bill prohibits D.E.I. “activities” at community colleges and the three state universities as well.