North Carolina Republican lawmakers are pushing forward with new bills aimed at restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the state, following a broader national push by conservative states and the Trump administration against DEI policies.
On Wednesday, the North Carolina House of Representatives passed a bill designed to limit DEI practices within state government agencies and public institutions. This bill follows similar legislation introduced earlier this month by the North Carolina Senate. If enacted, the bills would restrict DEI initiatives across colleges, universities, public schools, state agencies, and local governments. Republican supporters argue that these measures would promote fairness and ensure that decisions within these sectors are based on merit, rather than political agendas.
The proposed legislation aligns with former President Donald Trump’s goal of curbing DEI programs at the national level. However, the bills face significant opposition from Democratic Governor Josh Stein, who is likely to veto the legislation. Without the supermajority needed for a veto override, Republicans may struggle to push these bills into law.
Opposition to DEI Restrictions in North Carolina
Democratic leaders in North Carolina have strongly criticized the proposed DEI restrictions, calling them overly vague and detrimental to state employees. Rep. Brandon Lofton, a Democratic representative, expressed concerns that the bills undermine the progress made toward diversity in the nation, labeling them an attack on the legacy of those who fought for civil rights.
The debate over DEI initiatives in North Carolina reflects broader national tensions around diversity, equity, and inclusion. Under the Trump administration, there has been a concerted effort to dismantle programs perceived as promoting discriminatory practices or political agendas. These efforts include federal investigations into universities for alleged racial discrimination and threats to withhold federal funds from local school systems that maintain DEI programs.
North Carolina’s Legislative Actions Against DEI
While the state’s actions against DEI initiatives are part of a broader trend across the U.S., North Carolina has been gradually increasing its efforts to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion in public institutions. In the previous legislative session, North Carolina passed a law prohibiting certain beliefs related to critical race theory in state workplaces.
The University of North Carolina System also took action by repealing its diversity policy and replacing it with a stance emphasizing institutional neutrality. This decision led to staff cuts, reallocation of funding, and concerns from faculty about how the policy would be implemented.
This year, House Republicans have set their sights on state agencies, which are primarily under Governor Stein’s administration. The new bill would impose penalties on employees who fail to comply with the DEI ban, including potential job removal and the loss of federal funding for agencies and public schools that continue to follow DEI mandates.
Senate Legislation Expands DEI Restrictions
Earlier this year, the North Carolina Senate passed a bill that mirrors actions already implemented within the UNC System. This legislation focuses on banning divisive concepts and discriminatory practices in higher education, such as policies that treat individuals differently based on race or political identity. The Senate bill also includes North Carolina community colleges, and a similar bill targeting K-12 schools was passed last month.
Republican lawmakers argue that these DEI restrictions are crucial for eliminating bias in public hiring, promotions, and contracts. House Majority Leader Brenden Jones, a key sponsor of the bill, stated that the proposed legislation would end the practice of awarding public positions based on political ideologies rather than merit.
Challenges Ahead for DEI Legislation in North Carolina
Although Republican lawmakers are pushing for the DEI restrictions, they face an uphill battle to enact them into law. With Democratic opposition strong and Governor Josh Stein’s likely veto, it remains to be seen if the bills will gain the traction needed to pass in North Carolina. Furthermore, the Republican Party’s current lack of a veto-proof majority could make overriding a veto challenging, further complicating the bill’s future.
