A trio of Representatives, Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Laurel Lee (FL-15), and Jim Baird (IN-04), Thursday introduced the Eliminate DEI in Colleges Act.
This legislation aims to mirror a recent Florida law by prohibiting federally funded colleges and universities from engaging in school-sponsored Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) events, programs, and activities.
The lawmakers argue that many higher education institutions have deviated from their core mission of education and skills development, instead becoming platforms for indoctrination and a “woke” worldview.
Read: Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Champions GOP Effort To Eradicate DEI At US Military Academies
“By nationalizing Florida’s law, we can ensure that students around the country have access to a high-quality education without facing indoctrination or having woke ideology thrust upon them” said Congressman Bilirakis. “All students will still be able to exercise their First Amendment rights on campus, but their institutions will no longer be allowed to force their leadership’s views upon students and faculty. Additionally, American taxpayers will not be forced to support ideologies that are out-of-line with their values and belief systems.”
They cite instances where faculty are allegedly pressured to adhere to specific ideologies and incorporate DEI initiatives into their teaching.
Read: Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Demands Oversight Into Reports Of Racist DEI Programs At The VA
“Students come to Indiana’s world-renowned institutions of higher education to broaden their horizons, not narrow them, said Rep. Baird. “Our students should be able to learn from as many ideologically different viewpoints as possible without university leadership forcing one world view on them. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs routinely fail to promote diversity of thought, equity in debate, and inclusion of differing viewpoints. I am proud to help lead the Eliminate DEI in Colleges Act because our students deserve the best education possible.”
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