NC Republicans push to ban DEI in state government: 'Focused on outcomes, not activism'

North Carolina lawmakers and members of the public engaged in heated debate Tuesday over a proposal to ban state agencies from engaging in pro-diversity efforts under the umbrella of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Rep. Brenden Jones, R-Columbus, said the proposal is about telling state government agencies to ignore race by hiring or promoting people based on merit, nothing more. It would also ban DEI-focused training sessions.

"It does not ban diversity," Jones said. "It does not silence conversations. It does not touch free speech, and it does not erase protections already gauranteed under federal law. What it does do is stop government offices from choosing winners and losers based on race, sex or background."

Multiple members of the public came to speak against the bill, saying they don't believe Jones' description of what it is or why it's needed.

"I don't think that Black people have ever had equal opportunity in North Carolina, and neither have women," Karen Ziegler of the group Democracy Out Loud told lawmakers. "And it's very striking to me that there are 48 white people who have sponsored and co-sponsored this bill, almost all of them men. Why are we afraid of diversity, equity and inclusion?"

There is one Black Republican in the state legislature, Concord Rep. Brian Echevarria, and he is listed among the bill's list of sponsors. The rest of the sponsors are white.

Other than Jones, no one spoke in favor of the bill Tuesday.

"It puts an end to mandatory trainings that shame employees into ideology confirmation, and it ensures that taxpayer dollars go toward delivering results, not enforcing ideology," Jones said. "This bill is not about headlines. We're not here to score points. We are here to govern, and governing means making sure that the systems we run are just effective — focused on outcomes, not activism."

Reighlah Collins, an attorney for the ACLU of North Carolina, said if lawmakers want a well-run state government, this bill is the wrong way to do it. They should embrace DEI as a way to make sure the best workers can rise to the top, she said.

"Diversity, equity and inclusion programs encompass a broad range of lawful initiatives that create fairer workplaces and ensure opportunities aren't limited based on race, ethnicity, disability, sex or sexual orientation," she said.

A Democratic lawmaker, Buncombe County Rep. Lindsay Prather, questioned why legislative leaders want to focus on DEI measures at all. Jones is the House Majority Leader, so his bills carry weight among the GOP caucus.

In a fast-growing state that's also quickly becoming one of the most diverse states in the country, Prather said, North Carolina lawmakers are sending their constituents the wrong message with a DEI ban.

"This bill does not solve an existing problem," she said. "It is disingenuous, and it is harmful to our state."

Under House Bill 171, no state agency could “promote, support, fund, implement or maintain workplace DEI programs, policies, or initiatives.” It's one of multiple anti-DEI bills making its way through the legislature, with others focused on schools and universities.

HB 171 instructs the state auditor — Republican Dave Boliek — to conduct periodic audits of state agencies to ensure compliance with its proposed DEI ban.

A state employee who violates the law could lose their job. Originally, Jones had suggested also making it a crime to violate the rules. But he agreed to remove that language Tuesday, following criticism. He also agreed to drop language from the bill that had sought to crack down on private groups using DEI trainings or other rules.

"We've heard your concerns," Jones said.

The bill would also prohibit the use of state funds for DEI initiatives by local governments.

House Bill 171 comes as President Donald Trump seeks to end DEI programs in the federal government. A federal judge recently paused an executive order on the issue, blocking Trump’s administration from terminating or changing federal contracts they consider equity-related.

In North Carolina, Democrats currently lead the governor’s office, attorney general’s office, Department of Public Instruction, and secretary of state’s office. Some agency heads recently told GOP legislative leaders, after being brought in to testify under oath, that they don't have DEI policies in their offices.

Republican state leaders including Boliek and Labor Commissioner Luke Farley announced earlier this month that they are halting all DEI policies in their offices.

Last year, lawmakers banned public universities and state agencies from asking current or prospective employees to state their opinions on social issues in a law that also broadly banned training programs if they endorse certain ideas about racism, sexism and other topics.