Bilirakis, Lee and Baird File Bill to Eliminate DEI in Colleges

Washington, DC – Earlier today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Laurel Lee (FL-15 ) and Jim Baird (IN-04) filed the Eliminate DEI in Colleges Act. This legislation, mirrored after a newly enacted Florida law, prohibits colleges and universities receiving federal funding from engaging in school-sponsored Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) events, programs and activities. In recent years, higher education institutions across the country have strayed from their fundamental mission of educating future generations while equipping students with essential skills needed for success in society and the workforce. Instead of encouraging independent thought and critical thinking, these schools have too often become a breeding ground for group think, indoctrination and a bastion for promulgating a “woke” world view. There have been far too many stories of prospective faculty being subjected to a litmus test for loyalty to a specific world view with the expectation that DEI initiatives be incorporated into every aspect of instruction.

“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 ideologythrust 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.”

“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.”