Congressional Black Caucus Statement on Trump’s Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement in response to President Trump's executive order, "Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors":

"Once again, the Trump Administration is failing on its promise to lower costs and increase the standard of living for families across the nation. Rather than focusing his attention on the affordability crisis, President Trump remains committed to attacking critical tools of economic mobility for hardworking, everyday Americans. President Trump's most recent EO, "Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors," seeks to further eliminate practices of equity and inclusion for government contractors. The order specifically directs federal agencies to add standardized contract language that prohibits government contractors from engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion programming within 30 days of its enactment.

"Diversity, equity, and inclusion practices are not only mutually beneficial for a business's financial bottom line and its employees, but it is also imperative that the diversity of our federal government and its contractors accurately represent the diversity of the people it serves. It benefits absolutely no one to eradicate programming that improves the efficiency and representation of our democracy.

"This administration seems to have accomplished almost nothing over the last two years besides bringing the functions of our government to its most inefficient peak and attacking programs that move our country forward.

"The Congressional Black Caucus denounces this administration's blatantly racist and illogical attempts to whitewash our federal government at the expense of the American people. It is unacceptable that President Trump continues to eliminate opportunities for economic success for hardworking families and completely disregards calls for a more affordable standard of living. This is yet another example of this administration working to decimate our economy and undermine the American dream for our most vulnerable communities."