HR5474-119

What This Bill Does

The No DEI in DC Act uses Congress's authority over the District of Columbia to prohibit a broad set of District diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. D.C. agencies could not engage in prohibited DEI practices or use any available funds to support them or entities that engage in them. The definition covers discrimination or preference based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological sex, or national origin; required training or coursework asserting inherent superiority or oppression; equity action plans, surveys, employee resource groups, affinity groups, and equity teams; and similar DEI activity. The bill separately bars D.C. training programs on DEI, critical theory, intersectionality, sexual orientation or gender identity, or substantially similar theories or policies. It repeals or amends D.C. statutory provisions tied to equity and disadvantaged business programs, abolishes numerous D.C. offices and commissions including racial equity, reparations, Latino, Caribbean, African-American, African, Asian and Pacific Islander, LGBTQ, women, and health equity offices or commissions, and forbids funding them. Any person alleging a violation may sue in the U.S. District Court for D.C.; prevailing plaintiffs can receive mandamus or equitable relief, at least $1,000 per violation per day, attorney fees, costs, compensatory damages, and other relief. The bill preserves historically organized Equal Employment Opportunity offices and ADA enforcement offices.

Who Benefits and How

Opponents of D.C. DEI programs benefit because the bill creates enforceable prohibitions and a private lawsuit mechanism. D.C. employees objecting to mandatory DEI training benefit because covered training requirements would be barred. Private plaintiffs benefit because prevailing cases can obtain mandamus, declaratory relief, attorney fees, damages, and at least $1,000 per violation per day. D.C. Equal Employment Opportunity offices benefit from an explicit rule preserving historically organized EEO functions.

Who Bears the Burden and How

District of Columbia agencies must stop covered DEI practices, training, equity plans, affinity groups, and funding streams. D.C. equity offices and commissions named in the bill are abolished and lose funding. D.C. procurement and disadvantaged business program administrators must apply the conforming repeals and amendments. D.C. government attorneys must defend private civil actions and manage compliance with court-ordered remedies.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits D.C. government DEI practices and funding for entities engaging in those practices.
• Bars D.C. DEI, critical theory, intersectionality, sexual-orientation, and gender-identity training programs.
• Repeals or amends D.C. equity, procurement, disadvantaged business, and charter-school provisions.
• Eliminates named D.C. equity, racial, ethnic, LGBTQ, women, reparations, and health equity offices and commissions.
• Provides a private right of action with equitable relief, damages, attorney fees, and at least $1,000 per violation per day.