Democrats argue removing DEI hurts Iowa’s workforce, while Republicans say doing so grants opportunities based on merit, rather than identity.
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Senate advanced a bill on Friday to ban diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices in state entities, but all eyes were on another bill dealing with eminent domain.
The chamber was full of people in support of the latter. Many booed and shouted “shame” when the Senate adjourned before getting to any discussion of the eminent domain bill.
The Senate gaveled in at 10 a.m., and both parties caucused until about 2:45 p.m.
Afterward, the Senate voted on the House bill. Then, Republicans caucused for about half an hour, returning to vote on some board appointments. Both parties caucused again for about an hour and then adjourned until Monday.
House File 856, approved in the Senate, would prohibit taxpayer-funded entities from establishing DEI offices. This would include city and county governments plus any of their departments like police and fire. The measure would take effect immediately if it becomes law.
Under the bill, anyone can notify Iowa’s attorney general about tax-payer-funded entities they believe are in violation.
Democrats argue DEI offices are necessary to bring more skilled workers to the state.
“It’s going to hurt our state,” Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-Dallas County, said. “Policies like this are already hurting Iowa. We can see it as employers are struggling to attract workers and our young people move away and don’t come back.”
Community colleges would join public universities in being forced to close any DEI offices as well. The colleges would have to submit a report to the general assembly on Dec. 1 of every year to show that they comply with the law.
A previous version included private universities, but the Senate unanimously voted to remove that section in an amendment.
Republicans argue that opportunities should be granted based on experience and skill, not identity.
“I would suggest that the opposite of DEI, Diversity Equity and Inclusion is MEI: Merit, Excellence and Intelligence,” Sen. Ken Rozenboom, R – Marion County, said.
The bill will now go back to the House for another vote because of the amendment removing private universities from the legislation.
