The White House on Monday slammed a House Republican defense policy bill that’s aimed at eliminating what GOP lawmakers have called “woke” policies inside the Pentagon, including the current practice of hosting drag queen shows on military bases.
The Biden administration released a statement that defended the Defense Department’s diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) programs, and criticized the GOP attempt to eliminate those programs in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024.
Specific amendments Biden condemned include a ban on drag shows in the military, a ban of federal funds for critical race theory initiatives, an elimination of the chief diversity officer at the Department of Defense, and a measure to ensure DEIA jobs are not senior positions.
The statement from the White House on Monday claimed those amendments would spike essential aspects of the Department of Defense.
“DoD’s strategic advantage in a complex global security environment is the diverse and dynamic talent pool from which we draw,” the White House statement of administration policy said. “We rely on diverse perspectives, experiences, and skillsets to remain a global leader, deter war, and keep our nation secure.”
“Moreover, DoD is committed to developing and maintaining a dignified, respectful, and safe workplace,” it added. “Legislation that reduces DoD’s ability to create a positive work environment and fully leverage the best our nation has to offer puts the Department at a strategic disadvantage.”
Republicans have insisted the DEIA programs at the Pentagon are “woke” distractions from their intended responsibilities. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., who helped author amendments Biden condemned, said they are needed to ensure the military prioritizes national security over social initiatives.
“We passed my amendments:
- slashing DEI bureaucrats,
- banning race and gender quotas in military recruiting and promotions,
- reinstating unvaccinated service members fired by the Biden administration, and
- shutting down the Navy’s drag queen digital ambassador program, and
we passed provisions to:
- defund critical race theory courses at West Point and our service academies,
- fire the chief diversity officer at the DOD and
- end drag shows at our military bases,” Banks told Fox News Digital last month. . . .. (read more on Fox News)
Jim Banks blasts Biden admin for paying ‘DEI bureaucrats’ more than ‘enlisted troops’ on ‘frontline’ (Fox News 10 JUL 23)
House Republican Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana blasted the Biden administration for paying “DEI bureaucrats” more than “enlisted troops on the frontline.”
On Monday, the Biden administration released its statement of administration policy for the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) where they came out in opposition to several of Banks’ amendments to the legislation.
One amendment the Biden administration is against slashes the salary cap for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) employees in the military while another requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to issue promotions based on merit, not immutable characteristics like race or sex.
“It tells you everything you need to know about the Biden administration that they believe DEI bureaucrats at the Pentagon should be paid more money than enlisted troops on the frontline,” Banks, who is running for Senate, told Fox News Digital. . . .
. . . . Banks’ amendments come as wokeness in the military continues to be a hot-button issue.
The U.S. military’s Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in May offered personnel virtual professional development courses, including one “woke” class focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. . . . (Read more on Fox News)
From February:
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