NC House lawmakers delay vote on bill that targets DEI within government
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – For the second day in a row, North Carolina state Republican representatives pulled a bill that would eliminate DEI from state agencies from their voting calendar.
Democrats organized dozens of people to be at the General Assembly building to specifically protest this bill.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Republicans move forward bill to remove DEI practices from higher education in NC
House lawmakers were scheduled to vote Wednesday on House Bill 171, which removes DEI requirements and practices from state government and agencies. Without warning, the bill was pulled from the calendar.
Republican House Speaker Destin Hall said this occurred because the bill sponsor, state Rep. Brenden Jones, wasn't able to attend.
Democrats said Republicans don't want to face their own constituents over the bill.
'I think it's cowardly not to face the people you represent in the state being able to actually say, 'This is why we're trying to pass this bill right now' and giving Democrats in the General Assembly an opportunity to stand up against it,' North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton said. 'But I also think this shows disunity in the Republican caucus right now for the fact they've had to delay this vote now twice when you have a majority in the state and you could do anything you want to with it right now.'
Said Hall, 'I'm not aware of any member of our caucus that's even remotely considering voting no on that bill. I think it's overwhelmingly supported by our caucus and the people of our state.'
It's unclear when the House will take up the bill next.
The North Carolina Senate is also voting on a bill to remove DEI from public higher education on Wednesday afternoon. Democrats are urging protestors to be at the General Assembly for that vote as well.
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