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Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana House passes bill that would eliminate DEI programs
BATON ROUGE, La. (LSU Manship School News Service) – The Louisiana House Monday night passed a controversial bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion offices, training and hiring policies in state agencies and public colleges. The bill passed 57-32 after an emotional and deeply divided debate that largely fell along racial lines. House Bill 685, by Rep. Emily Chenevert, R-Baton Rouge, now moves to the Senate. It is part of Gov. Jeff Landry's legislative agenda. Ten Black representatives spoke in opposition to the bill, calling it divisive, unnecessary, and racially insensitive. 'This is the most racially oppressive piece of legislation I have ever had to debate since I have been in office,' said Rep. Candace Newell, D-New Orleans. The bill would ban mandatory DEI training and race- or gender-based hiring or admissions preferences. It also would eliminate public DEI offices and initiatives, including prohibiting required DEI coursework at public universities. As Trump targets DEI, Republican-led states intensify efforts to stamp it out Chenevert said the bill aims to keep Louisiana compliant with President Donald Trump's executive orders and protect the state's federal funding. The Trump administration is investigating several universities nationwide, though Louisiana universities have not been targeted so far. She stressed the bill does not ban teaching DEI concepts, only the requirement of DEI-focused coursework for graduation. She also raised concerns about fairness in sports. 'My biggest concern is that it has hurt more female athletes across this country than it has helped,' she said. 'Biological men have taken the places of biological women.' Rep. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, called the bill 'a step backwards' and accused Chenevert of ignoring the benefits DEI programs have provided, especially for white women. 'Are you aware that more white women, like you, have benefitted from DEI than whoever you're referring to?' Marcelle said. 'If we had equal opportunity to be at the table, there would be no need for the program.' She added she was appalled a woman would bring this bill. Rep. Terry Landry, D-New Iberia, sworn in just hours before the vote, said voters he spoke to during his campaign were not focused on DEI. 'They're worried about schooling for their children, the economy, state issues,' he said. 'This bill is unnecessary.' Rep. Rodney Lyons, D-Harvey, questioned the bill's economic impact, particularly the elimination of the Department of Agriculture's Minority Affairs Program, which supports minority and veteran farmers, a large portion of the state's agricultural community. Marcelle also warned the bill could interfere with police training on race and community relations. Supporters said the legislation promotes unity and merit. 'I keep hearing diversity is what makes us strong, but it is not,' said Rep. Beryl Amedee, R-Gray, defending Chenevert. 'What makes us strong is unity… There's only one race, and it's human.' Rep. Chuck Owen, R-Rosepine, expressed his frustration with the debate. 'I see us talking past each other,' he said. 'I hear us talking past each other.' The bill requires annual compliance reports and tasks the legislative auditor with enforcement. An accompanying fiscal note projects minor cost savings, including $174,000 from cutting the Agriculture Department's DEI office. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, Louisiana would join a growing number of Republican-led states rolling back public DEI policies. Chenevert became emotional in her closing remarks, saying everyone views the issue differently. She framed her perspective from a biblical viewpoint, emphasizing that no matter our skin tone, 'we all share the same blood.' Americans are divided over DEI programs on college campuses, an AP-NORC poll finds Trump administration set to limit COVID-19 shot approvals to the elderly, highest-risk New Orleans jail worker accused of helping inmates escape is arrested Trump pitch fails to move GOP holdouts on agenda megabill Louisiana House passes bill that would eliminate DEI programs Hannah Kobayashi speaks out after disappearance, father's death Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Needlessly divisive': Louisiana advances anti-DEI policy despite Black Caucus pushback
Democratic lawmakers stand together to oppose Rep. Emily Chenevert's House Bill 685 (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill Monday that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion practices across state government and prohibit state universities and colleges from requiring certain race and gender-based curriculum for undergraduate students. House Bill 685 by Rep. Emily Chenevert, R-Baton Rouge, advanced from the House on a 57-32 vote, narrowly clearing the 53-vote threshold for passage. Sixteen members, including several moderate Democrats and Republicans, were absent for the vote. In an unusual move, every Democratic lawmaker present stood together in solidarity behind the House floor lectern, while nearly every Black lawmaker took turns making speeches against the bill. 'To me, this is an anti-Black bill,' Rep. Edmond Jordan of Baton Rouge said. 'It's not just divisive. It's offensive.' 'This is the most racially oppressive piece of legislation that I think I've seen,' Rep. Candace Newell of New Orleans said. Republican Reps. Beth Billings of Deshrehan, Vincent Cox of Gretna and Jeff Wiley of Maurepas joined Democrats in opposing the bill. 'It was needlessly divisive,' Billings said in an interview when asked why she opposed the bill. In tearful comments after the speeches, Chenevert said her bill is not racist. 'This is not divisive,' Chenevert said. 'This is protecting every Louisianian. This is about equality for all.' Chenevert's bill has been dramatically rewritten from her original legislation, which only banned DEI practices in state government. As is, the bill would prohibit required classes that cover any of the following subjects: Critical race theory White fragility or white guilt Systemic racism, institutional racism or anti-racism Systemic bias or implicit bias Intersectionality Gender identity Allyship Race-based reparations Race-based privilege Amendments added to the bill on the House floor would allow any of the subjects to be taught if it is 'included at the discretion of the faculty member, is not prescribed by the institution as a program requirement, and is part of a broader pedagogical objective.' Opponents of the bill said even with the amendments, the legislation could have a chilling effect on faculty's academic freedom and freedom of speech. The bill also makes an exception for majors, minors and certificates that are specifically related to race or gender studies. The Louisiana chapter of the American Association of University Professors sent a letter to lawmakers Monday asking them to oppose the bill. 'This legislation would stifle the 'marketplace of ideas' and infantilize our students, forcing faculty to avoid concepts the legislature dislikes and presenting only those that have gained their favor,' the letter reads. 'This is antithetical to freedom in a democratic society and hurts our students as they transition into fully enfranchised citizens.' The Southern University Foundation, which is affiliated with Louisiana's largest historically Black university, also opposes the bill. Chenevert's bill will next be discussed in a Senate committee. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
