House Republicans are leading an investigation into the Department of Defense’s (DoD) upcoming report on matters related to diversity, equity and inclusion policies in the U.S. military, according to a Monday letter.
House Oversight Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs Chairman Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) and House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel Chairman Jim Banks (R-Ind.) led on the letter sent to the chair of the DoD’s newly created Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (DACODAI), General (Ret.) Lester Lyles.
The upcoming DACODAI report is expected to contain independent advice and recommendations on DEI policies in the Armed Forces, according to lawmakers.
The House Republicans are requesting information and documents related to the methodology used to complete the Pentagon’s final report on DEI in the U.S. Military, including interviews, qualitative and quantitative analysis and any input from third-party organizations.
“The Subcommittee remains concerned that under the guise of DEI, promotions are being rewarded based on sex, gender, ethnicity, and race at the expense of merit. In 2022, DoD established the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (DACODAI) to provide independent advice and recommendations on matters and policies related to DEI in the Armed Forces,” the lawmakers wrote.
“The Subcommittee understands DACODAI is working to release a final report. Therefore, the Subcommittee is requesting information and an update regarding the publication of this report as soon as possible,” they wrote.
The letter cites a study by Stand Together Against Racism and Radicalism in the Services (STARRS), an educational organization that advocates for the elimination of DEI from the DoD, which includes over one thousand comments from military service members, veterans, and their families.
“[STARRS’] findings showed that many did not feel comfortable recommending military
service because of the DEI policies instituted throughout DoD,” the lawmakers wrote. “Americans have the right to expect that their sons and daughters in uniform are led, trained, and equipped by the very best.”
The House Republicans wrote that the “DoD’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion over mission effectiveness and capability concerns our nation’s national security and safety.”
The letter was signed by Reps. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Jake LaTurner (R-Kan.), Pat Fallon (R-Texas), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Russell Fry (R-S.C.), Michael Waltz (R-Fla.), Mark Green (R-Tenn.), and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.).
Read the House Republicans’ full letter to DACODAI Chair General (Ret.) Lester Lyles here.
“House Republicans Probe Pentagon on DEI Policies Within U.S. Military”
…Republicans are good at ‘probing’ and writing strongly worded letters, but lack the knads to do anything else! Wusses!
“The House Republicans wrote that the “DoD’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion over mission effectiveness and capability concerns our nation’s national security and safety.”
If they are really concerned about national security and safety they might want to consider closing a few hundred of the 700 hundred or so bases we have overseas which number by the way dwarfs the next closest country
The US controls about 750 bases in at least 80 countries worldwide and spends more on its military than the next 10 countries combined.