House Passes Bill Taking Aim at DEI in Higher Education

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Accreditation for College Excellence Act, a key step in reining in the influence of DEI in higher education.

The bill would effectively prevent accrediting organizations from requiring colleges and universities to adhere to and/or advance the DEI agenda as a condition of their accreditation.

It passed 213-201, with four Democratic members of Congress voting in favor of the legislation. 

Specifically, the bill ensures that accreditors don’t force higher education institutions to support or oppose specific political positions, and prevents accreditors from requiring colleges to endorse the “disparate treatment of any individual or group.”

Do No Harm helped educate members of Congress on examples of DEI in medical education across the country in advance of the bill’s consideration. This legislation, if passed, would deal a significant blow to the DEI ideology that is pervading pedagogical institutions.

“For too long, activist accreditors have used political tests to threaten funding for colleges and universities that do not conform to far-left ideology,” Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), who introduced the bill, said last week. “The result is an environment that mandates DEI and CRT programs, setting students apart based on skin color rather than merit. Today’s vote is a victory for academic freedom, the Constitution, and the future of American higher education.”

Do No Harm has also endorsed the EDUCATE Act, which would similarly prevent accreditors from forcing medical schools to adhere to particular political positions. Moreover, the bill would defund DEI programs at medical schools.