The Biden administration is opposing a House bill that would require the military to promote service members based on merit, without regard to race or gender.
The bill, which was passed by the House Armed Services Committee last week, would eliminate the military’s current diversity and inclusion initiatives, which the Biden administration says are necessary to ensure that the military is “representative of the American people.”
“The Administration strongly opposes the House’s sweeping attempts (sections 364, 523, 566, 595, 596, 598, 904, and 1046) to eliminate the Department’s longstanding DEIA efforts and related initiatives to promote a cohesive and inclusive force,” a statement from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) read. “As articulated in the 2022 NDS, one of the Department’s top priorities is building a resilient Joint Force and defense enterprise.”
“DoD’s strategic advantage in a complex global security environment is the diverse and dynamic talent pool from which we draw. 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. 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,” the OMB’s statement continued.
Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) called the White House’s rebuff of the provisions he wrote — both the merit clause and the clauses repealing Biden’s DEI initiatives — a “badge of honor,” adding, “Wokeness is a cancer that will destroy our military from the inside out if we don’t stop it.”
The study found that the military is 40% white, 20% Hispanic, 17% black, and 13% Asian. These percentages are roughly comparable to the percentages of these groups in the civilian population.
The study also found that the military is more gender-balanced than the civilian population. Women make up 17% of the military, compared to 15% of the civilian population.
Biden admin objects to merit-based military promotions, no race quotas https://t.co/IBP4HvBKtN pic.twitter.com/NmjVT7ayRR
— New York Post (@nypost) July 11, 2023
