Republicans Aim to Overhaul Biden-Era DEI Rules

Republicans on the Small Business Commission are racing against time to eliminate rules from the Biden administration that mandate 10% of federal contracts target Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This comes as the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has cautioned Maryland regarding its management of the Francis Scott Key Bridge contract.

In Congress, the SBIR and STTR programs, often referred to as “America’s Seed Fund (S),” are designed to assist small businesses in securing grants across various federal sectors. With a deadline for re-approval looming on September 30, Senator Joni Ernst, who chairs the Senate Committee on Small Businesses, emphasized the need to lessen DEI requirements.

Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, noted that her proposed Innovation Act would eliminate DEI considerations from grant requirements, shifting focus to merit instead of political affiliations. She also seeks to abolish the re-approval law.

Moreover, Ernst pointed out specific grants she views as wasteful under the current criteria. One example is a $1.4 million NIH budget for “Mobile apps promoting sexual health for young black men who have sex with men,” along with another healthcare-related grant of $283,526 aimed at evidence-based parent training for diverse families.

As the deadline approaches, negotiations indicate that many Republicans back Ernst’s initiative to curtail such spending rules. However, they also recognize that they are facing opposition from Democrats.

In another context, Williams is advocating for a year-long extension of the SBIR/STTR program. He believes this would grant more time for a smooth reform process without the pressure of an imminent deadline. Williams appreciated Ernst’s role in advancing her innovation law and stresses the importance of awarding grants based on merit rather than other factors.

On the localized front, Maryland lawmakers, having just listened to Sean Duffy from the Department of Transportation, are grappling with the challenge of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge after it was damaged by a cargo ship in 2024. Concerns have been raised that the process of awarding the contract could be influenced by the race and gender of contractors, which Duffy warned could lead to legal issues.

After the collapse, then-President Joe Biden assured that the federal government would cover an estimated $18 billion needed to complete the reconstruction of Interstate 695.

In response to Duffy’s concerns, Maryland Governor Wes Moore affirmed that cooperation with the Trump administration would continue to help reduce costs and accelerate the rebuilding process. He mentioned that the cost estimation phase would wrap up in the coming months, with updates to follow from the Maryland Department of Transportation.

Moore also reiterated the advancement made by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) regarding the bridge project, stressing its importance for both Baltimore and the larger community.