Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), a progressive lawmaker and member of “The Squad,” accused House Republicans last week of pushing a new bill that would weaken diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in government. criticized.
Pressley said during a House Oversight Committee hearing Wednesday. defeated what was proposed In his speech, he accused Republicans of denying the history of racism in the United States and the racism that is prevalent today.
“And as a matter of personal prerogative, please keep the name of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. out of your mouth,” Pressley told supporters of the bill, adding, “They have distorted his views. ” he added. Words to advance the agenda.”
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U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) slammed Republican lawmakers this week over her new DEI dismantling law. ((Photo credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images))
as pointed out As the bill's author, Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas), stated during the hearing, the DEI Dismantling Act would eliminate the DEI office within the federal government and eliminate the need for federal contractors and grant applicants. The goal is to eliminate DEI requirements and provide oversight to ensure tax dollars are invested. It is not used to pay for race-based policies or other similarly divisive initiatives.
In his remarks, Cloud argued that DEI “undermines the progress we've made, progress that took generations, hard fought battles, and even a Civil War.” did. From the abolition of slavery to the victories of the civil rights movement, Americans have worked tirelessly to right the wrongs of discrimination. ”
Despite the bill passing the House Oversight Committee on a 23-17 vote, Pressley launched an impassioned takedown of the bill, in which Republican lawmakers acknowledged America's racist roots. They argued that the government is not using legislation like this one to thwart attempts to amend the bill. Racial inequality.
She began like this. “This bill, entitled the DEI Dismantling Act, is an utter disgrace… Now, I stand with people who are serious about progress who want to center the people who call this country home. This is different. .”
The lawmaker went on to point out inconsistencies in the bill.
“But we are debating a bill that denies that the sky is blue, the water is wet, and racism is real. Key provisions of the bill include: “And then a few pages later, in the same bill, there are multiple clauses that discuss the existence of racial discrimination,” she said. Ta.
“This Republican approach is both predictable and nonsensical.”
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Pressley went on to accuse Republicans of being ignorant of America's history of racism and discrimination.
“Do you know your history? Do you know America's history?” she asked. “In the original Constitution, enslaved individuals were counted as three-fifths of a human being. During World War II, the federal government forcibly relocated and imprisoned 110,000 Japanese Americans. “FHA implemented redlining to deny home loans to black Americans in the 1930s and '60s. That's why we have a racial wealth gap today. ”
She goes on to say that the GI Bill, which is supposed to be race-neutral, denies Black Americans equal access to education and housing benefits, which is why we don't have generational wealth. said.
Presley also warned opponents never to mention King Jr., saying, “He was a proud and unapologetic black man who fought for equality, and children were “I asked them to stop mentioning his name and distorting his work, but this is a distortion of his words and mission.” For black Americans and all marginalized people. ”
At the same hearing, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, also criticized Republicans for labeling DEI as “suppression” of Americans' rights.
She said, “There was no oppression of white men in this country. Tell me which white men were dragged from their homes. Tell me which of them were dragged all the way across the ocean and said, 'You are.' Please.” We steal your wife. We're going to rape your wife. “That didn’t happen, that’s oppression. ”
Pressley's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
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