House escalates an already heated battle over federal government diversity initiatives

The House of Representatives is poised this week to resume — and potentially escalate  — a blistering debate over the use of taxpayer money for federal government programs and initiatives that seek to promote diversity and equity.  

On Monday, the House Rules Committee considered Republican amendments to remove funding for diversity and inclusion programs at the Federal Aviation Administration. The amendments were offered on a bill under House debate this week to authorize FAA programs, standards and initiatives.  

Just last week, in a near party-line vote, the House approved legislation to strip funding for inclusion and diversity programs at the Pentagon. The debate over the amendments, both on and off the House floor, grew contentious, with the House Democratic leader accusing Republicans of being "sympathetic to white supremacy" as Republicans accused Democrats of building a "woke" and "weak" military.