Anti-DEI funding bills get initial House approval

By Columbia Missourian via My Courier-Tribune

JEFFERSON CITY — Bills that would prohibit state agencies from having DEI programs shined further light on party division in the House as they received initial approval Wednesday.

The bills, spearheaded by HB 2619, sponsored by Rep. Cody Smith, R-Carthage, would prohibit state funding from being used to create diversity, equity and inclusion programs that “promote preferential treatment based on certain characteristics.” Language of the bills cite “collective guilt ideology” as a part of the prohibited activity.

The bill’s handler, Rep. Brad Hudson, R-Cape Fair, said in a discussion on the floor that the bill would be sending a message.

“That message is that it is inappropriate to use taxpayer dollars to facilitate the implementation of an ideology that discriminates and divides,” Hudson said.

A previous review by the Missourian of state agency budget requests found hardly any programs related to DEI exist within Missouri’s state government.

During discussion of the bill, Rep. Jamie Johnson, D-Kansas City, cited how the bill attacks important diversity education.

“As a human resources professional who taught inclusion classes to our new hires, top managers how to relate to people who are different than them so they can get the best out of their employees,” Johnson said. “Understanding those dimensions of diversity is so important.”

Rep. Doug Mann, D-Columbia, later cited how DEI activities increased productivity.

In defense of the bill, Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson, claimed that it followed the thought process of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In response, Rep. David Tyson Smith, D-Columbia, mentioned a past discussion he had with King’s son during which he became tearful recalling his father’s death, saying he wanted other representatives to consider it when quoting King. He then pointed to the pain bills like the one addressing DEI caused.

“I wonder why we keep pushing legislation that causes so much pain by men who are usually of a religious background,” Smith said.

Rep. Dan Stacy, R-Blue Springs, later praised Hudson as someone who treats people equally and fairly when speaking in support of the bill.

Hudson has also sponsored HB 1520, which would allow health care institutions and professionals to refuse gender transition if it goes against their beliefs.

Rep. Joe Adams, D-University City, spoke against arguments in favor of not letting taxpayer money go towards DEI programs.

“My years of tax dollars have gone (towards) things I haven’t been happy about,” Adams said. “What about my parents’ tax dollars going to things they haven’t been privileged to receive?”

“If you to have an inclusive America, you’ve really got to work at it,” he added. “You just can’t expect your good wishes that ‘I will treat everybody with equality and equity.’ You won’t.”

The 102-47 vote for approval was mostly along party lines. Rep. Chris Sander, R-Lone Jack, was the sole Republican to vote against it.

In an interview afterward explaining his opposition, Sander cited the bill as being “anti-Israel” in how it would hinder projects in Missouri that produce military weapons for Israel. He also said it would get rid of scholarships offered by the Missouri Scholarship Accounts program.

A final vote must be taken in the House before the bill goes to the Senate, which continues to wrestle with approval of the state budget. Next week is the final week of the legislative session.