(The Center Square) – A bill dubbed the “Dismantle DEI Act” passed the Tennessee House on Thursday, with one Democrat calling it the “White Fragility Act.”
The bill would prevent local governments and higher education institutions from making decisions based on diversity policies.
It easily passed the Republican-dominated House 73-24 along party lines. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure Monday.
Sponsor Rep. Aron Maberry, R-Clarksville, did not speak on the bill Thursday. The bill is sponsored by Majority Leader Jack Johnson in the Senate, who told a committee earlier this month the Lee administration did not bring the bill.
“Diversity is a wonderful thing but diversity for diversity’s sake alone and making diversity the No. 1 priority over merit and over running an effective and efficient state government, I think that is wrong,” Johnson said.
Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, presented an amendment that would have called the bill the “Dismantle Civil Rights Act.” Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, labeled the bill “Another Racist Act.”
The amendments failed, along with one by Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Nashville, who wanted to name the bill the “White Fragility Act.” She said the implication that DEI is affirmative action is wrong
“With diversity, equity and inclusion, we do have some interest in who we recruiting and who we hire, because certainly organizations that serve the entire state of Tennessee or the entire public want their employees to look like that public,” Johnson said. “Why are you all so afraid of making sure that every person of every race, of every religion, disabled, women veterans, why are you doing everything you can to complicate the relationships in the workplace? “
Democrats objected to a call for the vote, saying they wanted more time to debate.
“What happened today wasn’t just a political maneuver – it was a violation of our responsibility to the people of Tennessee,” said House Minority Leader Karen Camper., D-Memphis. “My colleagues and I were prepared to speak on behalf of our constituents, to oppose a bill that undermines fairness and opportunity for all Tennesseans. Instead, we were silenced.”
