April 20, 2026
Ms. Letlow introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
To prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion in Federal hiring and employment, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Freedom from Ideological Requirements in Employment Act
or the FIRE Act
.
Sec. 2. Prohibition on diversity, equity, and inclusion in Federal hiring and employment
(a) In general
No Federal funds may be obligated or expended to—
(1)
require, as a condition for appointment to, or continued employment in, the civil service (as that term is defined in section 2101 of title 5, United States Code)—
(A)
diversity, equity, and inclusion training; or
(B)
any individual to sign, endorse, or otherwise accent statements that are centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion principles; or
(2)
develop, implement, distribute, plan, or purchase training courses for the Federal workforce that relates to—
(A)
diversity, equity, and inclusion;
(B)
critical theory relating to race and gender;
(C)
intersectionality, sexual orientation, or gender identity; or
(D)
the assertion that a particular race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological sex, or national origin is inherently or systemically superior, inferior, oppressive, oppressed, privileged, or unprivileged.
(b) Application
Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to commonly accepted and customarily used hiring or employment practices that prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
(c) Definition of diversity, equity, and inclusion
In this section, the term diversity, equity, and inclusion
means any practice, training, statement, or principle that asserts—
(1)
a particular race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological sex, or national origin is inherently or systemically superior or inferior, oppressive or oppressed, or privileged or unprivileged; or
(2)
how systemic racism is embedded in legal systems, policies, and societal structures rather than being solely a product of individual prejudice.