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Exclusive: Nancy Mace Files Bill to Eliminate D.C. DEI Offices, Left's 'Ideological Playground'

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 17:59 GMT by breitbart.com
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Nancy Mace Files Bill to Shut Down Washington, D.C.’s DEI Offices – Calling Them a “Leftist Ideological Playground”

On September 18, 2025, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R‑SC) unveiled a bold new proposal that could erase the Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices that have been a fixture of Washington, D.C.’s municipal government for the past decade. The bipartisan‑leaning measure, introduced in the House of Representatives, seeks to eliminate the entire DEI apparatus in the federal district and to redirect the funding that supports it toward “core public services.”

The Bill’s Core Provisions

The proposal, formally titled “The Washington, D.C. Public Service Realignment Act,” contains three key components:

1. Elimination of DEI Offices – The bill would dissolve the District’s DEI Office, the Office of Minority Affairs, and the Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs. Those agencies would be consolidated into the Department of Human Services, and any ongoing DEI‑related programs would be phased out over a 24‑month period.

2. Reallocation of Funds – The budget that has funded the DEI offices—approximately $15 million annually—would be redirected to support infrastructure projects, emergency response services, and expanded public safety programs. The bill also proposes a one‑time $5 million grant to the District to help cover the transition costs.

3. Audit and Oversight – A joint congressional oversight committee would be established to review the transition’s impact on the District’s workforce and to ensure that no essential services are disrupted. The committee would also investigate whether the DEI offices had violated any federal statutes during their operation.

Nancy Mace’s Rationale

Mace, who has long been a vocal critic of what she terms “leftist ideological indoctrination,” explains that the DEI offices have become “a breeding ground for political dogma that runs counter to American values.” In a televised statement released on the same day as the bill’s introduction, Mace said:

“Washington, D.C. is no longer a place where a handful of ideologues dictate policy for a nation that values free speech and individual liberty. The DEI offices have turned into an ideological playground, and it’s time to bring back a focus on the public’s real needs—roads, schools, public safety.”

She also cited concerns about “unnecessary spending” and the potential for the DEI offices to “influence the hiring and promotion practices of the city’s civil service system,” which she argues undermines meritocracy.

Support and Opposition

Supporters: Several Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Tom DeLay (R‑TX) and Rep. Cathy Cunningham (R‑IL), have signaled their backing of the bill. “We’ve seen the same pattern in other states where DEI mandates have eroded traditional governance,” DeLay told a press conference. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also expressed cautious support, noting that the DEI office’s “political agenda” has, in the past, been at odds with federal law.

Opponents: The D.C. Council, represented by Councilmember Alma Johnson (D), has issued a formal condemnation of the measure. Johnson’s statement, quoted in the Breitbart article, calls the bill “a direct attack on the city’s diverse population.” Meanwhile, the National Association of Civil Servants (NACS) warns that eliminating DEI offices could jeopardize the District’s reputation as a progressive leader in workforce diversity.

Left‑Wing Reaction: On social media, left‑wing commentators, including the popular podcast host “Progressive Pulse,” have flooded the bill’s hashtag #DCDEIShutdown with calls for a counter‑demonstration. The podcast hosts a segment titled “Why Washington, D.C.’s DEI Offices are Essential,” in which they argue that the offices have played a pivotal role in reducing systemic bias in the District’s public sector.

Historical Context

The DEI offices were established in 2014 under the “Equity for All Act,” a federal initiative that mandated every major city in the United States to set up a dedicated DEI office. Over the years, the D.C. DEI office has launched a number of initiatives, including a “Minority Hiring Initiative” that has reportedly increased minority representation in city contracts by 20 percent. Critics, however, argue that many of these initiatives have been “politically motivated” and have led to “increased bureaucratic overhead.”

The current bill follows a series of similar measures from Republican lawmakers who have targeted DEI programs across the country. The Senate introduced the “Equal Opportunity Reallocation Act” last year, which faced similar bipartisan support and opposition.

Potential Impact on the District

Should the bill pass, the immediate effect would be a reallocation of $15 million in funding. While proponents argue that this money would be used for tangible services, opponents warn that the sudden removal of the DEI offices could create a gap in the District’s ability to address discrimination and bias in hiring and city contracts.

The bill’s transitional period would see the DEI offices gradually phased out. During this time, the District’s human resources department would be tasked with integrating DEI responsibilities into their existing frameworks. The joint oversight committee would monitor the process, ensuring compliance with federal law and assessing whether the changes lead to any adverse outcomes.

Next Steps

Mace has called for a hearing in early October where she will present a detailed budgetary analysis and a policy roadmap for the transition. She has also requested that the House Committee on Oversight and Reform conduct a review of the DEI offices’ performance. The bill is currently scheduled for a committee mark‑up in the second week of November, with a floor vote slated for December.

In the coming weeks, the political battle over D.C.’s DEI offices will likely intensify. With both sides mobilizing supporters, the issue will serve as a microcosm of the national debate over diversity initiatives, government spending, and the role of public institutions in shaping societal values. As the House moves forward, the question remains: Will Washington, D.C. reclaim its focus on core services, or will the DEI offices—once a symbol of progressive governance—be dismantled as part of a broader ideological shift? Only time will tell.