A comprehensive report has revealed that under the Biden-Harris administration, over 500 actions related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have been instituted across various federal sectors.

The proliferation of several hundred DEI actions has been a focal point of several constitutional challenges regarding race and sex preferences in Biden White House-supported initiatives, as Fox News reports.

According to the nonprofit group, Do No Harm, these DEI actions are deeply embedded within the Equity Action Plans of numerous federal agencies.

This discovery addresses a wide range of operations from staffing expansions to procedural reforms in research and grant applications.

Significantly, about 200 of the identified actions are related to research funding mechanisms and grant procedures, ensuring diverse participation and equitable funding distribution among researchers and institutions.

DEI-Focused Staffing and Community Initiatives

Nearly 200 measures from the discovered DEI actions relate specifically to staffing expansions and specialized training aimed at strengthening DEI competencies within federal agencies.

Additionally, these measures advocate for enhanced outreach efforts to various minority communities, aiming to foster greater inclusivity and representation.

The specific initiatives involve a variety of outreach and training programs designed to help employees better address and support the needs of diverse populations. By guiding federal personnel through DEI-focused training, these plans seek to create more culturally competent work environments.

Further, initiatives also comprise significant efforts to rethink critical areas such as food and agriculture from an indigenous perspective, promoting policies that are inclusive of racial equity considerations.

DEI Measures in Healthcare and Legal Challenges

The application of DEI also extends to sectors like medicine, with 36 specific actions geared towards making healthcare policies more inclusive. These DEI efforts are designed to mitigate disparities in medical access and treatment that various groups face.

However, these widespread initiatives under the Biden-Harris administration have not been without controversy. Several programs, especially those providing aid based on race and sex such as for farmers and restaurant owners, have faced legal reversals.

A notable instance came when federal judges ruled against initiatives that provided preferential treatment, citing constitutional concerns. Another conclusive legal rling was reached when it was deemed unconstitutional for the Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency to exclude White applicants from receiving assistance.

National Discussion on DEI Policies

Such DEI strategies and their implications were at the heart of a national conversation during a town hall on Oct. 21 featuring Vice President Harris and former Rep. Liz Cheney. The debate highlighted differing perspectives on the approach to achieving equity versus equality.

Harris has clearly articulated her stance on the issue, emphasizing that equitable treatment seeks to achieve equal outcomes for everyone, and acknowledging that not all individuals start from the same point.

This viewpoint, however, faced criticism from figures like former Rep. Liz Cheney, who likened these strategies to those advocated by Karl Marx, suggesting a socialist undertone to the equity approach.

Public and Expert Reactions to DEI Strategies

Experts and activists have voiced strong opinions on these developments. Dr. Stanley Goldfarb from Do No Harm criticized the actions, stating that such identity-based discrimination, whether in the guise of governmental DEI strategies, has no place in society.

As debates continue, these DEI initiatives underscore a transformative, yet contentious, approach to governance under the Biden-Harris administration.

Their intentions to craft what administration officials view as a more inclusive society are clear, yet the constitutional viability and societal acceptance of such measures remain in question.