Eliminate DEI in Colleges Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1282

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Education

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-04-06T12:43:10Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Eliminate DEI in Colleges Act" (H.R. 1282) aims to bar federal financial support for colleges and universities that promote or maintain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. DEI refers to practices that classify people based on traits like race, sex, or sexual orientation and provide different treatment based on those traits. The goal is to ensure federal funds go only to institutions that avoid such activities.

Key Provisions

• Certification Requirement: Colleges and universities must certify to the Secretary of Education that they do not and will not run any programs, projects, or activities primarily focused on advocating or supporting DEI, nor maintain any offices or entities dedicated to DEI.
• Eligibility for Federal Funds: No institution can receive federal funding—including grants, loans, or student aid programs—without this certification. This applies across all federal education programs.
• Verification Process: Institutions must provide requested information to the Secretary to confirm the accuracy of their certification.
• Enforcement Regulations: The Secretary of Education must create rules to implement and enforce these restrictions.
• Appeals Mechanism: If funding is cut, affected institutions can appeal to an administrative law judge (an impartial official who hears disputes) within 30 days. A hearing must occur within 45 days (extendable if needed), and the judge's decision is final.
• Definition of DEI: Explicitly defined as classifying individuals by race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and giving them preferential or differential treatment based on these factors.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends Part B of Title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (a key law governing federal support for higher education) by adding a new Section 124. It introduces a nationwide condition on federal funding that did not previously exist, overriding other laws to prioritize the DEI prohibition. Previously, federal funds could support a wide range of campus activities, including those related to equity and inclusion, without such restrictions.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Education would gain new responsibilities for verifying certifications, issuing regulations, and handling appeals, potentially increasing administrative workload and costs.
• On Citizens (Students and Faculty): Students at non-compliant institutions could lose access to federal student loans and aid, limiting educational opportunities. Faculty and staff involved in DEI efforts might face job restrictions or program closures.
• On Higher Education Institutions: Public and private colleges reliant on federal funds (which make up a significant portion of many budgets) could face severe financial penalties, leading to program cuts or closures of DEI-related offices.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could affect U.S. universities' global reputation for inclusivity, potentially influencing international student enrollment or partnerships.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Higher Education Institutions: Public and private colleges/universities, especially those with DEI programs, face the risk of funding loss.
• Students: Particularly those from underrepresented groups who benefit from DEI support services or scholarships.
• Federal Government: The Department of Education as the primary enforcer; Congress in overseeing implementation.
• Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on civil rights, equity, or higher education policy, which may support or oppose the bill.
• Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through changes in how federal education dollars are allocated.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The certification and verification requirements could lead to disputes over what constitutes "DEI," potentially resulting in lawsuits challenging enforcement as overly vague or burdensome. The appeals process provides a structured way to contest decisions but limits them to administrative review without immediate court access.
• Constitutional Implications: May raise concerns under the First Amendment (protecting free speech and expression on campuses) if DEI initiatives are seen as core educational activities. It could also intersect with the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by restricting efforts to address historical inequalities, though the bill frames DEI as discriminatory itself.
• Political Implications: The bill reflects ongoing debates over campus policies, potentially deepening partisan divides in education funding. If enacted, it could set a precedent for conditioning federal aid on ideological compliance, influencing future legislation on social issues.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Eliminate DEI in Colleges Act — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (4 pages)