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(Des Moines, IA) -- Multiple bills that surround the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are passing through the Iowa House of Representatives. House Files 269, 401, and 856 all relate to DEI at universities in Iowa.
House File 269
This bill has been labeled the "Freedom from Indoctrination Act" and would prohibit the universities from requiring classes related to DEI in order for a student to graduate. Sponsored by State Rep. Steven Holt (R-Denison), the proposal also names Critical Race Theory.
"A better name for diversity, equity and inclusion programs, in my opinion, would be adversity, inequity and exclusion," Holt says. "Because that is what these programs do. Indoctrinating young people to see everything through the prism of race is incredibly destructive."
Some opponents say DEI is about more than race, and other diverse groups will be affected by the legislation. State Rep. and Dr. Megan Srinivas (D-Des Moines) is one of them, and she talked about healthcare professionals.
"We rely on a good healthcare workforce that is knowledgeable and trained by the best in our universities," Srinivas says. "Now, we're going to be handcuffing them because of a bias...the people who voted for you to be here wanted you to make the best decisions for them. I can tell you right now the best decision for them is making sure that their doctor is well trained."
Holt notes the bill does not ban the classes altogether, but strikes the requirement for graduation.
"DEI at its core is racist, which is one of the reasons we are becoming so divided as a nation," Holt says.
House File 401
This bill sets basic core education requirements at the state universities, while also singling out "identity politics" in general education classes. State Rep. Steven Holt also managed this bill on the House of Representatives floor. State Rep. Ross Wilburn (D-Ames), who once worked at Iowa State University, opposes the proposal.
"I believe it should be the auspice of the Board of Regents working with our regents institutions to determine what the curriculum might be," Wilburn says.
Holt says he believes those entities have had time to make those decisions and have fallen short.
"I think we left it up to the so-called experts for many years and in my opinion they mucked it up," Holt says. "We are seeing disturbing deficiencies in English. We have seen across our country and in our state a disturbing lack of knowledge of the principles that made us who we are."
House File 856
This bill prohibits state dollars from being used to fund DEI programs at universities. State Rep. Henry Stone (R-Forest City) floor managed the proposal.
"Getting rid of DEI will help our nation heal and grow together," Stone says. "With one another. Instead of forcing people to believe that you should be judged by the color of your skin."
An amendment added on the floor on Tuesday also includes private institutions with students that receive funds from the Iowa Tuition Grant or would like to participate in the grant going forward. State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst (D-Windsor Heights) is also a professor at Drake University in Des Moines.
"What this bill will do is punish students who choose to go to a school that doesn't agree with your politics," Konfrst says. "Why are we the legislature punishing children and young people who want to go to college by telling that they can't pick a college that has a position that's different than yours? That is not fair and it is not right."
Other opponents say the move would be taking a step back. That includes State Rep. Rob Johnson (D-Des Moines).
"1954. Brown vs. Board of Education," Johnson says. "In this very body, there were 99 elected members that sat in these seats. 96 of them were Republican...They voted to make sure that the Brown vs. Board of Education decision was actually enacted in Iowa before it was enacted anywhere else...we have the opportunity to set forth different moments."
Supporters say what they want to do is a piece of the puzzle they need to move forward.
"DEI only wants to look at what can be viewed from the outside and not what a person brings to the table in their skills and abilities," Stone says. "DEI creates divisiveness and animosity towards one another. At the end of the day, we're all the human race."
All three bills were passed by the Iowa House and are eligible for consideration from the state Senate.
