In a recent development, Georgia Senate Republicans were unable to push forward a bill that sought to emulate the Trump administration’s strict measures against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within educational institutions.
The Georgia State Senate failed to hold a vote on Senate Bill 120 by the designated Crossover Day on Thursday. This proposed legislation aimed to reduce state funding or federal funding administered by the state for public schools and universities that implement DEI programs.
SB 120 characterized DEI as providing “different treatment” or “special benefits” based on factors such as race, sex, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation. It also targeted any policies, training, or recruitment efforts that offered preferential treatment related to these categories.
Furthermore, the bill would have prohibited colleges and universities from officially recognizing concepts such as unconscious or implicit bias, cultural appropriation, allyship, gender ideology, microaggressions, systemic oppression, and other related terms.
Lead sponsor and Republican State Senator Marty Harbin expressed that SB 120 was a vital measure to restore academic integrity and fairness, arguing that taxpayer funds should not support divisive DEI programs.
This state-level proposal emerged alongside President Donald Trump’s extensive executive order banning DEI initiatives in the federal government. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education has restricted educational institutions receiving federal funds from considering race in various areas, including admissions and hiring.
After the Senate’s adjournment, Harbin acknowledged that the bill required further refinement but indicated the possibility of reintroducing it in some form during the current session. “We’d rather do it right than do it halfway,” he remarked, hinting at potential future efforts.
The bill encountered significant opposition from Democrats and advocacy groups, who argue that DEI programs are essential for addressing systemic inequalities in educational achievement among minority populations. Democratic State Senator Nikki Merritt credited the mobilization of educators and community members as key factors in the bill’s failure to advance.
