Executive Order Restricting Diversity Training Rescinded

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The Executive Order “Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping,” which addressed training for the military, federal employees, grant recipients, and federal contractors, was rescinded by President Biden on January 20, 2021. This issue has been addressed in earlier blog posts.

The diversity training Executive Order’s rescinsion was included in a broader Executive Order on “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.” The new Executive Order’s goal is to advance equity across the Federal Government through multiple initiatives.

The original order on diversity training that affected government contractors was signed on September 22, 2020. It applied to contracts entered into starting November 21, 2020. On December 22, 2020, a federal court issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program from implementing the rule.

Despite the on-again, off-again nature of this rule, agency actions to terminate or restrict contracts resulting from the original order will likely cease as a result of the new order.