Missouri moves on eliminating DEI in state government

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-18 on Tuesday, directing all Missouri state agencies to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and ensure compliance with the constitutional principle of equal protection under the law.

The order bars the use of state funds for DEI and prevents agencies from considering DEI in their hiring decisions.

“Missourians deserve a government that treats all individuals equally, without preferential treatment or discrimination based on immutable characteristics,” Kehoe said. “Our state agencies must operate under a framework that ensures fairness, equal opportunity, and merit-based decision-making. This order reaffirms Missouri’s commitment to a constitutional, color-blind approach that serves all citizens fairly.”

The executive order includes the following:

• Equal Protection of All People: State agencies must uphold the constitutional principle of equal treatment under the law;
• Elimination of Public Funds for DEI: State agencies are barred from using public funds for DEI-related positions, organizational structures, policies, procedures, practices, activities, training, programs, or contracts;
• Prohibition on Considering DEI in State Hiring Decisions: Agencies are prohibited from considering DEI factors in hiring decisions; and
• Compliance Review: Agencies must conduct a comprehensive review of existing contracts, programs, and policies within 90 days to ensure full compliance with the directive.

While this order directs the removal of DEI-based programs, it does not apply to any requirements in federal or state statute that uphold the rights and freedoms of Missouri citizens. State agencies will continue to enforce all laws that prohibit discrimination and ensure fairness for all citizens.

Also, Mary McCue Bell from Missouri Independent has the following on DEI action in the Missouri Legislature.

A bill prohibiting Missouri agencies from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives was given initial House approval Monday evening.

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Ben Baker, a Republican from Neosho, argued that DEI goals do not lead to decreased bias and questioned their success.

The state House can pass the bill with one more vote, sending it to the Senate.

If enacted, funds spent by state departments could not be used for DEI initiatives. These initiatives include collective guilt ideologies, intersectional or divisive identity activism and promotion of preferential treatment; this is the idea that group disparities are solely due to oppression.

Democrats argued that the wording on the bill could be interpreted so that any single one of those descriptions could be used to defund any program.

Missouri Republicans continue push to bar state funding of diversity, equity and inclusion

The bill creates an exception that the agencies would not be prohibited from following federal laws or complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill also makes it illegal for state agencies to require or incentivize DEI programs as a requirement for earning a state contract.

The bill was given approval on a voice vote after a party line 100-49 vote ended more than two hours of impassioned speeches by Democrats. Speakers raised concerns about who is at an advantage or disadvantage from such legislation.

Additional talking points included systemic racism, the gender pay gap, pink taxes, disabilities and merit-based hiring. The price of eggs was brought up multiple times to argue that this legislation doesn’t improve the welfare of Missourians.

Unintended consequences were discussed, such as retaliation against accreditation of university medical programs and law enforcement agencies. These are often required to have such programs be accredited.

A 2024 Missourian review of state agency budget requests, which includes every line item of spending a department seeks, found the phrase “diversity, equity, and inclusion” practically nonexistent among state agencies.

This story originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian. It can be republished in print or online.

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