State Rep. Brian Harrison has filed a bill to end diversity, equity, and inclusion courses and activities in institutions of higher education.

After extensive criticism of “woke” higher education courses at universities like Texas A&M and the University of Texas, Harrison (R-Midlothian) has taken action to halt taxpayer-funded “indoctrination.”

House Bill 2311 aims to close loopholes in Senate Bill 17—a law passed last legislative session to ban DEI offices in public universities by eliminating exemptions that allow DEI-related activities to continue.

The measure aims to stop DEI-influenced academic courses, research, activities, guest speeches, data collection, and student admissions.

It also would prohibit universities from referencing their service to underserved, first-generation, or low-income students in a grant application or accrediting agency statement.

The measure aligns with Trump’s executive order to end federal DEI programs and follows Gov. Abbott’s Executive Order GA 55 which promotes color-blindness and prohibits DEI-related public university curricula, statements, programs, policies, practices, expenditures, and employee conduct.

“Contrary to convention wisdom, Texas did not ban all DEI in public universities in 2023,” Harrison stated. “In fact, countless exceptions allowed DEI faculty to continue indoctrinating students with this Marxist ideology, and I am filing a bill to end this taxpayer abuse once and for all. Texas should be leading the fight against taxpayer-funded DEI, and with this bill, will finally stop subsidizing it in our great public universities!”

Harrison posted that the measure “should be one of the first bills passed in the House this session.”

In addition, Harrison filed House Bill 2339, or the Defunding Indoctrination in Education (DIE) Act, which would prohibit public institutions of higher education from offering certificates, degree programs, or courses in DEI or gender studies.

The measure includes a provision that would stop state funding from going to any public university that does not comply. It allows students to sue if they are forced into a non-compliant course and requires a state auditor to conduct a yearly audit.

“Public universities are for education, not leftist indoctrination,” Harrison stated. “It is outrageous that they have been abusing tax dollars to promote DEI, liberal gender ideology, and LGBTQ programs against the will of Texas voters. The DIE Act is consistent with Gov. Abbott’s bold executive actions, and I call on House leadership to pass it immediately, so Texans’ taxes are no longer weaponized against their children and their values, and to restore integrity to our great institutions.”

Valerie Muñoz

Valerie Muñoz is a native South Texan and a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she studied journalism. She is passionate about delivering clear and comprehensive news to Texans.

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