Forty-nine House Democrats signed an open letter to Fortune 1,000 chief executives asking them to affirm their commitment to their workplace equality initiatives, amid heightened backlash and legal challenges to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
“We write to call on you to reject division and continue supporting programs, policies, and initiatives that give everyone a fair chance at achieving the American Dream,” read the Tuesday letter, led by Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.).
Garcia and his colleagues made the case that supporting programs that foster inclusion is smart for business because, the lawmakers said in the letter, if the companies abandon their DEI programs, “undoubtedly, this will lead many communities to seek their products, services, and employment elsewhere.”
“Investing in an inclusive company is not just good for America, but also good for business,” the letter read. “Fostering a culture of equality allows your companies to remain competitive, letting them recruit and retain the best employees from our country’s increasingly diverse and talented workforce.”
Garcia, who said he is the first gay immigrant in Congress, stressed the importance of maintaining DEI efforts moving forward.
“Employees deserve to work in environments that are free from discrimination and that are welcoming to Americans from all backgrounds,” Garcia said in the press release. “Corporations must stand up to groups that aim to bring our country backward. Supporting programs that foster inclusivity in the workplace is good for business and benefits employees, customers, and the bottom line.”
Some companies have begun to scale back their DEI initiatives, largely since the Supreme Court decision outlawing affirmative action in universities sparked concerns about workplace DEI programs, some of which have similar goals to affirmative action.
Several U.S. companies — including Ford, Harley-Davidson, John Deere, Lowes and Molson Coors — scaled back their DEI efforts this summer, The Associated Press (AP) reported.
DEI critics have found success in their legal battles so far, according to the AP, which reported that “dozens more cases” are working their way through the court system.