Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee led key House Democrats, including Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Congressman Al Green (D-TX), Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Congressman Cleo Fields (D-LA), Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI), Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL), Congressman André Carson (D-IN), and Congressman Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. (D-CA), in a letter to the U.S. Department of Treasury, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Security Exchange Commission, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the National Credit Union Administration, following the Trump Administration’s latest executive order to dismantle all Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and environmental justice offices, eliminate related positions, and terminate equity-focused federal grants and contracts.

In the letter, the lawmakers denounce Trump’s unlawful attack on diversity and inclusion and call on agencies to uphold the statutory diversity and inclusion obligations under the Dodd-Frank Act. The lawmakers emphasize that Congress has mandated the establishment and maintenance of DEIA offices to ensure diverse and equitable representation within the federal workforce, and no executive action can legally overturn these statutory requirements.

“As the head of an independent agency, it is essential to recognize that these executive orders, while directive in nature, cannot override or amend laws enacted by Congress. An executive order is limited in scope and must be interpreted within the confines of existing statutory and constitutional obligations,” wrote the lawmakers. “…Given the statutory mandates regarding diversity and inclusion, as it relates to federal workforce and contracting, we request that you provide a legal analysis justifying why compliance with these executive orders are necessary, if at all, in your agency’s case.”

This letter follows Wednesday’s hearing with Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Powell where he agreed to a request from Congresswoman Waters to host an Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI) briefing. Additionally, Chair Powell agreed to continue pushing diversity at the Fed and confirmed that he has consulted with other members of the board in determining compliance with this law.

The lawmakers conclude by urging agency leaders to stand firm in fostering inclusive workplaces and serving the public in a manner that upholds their mission, ensuring equity, fairness, and justice remain at the core of federal governance. They also request a briefing from the agencies on the status of its OMWI no later than February 27, 2025.

See the letter here.

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