[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 31 (Thursday, February 18, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO ENSURE FAIR ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY TO FEDERAL 
                         JOBS FOR ALL AMERICANS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 18, 2021

  Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to 
ensure fair access and opportunity to Federal jobs for all Americans. 
For close to two decades now, I and many of my colleagues have been 
fighting to increase diversity in the federal workforce. In particular, 
I have focused on the international affairs and national security 
sector where I have called for a diversity plan from the Director of 
National Intelligence, as well as for the Department of State and 
USAID. During the 116th Congress, in my capacity as Chairman of the 
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, I held hearings and 
supported initiatives focused on equity and justice issues in the 
United States and abroad. And, I have not been alone in my efforts. 
House and Senate committees responsible for our foreign relations and 
national security held several hearings focused on diversity in federal 
agencies. Additionally, Congressionally mandated reports from the 
Government Accountability Office found that diversity targets set close 
to a decade ago were not being met at the State Department and USAID.
  My colleagues and I have engaged in diversity, equity, and inclusion 
efforts in the Federal government not because they are nice or correct, 
but because they are what is in the best interest for the longevity of 
our nation. The U.S. workforce is becoming more racially, ethnically, 
and otherwise diverse, with estimates that, by 2050, over half of the 
workforce will be made up of Americans from diverse populations. Jobs 
across our government, whether they are in the military, intelligence, 
foreign service, health, or education sectors, will require that we not 
only hire, but also retain a more diverse federal workforce to sustain 
the needs of our country and remain a stable democracy.
  To do so, we must have a plan. My bill calls for a government-wide 
diversity and inclusion plan that ensures that all branches of 
government are engaged in multi-year strategic planning that recruits, 
hires, promotes, retains, and supports leadership from America's 
diverse talent pool in the federal workforce for the good of our 
country. It also calls for a review of diversity, equity, and inclusion 
in government contracting and grantmaking, as both are often also 
pathways to government employment.
  My bill therefore complements and provides an essential tool for 
executing the recent Executive Orders on racial equity and addressing 
discrimination and disparities in the workplace released by President 
Biden over the past two weeks.
  Diversity, equity, and inclusion are the underpinnings of democratic 
societies. It is time that we enforce democratic values by ensuring all 
segments of our society have equal access and opportunity to contribute 
to a vibrant workforce that is at the heart of our democracy for the 
future of our nation.

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