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Biden Repeals EO on Diversity Trainings

President Biden has repealed a Trump-administration Executive Order 13950 requiring all new and amended federal government contracts to include language prohibiting the contractor from implementing any workplace training that endorsed what the Order deemed “divisive concepts,” including that an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is prone to behaviors that are inherently racist or sexist.

Biden’s Executive Order repeals the Trump order in its entirety and affirms it is the policy of the federal government to “pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.”

More details here.

Austin Confirmed as Secretary of Defense

Earlier today, the Senate confirmed Lloyd Austin as the Secretary of Defense by a vote of 93 -2. The retired four-star general becomes the first African American to assume that position.

Before he could be confirmed, both chambers of Congress had to grant him a waiver to serve in that position.  The waiver was needed as military personnel need to be out of uniform for seven years before serving as the Secretary.  The Senate approved the waiver 69 – 27 while the House preceded it by a vote of 326 – 78.

Read more about the confirmation here and here.

Agencies Begin to Fill Leadership Positions

A number of agencies have started naming individuals for key positions within their ranks.

The Department of Energy released a slate of individuals for senior positions earlier today, which is available here.  The Department of Interior also publicly released yesterday  a number of names tapped for leadership posts in the agency.

We will continue to post other agency staffing announcements on our site.