Connect to the Capitol Extra: SC House becomes first to pass Trump-style DEI policy

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) - This past week, the South Carolina House worked late into the night on Wednesday to pass D-E-I- legislation in the style of President Donald Trump’s executive order recently signed in Washington.

A bill co-sponsored by dozens of the House Republicans passed on an 82 to 32 vote after eight hours of debate.

“President Trump made a promise to end discriminatory DEI programs in the federal government—and he delivered. Now, the South Carolina House Republican Caucus is delivering here at the state level." House Majority Leader Davey Hiott said. "We are proud to be the first state in America to translate President Trump’s executive order into law, restoring merit-based opportunity and protecting the civil rights of all South Carolinians.”

The legislation aims to prohibit public entities, including state agencies, colleges, K -12 schools, and local governments, from implementing or promoting DEI policies that could lead to illegal discrimination based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin and reinforces the state's civil rights protections while banning the use of DEI statements, identity-based hiring, and ideological preferences in government-funded spaces.

Contractors, grant recipients, and public fund beneficiaries would need to certify that they are not engaged in unlawful DEI practices and direct public colleges and universities to pursue alternative accreditors if current accrediting agencies require illegal DEI mandates. and establishes oversight through the State Inspector General and Attorney General to enforce compliance.

The bill also seeks to end the use of taxpayer dollars for DEI offices, programs, training, or contracts that violate civil rights laws.

In this week's Connect to the Capitol Extra we talk to veteran political analyst Antjuan Seawright and Rep. Jermaine Johnson, who was a staunch opponent of the plan and delivered a passionate plea on the House floor asking his fellow lawmakers not to approve the proposal.