The letter urges Congress to prevent harmful provisions that would dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives— and other efforts that promote equal opportunity in the military — from becoming law.
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Today, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) Action Fund and the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) led a coalition of more than 50 civil rights and veterans’ organizations in a letter to congressional leaders denouncing a number of harmful provisions in the House and Senate versions Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The act would eliminate current and future diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives in the Department of Defense and the U.S. military. The letter urges Congress to reject these measures, warning that dismantling equal opportunity initiatives would jeopardize the safety of service members, harm recruitment and retention, weaken military readiness and undermine core American values.
“For many Americans, the military provides a pathway to gain access to the middle class, obtain a college education and build a promising and fruitful life,” said Sakira Cook, federal policy director, SPLC. “Provisions aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility not only discourage talented potential service members but ultimately exclude a targeted group of Americans from achieving the American dream. Diversity will always be our greatest asset, and historically, it has served as the bedrock for innovation and progress. It moves this nation forward toward a brighter and stronger future.”
Some of the key points made in the letter include:
- When individuals with diverse perspectives, cultures and life experiences serve together, they are more prepared to solve complex challenges and forces become more cohesive, improve retention, and enhance overall readiness, according to experts.
- Both the House and the Senate versions of the NDAA include provisions that would strip away tools used to ensure equal opportunity in the military and could drive away potential recruits. For example, S. 2296 would remove requirements to include a diverse set of participants on promotion selection boards and would end officer training on “race relations, equal opportunity, opposition to gender discrimination, and sensitivity to hate group activity.” H.R. 3838 goes even further, prohibiting the use of any funds to support the promotion of equal opportunity or related practices altogether.
- Importantly, while the Trump administration has already rolled back DEI initiatives within the Department of Defense and the military, these provisions, if enacted, would enshrine those rollbacks in federal statute, making them far more difficult to reverse.
- Without diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives, the likelihood of harassment and discrimination rises, which could prompt many to reevaluate serving. Black and Latino service members are twice as likely to face court-martials. Women continue to face disproportionate levels of sexual harassment and account for the majority of sexual assault reports. Additionally, more than 80 percent of LGBTQ+ service members report experiencing sexual harassment or assault during their service.
“Women have fought long and hard to serve their country on equal footing. Our military cannot lead the world if it fails to lead on equality at home. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not optional — they are essential to a military that reflects and protects all of us,” said Gaylynn Burroughs, vice president of education and workplace justice, NWLC Action Fund. “When our military reflects the full strength and talent of the American people, it is more innovative, more cohesive, and better prepared to defend the nation. Rolling back these initiatives weakens — not strengthens — our national defense.”
The letter urges Congress to exclude from the final NDAA any provisions that would weaken or eliminate diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives in the military. Enacting such harmful measures would not only undermine the strength of our military and endanger national security but also betray our nation’s promise of equal opportunity for all.
“Dismantling equal opportunity initiatives in the military undermines our strength at home and abroad,” said Demetria McCain, Director of Policy, LDF. “These programs were created to combat unfair barriers and ensure every talented and capable person, regardless of race, gender, or background, can serve our country with dignity and respect. Rolling them back sends a dangerous message that fairness is optional, and that Black service members are not welcome. This undermines trust and weakens our military and preparedness as we face global threats. Members of Congress should not let the politics of exclusion put the country’s national security in harm’s way.”
The full letter is available here.
###
About the Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcenter.org.