Congressman Greg Murphy introduces ‘EDUCATE Act’ to ban DEI at medical schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WITN) - Congressman Greg Murphy introduced the ‘EDUCATE Act’, otherwise known as the Embracing Anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curricula, and Advancing Truth in Education Act, just last week.

The EDUCATE Act is intended to ban race-based mandates at medical schools and accrediting institutions.

Congressman Murphy’s push for the act comes just after the state of Alabama banned diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in public colleges and offices.

Congressman Greg Murphy issued a statement to WITN: “The EDUCATE Act compels medical schools and accrediting bodies to ditch the discriminatory, divisive, and harmful nature of DEI initiatives. While diversity enriches the fabric of medicine, it must not be achieved through exclusionary practices. Patients care about a doctor’s ability to perform their job well, not their political beliefs. Medicine relies on objectivity and dedication to excellence and attempts to inject political ideology into the field are wholly inappropriate.”

The passage of the bill with the current makeup of Congress in Washington, D.C. is doubtful. Even if the Republican-led House passes the bill, Democrats still narrowly control the Senate and President Biden would be unlikely to sign the bill if it made it to his desk.

WITN also reached out to Congressman Don Davis and the four medical schools in North Carolina for a comment. WITN did not hear back from Duke. UNC-Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, and ECU Brody School Brody declined to comment. Davis says he didn’t provide a comment due to scheduling.

A poll taken by WITN showed that 28% of our viewers believe that DEI should not be banned, and 71% believe DEI should be banned.

According to NBC, state legislatures have also approved bans on DEI efforts in higher education and public offices in Florida, Texas, and Utah.

You can read the full bill here.