Washington, DC — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced legislation today to limit the amount of compensation Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Department of Defense employees receive. Rep. Jim Banks (IN-03) introduced companion legislation in the House.

This legislation would prohibit the Department of Defense from employing military or civilians above the rank of E-5 ($31,000/year salary) in DEI-related roles. The bill would also require these employees to be reassigned within 180 days or enactment.

Bill text can be found here.

“Government bureaucrats promoting divisive ideology should not earn a higher paycheck than the soldiers on the front lines defending our country. This bill will make sure the Department of Defense’s budget focuses on strengthening our national security, not paying administrators to solve social justice problems that don’t exist,” said Cotton.

“Bureaucrats are getting paid more to teach anti-Americanism than patriotic servicemembers who stand ready to fight and die for their country. It’s a travesty and it sends a dangerous message to troops and recruits about the Pentagon’s priorities and values. Funding poisonous ideologies will destroy our military’s readiness and cohesion. This bill ensures more of the DoD’s budget is spent on the warfighters who enable the U.S. military to accomplish its mission, which is to win wars,” said Banks.