WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-21) and Senator Marco Rubio (FL) released a new report titled “Diversity Over Diplomacy: How Wokeness Is Weakening The U.S. State Department.” 

The report details how the United States State Department has prioritized promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) policies at the expense of carrying out its mission to build international relationships and protect America’s national security.

“A woke America is a weak America,”  said Rep. Mast.  “After the catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan, the world is questioning whether or not the United States is the beacon of strength it’s always been.  But instead of trying to strengthen our position abroad, the Biden State Department is focused on pushing woke ideology worldwide.  We need unity more than ever; the Biden Administration’s attempt to sow division under the guise of ‘diversity’ is not the answer to the geopolitical threats we are facing.”

“The State Department’s misguided focus on wokeness has undermined its effectiveness and distracted from its duty to protect and promote America’s national interests,” said Senator Rubio.  “This focus on promoting divisive partisan goals will only undermine our efforts on the world stage.  We need to ensure that the State Department is effective in representing our national interests and that our diplomats are focused on our national security rather than bizarre DEIA objectives, most of which are rejected by Americans.”

Last week, Rep. Mast chaired a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability hearing with the State Department Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley.  During the hearing, Rep. Mast asked Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley what characteristics constitute “the best” among diplomats, or if certain physical characteristics made for better diplomats.  She could not answer.

Read the full report here.

BACKGROUND

On June 25, 2021, President Biden signed the Executive Order 14035, which would mandate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility as priorities for all federal agencies.  On September 13, 2022, Secretary of State Blinken established the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, which is in charge of setting goals for recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce, enhancing the reasonable accommodations process and establishing concrete measures to promote greater inclusivity for minority communities.

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