Freedom from Ideological Requirements in Employment Act

119 HR 8379 IH: FIRE Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-04-20 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8379 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 20, 2026 Ms. Letlow introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform A BILL To prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion in Federal hiring and employment, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Freedom from Ideological Requirements in Employment Act or the FIRE Act . 2. Prohibition on diversity, equity, and inclusion in Federal hiring and employment (a) In general No Federal funds may be obligated or expended to— (1) require, as a condition for appointment to, or continued employment in, the civil service (as that term is defined in section 2101 of title 5, United States Code)— (A) diversity, equity, and inclusion training; or (B) any individual to sign, endorse, or otherwise accent statements that are centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion principles; or (2) develop, implement, distribute, plan, or purchase training courses for the Federal workforce that relates to— (A) diversity, equity, and inclusion; (B) critical theory relating to race and gender; (C) intersectionality, sexual orientation, or gender identity; or (D) the assertion that a particular race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological sex, or national origin is inherently or systemically superior, inferior, oppressive, oppressed, privileged, or unprivileged. (b) Application Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to commonly accepted and customarily used hiring or employment practices that prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. (c) Definition of diversity, equity, and inclusion In this section, the term diversity, equity, and inclusion means any practice, training, statement, or principle that asserts— (1) a particular race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological sex, or national origin is inherently or systemically superior or inferior, oppressive or oppressed, or privileged or unprivileged; or (2) how systemic racism is embedded in legal systems, policies, and societal structures rather than being solely a product of individual prejudice.