ASBMB opposes the EDUCATE Act

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology strongly opposes the Embracing anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curricula, and Advancing Truth in Education (EDUCATE) Act, a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Greg Murphy, D-N.C. and in the U.S. Senate by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. If passed, the bill will prohibit any medical school from receiving federal funding, including student loans and federal research grants, if the institution adopts or requires diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.  

The U.S. research enterprise thrives due to its diversity. Our country’s leadership has charged the scientific and medical community to ensure that the scientific enterprise benefits and improves the health and mental well-being of all Americans, no matter their demographic background. To fulfill this charge, the research enterprise must adhere to growing and sustaining the principles of DEI within its federally funded institutions.  

As a nation of diverse populations, the United States must equip physicians and medical researchers with the skills they need to best serve the needs of everyone. Likewise, it is vital that physicians and medical researchers match the diverse makeup of the country and that we effectively address healthcare disparities. DEI offices and programs are instrumental in providing students and faculty with the tools to do so, as well as the infrastructure it needs to attract a diverse science, technology, engineering, math and medicine (STEMM) workforce. 

This legislation aims to strip away any support or resources for medical students, graduate researchers, postdoctoral scholars, research personnel, and faculty members that DEI offices and policies provide at our medical institutions and aims to lower the competencies of our medical and research professionals. Further, this legislation is directly challenging other federal efforts to combat systemic and institutional inequities that affect our society.  

The ASBMB opposes the bill as it will harm and disadvantage students, faculty, and patients by removing the necessary infrastructure to tackle the pressing needs of our diverse nation. Diversity only makes us stronger, and we must protect and increase diversity and equity within the U.S STEMM research enterprise.