Texas Democrats Push to Repeal 2023 University DEI Ban After House Majority Win
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 12
Texas Democrats Push to Repeal 2023 University DEI Ban After House Majority Win
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 12
Summary
HB 358 and SB 125 would undo Texas’ 2023 ban on DEI offices and programs at public universities, making the issue an early priority after Democrats captured the state House and statewide offices.
Republicans still control the Texas Senate, leaving the repeal effort with steep odds even as Democrats use their 2026 gains to target a signature GOP education policy.
The 2023 law already forced major changes: UT System said it closed 21 DEI offices, cut 311 DEI-focused positions and canceled 681 contracts, programs and training sessions.
Even without repeal, conservative groups warn Democratic Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa could weaken enforcement through university regent appointments, though Senate confirmation power and holdover rules could keep current regents in place until 2029.
The Texas fight extends a broader national rollback of DEI in higher education that accelerated after the Supreme Court’s 2023 admissions ruling and Trump’s 2025 federal crackdown.