SB 2091, titled the "Restoring Lethality Act," would remove a series of statutory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements and offices from the Department of Defense and related military personnel statutes. The bill amends Title 10 of the U.S. Code and several National Defense Authorization Act provisions to strike references to diversity and inclusion duties, reporting, and planning, including requirements tied to the Secretary of Defense, selection boards, military leadership, and official correspondence.
The bill would repeal the statutory role of the Department of Defense Chief Diversity Officer, eliminate diversity-related requirements for promotion and other selection boards, and remove provisions requiring strategic plans, senior advisors for diversity and inclusion, and certain reporting or identification of gender, race, ethnicity, and pronouns. It also changes the military human relations training language to emphasize "honor, excellence, courage, and commitment" and makes a conforming amendment to related guidance language.
If enacted, the bill would substantially narrow or eliminate federal statutory DEI mandates within the Department of Defense and Coast Guard-related personnel policy, reducing required diversity reporting, planning, and designated DEI leadership positions. It would amend multiple sections of Title 10 and repeal several NDAA provisions, affecting how the Pentagon structures leadership, selection boards, training content, and internal correspondence standards.
The available record shows no committee transcript or vote history, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge broad support or opposition. Based on the bill text and title, the measure appears to be framed by its sponsor as a rollback of DEI policies in favor of military readiness and "lethality," suggesting a policy direction aligned with critics of DEI programs. Because no votes or hearing remarks are provided, overall sentiment in the legislative record cannot be measured beyond the bill's stated purpose.
The central point of contention is the elimination of DEI-related statutory requirements in the armed forces. Supporters are likely to argue that removing these provisions will reduce bureaucracy and refocus the military on readiness, merit, and combat effectiveness, while opponents are likely to argue that the bill would weaken efforts to ensure equal opportunity, representation, and inclusive personnel practices. The repeal of the Chief Diversity Officer, diversity planning, and selection-board diversity provisions are the most likely flashpoints.