Last week, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) sent letters to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough requesting oversight into the VA following reports of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) “support groups” at the department that exclude white American veterans.
On May 13, 2024, a report by the Washington Free Beacon outlined a number of examples of VA-sponsored “support groups” throughout the country that exclude white American veterans from participation, which is in violation of the law and the Constitution. Accordingly, the letter to Secretary McDonough requests information be provided to Rep. Gaetz on the “support groups” at the VA. Furthermore, the letter to Chairman Bost requests oversight on this shocking revelation.
Full text of the letter to Chairman Bost can be found HERE, and the letter to Secretary McDonough can be found HERE. Additionally, exclusive coverage from the Daily Caller can be found HERE.
LETTER TEXT
Chairman Bost:
I am writing to you today to request an oversight hearing by your Committee into a number of outrageous, race-based “support” groups operating at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. As we both know, the VA is tasked with the critical mission of providing support to American veterans, and I believe that the attached Washington Free Beacon article will shock you. That article outlines a number of examples of purported “support groups” that exclude white American veterans from participation, in violation of law and the Constitution.
These programs appear to be popping up nationwide, and appear on the official VA website, indicating a serious policy and oversight problem at the VA. No federal resources, let alone sponsorship by the agency itself, should be given to these discriminatory programs. My attached oversight letter to the VA went out today as well. I would be very pleased for any help your leadership position can provide here, on behalf of American vets of all races.
Sincerely,
Matt Gaetz
Member of Congress
___________________
Secretary McDonough:
The Washington Free Beacon, in an article dated May 13, 2024, has collated a number of disturbing, and likely lawbreaking programs endorsed by the Department (https://freebeacon.com/biden-administration/dei-hits-the-va-bidens-veterans-affairs-department-offers-race-based-training-programs-that-exclude-white-vets/). Specifically, it identifies programs in at least four states that appear to provide race-targeted or even race-exclusionary “support groups.”
These programs all signal that participation in the programs requires one to be a member of a preferred race, and each program requires a specific request to enroll. The substance of the support groups is itself alarming, giving a fig leaf legal jargon justification that there is such a thing as “race-based trauma” that might justify disparate treatment of veterans as a medical necessity.
Needless to say, these programs are unacceptable. Please provide the following information to my office by June 4, 2024.
(1) Are the four programs identified in the piece official programs of the DVA? Whether or not they are, which office at DVA manages the linked websites?; and
(2) What policy documents outline the relevant non-discrimination policy for setting up a “support group,” and what approval process is followed for marketing these on the official DVA website?; and
(3) What is the lowest component office within DVA responsible for each of the four programs identified in the piece?; and
(4) What affirmative steps is DVA taking to remove these postings and programs from the DVA, and what is the timeline; and
(5) Please provide any other DVA programs or documents that address “race-based trauma.”
Sincerely,
Matt Gaetz
