Chairwoman Maloney and Rep. Pressley Statements on Biden-Harris Administration Unveiling Federal Agencies Equity Action Plans

Press Release

Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman of the Oversight and Reform Committee, and Committee Member Rep. Ayanna Pressley released the following statements after the White House convened a meeting with all federal agencies--including all Cabinet-level agencies--to unveil its first-ever Equity Action Plans:

"I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for its extraordinary efforts to ensure racial equity is at the forefront of federal policymaking. We have seen the impact that systemic racism has on Black Americans' and other minorities' access to basic needs such as housing, employment, and health care," said Chairwoman Maloney. "These Equity Plans provide a roadmap for the federal government to begin addressing the systemic barriers in policy that prevent underserved communities from achieving the prosperity and dignity that many of us take for granted. Last year, Rep. Pressley and I recognized the importance of the White House Interagency Working Group on Equitable Data and urged the Administration to ensure federal agencies have the data they need to identify barriers to equity for the success of this executive order. I look forward to continuing to work with this Administration to advance a robust racial equity agenda so that the federal government works for everyone."

"Racial equity is a lens that we should bring to every policy decision, at every level of government, and that starts right at the top," said Rep. Pressley. "I appreciate that the Administration is following through on the commitment to center equity across the federal government and heeding our calls to collect and report the data necessary to advance racial justice in federal policymaking. This whole of government initiative will help federal agencies address the disparate and systemic harm inflicted on people of color. Systems change is possible when we lean into the power and authority of the federal government and today's announcement is historic. Our work is far from over. I stand ready to continue to work with the Administration to implement these efforts and will continue to conduct the necessary Congressional oversight and legislative advocacy to yield meaningful impact."

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