Head of U.S. House DEI Office Announces Office Will be Dissolved, Sparking Disappointment Among Congressional Staffers of Color

The director of the US House Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Sesha Joi Moon, announced that the office would be dissolved as part of the recently passed government spending bill on Friday.Moon told CNN that her department will be succeeded by the Office of Talent Management, operating under the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer. Effective Monday, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will cease operations. This decision coincides with escalating criticism and opposition faced by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives nationwide, particularly from Republican lawmakers.“On behalf of ODI, it has been an honor to help ensure that the United States Congress embodied a qualified and representative workforce that reflected the country’s vast tapestry,” Moon told CNN. “We would like to thank the Office of the Speaker of the House, Office of the House Democratic Leader, and Committee on House Administration, as well as the entire House community for their support throughout the 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses.”Established in March 2020, the office aimed to cultivate a congressional workforce reflective of the nation’s demographics. Its core responsibilities encompassed financial management, candidate and member services, research, data analytics, and professional development, as outlined on its website.Moon disclosed plans for her eventual transition out of her role, while some team members will continue their work within the newly established Office of Talent Management. Expressing gratitude, Moon remarked, “On behalf of ODI, it has been an honor to help ensure that the United States Congress embodied a qualified and representative workforce that reflected the country’s vast tapestry.”Acknowledging support from various entities within the House community throughout multiple congresses, Moon extended appreciation to the Office of the Speaker of the House, the Office of the House Democratic Leader, and the Committee on House Administration.In response to the closure, members of the Congressional Black Associates, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association, the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association, and the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus jointly expressed dismay, emphasizing the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s critical role in enhancing congressional diversity. “Unfortunately, the politicization of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives has led to those resources being stripped away from Capitol Hill staff despite their impact,” the statement said. “Eradicating efforts that promote diversity and inclusion could reduce opportunities for staffers of color, creating further barriers to representation in a body that already does not adequately reflect the diversity of the country it represents.”