Warns of Legal Risks, Federal Funding Threats, and Division Under DEI Framework
Green Bay, WI — The Republican Party of Brown County (RPBC) is speaking out against the proposed expansion of the Green Bay Equal Rights Commission’s authority and its deepened role in enforcing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
While RPBC supports the principle of equal rights and non-discrimination for all, the proposed expansion could open the door to overreach, unintended civil rights violations, and the loss of crucial federal funding. Policies that differentiate or prioritize treatment based on race, gender, or identity risk violating federal law and triggering significant consequences for the city of Green Bay.
Recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings establish that under Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, municipalities must avoid any form of discrimination in federally funded programs or public employment practices. If DEI policies are not carefully constructed and vetted, they could be challenged on constitutional or legal grounds, resulting in investigations or penalties — including the potential loss of federal education, housing, and safety funds.
A current federal lawsuit against the Green Bay school system for using race-based frameworks show how easily these DEI efforts can cross legal and ethical boundaries, creating new inequities and legal jeopardy.
We are urging the City Council to:
- Pause any expansion of the Equal Rights Commission’s authority until a full legal and fiscal review is completed
- Ensure that all city policies remain race-neutral, constitutionally sound, and consistent with both state and federal civil rights law
- Protect federal funding streams that serve all Green Bay residents, regardless of background
Green Bay deserves solutions that unite, not divide — and that don’t put vital federal dollars at risk in the process.
Media Contact:
Doug Reich, Chairman
RPBC
920-430-2005
chairman@bcrepublicans.net
