Statement of Jocelyn Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families
Today, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requested White House approval of a proposed rule to stop requiring many employers, contractors, unions, schools and governments to regularly report demographic workforce data to the federal government – data that includes race, sex and ethnicity of workers across certain job categories.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 15, 2026 – “For 60 years, the EEOC has collected demographic data in order to uphold basic requirements for equity and accountability in workplaces across the country. This data has helped uncover potential discrimination and address barriers to equal employment opportunity.
“The Trump-aligned EEOC’s attempt to eliminate rules that require large private sector employers, state and local governments, unions and public schools to report demographic information about their employees reveals an unmistakable intent to bury and shield information that is critical to unearthing discrimination and enforcing civil rights protections for workers. Unfortunately, the president and his allies are fixated on pushing a false narrative that white men are the primary targets of discrimination in this country, and they appear determined to suppress or ignore any data that might prove otherwise.
“Rescinding these important data collection tools would make it easier to mask disparities and discriminatory practices throughout the country. In proposing these rollbacks, the agency is continuing its reckless behavior driven by ideology rather than facts and the truth. Continuing these efforts to undo critical civil rights enforcement tools is unconscionable.
“The work of the EEOC should not be beholden to an ideological agenda that ignores the Commission’s longstanding mission to root out employment discrimination. Workers across the country deserve better. The National Partnership for Women & Families will continue to fight for all workers and call on the agency’s leadership to demonstrate its commitment to vigorous enforcement of the law.”
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