EO 14173: The Future of Civil Rights Enforcement for Federal Contractors

As the sun sets on Executive Order 11246, a landmark directive that shaped affirmative action compliance for nearly 60 years, a new chapter in civil rights enforcement begins. Executive Order 14173, signed early in 2025, represents a fundamental shift—from mandate-driven affirmative action for women and minorities to a universal, merit-based approach to nondiscrimination for all…
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Rebuttal: Affirmative Action Does Not Divide Us, Discrimination Did

Recently, a House Representative claimed that affirmative action “divides us.” This statement not only misrepresents the intent and impact of affirmative action but also ignores the painful history that made such policies necessary in the first place. Affirmative action was not born out of a desire to divide Americans—it was born out of a national…
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The Aftermath of EO 14173: Uncertainty and the Path Forward

When Executive Order 14173 was issued, it sent shockwaves through the federal contracting community. By revoking EO 11246, which had governed federal contracting for over six decades, this new order introduced uncertainty and left many contractors scrambling to understand the new compliance landscape. With no clear guidance on how to ensure non-discriminatory employment practices, many…
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