CWC held a members-only roundtable January 29 to discuss Executive Order 14173, which rescinded long-standing Executive Order 11246. President Trump issued E.O. 14173, titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” on January 21. It rescinds E.O. 11246 and requires federal contractors to certify that they are not operating any programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion that violate federal anti-discrimination laws.
During the roundtable, participants discussed the compliance obligations that have been rescinded, those that remain, and new obligations. For example, contractors will no longer have to produce federal affirmative action plans for women and minorities, but they must continue to maintain affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Participants also discussed how contractors can certify compliance with applicable federal anti-discrimination laws under penalty of False Claims Act sanctions and certify that they do not operate illegal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.