Overview
Title
Federal Travel Regulation: Updating the FTR With Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Language; Planned Rescission
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The General Services Administration (GSA) is planning to change a rule about how they talk about travel, removing words meant to include everyone, like different genders. They want to go back to using only "he" or "she" in their rules, following new instructions from the leaders in charge.
Summary AI
The General Services Administration (GSA) plans to cancel a rule concerning the Federal Travel Regulation that was meant to update language around diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. This decision is being made to align with new executive orders requiring government agencies to recognize only two biological sexes and reverse prior changes not consistent with current goals. The intention is to revert back to using sex-specific pronouns in related documentation.
Abstract
GSA plans to issue a final rule that rescinds Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) Case 2022-05, titled "Updating the FTR With Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Language," published on February 16, 2024.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register announces the General Services Administration’s (GSA) plan to reverse a rule concerning the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) that focused on updating language related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). This decision aligns with new executive orders requiring Federal agencies to acknowledge only two biological sexes and to rescind certain policies not aligning with the current administration’s priorities.
General Summary
The GSA intends to withdraw a rule that previously incorporated DEIA language into the FTR. This change was initially published in early 2024. The proposed rescission comes with the introduction of two executive orders established on January 20, 2025. These orders direct federal agencies to recognize only two sexes and eliminate executive orders and actions deemed inconsistent with the current administration's priorities. Consequently, the GSA plans to revert the FTR’s language back to using sex-specific pronouns such as "he" and "she."
Significant Issues or Concerns
The rescission of DEIA-related language could raise significant concerns regarding the exclusion of non-binary or gender non-conforming individuals, as the planned changes back to sex-specific pronouns may not reflect the identities of all individuals. Additionally, the broader move to recognize only two sexes, as noted in the executive orders, might limit gender diversity considerations within federal policies and practices.
The use of language such as "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth" might be viewed as heavily ideological or partisan, potentially fueling debates on neutrality in government policy-making. There are also concerns about limited public engagement, as the document does not explicitly invite feedback or comments from stakeholders, which may impact transparency and inclusivity in policy deliberation.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, this document signifies a shift in federal policy language away from inclusivity efforts that have gained traction in recent years. This could impact public perception and trust, particularly among communities and individuals who identify outside the traditional binary framework of gender.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
This change may negatively impact individuals who identify as non-binary, genderqueer, or transgender, as well as advocates and organizations working toward gender inclusivity and equality. For these stakeholders, the shift may be seen as a step back in efforts to create more inclusive federal policies.
On the other hand, individuals or groups who agree with referencing binary gender distinctions or express concerns about previous inclusivity efforts might view this change positively, feeling that it aligns policies with their perspectives on gender identity.
In summary, the document reveals an approaching policy change that has significant implications for the language and inclusivity of federal regulations, sparking a potential shift in how identities are recognized and supported at the governmental level.
Issues
• The document announces the rescission of a policy related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), which could raise concerns about the exclusion of these important factors in federal travel regulations.
• The document refers to two specific executive orders that mandate a recognition of only two sexes, potentially limiting the consideration of gender diversity issues in government policies.
• The decision to revert language in the FTR to sex-specific pronouns might not be inclusive to non-binary or gender non-conforming individuals, raising potential concerns of exclusion.
• The rationale for rescission is tied to new executive orders which could be seen as implementing partisan or ideological priorities, potentially affecting the inclusivity of federal policies.
• The language mentioning 'Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government' could be considered loaded or ideologically driven, lacking neutrality.
• Contact information is provided for clarification, but there's no explicit invitation for public comment or involvement, potentially limiting stakeholder engagement and transparency.