Iowa Lawmakers Advance Bills Targeting DEI in Higher Ed

Proposed legislation aims to prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion courses and content at public universities

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Iowa House higher education subcommittees are advancing bills that would prohibit courses and content related to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and critical race theory in general education requirements and core curricula at public universities. The proposed 'Stop Woke Act' legislation has faced heated opposition from some public commenters, leading to a tense exchange during a subcommittee meeting.

Why it matters

The bills are part of a broader effort by some Republican-led states to limit the teaching of DEI and critical race theory concepts in higher education, which supporters say promotes divisiveness but critics argue is necessary to address systemic inequities.

The details

The subcommittee meeting on one of the bills saw a public commenter, Abigail Escatel, a rhetoric doctoral candidate at the University of Iowa, appear to hit the table close to the subcommittee chair Rep. Steven Holt before being removed from the room. Escatel said she came to 'address the white male fragility that sits in this room that feels so threatened by the idea that there are Black and Brown intellectuals that know more about the United States in this world, and its legacies of colonialism.' The bills would also direct the Iowa Board of Regents to review and eliminate any undergraduate education requirements that violate the proposed legislation.

  • The Iowa House higher education subcommittees continue to advance the legislation targeting DEI in higher education.

The players

Abigail Escatel

A rhetoric doctoral candidate at the University of Iowa who opposed the proposed legislation at a subcommittee meeting.

Rep. Steven Holt

The chair of the Iowa House higher education subcommittee that was holding a meeting on the DEI legislation.

Ross Wilburn

A Democratic member of the Iowa House higher education subcommittee who voted against the DEI legislation and addressed Escatel's outburst.

Iowa Board of Regents

The governing body for Iowa's public universities that would be directed to review and eliminate any undergraduate education requirements that violate the proposed legislation.

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What they’re saying

“I came to address the white male fragility that sits in this room that feels so threatened by the idea that there are Black and Brown intellectuals that know more about the United States in this world, and its legacies of colonialism.”

— Abigail Escatel, Rhetoric doctoral candidate, University of Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

“The fact the legislation states it will be known as the 'Stop Woke Act' doesn't help in a situation like this one, where people have passionate concern and feel rights are being removed.”

— Ross Wilburn, Democratic subcommittee member (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

What’s next

The Iowa Board of Regents is officially undecided on the proposed legislation, and the bills will continue to move through the legislative process.

The takeaway

This debate over DEI in higher education reflects a broader partisan divide, with some Republican-led states seeking to limit the teaching of concepts related to systemic inequities, while critics argue such efforts undermine efforts to promote diversity and inclusion on college campuses.