NASA's $20M DEI Spending Under Biden Sparks Debate Over Agency Priorities

A watchdog report highlights NASA's extensive diversity initiatives during critical mission challenges, including astronaut safety concerns.

NASA allocated over $20 million to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs during the Biden administration, including grants, contracts, and training sessions.
Critics argue that DEI investments diverted focus from mission-critical issues, such as quality control failures in the Starliner capsule mission that left two astronauts stranded in space.
The DEI initiatives included anti-racism talks, gender-affirming workplace policies, and strategic plans to integrate equity principles across hiring, promotions, and evaluations.
A 2022-2026 strategic plan and Equity Action Plan introduced new DEI-related contractor requirements and restructured grant processes to emphasize diversity considerations.
Watchdog group OpenTheBooks raised concerns about the agency's focus on identity politics, questioning its impact on NASA's core mission and fiscal responsibility.