Restoring Lethality Act

The Restoring Lethality Act (S. 2091) would remove statutory provisions in law that currently require the Department of Defense (DOD) to pursue, measure, and report on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). It would repeal or significantly roll back several DEI-related programs and offices, including a Chief Diversity Officer, diversity in military leadership and promotion processes, pronoun identification in official materials, and formal DEI training and strategic plans. In short, the bill aims to eliminate statutory DEI mandates within the DOD and shift toward a more traditional focus on readiness and military effectiveness. The bill would also modify or repeal various parts of federal law that currently govern how the DOD handles DEI metrics, leadership diversity, and related activities. The practical effect would be to reduce formal DEI obligations, data collection on diversity, and DEI-focused leadership and training structures, potentially changing how the department addresses culture, inclusion, and equal opportunity.