The Democratic-controlled House has reintroduced two provisions into the annual defense authorization bill that would require the Pentagon to survey service members if they have experienced racism, anti-Semitism, or white supremacism in the military and track any activity of such, The Hill reported.
The two sections were included in the House-passed version of last year's National Defense Authorization Act but reworded when they were reconciled with the Senate version. The adopted bill required the a survey on whether troops have "experienced or witnessed extremist activity in the workplace" or reported such activity.
This year's version restored the question whether troops have experienced or reported "racist, anti-Semitic or supremacist" activity.
They were reinserted in this year's version along with a third provision that would mandate each service branch summarize the gender and race of anyone recommended for promotion to the rank of major (Army, Air Force, Marines) or lieutenant commander (Navy) and above, The Hill reported.
A House Armed Services Committee aide, who was not identified, said the provisions regarding surveying troops and requiring the Pentagon develop a method to track racist, anti-Semitic or white supremacist activity – which The Hill did not define – was revived following a subcommittee hearing in February on the topic in which the Southern Poverty Law Center provided witnesses.