Biden signs second racial equity order creating agency equity teams

President Joe Biden signs Executive Order 14091 on February 16, 2023, strengthening the federal government's racial equity and underserved communities agenda. The order directs agencies to create equity teams, improve community engagement, and address barriers in federal programs. The order builds on Biden's first-day racial equity order and makes equity planning part of agency management. Supporters say it helps identify systemic barriers; critics describe the agenda as race-conscious bureaucracy. Racial equity becomes an ongoing federal governance structure rather than a one-time policy review.