Biden signs 'racial equity' order requiring federal agencies to build 'equity action plan'

President Biden on Thursday signed an executive order that directs all federal agencies to produce an annual "equity action plan" aimed at removing barriers to agency resources for "underserved communities."

The move follows Biden’s 2021 executive order, "Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government," which asked agencies to launch a "whole-of-government approach to equity." That order has already directed billions of dollars in federal resources to "disadvantaged" communities since it was signed.