COLUMBIA S.C. (WSPA) - Over seventy House Republicans are amending and promoting a bill they say would support merit-based hiring and end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. "The person who is the most qualified for the job, most qualified for the admission, regardless of what their backgr ound is the person who deserves the slot or the position," said Representative Tim McGinnis (R - District 56). McGinnis stated that all he wants to do is be fair, and that he still supports diversity, equity and inclusion. On Wednesday, March 19, the House Education and Public Works Committee amended the bill to ban D.E.I. programs in local governments, state agencies, school districts, and public colleges. With this new version of the bill, it will no longer impact private businesses that are contracted by the state. "I think it also could have, taken us into some possible legal jeopardy with the bill down the road. So we knew that we needed to go in and amend this and make things different. " Democratic Representative Kambrell Garvin (D - Richland) is one of four democrats who voted against this bill. "There's a stifle of state organizations now wanting to encourage diversity, when now you have the general assembly saying it is our priority that we don't talk about it, that we pretend it doesn't exist, that it's not real." Josh Malkin, Advocacy Director for the South Carolina American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said he believes McGinnis has the right intent, but that once bills like these leaves the Statehouse the intent rarely matters. "I think it's really problematic that white folks, white legislators are advancing legislation that seems to suggest that systematic racism, systematic discrimination, has ceased to exist," Malkin said. McGinnis said it's important for everyone to understand this will not prevent an Office of Civil Rights and an Office of Wellness and Belonging. The bill was passed by the committee 13 to 4, and is now awaiting debate on the House floor. ...read more read less