Dhillon threatens lawsuit over VA bill favoring female minority govt contractors over white men

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon on Wednesday threatened a lawsuit over a Virginia bill that prioritizes female minority government contractors over white men.

Dhillon posted on X regarding Virginia House Bill 61, writing, "This DEI is DOA. It is illegal and will not survive court challenge."

The bill, which would establish the Small SWaM Business Procurement Enhancement Program, was prefiled last month by state Del. Jeion Ward (D), before the state legislature began its new session last week. "SWaM" stands for Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned business, according to the Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity.

HB 61 requires "that purchases up to $100,000 be set aside for award to certified small SWaM businesses."

The bill states that the program has "a statewide goal of 42 percent of certified small SWaM business, as such term is defined in the bill, utilization in all discretionary spending by executive branch agencies and covered institutions in procurement orders, prime contracts, and subcontracts, as well as a target goal of 50 percent subcontracting to small SWaM businesses in instances where the prime contractor is not a small SWaM business for all new capital outlay construction solicitations that are issued."