A Wisconsin Republican lawmaker is using the authority of the newly created GOAT Committee to investigate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across local governments in the state. Even before the committee has formally convened, Rep. Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers) has already started gathering information on DEI-related expenditures, raising concerns among Democratic lawmakers.
The GOAT Committee, inspired by billionaire Elon Musk, is officially known as the Government Operations, Accountability, and Transparency (GOAT) Committee. It was formed as part of the Wisconsin Assembly’s legislative session to examine government efficiency and spending. However, Sortwell’s early investigation into DEI programs has sparked debate about the committee’s actual authority and the political motivations behind the move.
What the Investigation Entails
Sortwell has either sent or plans to send formal requests for information to all 72 counties and the 50 largest cities in Wisconsin. The documents, which were first reported by Wisconsin Watch, ask for detailed records related to DEI programs and spending, including:
- DEI-related grants received by local governments.
- Adopted or enacted DEI policies by local authorities.
- DEI training programs funded or conducted by local governments.
- Titles and salaries of employees in DEI-related positions.
- Estimated costs associated with implementing DEI policies and training.
City officials from Fitchburg, Manitowoc, Oshkosh, and Racine confirmed they have received Sortwell’s request and will process it like any other public records request. However, Sortwell has not responded to media inquiries about his actions or the broader goals of the committee.
How the GOAT Committee Came to Be
The GOAT Committee was introduced during the latest legislative session in Wisconsin, modeled after a federal initiative under Donald Trump’s administration known as the Department of Government Efficiency. The naming of the committee follows a trend of pop-culture-inspired government titles, similar to how DOGE, a cryptocurrency, was named after an internet meme.
The committee’s chairperson, Rep. Amanda Nedweski (R-Pleasant Prairie), previously stated that its primary goal is to improve state government efficiency and reduce unnecessary spending. However, she has not commented on the specific focus on DEI programs.
Democratic lawmakers were caught off guard by Sortwell’s unilateral action. They argue that no formal committee meetings have taken place and no bills have been assigned to the committee, making this investigation premature and politically motivated.
Democrats Push Back: ‘A Dangerous Precedent’
Democratic members of the committee—Reps. Mike Bare, Francesca Hong, and Angelina Cruz—expressed their concerns in a letter to Nedweski, criticizing Sortwell’s independent actions. The letter, obtained by Wisconsin Watch, states:
“One member sending a request implying the participation of the entire committee violates the spirit of bipartisanship and cooperation. Empowering one committee member to act in the interest of an entire committee’s membership without their prior knowledge or consent is a dangerous precedent.”
Democrats are also questioning whether the committee even has the legal authority to demand this information. While Wisconsin law requires local governments to cooperate with legislative committees, the GOAT Committee has not officially begun its work, meaning it technically has no assigned tasks.
Rep. Mike Bare summarized the Democratic stance, saying:
“The committee has nothing but a name. That’s all we know about it.”
Republicans Defend the Inquiry
Despite Democratic pushback, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) defended Sortwell’s actions. He argued that fact-finding is a normal part of the legislative process and that investigating government spending on DEI is necessary to ensure efficiency.
Vos also pointed out that Democratic Governor Tony Evers has not granted Republican lawmakers access to state agencies, forcing them to gather information directly from local governments instead. He explained:
“We want to make sure that whatever we are rooting out for waste, fraud, and abuse, we have data to back it up. Unfortunately, it’s hard to get that data from an administration that’s uncooperative.”
Sortwell himself dismissed Democratic complaints in a social media post, stating:
“Just because you don’t like it and whine about it, doesn’t mean I can’t do it.”
He also cited a Wisconsin Legislative Council memo, which states that a committee vice chairperson can request information as long as they have the committee chair’s approval—which Sortwell claims he has received.
Concerns from Local Governments
While many counties and cities are preparing to comply with Sortwell’s request, there are concerns about the workload it creates. A legal memo from the Wisconsin Counties Association highlighted issues with the request, stating that responding to five years’ worth of DEI-related records could require significant staff time and resources.
The memo also questions the legitimacy of the GOAT Committee’s request, as it was not formally assigned this task by the legislature. Some officials fear that this could be a politically motivated attempt to pressure local governments into cutting DEI programs.
Democratic lawmakers worry that Republican legislators could use financial leverage to force local governments to reduce or eliminate DEI efforts. This concern is based on previous GOP actions—such as a 2023 law that allowed Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to increase their sales taxes while simultaneously banning them from using tax money to fund DEI positions.
“We’ve seen this playbook before,” Rep. Bare warned.
What’s Next?
The GOAT Committee’s investigation into local DEI programs is still in its early stages. While Republican lawmakers argue it is a routine audit of taxpayer-funded programs, Democrats claim it is a politically motivated attack on DEI initiatives.
Local governments will now have to decide how to respond to Sortwell’s requests and whether to push back legally. Meanwhile, the committee’s first official meeting has yet to be scheduled, leaving many questions about its true purpose and direction.
As this issue unfolds, Wisconsin residents can expect continued debates over the role of DEI in government and whether the GOAT Committee is overstepping its authority.
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