EEOC hearing on ending EEO-1 data collection

The United States — United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) held a public hearing on August 11, 2026, to gather testimony on a proposal to end the agency's annual collection of EEO-1 workforce demographic data. The proposal, championed by the Trump administration and supported by the Republican-led EEOC, which voted 2-1 last month to stop the data collection, is currently in a 30-day public comment period ending August 24. Twenty-two speakers testified, with most opposing the change, including civil rights groups, researchers, and employer associations. They argued that EEO-1 data is essential for detecting and preventing workplace discrimination and for tracking progress since the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Six speakers supported the proposal, contending that the reporting requirement is burdensome and may encourage discriminatory practices. The EEOC's chair, Andrea R. Lucas, has argued that the data could be misused for racial quotas, but employer groups testified they have found no evidence of such misuse and instead use the data for compliance. The decision is part of President Donald Trump's broader effort to overhaul civil rights enforcement and eliminate diversity and inclusion practices.