Rep. Eli Crane used the term "colored people" during a July 2023 House floor debate over his amendment to a defense policy bill, sparking bipartisan condemnation and accusations of using racially insensitive language (NBC News, Cronkite News).
Crane claimed he "misspoke" and attempted to amend his words to "people of color" in the official record, but his request was unsuccessful; he stated the intent was to prohibit discrimination in the military, not to exclude anyone (NBC News, Arizona Daily Star).
The incident elicited strong rebukes from Congressional leadership and the Congressional Black Caucus, who called Crane's remarks "shameful" and demanded an apology, with some lawmakers warning it was a "dog whistle to white nationalists" (Cronkite News, Arizona Daily Star).
Crane's amendment, which passed, restricts the Department of Defense from considering race, gender, religion, or political affiliation as the sole basis for recruitment, training, or promotion decisions in the military (Cronkite News, Arizona Daily Star).
Crane asserted that military strength relies on its standards rather than diversity, arguing that the military was "never intended to be... inclusive," a stance that drew further criticism regarding the implications for equal protection and minority rights (Cronkite News, Arizona Daily Star).
Potential vulnerability exists in the perception that Crane's language and arguments could undermine efforts to promote diversity and equal opportunity in the military, and may alienate minority communities.
July 13, 2023: Rep. Eli Crane Used The Term 'Colored People' During House Floor Debate According to NBC News, "Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz. referred to Black people as 'colored people' Thursday in floor debate over his proposed amendment to an annual defense policy bill, prompting a stern rebuke from the former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus." [NBC News, 7/14/23]
July 13, 2023: Eli Crane Stated He "Misspoke" During House Debate According to NBC News, "Asked for comment about his choice of words, Crane said he 'misspoke.' 'In a heated floor debate on my amendment that would prohibit discrimination on the color of one's skin in the Armed Forces, I misspoke,' Crane said in a statement. 'Every one of us is made in the image of God and created equal.'" [NBC News, 7/14/23]
July 2023: Eli Crane Used The Term 'Colored People' During A House Floor Debate According to Cronkite News: Arizona State University, "Reactions to Arizona Rep. Eli Crane's use of the term 'colored people' during a House floor debate Thursday ranged from 'utter shock' to suggestions that it was a 'dog whistle to white nationalists.'" [Cronkite News: Arizona State University (Tempe), 7/15/23]
July 2023: Eli Crane Claimed He Misspoke And Attempted To Amend His Words According to Cronkite News: Arizona State University, "Crane, who unsuccessfully asked Thursday to amend his words to 'people of color,' was not available for an interview Friday. But his office issued a written statement. 'In a heated floor debate on my amendment that would prohibit discrimination on the color of one's skin in the Armed Forces, I misspoke,' the statement said." [Cronkite News: Arizona State University (Tempe), 7/15/23]
July 2023: Eli Crane Emphasized Military Strength Lies In Standards Rather Than Diversity According to Cronkite News: Arizona State University, "While defending his amendment, Crane, a veteran, said the military 'was never intended to be, you know, inclusive. Its strength is not its diversity, its strength is its standards. Diversity can be a great thing but that should not be our focus.'" [Cronkite News: Arizona State University (Tempe), 7/15/23]
July 2023: Eli Crane Stated Amendment Was Not Intended To Exclude Black People Or 'Colored People' From Service According to Cronkite News: Arizona State University, "Crane said his amendment has 'nothing to do with whether colored people, or Black people, or anybody, can serve,' but was aimed at ensuring that 'our military does not become a social experiment.'" [Cronkite News: Arizona State University (Tempe), 7/15/23]
July 2023: Eli Crane Faced Widespread Condemnation For Language Used During Debate According to Cronkite News: Arizona State University, "House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he believed that Crane misspoke, but added Friday that the stricken language was 'not acceptable.' The Congressional Black Caucus called the moment 'shameful' and 'unconscionable' in a tweet Thursday, and said Crane should apologize to Beatty." [Cronkite News: Arizona State University (Tempe), 7/15/23]
July 2023: Eli Crane Used The Term 'Colored People' During House Floor Debate According to Arizona Daily Star, "Rep. Raúl Grijalva said fellow Tucson-area Rep. Eli Crane's use of the term 'colored people' during a House floor debate was a 'dog whistle to white nationalists.'" [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 7/15/23]
July 2023: Eli Crane Claimed He Misspoke During Debate On His Amendment According to Arizona Daily Star, "Crane, a freshman Republican from Oro Valley, said he misspoke during a debate Thursday over his proposal to prohibit the Defense Department from teaching or requiring adherence to 'race-based or ideological concepts.'" [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 7/15/23]
July 2023: Eli Crane Proposed Amendment To Pentagon Budget Limiting Consideration Of Identity Factors According to Arizona Daily Star, "The remark came during debate on Crane's proposed Protection of Ideological Freedom amendment to the Pentagon budget. The amendment, which subsequently passed, 'prohibits DOD from considering race, gender, religion or political affiliations or any other ideological concepts as the sole basis for recruitment, training, education, promotion or retention decisions.'" [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 7/15/23]
July 2023: Eli Crane Said Military's Strength Is Its Standards, Not Its Diversity According to Arizona Daily Star, "While defending his amendment, Crane, a veteran, said the military 'was never intended to be, you know, inclusive. Its strength is not its diversity, its strength is its standards. Diversity can be a great thing but that should not be our focus.'" [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 7/15/23]
July 2023: Eli Crane Attempted To Have His Words Amended In House Record According to Arizona Daily Star, "He unsuccessfully asked Thursday to amend his words to 'people of color.' Crane was not available for an interview Friday, but his office issued a written statement." [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 7/15/23]
July 2023: Eli Crane Denied Amendment Was About Race-Based Service Restrictions According to Arizona Daily Star, "Crane said his amendment has 'nothing to do with whether colored people, or Black people, or anybody, can serve,' but was aimed at ensuring that 'our military does not become a social experiment.'" [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 7/15/23]
July 2023: Eli Crane Defended Amendment Against Race-Based or Ideological Concepts In Military According to Cronkite News: Arizona State University, "The remark came during debate on Crane's proposed Protection of Ideological Freedom amendment to the Pentagon budget. The amendment, which subsequently passed, 'prohibits DOD from considering race, gender, religion or political affiliations or any other ideological concepts as the sole basis for recruitment, training, education, promotion or retention decisions.'" [Cronkite News: Arizona State University (Tempe), 7/15/23]