a decision
written by Chief Justice John Roberts and backed by the other five conservative justices, the court put an end to systems designed to help minority students access higher education after centuries of racial discrimination. Studies show ending affirmative action policies will disproportionately hurt Black and Latino students.
Todays decision deals a needless blow to Americas promise of equal and fair opportunity, reads a joint statement from Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus chair Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Congressional Black Caucus chair Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) and Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair Nanette Barragn (D-Calif.).
Casting aside decades of precedent, the Courts anti-opportunity majority further undermines its own legitimacy by gutting race-conscious university admissions, which will benefit the wealthy and well-connected most, said the caucus chairs. This extremist Supreme Court does not get to decide our values. We will always fight for diversity and representation in politics, business, culture, and beyond.
Horsford said separately that the court has gone rogue by breaking from a precedent thats been in place since 1978. For more than 40 years, the court has repeatedly held that race-based admissions policies in colleges and universities are consistent with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, he said.
By delivering a decision on affirmative action so radical as to deny young people seeking an education equal opportunity in our education system, the Supreme Court has thrown into question its own legitimacy, Horsford said.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the courts ruling a giant roadblock in our countrys march toward racial justice.
The consequences of this decision will be felt immediately and across the country, as students of color will face an admission cycle next year with fewer opportunities to attend the same colleges and universities than their parents and older siblings, the senator said.
Some Black lawmakers said Thursdays decision reflects a broader pattern of the court routinely rolling back protections for people in marginalized communities.
For some reason, every time people of color take a step forward, this nation finds a way to make them take three steps back, said Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), who is the ranking member on the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee.
The Supreme Courts decision on affirmative action is unconscionable, out of touch, and a significant setback, she said.
Ending affirmative action in higher educationwhich the Court had already held to be legalwill have devastating impacts on our communities, said Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.). Universities have historically denied Black, brown, and Indigenous people from accessing institutions of higher education.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) had some stronger words, calling the courts decision just the latest in the white supremacist assault on equity in education.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmation action in education.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmation action in education.
Democrats anger over the courts decision comes amid a growing sentiment that the court itself has become delegitimized, extremist and badly in need of reform.
Theres the problem with the courts
two stolen seats
,
a reference to Republicans helping former President Donald Trump confirm two of his picks by blocking confirmation of then-President Barack Obamas nominee Merrick Garland and then ramming through Justice Amy Coney Barrett just days before the 2020 presidential election, while millions of people were casting votes for Joe Biden.
Then there was the courts break from long-standing precedent last year to overturn Roe v. Wade, once again carried out by the courts 6-3 conservative supermajority. Its two most conservative justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito hinted that theyd like to
revisit other landmark decisions
to potentially revoke more rights, including the 2015 decision that granted same-sex couples the constitutional right to marry.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the Judiciary Committee, said the courts decision on affirmative action is
just the latest example of the activist conservative Justices willingness to overturn settled precedents and discount democratic values in pursuit of their ideological policy agenda.
Once again, this extreme Supreme Court has taken our country backwards, said Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), also a member of the Judiciary Committee. She called Thursdays decision shortsighted and detached from reality.
Beyond concerns about the courts extremist turn, Thomas and Alito have been
failed to disclose
that he sold property for more than $1 million to a top law firm executive with business before the court.
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) said the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action in education is the latest sign of how extreme and ideological the court has become, and proof of how badly it needs reforms.
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) said the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action in education is the latest sign of how extreme and ideological the court has become, and proof of how badly it needs reforms.
All of these problems are connected to the need to clean up the court, said Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), who is the ranking member on the House Judiciary subcommittee on the courts and a sponsor of legislation to add four more seats to the court.
Justice Harlan Crow Thomas and five other MAGAs have just slammed the college doors on Black and Brown folks after declaring that we now live in a color-blind country, Johnson said in a statement.This decision can lead to the demise of [historically Black colleges and universities]. We cannot let that happen.
He added, This judicial activism must be met with passage of my legislation to expand SCOTUS.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who called the decision to axe affirmative action a step backwards, said he plans to reintroduce a bill to stop universities from giving preferential treatment to children of alumni and donors.
The last thing we should want is a world in which underrepresented students are given less opportunity while the wealthiest and most privileged students have their own special form of affirmative action, Merkley said in a statement.
The Oregon senator said he and Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) will soon unveil their legislation, the Fair College Admissions for Students Act, to ban colleges and universities from giving an unfair advantage to the kids of financial donors and legacy alumni in the admissions process.