Democrats on Thursday condemned the Supreme Court’s “extremist” decision to eliminate affirmative action in education, saying it breaks with decades of precedent upholding race-based admissions policies in colleges and universities.
In 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.
“Today’s decision deals a needless blow to America’s 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 Barragán (D-Calif.).
“Casting aside decades of precedent, the Court’s 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 that’s 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 court’s ruling “a giant…
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