Affirmative action programs were created in 1965 to redress the effects of past discrimination. Under these programs, minorities - particularly African Americans and women, were given preferential treatment in securing school placement, jobs, promotions and business contracts. The intent of affirmative action programs was also to increase representation of minorities and women in occupations that traditionally had been unavailable to them. However, the racial quotas which were used to ensure minorities were getting good jobs and into good schools were found unconstitutional after complaints of reverse discrimination.

Critics claim affirmative action is unconstitutional and has already attained its goals. Supporters claim that without a means to compensate for systematic racial, cultural and economic prejudices, minorities will lose hard-fought representations in our schools, work place and society. Public opinion polls have shown that 75% of Americans oppose affirmative action in college admissions but 68% of Americans favor the principles behind affirmative action.

A recent Supreme Court ruling prohibits the use of race-based affirmative action in college admissions. The court’s ruling still allows colleges and universities to consider an applicant’s discussion of how race has affected their life as long as it is “concretely tied” to a “quality of character or unique ability” that the applicant can bring to the school.

In an attempt to eliminate long-standing affirmative action programs, President Trump recently signed two executive orders to eliminate all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs from the federal government and discourage the use of such programs in the private sector. DEI advocates have initiated a legal challenge against these orders claiming they are unconstitutional and infringe on free speech rights.


Proposed Legislation: Introducing new legislation to reinstate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government and private sector.
Prospective Sponsors: Rep. Gwen Moore (WI)

• I oppose reforming current affirmative action policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA).
• I support introducing new legislation to reinstate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government and private sector, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Gwen Moore (WI) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.