Supreme Court Nixes Affirmative Action for College Admissions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative August Pfluger (TX-11) released a statement Thursday following the Supreme Court landmark decision barring colleges and universities from considering race in the admissions process.

Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11): “The Supreme Court’s decision to ban affirmative action is a positive step toward ensuring no American will be rejected from an educational opportunity based on the color of their skin. The college admissions process must now return to individuality, merit, and equal opportunity.”

The U.S. Supreme Court handed down a major ruling on affirmative action Thursday, rejecting the use of race as a factor in college admissions as a violation of the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

Fox News is reporting that many universities have argued that race-based admissions ensures that student bodies remain diverse, while critics argue the policy discriminates against many qualified students based on race. 

Students for Fair Admissions, a student activist group, brought cases against both Harvard and University of North Carolina. The group initially sued Harvard in 2014 for violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which "prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in any program or activity that receives Federal funds or other Federal financial assistance."