Scott, Hinojosa Statement on Supreme Court Decision in Affirmative Action Case
Press Release
Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training Ranking Member Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court's 4-3 decision upholding the constitutionality of affirmative action initiatives in the case Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin (Fisher II), No. 14-981 (U.S. June 23, 2016).
"Today the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed affirmative action as a tool to achieve the promise of educational opportunity for all. The Court's extensive examination of the University of Texas' admissions program confirms that the program is consistent with the Equal Protect Clause because it is narrowly tailored to meet the compelling government interest of promoting diversity in higher education," said Congressman Scott. "Qualified students from all backgrounds deserve a fair chance at higher educational opportunity so that they can compete in a global environment. The decision affirmed the holistic review that includes more than a dozen factors -- where race is but one factor. Further, the Court's decision underscores that a rigorous academic environment is enhanced, not undermined, by diversity. As our nation's communities and workforce become more diverse, it is equally important that this diversity is reflected in the halls of academia."
"As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training, I am pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to uphold affirmation action in higher education," said Congressman Hinojosa. "As a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, I applaud the university's deliberate, thoughtful, and holistic approach to promoting racial and ethnic diversity on its campus. This is a crucial, particularly given the changing demographics in states like Texas, where students of color comprise the majority of the state's student population. As our nation becomes increasingly diverse, we must continue to expand educational opportunity to all and ensure that students of color have access to our nation's flagship institutions."
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