Republican members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s (SCOTUS) decision to strike down affirmative action in college admissions via two cases against Harvard and the University of North Carolina.
In the cases that challenged the constitutionality of race-based admissions, SCOTUS determined that affirmative action violates the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. The Court’s decision overruled a 2003 opinion that race could be a determining factor in the college admissions process.
Following the Court’s decision, revealed Thursday, many Tennessee Republican lawmakers applauded the ruling and denounced affirmative action.
In a Twitter post, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) commented, “Affirmative action forces colleges to put students into a box. It discredits the hard work and diverse backgrounds that countless applicants have, and requires colleges to value one single characteristic above others. This is wrong and un-American.”
Affirmative action forces colleges to put students into a box. It discredits the hard work and diverse backgrounds that countless applicants have, and requires colleges to value one single characteristic above others. This is wrong and un-American.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) June 29, 2023
U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) added, “Today’s SCOTUS ruling striking down affirmative action marks a tremendous day for our nation. Thank you President Trump for nominating justices who put an end to discrimination in college admissions!”
Today’s SCOTUS ruling striking down affirmative action marks a tremendous day for our nation.
Thank you President Trump for nominating justices who put an end to discrimination in college admissions!
— Diana Harshbarger (@DHarshbargerTN1) June 29, 2023
U.S. Congressman Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) commented, “Kudos to SCOTUS for addressing universities favoring ‘woke’ racial quotas over fair admissions. One’s identity is more than skin color. It’s about character, challenges overcome, and unique contributions.”
“Anything less is a blot on the legacy of the civil rights leaders in American history and the ideals for which they fought,” Ogles added.
Kudos to SCOTUS for addressing universities favoring ‘woke’ racial quotas over fair admissions. One’s identity is more than skin color. It's about character, challenges overcome, and unique contributions.
Anything less is a blot on the legacy of the civil rights leaders in…
— Rep. Andy Ogles (@RepOgles) June 29, 2023
U.S. Representative Mark Green (R-TN-07) also commended the court’s ruling, asserting that “allowing universities to continue violating the Constitution with impunity would have been a major mistake,” before adding, “No one should be denied a college education because of his or her race, color, or national origin.”
Allowing universities to continue violating the Constitution with impunity would have been a major mistake. No one should be denied a college education because of his or her race, color, or national origin.https://t.co/nzTItHrVym
— Rep. Mark Green (@RepMarkGreen) June 29, 2023
U.S. Representative David Kustoff (R-TN-08) added, “Admissions should be decided on merit, not on race. Every student deserves equal opportunity to get a higher education.”
The Supreme Court ruled correctly that affirmative action used by some colleges and universities for admissions is unconstitutional.
Admissions should be decided on merit, not on race. Every student deserves equal opportunity to get a higher education.https://t.co/VzpIE0tyur
— Rep. David Kustoff (@RepDavidKustoff) June 29, 2023
U.S. Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03) noted that the court’s ruling “upholds that every American deserves equal treatment and to be judged on their merit.”
The Supreme Court correctly ruled that affirmative action for college admissions is unconstitutional.
Race should never be why anyone is denied admission to a school. Today's ruling upholds that every American deserves equal treatment and to be judged on their merit.
— Chuck Fleischmann (@RepChuck) June 29, 2023
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Marsha Blackburn” by Marsha Blackburn. Photo “Andy Ogles” by Andy Ogles. Photo “Mark Green” by Mark Green. Photo “Diana Harshbarger” by Diana Harshbarger.
