Affirmative Action Decision Is a Setback for Economic Mobility and Racial Equity

Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate race-conscious college admissions and overturn nearly 50 years of precedent is ahistorical and harmful to building a multiracial and prosperous democracy. The ruling fails to appreciate the history of the Constitution’s 14th amendment, whose equal protection clause was widely understood to authorize—not restrict—the sort of race-conscious policies now being struck down.

Members of CLASP’s senior leadership team were invited to appear on C-SPAN's Washington Journal on two separate occasions. President and Executive Director Indi Dutta-Gupta appeared on June 26 to discuss the impact of the Biden Administration’s policies on families and the broader economy. Deputy Executive Director for Policy Elizabeth Lower-Basch appeared on June 17 to discuss the recent expansion of work requirements in SNAP and what it means for food security.

The New Deal for Youth (ND4Y) coalition of youth Changemakers recently held a Capitol Hill briefing on youth-led policymaking in partnership with Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and the Future Forum Caucus. The June 21 briefing featured Changemakers who discussed how lawmakers can share decision-making power with young people and sustain their engagement in policy advocacy. A follow-up press briefing included appearances from several lawmakers—including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)—who praised the power and passion of young people.

Inequitable access to abortion has been the reality for many communities of color and low-income communities. The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which took away the constitutional right to an abortion, has exacerbated existing systemic barriers to health care.