Wyoming Delegation Reacts to Supreme Court’s Ruling on Affirmative Action

In a landmark moment, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the precedent of Affirmative Action in a 6-3 decision on Thursday, June 29. This decision ended the initiative that sought to increase diversity in the nation’s colleges by providing more African American and Hispanic citizens a better chance of college acceptance.

All three of Wyoming’s federal representatives – John Barrasso, Cynthia Lummis, and Harriet Hageman – issued statements after the ruling.

Congresswoman Hageman issued the following statement on the Supreme Court ruling “rejecting race-based college admissions as a violation of the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause”:

“I applaud the Supreme Court for today’s decision rejecting race-based college admissions, or “affirmative action.” No individual should face a higher hurdle in gaining access to educational opportunities simply based on race, ethnicity, religion, or sex. The 14th Amendment ensures that we are a nation of equal opportunity for all.”

Senator Barrasso supported the ruling, saying it “rightly ended racial discrimination” in the nation’s higher learning institutions.

#SCOTUS rightly ended racial discrimination in college admissions. Today’s decision ensures college admissions are centered on effort and merit. https://t.co/0NE6lqpmWT

— Sen. John Barrasso (@SenJohnBarrasso) June 29, 2023

Senator Lummis said, “There is nothing more American than the idea that if you work hard, you should be rewarded regardless of your skin color.”

A landmark decision from the Supreme Court is ending the use of race-based discrimination in the college application process.

There is nothing more American than the idea that if you work hard, you should be rewarded regardless of your skin color.https://t.co/ctr2iW4CbX

— Senator Cynthia Lummis (@SenLummis) June 29, 2023