Congressman Taylor Introduces Bicameral Bill Ensuring Merit-Based Admittance to Universities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dave Taylor (OH-02) this week introduced the College Admissions Accountability Act to ensure merit-based admittance to universities and prevent racial preferences from being utilized during the admission process. Representative Erin Houchin (IN-09) joined Congressman Taylor in the introduction of this bill, with Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) introducing companion legislation in the Senate.
“Admittance to college is a privilege that should be earned based on a demonstrated commitment to academic achievement and personal excellence,” said Congressman Taylor. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, many universities chose to ignore the Supreme Court’s ban on affirmative action and found ways to implement racial preferences during their admission process, advancing their own DEI agenda instead of rewarding hardworking and qualified students. It is time for this to end.”
“The College Admissions Accountability Act will ensure merit-based admission to our Nation's universities and hold our academic institutions accountable for their actions," continued Congressman Taylor. “American universities exist not to enact woke agendas, but instead to provide a robust education to the students who worked hard to study there.”
“Colleges and universities should admit students based on merit and achievement, not the color of their skin,” said Senator Jim Banks. “Race-based admissions have deepened divisions in our country, but under President Trump’s leadership, we have an opportunity to end racial discrimination in higher education.”
“The Supreme Court made it clear—college admissions should be based on merit, not skin color,” stated Congresswoman Houchin. “The College Admissions Accountability Act ensures that ruling is enforced, and that no institution receiving federal funding can get away with violating the law.”
The College Admissions Accountability Act will establish a special inspector general to enforce the Supreme Court’s ban on racial preferences being used in college admissions processes. This inspector general would be nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the Senate. Universities found guilty of using racial preferences while evaluating college applications would be required to enact corrective measures or be subject to the loss of federal funding.
The full bill text can be viewed here.
Background:
In the 2023 Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard decision, the Supreme Court ruled that race is not an admissible criterion in the college admissions process. Prior to this ruling, many universities used racial preferences when evaluating prospective students to increase diversity on campus to desired levels, often at the expense of applicants’ qualifications.
To ensure compliance with the decision, then-Senator JD Vance (R-OH) initially introduced the College Admissions Accountability Act in the 118th Congress. Congressman Taylor’s bill, which is simply an updated version of then-Senator Vance’s bill, will continue the fight to ensure no student is discredited during the college admissions process due to race.