1985
Efforts by some in the Reagan administration to
repeal Executive Order 11246 were thwarted by
defenders of affirmative action, including other
Reagan administration officials, members of Congress
from both parties, civil-rights organizations and
corporate leaders.
1986
The Supreme Court in Local 128 of the Sheet Metal
Workers' International Association v. EEOC, 478 U.S.
421 (1986) upheld a judicially-ordered 29 percent
minority "membership admission goal" for a union
that had intentionally discriminated against
minorities, confirming that courts may order
race-conscious relief to correct and prevent future
discrimination.
1987
The Supreme Court ruled in Johnson v. transportation
Agency, Santa Clara County, Calif., 480 U.S. 616
(1987) that a severe under representation of women
and minorities justified the use of race or sex as
"one factor" in choosing among qualified candidates.
1989
The Supreme Court in City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson
Co., 488 U.S. 469 (1989) struck down Richmond's
minority contracting program as unconstitutional,
requiring that a state or local affirmative-action
program be supported by a "compelling interest" and
be narrowly tailored to ensure that the program
furthers that interest.
1994
In Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena, 513 U.S. 1012
(1994) the supreme Court held that a state or local
affirmative-action program remains constitutional
when narrowly tailored to accomplish a compelling
government interest such as remedying
discrimination.
1995
President Bill Clinton reviewed all
affirmative-action guidelines by federal agencies
and declared his support for affirmative-action
programs by announcing the administration's policy
of "mend it, don't end it."
1995
Senator Robert Dole Representative Charles Canady
introduced the so-called Equal Opportunity Act in
Congress. The act would prohibit race or gender
based affirmative action in all federal programs.