Catherwood LibraryILR School

Having granted certiorari in a case charging that a Transportation Department policy aimed at assisting women and minorities is in fact reverse discrimination, U.S. Supreme Court justices are at a loss as to how, and even whether, to proceed. The policy in question offers incentives to construction companies owned by women or minorities who feel that they have in the past been victims of a long-standing bias in favor of white, male contractors. The solicitor general of the U.S. and several justices, feel that because this program no longer operates in the complainant's home state, the complainant---who in 1995 won a Supreme Court case that found unconstitutional a previous DOT program---no longer has a case.