One Fell Swoop: Lawsuit Eyes Death Blow To Racial Preferences

The article discusses the lawsuit *Revier v. Loeffler*, challenging racial preferences in federal programs, spurred by the Supreme Court's ruling against racial preferences in college admissions. The lawsuit targets regulations that allocate billions in government awards based on race, mainly through "Small Disadvantaged Business" contracts. The Small Business Administration's (SBA) definition of disadvantage, widely adopted by agencies, is central to the legal challenge. The Biden administration has increased contracts for such businesses, exceeding the statutory goal. The SBA's 8(a) program, which provides preferential access to minority-owned businesses, is also scrutinized. This program has faced allegations of fraud and abuse, leading to investigations. The lawsuit claims discrimination against non-minority businesses due to the SBA's definition of social disadvantage. The plaintiffs argue they were denied equal opportunity in federal programs due to racial criteria, violating their constitutional rights. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the SBA's regulations, potentially impacting numerous federal programs relying on them. The outcome of the case could prevent future administrations from reinstating similar preferential rules. Ultimately, the courts are beginning to dismantle long-standing racial preference regulations.