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Release: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Assails Bush Administration Record on
Civil Rights
Press release by the U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights
Washington, DC - October 5, 2004 - In an assessment of the
civil rights record of the Bush administration, the U.S. Commission on
Civil Rights released a draft report that concludes the administration
has failed to exhibit leadership or define a clear focus, relegating
civil rights to a low priority.
The report, Redefining Rights in America-The Civil Rights Record
of the George W. Bush Administration, 2001-2004, analyzes scores of
policy reports, scholarly papers, briefs and executive orders to chart
the administration's responses to a broad spectrum of civil rights
issues. Similar criteria have guided evaluations of previous
administrations, including the civil rights review on former President
Clinton released in 2000.
Some highlights of the report include:
- Voting Rights:
The Bush administration did not provide leadership to ensure timely
passage and swift implementation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)
of 2002. As a result, Congress did not appropriate funds for
election reform until almost two years into the administration.
- Equal Educational
Opportunity: The No Child Left Behind Act
(NCLB) does not sufficiently address unequal education, a major
barrier to closing the achievement gap between minority and white
students.
- Affirmative Action:
Instead of promoting affirmative action in federal contracting and
education, the administration promotes "race neutral alternatives,"
in many instances not applicable and in others not overly effective
at maintaining diversity.
- Environmental Justice:
EPA has taken few actions to ensure disparate impact of minority
communities to environmental contamination.
- Racial Profiling:
The administration responded to the September 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks by instituting regulations that facilitate profiling rather
than prevent it. Immigrants and visitors from Arab and Middle
Eastern countries were subjected to increased scrutiny, including
interviews, registration, and in some cases removal.
For a full draft of the report titled
Redefining Rights in America - The Civil Rights Record of the George W.
Bush Administration, 2001-2004, visit
www.usccr.gov.
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an
independent, bipartisan agency established by Congress in 1957. It is
composed of eight Commissioners: four appointed by the President and
four by Congress. Not more than four members shall at any one time be of
the same political party. It is directed to: Investigate complaints
alleging that citizens are being deprived of their right to vote by
reason of their race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national
origin, or by reason of fraudulent practices; Study and collect
information relating to discrimination or a denial of equal protection
of the laws under the Constitution because of race, color, religion,
sex, age, disability, or national origin, or in the administration of
justice; Appraise federal laws and policies with respect to
discrimination or denial of equal protection of the laws because of
race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin, or in
the administration of justice; Serve as a national clearinghouse for
information in respect to discrimination or denial of equal protection
of the laws because of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or
national origin; Submit reports, findings, and recommendations to the
President and Congress; Issue public service announcements to discourage
discrimination or denial of equal protection of the laws. |
