Some of Harris’ economic proposals geared towards Black men could be unconstitutional, legal analysts argue.
Vice President Kamala Harris released her “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men” this week, but some of her proposals could be considered unconstitutional, according to top legal analysts.
Harris unveiled the five-point plan last week, which includes providing 1 million forgivable loans of up to $20,000 for “Black entrepreneurs and others who have historically faced barriers to starting a new business.” Another proposal includes funding and capital for vocational training “to help expand pathways for Black men to get good-paying jobs.”
Programs that distribute resources based on economic disadvantage and race have lost challenges in court. One example of this involves a nonprofit that provided small business grants to exclusively Black female business owners. Another example includes a federal disaster relief program that gave preference to minority and female farmers.
“A Harris administration would face a significant constitutional challenge in granting these loans on the basis of race”, George Washington law professor Jonathan Turley said.
“It is unconstitutional because eligibility for the money would be determined by race”, added Fox News legal analyst Gregory Jarrett. “Harris’ proposal smacks of blatant vote-buying.”
Dan Fee is an attorney, political consultant and president of the Philadelphia-based Echo Group, a crisis and communications firm that’s represented high profile clients like former Pennsylvania Gov.
