Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to Herbert H. Lindsey, January 5, 1998

ROBERT L. EHRLICH. JR. Congress ot tfjc (Unites States Stotise ot fcepresentattoes Mlasfiington, ЭС 20515-2002 January 5, 1998 Mr. Herbert H. Lindsey Conference President NAACP 35 Beyda Court Baltimore, Maryland 21236-3002 Dear Mr. Lindsey: Thank you for conveying to me your support for affirmative action programs, as well as your opposition to H. R. 1909, the Civil Rights Act of 1997, sponsored by Congressman Charles Canady (R-FL). Your viewpoint is important to me. While every citizen in our country deserves equal opportunity, the United States needs a new affirmative action framework. Even the Clinton Administration is aware we need to replace quota-based propositions with a mechanism reasonably related to national socio-economic conditions and needs. Congress must ensure that benefits originally intended by affirmative action are targeted to those who demonstrably need or deserve special assistance, and not provided solely on the basis of race or gender. Affirmative action programs pervade almost every aspect of the operations of the federal government. There are at least 1 60 laws and regulations on affirmative action, and this does not include the hundreds of similar affirmative action programs in place in the states. My concern is the federal government’s role in ensuring equal opportunity for all. In my view, the real problem occurs when affirmative action programs go the extra step beyond diversity to actually determine outcome. Many affirmative action plans are merely racial set-asides and quotas. I oppose hiring, firing, or promoting done on the basis of a race- or gender-based quota — equal opportunity is one of America’s most appealing and significant ideals. In a world where so many countries are tom apart by extreme divisions, we simply cannot justify practices whereby decisions and preferences are based on race or gender. With respect to H. R. 1909, the House Judiciary Committee tabled this legislation by a vote of 17-9 on November 6, 1997. This legislation will likely undergo revisions in the coming months as supporters and opponents of affirmative action programs try to work out their differences. I will keep your views in mind as H. R. 1909 progresses through the legislative process. Thank you again for your thoughtful and responsible remarks on this issue. Please contact me again if I may be of assistance. Very truly yours, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress