Page 23 - Affirmative Action Program News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Appeals court for review. the court ruled that schools can use race as a factor in admissions but only if, quote, no workable race neutral alternatives would produce the educational benefits of diversity. fisher said, quote, i'm grateful for the justices moving the nation closer to be the day when a student's race isn't used at all in college admissions. nbc news justice correspondent pete williams is at the supreme court. pete, we're looking at the impact of this, not just with public universities but perhaps eventually with private universities. >> well, in the short term, the university of ...

Can help you do what you do... even better. ♪ well, we're expecting a number of big decisions this week from the supreme court, but today the court passed on a chance to decide the constitutionality of affirmative action itself by a vote of 7-1. the court said it challenged an affirmative action program at the university of texas back to a lower court, ducking the big question whether affirmative action itself is constitutional, and disappointing the obama administration and other supporters who wanted to see it upheld. we'll be right back. my insurance rates are probably gonna double.

And justice kagan has recused herself. it will be a case decided by eight justices. >> so that means they could tie. >> they could tie. if they tie, it would be good news for the school. because it would uphold the lower court decision that said this affirmative action program was okay. but kagan is coming from the wrong side of the ledger. likely voted for the school. once again, as you know, all eyes are on our swing voter, and justice kennedy could decide the issue. >> we'll see. when they see very soon. and you will stick around in case a decision is made. a ruling is made. jonathan turley...

Nationwide. nationwide would be the broadest possible ruling, but as you point out, 38 states by law or constitutional amendment don't allow it. will the court buck that trend or not. we don't know, we will have to see. for early indications, no. >> no. and pete, also what you have been watching in d.c., the court announcing it would take on a new case involving affirmative action. what do you hear on that? >> affirmative action and school admissions, kind of a surprise. there was affirmative action case from university of texas we're still waiting for decision on, it was argued in october. no...

Ceiling raises during the summer. the debt ceiling is a -- >> don't say that to me. we forgot about the summer. >> but this is just inside washington stuff. people outside aren't really watching them. let's look at the markets. the dow is up 20 points today. just gone above 14,000. any time anything happens in washington in my experience, which is 25 years now. when the markets step in. >> that's what happened with the fiscal cliff deal. that's why the republicans came to the table with anything. >> while the markets are calm, i don't believe anything is going to happen, to be honest. >> i am ...