PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 3, 1995
Act to End Unfair Preferential Treatment - Amends Federal law relating to the judiciary and judicial procedure to create a new chapter on civil liberties. Prohibits any Federal agent or agency, with respect to providing public employment, public contracting, or Federal benefits and notwithstanding title VII (Equal Employment Opportunities) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title IX (Prohibition of Sex Discrimination) of the Education Amendments of 1972, provisions of the Small Business Act relating to awards or contracts, or any other provision of law, from using race, color, gender, ethnicity, or national origin: (1) to discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to any individual or group; or (2) in a manner that has the effect of requiring that employment positions be allocated among individuals or groups. Prohibits interpreting this Act as: (1) prohibiting reasonably necessary classifications based on gender; (2) affecting existing court orders or consent decrees; or (3) forbidding a court to order relief for past discrimination.
People & committees
Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC] · R–NC
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3471-3476)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.497 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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Examine S.497 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.497 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.