California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed the admissions preference bill that would have allowed schools to grant special consideration to descendants of slavery during admissions decisions. Newsom described the bill as “unnecessary,” emphasizing that educational institutions already possess the authority to adopt such preferences on their own accord.
Governor Newsom’s Reasoning for the Veto
In his veto statement, Newsom noted that the bill was redundant because the schools referenced already have the power to determine admissions preferences. He encouraged these institutions to review and decide independently if and how they might implement preferences for descendants of slavery. Newsom added, “For this reason, I cannot sign this bill.”
The governor’s decision was informed by concerns over legal constraints, including California’s Proposition 209, which prohibits public universities from considering race in admissions, and a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that banned race-based affirmative action.
Legislative and Public Reactions
The bill had passed the California Assembly with a 55-18 vote and the Senate 30-10, reflecting strong legislative support. It was backed by groups such as the University of California Student Association and the California Faculty Association. However, its author, Democratic Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, expressed deep disappointment, stating the veto was “more than disappointing” amid ongoing challenges to diversity and inclusivity in higher education.
Bryan stressed the importance of protecting students descended from legacies of harm and exclusion, especially in a political climate where affirmative action faces increasing setbacks.
While this admissions preference bill was vetoed, California has taken other steps toward addressing the legacy of slavery, such as creating a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery to administer reparations, an initiative also approved by Newsom earlier in 2025.