Reading Room Document

Whether it would be appropriate to protect from discrimination on account of race, color or national origin the contractors and subcontractors on Federal‐aid highway projects and those who seek to obtain such contracts and subcontracts

This opinion advised the Bureau of Public Roads that it could issue regulations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibiting racial discrimination in Federal-aid highway projects. Although the OLC noted that it was hesitant to conclude that contractors and subcontractors fell within the protections of Title VI, it approved the Bureau’s proposed regulations because it discerned Congressional “interest” in procurement practices with respect to the Federal-aid highway system expressed in other statutes.

September 16, 1964