Democrats on Thursday condemned the Supreme Courts extremist decision to eliminate affirmative action in education, with some saying that its break from another decades-old precedent is the latest sign that the nations highest court is facing a legitimacy crisis.

In a decision written by Chief Justice John Roberts and backed by the other five conservative justices, the court put an end to systems designed to help minority students access higher education after centuries of racial discrimination. Studies show ending affirmative action policies will disproportionately hurt Black and Latino students.

Todays decision deals a needless blow to Americas promise of equal and fair opportunity, reads a joint statement from Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus chair Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Congressional Black Caucus chair Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) and Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair Nanette Barragn (D-Calif.).

Casting aside decades of precedent, the Courts anti-opportunity majority further undermines its own legitimacy by gutting race-conscious university admissions, which will benefit the wealthy and well-connected most, said the caucus chairs. This extremist Supreme Court does not get to decide our values. We will always fight for diversity and representation in politics, business, culture, and beyond.

Horsford said separately that the court has gone rogue by breaking from a precedent thats been in place since 1978. For more than 40 years, the court has repeatedly held that race-based admissions policies in colleges and universities are consistent with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, he said.

By delivering a decision on affirmative action so radical as to deny young people seeking an education equal opportunity in our education system, the Supreme Court has thrown into question its own legitimacy, Horsford said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the courts ruling a giant roadblock in our countrys march toward racial justice.

The consequences of this decision will be felt immediately and across the country, as students of color will face an admission cycle next year with fewer opportunities to attend the same colleges and universities than their parents and older siblings, the senator said.

Some Black lawmakers said the decision reflects a broader pattern of the court routinely rolling back protections for people in marginalized communities.

For some reason, every time people of color take a step forward, this nation finds a way to make them take three steps back, said Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), who is the ranking member on the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee.

The Supreme Courts decision on affirmative action is unconscionable, out of touch, and a significant setback, she said.

Ending affirmative action in higher educationwhich the Court had already held to be legalwill have devastating impacts on our communities, said Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.). Universities have historically denied Black, brown, and Indigenous people from accessing institutions of higher education.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) had some stronger words, calling the courts decision just the latest in the white supremacist assault on equity in education.