Section 103 of the Federal Public Works Employment Act establishes the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program and requires that, absent a waiver by the secretary of commerce, 10 percent of all federal grants given by the Economic Development Administration be used to purchase services or supplies from businesses owned and controlled by U.S. citizens belonging to one of six minority groups:
African American, Spanish-speaking, Oriental, Native American, Eskimo, and Aleut. White owners of businesses contend the Act constitutes illegal reverse discrimination. Discuss.