The issue focused on federal criminal laws that prohibit illegal actions by government employees. Law enforcement officials had estimated that there were over 100,000 civil rights violations each year in the United States. In addition to prosecution and lawsuits, law enforcement agencies used administrative sanctions such as financial penalties and legal rulings as tools for reducing unlawful activity. The legislation authorized financial penalties of up to $25,000 per violation and permitted courts to impose attorney's fees against public employees who illegally discriminate on the basis of race or national origin.

