Chris owns a construction company. He loses out on a contract that the city awards to a competitor, which has an African American owner. Chris is white, and he argues that his city's affirmative action policy that applies to the awarding of government contracts prevented him from winning the contract. If Chris challenges the affirmative action policy under the 14th Amendment, a court will apply to his claim. If the city wishes to defend its policy, it will need to demonstrate that it advances a(n) government interest.