While many politicians have been able to abuse recent change

[RBBmba@2014]

While many politicians have been able to abuse recent changes in the law, the original spirit of the bill was that it was equally applied to all residents, no matter their socio-economic status.

A. that it was equally applied to all residents, no matter their socio-economic status
B. that it was equally applied to all residents, and their socio-economic status did not matter
C. that it was to be applied equally to all residents, no matter their socio-economic status
D. that it be applied equally to every resident, no matter their socio-economic status
E. that it be equally applied to all residents, no matter their socio-economic status

OA : E

P.S: I'm stuck between C & E. Experts - could you please share your analysis ?

[GMATGuruNY]

P.S: I'm stuck between C & E. Experts - could you please share your analysis ?

C: the original spirit...was that it was
Here, WAS that it WAS is redundant.
Eliminate C.

[RBBmba@2014]

P.S: I'm stuck between C & E. Experts - could you please share your analysis ?

C: the original spirit...was that it was
Here, WAS that it WAS is redundant.
Eliminate C.

Mitch - Had the option C been "the original spirit...was that it is" instead of WAS that it WAS then would it have been any different ? Because as you said in the other thread "A bill is a PROPOSAL for a law", so I think, still C would have been wrong against E. Right ?

[akash singhal]

As, already stated
was that it was ..... is redundant
so cancel A,B,C
Now, D pronoun "their" does not match its antecedent "every resident"in number so D also cancels

Leaving E as the option...

If I am wrong do Explain, further argument is appreciated....

[aflaam]

P.S: I'm stuck between C & E. Experts - could you please share your analysis ?

C: the original spirit...was that it was
Here, WAS that it WAS is redundant.
Eliminate C.

Hello Mitch, dont you think this SC (employing subjunctive ) is not valid in the first place, because their is no wish/desire/command in this SC?

[GMATGuruNY]

P.S: I'm stuck between C & E. Experts - could you please share your analysis ?

C: the original spirit...was that it was
Here, WAS that it WAS is redundant.
Eliminate C.

Hello Mitch, dont you think this SC (employing subjunctive ) is not valid in the first place, because their is no wish/desire/command in this SC?

In the OA, the original spirit of the bill implies the following:
It was the lawmakers' WISH that the law BE APPLIED equally to all residents.
Since the bill was written with this wish, the usage of the subjunctive -- be applied -- is justified.