The historic November midterm elections have rewritten the political landscape in Washington, D.C., setting the stage for Democratic control of both chambers of Congress and a potentially consequential legislative agenda.

The 120th Congress convenes in early January to confront the challenges of governing in a divided government. It is important that the American Bar Association is ready to engage and to have a strong voice at the table on issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice. As a new balance of political power takes shape during President Donald Trump’s final two years in office, the ABA is inviting all members to help set its advocacy priorities for the 120th Congress through the ABA Legislative Priorities Survey.

Participation in the survey is available exclusively to ABA members. By participating in the survey, you have the opportunity to have your voice heard on issues that matter most to the legal profession and the justice system.

The survey opened Nov. 6 and will close on Dec. 4. Most ABA members have received an email with a personalized link to the survey. But any member can access the survey at ambar.org/priorities. Members can also expect an invitation from ABA President Barbara Howard, and the link will be distributed via the ABA’s social media. With a new political landscape taking shape in Washington, the ABA Legislative Priorities Survey will play an important role in ensuring that the association’s advocacy efforts reflect the concerns and priorities of our members.

The 2026 survey has an even more streamlined ranking system than the last priorities survey. Members are being asked first to prioritize issues aligned with the ABA’s current priorities and policies. Members then respond to open-ended questions designed to identify additional policy issues the ABA should consider prioritizing, including those that might require the development of new policies.

The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and your input will be indispensable to informing the ABA’s legislative priority-setting process.

The survey results will be presented to the Board of Governors at the ABA Midyear Meeting in early 2027. The Board will consider ABA member input, along with the following criteria, to determine whether an issue should be made a priority:

• Breadth and strength of the ABA interest
• Importance to the practice of law
• Public perception of the profession
• Opportunity for impact
• Potential for achievement
• Timeliness of issue
• Expertise of lawyers on the issue
• Importance to society
• Importance to the administration of justice

The 120th Congress presents new opportunities for the ABA to advance policies important to our members and our legal profession and to work with policymakers as they contend with issues that could have far-reaching consequences for our nation.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey now. Your input will help strengthen the ABA’s voice in Washington, ensuring that the legal profession’s priorities are heard and its commitment to the rule of law amid the new political realities in Washington, D.C., remain a powerful force in our nation’s capital.