Report from Governmental Affairs

Guide helps state and local bars carry out effective lobbying campaigns

The “nuts and bolts” guide, which may be downloaded at no charge from the advocacy page on the ABA’s website offers tips for dealing with lobbying disclosure laws, political action committees and the nuances of lobbying at the federal and state levels.

Jan 1, 2017 12:40 AM CST

ABA supports efforts in Congress to bolster legal services for homeless veterans

At first blush, legal assistance might not appear to be one of the most pressing needs facing veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. But like so many first impressions, that one is wrong.

Dec 1, 2016 1:00 AM CST

Federal legislation aims to help students who are homeless or living in foster care

In the past, legislative efforts to improve the quality of elementary and secondary education generally overlooked the unique needs of children who are homeless or living in foster care.

Nov 1, 2016 12:40 AM CDT

Internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II offers cautionary message

The internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II offers a cautionary message for current political debates

Sep 1, 2016 12:50 AM CDT

Bank account disclosure rule now incorporates ABA proposals to protect client confidentiality

Requiring law firms to disclose the identities of clients and when establishing trust accounts would be inconsistent with ABA Model Rule 1.6.

Aug 1, 2016 12:50 AM CDT

Record number of bar leaders participated in this year’s ABA Day lobbying event

The 20th annual ABA Day in Washington, the association's major grassroots lobbying event coordinated each year by the Governmental Affairs Office, brought a record number of state and local bar leaders to the nation's capital April 19-21 to meet with members of Congress on issues of importance to the legal profession and the justice system.

Jul 1, 2016 1:00 AM CDT

ABA says the reauthorized Older Americans Act will give nation’s seniors a stronger safety net

A bipartisan effort paid off this spring when Congress reauthorized the Older Americans Act of 1965. The action means that the act will more effectively respond to the needs of a population of seniors that is both growing in numbers and becoming increasingly independent.

Jun 1, 2016 12:50 AM CDT

SCOTUS nominees get thorough review by ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary

The unexpected death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on Feb. 13 triggered a wave of eulogies from throughout the legal profession and the political community. But the sudden vacancy on the nation's highest court also meant that the 15 members of the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary would have a lot more work to do in the coming months.

May 1, 2016 12:45 AM CDT

ABA applauds a new FCC rule seeking to hold down telephone rates charged to prison inmates

At the urging of the ABA and numerous advocacy groups, the Federal Communications Commission has taken steps to bring down the rates and fees charged to inmates for making telephone calls from prisons and jails in the United States. Inmates rely on prison phone services to maintain contact with their loved ones.

Jan 1, 2016 1:00 AM CST

Bipartisan collaboration in the Senate increases chances for a major criminal justice reform act

A rare showing of bipartisanship in Congress led to a breakthrough this fall when Senate Republicans and Democrats collaborated to produce legislation that would make significant reforms to the nation’s criminal justice system. The ABA is a longtime advocate for the actions set forth in the legislation. Unveiled by its…

Dec 1, 2015 1:10 AM CST

Congress should bolster jurisdiction of tribal courts over violence against children, ABA urges

The ABA is urging Congress to follow the recommendations of recent reports by the U.S. Justice Department and the Indian Law and Order Commission that call for giving American Indian and Alaska Native tribes more authority to exercise criminal jurisdiction and apply their own remedies in cases that occur on tribal lands, especially when they involve children.

Nov 1, 2015 12:40 AM CDT

Reauthorization bill seeks to update a key juvenile justice law after more than 10 years

A bipartisan effort is underway in Congress to reauthorize the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, a 1974 law that provides crucial support for programs aimed at preventing juvenile delinquency. In the view of the ABA, it's time for an update, which hasn't occurred in more than a decade.

Sep 1, 2015 7:00 AM CDT

ABA cites health and well-being of asylum-seeking mothers and children

The ABA is urging the Department of Homeland Security to abandon current policies that the association maintains have resulted in unprecedented levels of immigration detention, including a return to the “failed practice of family detention.” The DHS, which ended immigration detention of families in 2009 except in exceptional circumstances, is…

Aug 1, 2015 12:35 AM CDT

ABA Day in Washington lobbying event focused on LSC funding, juvenile justice and sentencing reform

Lobbying on Capitol Hill is an ongoing mission of the ABA, but every spring, ABA Day in Washington puts an exclamation point on those efforts by bringing bar leaders together to make a focused pitch to members of Congress on key issues relating to the justice system. This year’s ABA…

Jul 1, 2015 1:40 AM CDT

ABA joins medical organizations in advocating steps to curb gun violence

The policy recommendations are contained in a document issued Feb. 27, Firearm-Related Injury and Death in the United States: A Call to Action from Eight Health Professional Organizations and the American Bar Association (PDF). “The ABA has joined with eight national health care organizations to address the public health crisis…

Jun 1, 2015 1:30 AM CDT