April 2, 2025
ABA Calls for Funding of Migrant Legal Services Programs in FY 2026
Governmental and Legislative Work
The Governmental Affairs Office (GAO) serves as the focal point for the Association's advocacy efforts before Congress, the Executive Branch and other governmental entities on diverse issues of importance to the legal profession.
What's New in Washington
Read the most up-to-date ABA actions, including letters and testimony to Congress and the Administration.
ABA Priorities
The ABA Board of Governors applies the following nine criteria to determine whether an issue should be made a Priority: breadth and strength of 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; and importance to the administration of justice.
Letters and Testimony
The ABA corresponds with Members of Congress, the Executive Branch and other governmental bodies and testifies before Congress on matters of importance to the administration of justice and the legal profession. These letters and written statements convey the ABA's official policy on a wide variety of issues. They also provide detailed explanations of the ABA's position on pending legislation.
ABA Policy
The ABA House of Delegates (House) establishes Association policy. This policy-making body is comprised of approximately 550 delegates who represent various groups within the ABA and legal profession as a whole. The GAO’s Legislative Issues List summarizes all current legislative and governmental policies of the ABA.
Washington Letter
The ABA Washington Letter is a monthly publication produced by the Governmental Affairs Office to report and analyze congressional and executive branch action on legislative issues of interest to the ABA and the legal profession. The newsletter highlights ABA involvement in the federal legislative process and focuses on the association's legislative and governmental priorities and other issues on which the ABA has policy.
Contact Us
Questions about legislation or policy? Find the right legislative counsel for your issue on our contact page.