Washington Letter June 2013

Featured Articles

Military & Veterans

Senate committee weighs proposals to help veterans

The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee is weighing legislation aimed at helping veterans through efforts to prevent homelessness, coordinate health services and expand access to legal assistance.

Military & Veterans

Bill would increase role of law school clinic programs in helping veterans

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) introduced legislation May 23 that they say will maximize the role of law school clinics in helping to reduce disability claims backlogs and help decrease the number of homeless veterans.

Election

Follow the Money Act would close campaign finance loopholes

The ABA is supporting legislation introduced in the Senate that would address loopholes in existing federal election campaign law that often leave independent spending exempt from public disclosure.

Civil Rights & Constitution

ABA urges increased protection for child trafficking victims

ABA Governmental Affairs Director Thomas M. Susman expressed the association’s strong support last month for efforts to increase protection of and assistance to victims of human trafficking in the United States.

Employees

ABA seeks clarification for law student intern arrangements

ABA President Laurel G. Bellows sought clarification from the Department of Labor (DOL) last month to ensure that law firms may offer law student interns the opportunity to work on pro bono matters in real-life practice settings.

American Bar Association TM American Bar Association