Washington Letter November 2013

Featured Articles

Federal Government

Senate votes change in filibuster rules

The Senate invoked the “nuclear option” Nov. 21 and voted 52-48 to change Senate rules to provide that a simple majority of 51 votes, rather the current 60, will be required to invoke cloture to end filibusters of executive and judicial nominees, with the exception of nominees to the Supreme Court.

Disability

ABA supports ratification of U.N. disabilities treaty

ABA President James R. Silkenat urged the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this month to favorably report the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), a treaty that he said “would send a clear message to the world of our support for the human rights principles of the treaty, as well as our role in the world as a leader for the rights of people with disabilities.”

LGBTQ Legal Issues

Employment non-discrimination bill passes Senate

The Senate took a major step last month when it passed a bill Nov. 7 to bar employers from discriminating against their employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Courts & Judiciary

ABA says judicial shortages impacting federal courts

The ABA told the House Judiciary Committee last month that “the combination of too few judges and insufficient funding is diminishing the ability of the federal courts to serve the people and deliver timely justice.”

Federal Government

ABA urges use of plain language in regulations

The ABA urged Congress this month to enact legislation that would require the use of plain language for all new and substantially revised federal regulations in accordance with guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget under the Plain Writing Act of 2010.

Federal Government

House passes adoption incentives legislation

The House passed legislation Oct. 22 to reauthorize and expand the Adoption Incentives Program that incorporates recommendations from the ABA to continue the Family Connection Grants program supporting efforts to reconnect children in foster care with their families.

Corporate Taxation

New ABA policy opposes burdensome tax proposal

The ABA Board of Governors adopted a resolution Nov. 16 that opposes proposed legislation in Congress that would require all law firms and other personal service businesses with annual gross receipts over $10 million to use the accrual method of accounting rather than the traditional cash receipts and disbursement method.

National Security

PHOTO: 23rd Annual National Security Law Review held in Washington

National security experts convened Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2013 in Washington, D.C., for the 23rd Annual Review of the Field of National Security Law.

American Bar Association TM American Bar Association

Washington Letter November 2013

ABA president urges approval of Guantanamo transfer provisions

Featured Articles

Senate votes change in filibuster rules

ABA supports ratification of U.N. disabilities treaty

Employment non-discrimination bill passes Senate

ABA says judicial shortages impacting federal courts

ABA urges use of plain language in regulations

House passes adoption incentives legislation

New ABA policy opposes burdensome tax proposal

PHOTO: 23rd Annual National Security Law Review held in Washington