July 2023 Washington Letter

This Month's Articles

Federal Government

Is Biden's Latest Plan to Cancel Student Debt Vulnerable to Legal Challenges?

President Joe Biden’s latest plan to cancel some student debt is based on a different law than the one before the U.S. Supreme Court, when it struck down a loan forgiveness program in June.

Federal Government

In New Admissions Cycle, Law Schools are Trying to Avoid 'Litigation Bait' with Race-Neutral Plans

After last month’s U.S. Supreme Court opinion that found race-conscious university admissions decisions to be unconstitutional, the clock is ticking for law schools determining what to do when the new applications cycle begins in September.

Government

In 'Stunning Development,' Supreme Court Rules Alabama Election Map Violates Voting Rights Act

The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a congressional voting map that dilutes Black voting strength in Alabama, stating that it would “decline to recast” its caselaw as urged by the state.

Federal Government

SCOTUS Ruling on Indian Child Welfare Act is Win for Native Americans, but Key Issues Remain Unresolved

The United States has a long and despicable history of removing Native American children from their families. As Justice Neil Gorsuch observed, “there was mass removal of Indian children from their families during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

Advocate of the Month

We are pleased to honor Eric Drogin as our Advocate of the Month for July 2023 for his work on issues at the intersection of mental health and the law. Eric serves on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, where he currently teaches courses in trial consultation, psychiatric jurisprudence, and professional ethics. He is an incoming Commissioner for the ABA Commission on Law and Aging, and is the Chair of the ABA Senior Lawyers Division Center for Excellence in Elder Law and Dementia, having recently completed a second term as Chair of the ABA Science and Technology Law Section. When not practicing law, teaching, or volunteering his time with the ABA, you can find Eric recalling wistfully that in his salad days he was once considered the loudest electric bassist in New England.

Legislative Research Tip

Legislative Collections in Congress.gov Congress.gov recently expanded its legislative collection to include records of bills for every public law from 1951 to 1981. Full text of all bills and resolutions from 1989 to the present is also available, along with a historical collection of bills from 1799 to 1873. To find these materials on Congress.gov, search the legislative collection by year or policy area, and see full coverage dates for all collections.

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July 2023 Washington Letter

2023 Supreme Court Opinions and Dissents

This Month's Articles

Is Biden's Latest Plan to Cancel Student Debt Vulnerable to Legal Challenges?

In New Admissions Cycle, Law Schools are Trying to Avoid 'Litigation Bait' with Race-Neutral Plans

In 'Stunning Development,' Supreme Court Rules Alabama Election Map Violates Voting Rights Act

SCOTUS Ruling on Indian Child Welfare Act is Win for Native Americans, but Key Issues Remain Unresolved

Advocate of the Month

Legislative Research Tip

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Renew Your ABA Membership

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July 2023 Washington Letter

2023 Supreme Court Opinions and Dissents

This Month's Articles

Is Biden's Latest Plan to Cancel Student Debt Vulnerable to Legal Challenges?

In New Admissions Cycle, Law Schools are Trying to Avoid 'Litigation Bait' with Race-Neutral Plans

In 'Stunning Development,' Supreme Court Rules Alabama Election Map Violates Voting Rights Act

SCOTUS Ruling on Indian Child Welfare Act is Win for Native Americans, but Key Issues Remain Unresolved

Advocate of the Month

Legislative Research Tip

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