July 2018 Washington Letter

This Month's Articles

Administrative Law

President announces new process for selecting ALJs

President Trump signed an executive order July 10 that replaces the current competitive selection process for administrative law judges (ALJs) at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) with a system providing for the appointment of ALJs by the president and federal agency heads.

Patents

USPTO issues 10 millionth patent

The ABA’s Intellectual Property Law Section cosponsored a reception June 19 to celebrate the issuing of U.S. Patent Number 10 million by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Government Benefits

Senate preserves core of SNAP program in its farm bill

The Senate passed its version of the farm bill June 28 without including controversial new work requirements like those in the House bill for those who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Immigration

Trump travel ban upheld by Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on June 26 that President Trump’s third attempt to ban travel to the United States from six Muslim-majority countries, North Korea and Venezuela is constitutional despite the president’s statements that he intended to institute a ban on Muslims.

Disability

Marrakesh Treaty approved by Senate for U.S. ratification

Blind and visually impaired individuals are now closer to greater access to literary works and printed music after the Senate gave its advice and consent June 29 to U.S. ratification of an ABA-supported treaty and accompanying implementation legislation.

Diversity & Inclusion

ABA commemorates LGBTQ Pride Month

The ABA commemorated LGBTQ Pride Month and Loving Day in June with a special event featuring former U.S Solicitor General and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher partner Ted Olson.

Courts & Judiciary

ABA recommends steps to help judiciary maintain excellence

Expressing the association’s views last month on judgeship needs for the federal judiciary, the ABA offered several steps that Congress could take to help the judiciary maintain its excellence short of enacting a comprehensive judgeship bill.

Washington News Briefs

Criminal

Gay and Trans Panic Defense

S. 3188, introduced July 10 by Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), would prohibit the use of “gay panic” and “trans panic” legal defenses, which the ABA considers to be remnants of a by-gone era when legalized discrimination and widespread hostility toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals was the norm.

Immigration

A fiscal year 2019 funding bill approved July 11 by the House Appropriations Committee includes language addressing the separation of families at the southern U.S. border that resulted from the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy.

Death Penalty

Pennsylvania Capital Punishment

ABA President Hilarie Bass this month applauded the release of Capital Punishment in Pennsylvania, a report of the Task Force and Advisory Committee of the Joint State Government Commission.

Renew Your ABA Membership

July 2018 Washington Letter

President nominates Judge Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Kennedy on Supreme Court

This Month's Articles

President announces new process for selecting ALJs

USPTO issues 10 millionth patent

Senate preserves core of SNAP program in its farm bill

Trump travel ban upheld by Supreme Court

Marrakesh Treaty approved by Senate for U.S. ratification

ABA commemorates LGBTQ Pride Month

ABA recommends steps to help judiciary maintain excellence

Washington News Briefs

Gay and Trans Panic Defense

Immigration

Pennsylvania Capital Punishment

Regular Features

Legislative Boxscore

Judicial Vacancies

ABA Resources

The ABA

Connect

Renew Your ABA Membership

American Bar Association TM American Bar Association

July 2018 Washington Letter

President nominates Judge Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Kennedy on Supreme Court

This Month's Articles

President announces new process for selecting ALJs

USPTO issues 10 millionth patent

Senate preserves core of SNAP program in its farm bill

Trump travel ban upheld by Supreme Court

Marrakesh Treaty approved by Senate for U.S. ratification

ABA commemorates LGBTQ Pride Month

ABA recommends steps to help judiciary maintain excellence

Washington News Briefs

Gay and Trans Panic Defense

Immigration

Pennsylvania Capital Punishment

Regular Features

Legislative Boxscore

Judicial Vacancies

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