ACLJ • American Center for Law & Justice

10.12.09 - Office of Legal Counsel Nominee
Not long ago, Attorney General Eric Holder told reporters that Dawn Johnsen’s nomination has been pending for "far too long."

09.28.09 - A Push for Judgeships
Despite years of slow-walking well-qualified nominees that President George W. Bush made to the federal bench, Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is now pushing for scores of new federal judgeships to be created.

06.19.09 - The Fight for Freedom in Iran
As hundreds of thousands of Iranians took to the streets to peacefully protest the handling of the recent elections in their country, many expected President Obama to send them words of encouragement - to send the message that America stands with those who desire a free and fair election – and who are being denied that right.

06.05.09 - The Judicial Spotlight
Much of the debate in Washington right now centers on judges. Of course, most of the attention is focused on the pending nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. At the same time, nominees to federal courts are also moving forward.

05.27.09 - The Nominee
The scrutiny now begins over the record and judicial philosophy of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court of the United States.

05.26.09 - Focus on Israel
It’s been a busy week of work on the international front. The ACLJ and its international affiliate have been active on the international scene - including focusing on Israel.

04.22.09 - Hate Crimes Spells Trouble for Pastors
There is troubling news coming out of the House Judiciary Committee, and it poses a threat to the free speech rights of our pastors and clergy.

03.24.09 - Troubling Action by Obama Administration
It would be reasonable to conclude that the current economic conditions in the United States would create a nearly singular focus in Washington, D.C. However, that has not been the case.

02.26.09 - Broadcaster Freedom Win in Senate
The U.S. Senate today scored a major victory for broadcaster freedom when an amendment passed that prohibits the FCC from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine.

02.04.09 - This is Economic Stimulus?
We know that this Administration and Congress seem interested in adopting a new 'spending' priority.

01.22.09 - A Presidential Pro-Abortion Push
President Obama is poised to issue a very damaging Executive Order that will repeal an important pro-life measure that has barred the use of federal funds by non-governmental agencies abroad for abortions and abortion counseling.

01.21.09 - Troubling Change in Washington
If there was any doubt about how aggressively the new President would move to implement his agenda on social and family issues, it has vanished on the first full day of his Administration.

01.15.09 - New Pro-Life Legislation
With the start of a new Congress, there will be special focus on the issue of abortion and protecting human life.

01.06.09 - Senate Showdowns
As the 111th Congress gets underway, there is special focus on the Senate, where two controversial scenarios are unfolding involving Senate seats in Minnesota and Illinois.

11.17.08 - An Obama Administration & Keeping an Eye on the U.N.
A new Administration means change and at the American Center for Law and Justice, we're closely examining what's at stake as President-elect Obama begins to govern. At the same time, we're monitoring developments at the United Nations, where an anti-Christian resolution is up for a vote.

09.10.08 - Congress Returns for Brief Session
Congress returns to work with little time available to tackle some key issues - including appropriations, judicial nominees, and the return of the Fairness Doctrine.

07.14.08 - Progress on the Broadcaster Freedom Act
There is important progress being made in Congress to keep the troubling Fairness Doctrine from being reenacted. We're gaining ground, but the battle is not over.

06.25.08 - Update: Judicial Nominees
There's been additional movement in the area of confirming judicial nominees, but we still face an uphill battle on this issue.

06.12.08 - The Broadcaster Freedom Act
There’s a renewed push on Capitol Hill to pass legislation that would keep the troubling Fairness Doctrine from being reinstated. As you recall, the FCC thankfully discarded the Fairness Doctrine in 1985 – a regulatory measure that required all broadcasters to present opposing views on controversial political issues.

05.28.08 - Judicial Nominees & Supreme Court
The ACLJ Office of Governmental Affairs continues to work on key issues on Capitol Hill - including judicial nominees and protecting children from indecent programming.

04.30.08 - Senate Finger-Pointing Over Judicial Nominees
There's more finger-pointing in the battle to get President Bush's judicial nominees timely hearings and votes in the U.S. Senate.

02.29.08 - Judges & FISA
Judicial nominations and national security - two of the most critical issues we are focusing on right now on Capitol Hill.

02.07.08 - Judicial Nominees Still Stalled
It may be a political year with the presidential race capturing most of the attention - but let's not forget about the very important issue of judicial nominees. Unfortunately, some very well qualified nominees still remain in limbo - the nominations languishing without any action in the Senate.

01.16.08 - Abortion Funding, Judicial Nominees & Protecting the Pledge
As Congress returns from its recess, our legislative team in Washington is focusing on a variety of issues from abortion funding to judicial nominees. At the same time, the ACLJ is responding to a new legal challenge to the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

12.03.07 - Big Challenges Ahead in Congress
With limited time remaining in the fall session of Congress, we're focused on a variety of issues still before lawmakers.

11.12.07 - New Attorney General & Planned Parenthood
On Capitol Hill, the ACLJ continues to work on a variety of issues - including the ongoing push to confirm nominees to the federal judiciary and Congressional efforts to strip Planned Parenthood of taxpayer funds.

10.03.07 - An Active Autumn
On the legal and legislative front in Washington, D.C. - it will be a busy fall - from preparing filings for the U.S. Supreme Court to take critical cases involving the Ten Commandments to pushing for a vote by the Senate on judicial nominees.

10.01.07 - Supreme Court of the United States Opens Its 2007 Term
Read a summary of what the United States Supreme Court will address during this fall.

07.16.07 - Senate Obstructionists Target Another Judicial Nominee
One of the most important duties tasked to the President of the United States is nominating judges to sit on the federal courts. As you know, the judicial confirmation process has been tainted by political obstructionists for some time now. And, now, they are at it again.

07.09.07 - Washington Update - Protecting Life
On the Congressional front, once again the issue of protecting human life is front and center as Congress returns and legislative efforts intensify.

06.12.07 - Planned Parenthood Funding
Efforts intensify on Capitol Hill to increase Title X funding which would likely result in more taxpayer funds going to Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider.

06.04.07 - More Taxpayer Funds For Planned Parenthood?
A showdown in a House subcommittee looms this week. The issue: should Planned Parenthood get more taxpayer funds?

05.29.07 - Key Legislative Concerns
With the new Democrat leadership in both the House and Senate, it's been a very busy time on Capitol Hill. The ACLJ legal team and Government Affairs office is busy tracking a number of key legislative issues.

04.19.07 - Legislative Update
There's important developments on key legislation on Capitol Hill -- including stem cell research, hate crime legislation, lobbying reform, and the Fairness Doctrine.

03.22.07 - Stem Cell Debate
There's dangerous legislation that represents a direct assault on human life making some headway in Congress.

02.19.07 - Fairness Doctrine - Alive Again?
As we’ve been reporting to you, there is growing momentum in Congress to reinstate the so-called The “Fairness Doctrine” - a troubling law was repealed 1987. But now, there's a movement afoot in Congress to bring back this dangerous policy which essentially gives the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the authority to mandate equal airtime on controversial matters and creating serious constitutional problems for free speech.

02.13.07 - Lobbying Reform - A Lot at Stake in the House
There is plenty of activity on Capitol Hill and the focal point for the ACLJ once again is the issue of lobbying reform - and efforts underway in the House to reclassify organizations that speak out on the critical issues of the day - putting them under government regulation.

12.20.06 - Update on Military Chaplains & Prayer
With 2006 drawing to a close, there is some good news to report from Washington, D.C. regarding an issue we have been working on for quite some time at the ACLJ - the issue of protecting the free speech of military chaplains to pray according to their own faith. It's an important victory - but there are still new challenges ahead in this area in 2007.

12.07.06 - Pro-Life Measure Fails in House Vote
An important bill that would have required abortionists to inform women that abortion causes pain in the unborn child failed to clear the U.S. House of Representatives.

12.05.06 - Legislation for the Unborn
It will be a short session before Congress adjourns leaving little time to address some of the key Congressional issues still being debated - including the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act.

11.13.06 - The New Congress
With Democrats now in control in both the House and Senate, the focus right now is on the leadership positions in both chambers of Congress.

10.26.06 - President Signs Border Fence Bill
At a White House ceremony this morning, President Bush signed into law a bill authorizing 700 miles of fencing along the U.S. - Mexico border. President Bush called the measure "an important step in our nation's efforts to secure our borders."

10.25.06 - President to Sign Border Fence Legislation
President Bush is expected to sign a bill on Thursday of this week to build 700 miles of fencing along the US-Mexico border.

10.09.06 - A Fence for the Border
It's the first step toward creating a 700-mile fence line along the U.S. - Mexico border. President Bush signed a key appropriations bill that begins this process.

10.04.06 - Flurry of Legislative Activity as Congress Heads Home
As Congress brings an end to its current term to return to home districts for the election cycle, an update on some of the key pieces of legislation that ACLJ has been following closely on Capitol Hill.

10.02.06 - Prayer for Military Chaplains
It now appears the stage is set for a continuing debate on the issue of military chaplains and the issue of prayer. In the closing hours of the Congressioal term, a small victory to report on this issue and a preview of the work that still needs to be done.

09.25.06 - Legislative Update
As Congress moves into its last week of its legislative session, the calendar is surprisingly full. On the Senate side, the military chaplain issue is still front and center - a provision tied to the Defense Authorization Bill.

09.21.06 - Sen. Warner's Plan for Military Chaplains
As the military chaplain measure is debate in Congress, Senator John Warner of Virginia is making a push to put-off the measure until next year.

09.19.06 - Military Chaplains Tied to Defense Authorization Bill
Time is running out and the issue of protecting prayer for military chaplains is front and center on Capitol Hill.

09.05.06 - Congress Returns to Face Judicial Nominees & Critical Legislation
It will be a short - but important session as Congress returns to Washington with just 19 days left on the legislative calendar for this Congress. Senate leadership has put together an aggressive agenda before the session ends later this month. Judicial nominations will move through committee and we're hopeful that several nominees will go to the Senate floor for an up-or-down vote.

08.07.06 - Legislative Update From Capitol Hill
Congress heads home - but not before taking action to protect the Mt. Soledad war memorial cross in San Diego.

07.19.06 - Mt. Soledad Vistory on Capitol Hill
There was an important legislative victory in Congress to keep the Mt. Soledad cross in San Diego. The House passed a bill that would transfer the land beneath San Diego's Mount Soledad cross to the federal government.

07.18.06 - Stem Cell Veto & Saving Mt. Soledad Cross
As Congress approaches its summer recess, there are numerous legislative items that are of great importance - including the battle over stem cell legislation, legislation protecting kids, judicial nominees, and legislation to save the Mt. Soledad cross in San Diego.

06.28.06 - DC Update
We're going to continue to see a push for good, conservative bills this summer. One of those that certainly is interesting is the bill introduced by Senator John Ensign of Nevada that seeks to split up the 9th Circuit. S. 1845 (titled The Circuit Court of Appeals Restructuring and Modernization Act of 2005).

06.19.06 - DC Update
As we head towards the July 4th recess, Republican leadership is determined to get both Republicans and Democrats on record on hot button issues like the War in Iraq, the Flag Amendment and the Death Tax.

06.02.06 - DC Update
Before leaving for a 2 week recess, Congress ended its session with a flurry of action. In the House, Chairman Duncan Hunter worked closely with Congressman Todd Akin of Missouri to protect language in the defense authorization bill that would enable chaplains to pray according to the dictates of their consciences.

05.02.06 - Update From Capitol Hill
May and June look to be big months in Washington as members of the House and Senate seek to get a leg up on the 2006 elections. And, as seems to be the case as of late, a lot of the action focuses on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

03.21.06 - Legislative Update from Capitol Hill
It's a critical time on Capitol Hill regarding a number of issues including immigration and border security, the free speech rights of pastors, and the ongoing questions surrounding the dangers of the abortion-producing drug RU-486.

03.15.06 - Pro-Life Legislation in Congress
In tracking a number of key pieces of legislation in Congress, Jay focuses on several important bills designed to protect human life. Stay tuned for upcoming broadcasts of Jay's weekly television program, ACLJ This Week, for discussions on these critical topics.

02.27.06 - The Supreme Court Takes on Partial-Birth Abortion
For the second time in six years, the Supreme Court of the United States has decided to weigh in on the issue of partial-birth abortion.

02.16.06 - Capitol Hill Update - Immigration, Judicial Nominations, and National Security
With the confirmation of Justice Alito and the Air Force releasing new guidelines protecting the constitutional rights of chaplains, the attention on Capitol Hill is now focused a number of issues including immigration, national security, and judicial nominations.

01.31.06 - Justice Alito
The Senate confirmation of Justice Alito to a seat on the Supreme Court represents an important victory for those of us who believe the judiciary has a limited role and who want to see Supreme Court Justices interpret the Constitution instead of re-writing it.

01.03.06 - Supreme Court Update
With confirmation hearings expected to begin for Judge Samuel Alito, the Supreme Court is poised to consider a case involving the national ban on partial-birth abortion.

12.26.05 - Military Prayer & Judge Alito
The ACLJ's national petition campaign to urge President Bush to protect prayer by military chaplains continues to generate support and the nomination of Judge Alito to the Supreme Court is about to take center stage.

11.10.05 - The Alito Nomination
The nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court is moving forward with confirmation hearings set to begin in the new year.

10.03.05 - Supreme Court Nominee Harriet Miers
With the nomination of White House counsel Harriet Miers by President Bush as a nominee to the Supreme Court of the United States, the focus now turns to the confirmation process.

10.02.05 - John Roberts - The 17th Chief Justice
As the Supreme Court of the United States begins a new term, Chief Justice John Roberts is now at the helm of the high court - clearing the U.S. Senate with an impressive confirmation vote.

09.14.05 - Washington Post - Supreme Court Nominee John Roberts Fields Questions About Abortion
John G. Roberts Jr. testified yesterday that he believes that the Constitution protects the right to privacy, the legal underpinning of the nation's landmark abortion law, but he refused to say whether he would vote to uphold Roe v. Wade if he is confirmed as chief justice of the United States.

09.13.05 - ACLJ: John Roberts' Testimony "Open and Honest" in Confirmation Hearings Before Senate Judiciary Committee
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), specializing in constitutional law, said the testimony of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts is “open and honest” as he addresses questions before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

09.12.05 - ACLJ Calls for Fair Confirmation Hearing for Supreme Court Nominee John Roberts
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), specializing in constitutional law, today called on the Senate Judiciary Committee to provide Supreme Court nominee John Roberts with a fair confirmation hearing and refrain from unfounded attacks and assertions concerning his judicial philosophy and record. Confirmation hearings begin today for Roberts who has been nominated to serve as Chief Justice.

09.05.05 - ACLJ: Nomination of John Roberts as Chief Justice of Supreme Court "Extraordinary" Choice
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), specializing in constitutional law said today that John Roberts who was named today by President Bush to succeed William Rehnquist as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States is a welcomed move that will serve the high court and the nation well.

09.01.05 - ACLJ Calls on Senate Judiciary Committee for Fair Confirmation Hearing for Supreme Court Nominee John Roberts
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), specializing in constitutional law, said today it is calling on the Senate Judiciary Committee to provide a fair hearing for Supreme Court nominee John Roberts.

07.25.05 - The Confirmation Battle
The nomination of John Roberts as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States means a busy summer in Washington in preparation for the confirmation hearings that will take place at the end of August/early September.

07.06.05 - A Supreme Court Vacancy
With the resignation of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the focus is now on President Bush to nominate a replacement to the high court who will be faced with some of the most important issues of our day.

07.01.05 - Property Rights at Risk
The Supreme Court issued a very troubling decision in the final days of its term. With a vote of 5-4, the high court gave the government unprecedented authority to take your private property - including your home, business, even your church.

06.10.05 - Judicial Nominees Confirmed by Senate
A very important week regarding judicial nominees in Washington, D.C. Three nominees who have been the target of judicial filibusters for years have now cleared the Senate and were confirmed as federal appeals court judges after votes on the floor of the U.S.

06.01.05 - A Warm-Up to the Supreme Court
The Senate deal giving some of President Bush's judicial nominees an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor makes one thing clear: it is all about the Supreme Court of the United States.

05.02.05 - Chief Counsel Report: Update on Protecting Human Life & Breaking Judicial Gridlock
ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow provides an update on some critical litigation from our office in Washington, D.C. Jay's report focuses on key cases protecting human life and intensifying efforts underway on Capitol Hill to end the judicial filibuster.

04.29.05 - Abortion Measure Making Progress on Capitol Hill
It's called the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act - a measure that makes it a federal crime for doctors or other adults to help patients under 18 evade parental-notification requirements by crossing state lines for an abortion. The bill also provides for possible fines and jail sentences. The measure cleared the House this week and now goes before the Senate.

04.14.05 - Playing the Filibuster Card
As the showdown approaches in the U.S. Senate over the use of the judicial filibuster, everyone on both sides is counting votes. Will there be enough support to change the rules and put the filibuster off limits?

04.08.05 - The Judicial Filibuster in Focus
With many reports coming from Capitol Hill, there is still some uncertainty that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has the votes needed to change the Senate rule on filibusters and back a ruling from the chair that would determine that only a simply majority is needed to bring cloture on judicial nominees.

04.01.05 - Terri Schiavo's Death Puts Focus on Judges
The death of Terri Schiavo has put the spotlight back on the courts. And, when Congress returns from its Easter break there is expected to be a renewed call to change Senate rules to end the use of judicial filibusters.

03.21.05 - Congress Acts Quickly in Passing Terri's Law
The quick action by both Congress and President Bush in approving a law to protect Terri Schiavo represents an unprecedented and appropriate response to this tragic situation.

03.17.05 - Congressional Action to Protect Terri Schiavo
A bill to protect Terri Schiavo quickly sailed through the U.S. House of Representatives and a similar measure is now under consideration in the U.S. Senate.

03.11.05 - Federal Legislation Introduced to Help Terri Schiavo
In addition to efforts underway in the Florida legislature, there's important legislation that's been introduced in Congress in an effort to assist Terri Schiavo.

03.04.05 - The Political Battle Continues to End Judicial Filibusters
The ACLJ hosted a luncheon meeting this week in our Washington offices for chief counsels of the Republican members of the Judiciary Committee as well as legislative directors from various offices for a round table discussion about judicial nominees and the filibuster.

03.02.05 - Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act
The ACLJ is once again supporting a very important piece of legislation called the "Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act" which would allow religious leaders to speak freely from the pulpit on moral and political issues of the day.

02.25.05 - Judicial Nominees and New Legislation on Key Issues
As the Senate prepares to take up the President's judicial nominees in the weeks ahead, the ACLJ is closely monitoring to see what the Senate will do if the Democrats continue to fillibuster.

02.17.05 - Update on Child Custody Protection Act
There is movement on an important issue getting the attention of Congress called the Child Custody Protection Act (CCPA).

02.04.05 - Focus on Judicial Nominees
This has been an important week on Capitol Hill regarding the issue of judicial nominees and efforts to bring an end to the filibusters that are prohibiting President Bush's well qualified nominees from getting an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.

02.02.05 - Update on Fetal Pain Bill
The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act is getting a lot of attention on Capitol Hill. And, we are committed to working to ensure passage of this critical piece of legislation.

01.27.05 - Defending the Federal Conscience Clause Law on Abortion
The ACLJ is gearing up for an important court battle challenging a new law that protects health care professionals from being forced to participate in abortions.

01.14.05 - Reform Judicial Filibuster Rule in Senate

The issue of judicial filibusters is one of the key issues in the 109^th Congress. The ACLJ is communicating with members of the Senate urging a much needed reform of the rules regarding the use of the judicial filibuster.

01.13.05 - Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act

This important piece of legislation was initially introduced into the 108^th Congress and is scheduled to be reintroduced into the 109^th Congress by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ).

01.12.05 - Child Custody Protection Act
This bill focuses on important parental notification rights. The measure, introduced last session, is expected to be reintroduced in the 109th Congress by Representative Joe Pitts (R-PA).

01.11.05 - Federal Marriage Amendment

This is an issue that surfaced last year after a very activist Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court legalized same-sex marriage. The Federal Marriage Amendment is designed to ensure that marriage remains an institution between one man and one woman at the national level.

01.10.05 - Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act

Sponsored by Representative Walter Jones (R-NC), the measure would restore and protect freedom of religion, speech, and conscience and is needed because tax laws enforced by the Internal Revenue Service currently provide “coded words” such as “pro-life,” “pro-choice,” “anti-abortion,” “Republican,” or “Democrat” are intended to endorse political candidates.

01.07.05 - Limit the Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts
In Article III of the U.S. Constitution, Congress is authorized to act concerning the most cherished symbols of our culture and over the free expression of our faith in the public arena. The Pledge Protection Act, designed to protect the Pledge of Allegiance from legal assault, is scheduled to be reintroduced into this session of Congress by Representative Todd Akin (R-MO).

01.06.05 - Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)

The First Amendment Restoration Act is designed to address the places unfair restrictions on certain groups during the election season. BCRA currently bans non-PAC-funded issue advocacy groups from broadcasting any content pertaining to federal candidates within the 30-60 day blackout period before a primary or general election.

01.05.05 - Human Cloning Protection Act

The ACLJ will be assisting in the development of a new bill measure sponsored by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) that would enact a national ban on the creation of human embryos by cloning.