National Bar Association Legislative Agenda

The resolutions discussed in this document embody the principals that were established by our founding members nearly a hundred years ago. Below is a summary of the different advocacy areas we have a made a top priority this Congressional session.

To review the legislative agenda, please click here.

Voter Protection

This past election was a startling example of how state governments can impede the fundamental right to vote through the enactment of suppressive legislation. The NBA opposes the wave of restrictive voting laws that threaten the rights of voters across the country. In addition, the NBA urges the Department of Justice to continue its investigation into the legality of these laws under the Voters Rights Act. And supports legislation that enfranchises citizens and protects their right to vote. Specifically, the Voter Empowerment Act of 2013, the Democracy Restoration Act and the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act.

The Federal Judiciary

Millions of Americans have been harmed by these challenges in already overburdened courts across the country. In addition, they deprive our federal courts of the capacity to deliver timely justice and has harmful consequences to the citizens it has sworn to serve and protect. The judiciary does not have the discretion to decline or defer cases based on resource constraints, it is required to adjudicate the cases regardless of staffing and resource levels in the federal courts. Increased funding for the judiciary and immediate action on judicial vacancies is essential.

Immigration Reform

Nearly every American family has their own immigration story. Generations of immigrants braved hardship and great risk to reach our shores in search of a better life for themselves and their families. The NBA joins the President in calling on all Americans to work together to foster a constructive national conversation on immigration reform that builds a bipartisan consensus and leads to legislative reform. Furthermore, the NBA supports legislation that addresses the shortcoming of the current immigration system plaguing the US.

Criminal Justice

The United States’ criminal justice system faces significant challenges.  Over the past twenty-five years, the U.S. prison and jail population reached an all-time high and the number of people on probation and parole doubled. The NBA supports legislation that reduces the availability of firearms and ultimately decreases the number of violent crimes. The NBA also supports legislation that will address the shortcomings of the criminal justice system.

Employment

The disparate treatment of people of color and women in the work place is a problem that spans decades in the United States. Practices like unequal pay and assessing credit worthiness as a contingency of employment have a negative impact of minorities. It is of the utmost importance that the 113th Congress put in place legislation that increases the disclosure of information about how much workers are paid and prohibits the use of consumer reports in the assessment of potential employees.

Housing

Housing discrimination is a painful reality that targets communities of color and the poor. Furthermore, substandard segregated housing in minority communities exacerbates economic, political and educational disparities. The 113th Congress must increase the supply of affordable and accessible housing options that are integrated in the community, including home ownership and rental housing.

Education

In the United States, racial and ethnic disparities in education exist across an array of domains. A number of studies document such disparities and show that they have developed and persisted over time in the context of historical and structural racism in ways that may influence policies, practices and programs. The NBA supports programming and legislation that addresses disparities in the education system and provides creative and specialized responses to adjudicated youths.