Fulfilling the progressive promise of the Constitution’s text and history
CAC is working in the courts, with elected leaders, and with legal scholars to preserve the rights and freedoms of all Americans, and to protect the integrity of our judiciary.
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Our Latest Work
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Flores v. Barr
In Flores v. Barr, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is considering whether new Trump Administration regulations are inconsistent with the Flores Agreement, a settlement agreement governing “the detention, release, and treatment...
U.S. Supreme Court
Torres v. Madrid
In Torres v. Madrid, the Supreme Court is considering whether law enforcement officers who shoot and wound someone have conducted a “seizure” under the Fourth Amendment if they fail to capture that person after the shooting.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Association for Community Affiliated Plans v. Department of the Treasury
In Association for Community Affiliated Plans v. Department of the Treasury, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is considering whether the Department of the Treasury’s new Rule that allows “short-term limited...
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
CASA de Maryland, Inc. v. Trump
In CASA de Maryland, Inc. v. Trump, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is considering the legality of a Trump Administration rule redefining the term “public charge” for purposes of excluding immigrants...
U.S. Supreme Court
June Medical Services L.L.C. v. Russo
In June Medical Services L.L.C. v. Russo, the Supreme Court is considering whether the Fifth Circuit’s decision to uphold Louisiana’s Act 620, a law which requires physicians who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at...
U.S. Supreme Court
Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
In Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Supreme Court is considering a constitutional challenge to the leadership structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Since its creation, the CFPB has played...
CAC on Twitter
“The bottom line take-away after today’s ruling is that U.S. border guards can continue to abuse their power with impunity.” -- @MyConstitution’s David Gans on this morning’s ruling from #SCOTUS in the #Hernandez cross-border shooting case: https://t.co/saG4nrMe5o
4:34PM – February 25, 2020
Issues We Work On
CAC's work addresses many of the most important topics in modern constitutional and federal law.
Our Latest Cases
Great Hall of the Supreme Court of the United States | Phil Roeder, Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
CAC pursues a litigation strategy unique among progressive legal organizations by relying on the Constitution’s text and history. Our powerful amicus briefs provide invaluable arguments to Supreme Court Justices, legal scholars, and fellow advocates. Our clients include current and former bipartisan Members of Congress, state and local officials, law professors, and various nonprofit organizations. CAC’s efforts help to secure important legal victories in the Supreme Court, lower federal courts, and state supreme courts.
Flores v. Barr
In Flores v. Barr, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is considering whether new Trump Administration regulations are inconsistent with the Flores Agreement, a settlement agreement governing…Read MoreTorres v. Madrid
In Torres v. Madrid, the Supreme Court is considering whether law enforcement officers who shoot and wound someone have conducted a “seizure” under the Fourth Amendment if they fail to capture…Read MoreAssociation for Community Affiliated Plans v. Department of the Treasury
In Association for Community Affiliated Plans v. Department of the Treasury, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is considering whether the Department of the Treasury’s new…Read More
From Our Think Tank
ISSUE BRIEF: To Save and Not to Destroy: Severability, Judicial Restraint, and the Affordable Care Act
When a statute is partially unconstitutional, courts must endeavor to save, not destroy, the rest of the law. This is the core command of severability doctrine, a firmly established tenet…Read MoreISSUE BRIEF: The Historical and Legal Basis for the Exercise of Congressional Oversight Authority
With the recent change in leadership of the House of Representatives following the 2018 midterm elections, there has been considerable discussion about what role the 116th Congress will play in…Read MoreISSUE BRIEF: Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh: Will He Respect The Whole Constitution?
In announcing Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court, President Trump billed him as a jurist who will enforce the Constitution as written. Luminaries of the conservative legal movement…Read More
The result of the Fifteenth Amendment | Library of Congress (Public Domain)
CAC produces scholarship showing that the Constitution’s text and history command progressive results. We publish comprehensive accounts of some of the most important and contentious topics in modern constitutional and federal law through issue briefs, white papers, insights, and our think tank series. Our legal experts also inform public discussion around these topics by giving written and oral testimony in congressional committee hearings.