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 in America, and to protect the integrity of our judiciary.
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Our Latest Work

Civil and Human Rights
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Payan v. Los Angeles Community College District

In Payan v. Los Angeles Community College District, the Ninth Circuit is considering whether lost educational opportunities are compensable under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 
Rule of Law
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. Department of State and Global Health Council v. Trump

In AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. Department of State and Global Health Council v. Trump, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia is considering whether the Trump administration’s unilateral decision to freeze...
Immigration and Citizenship
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

W.M.M. v. Trump

In W.M.M. v. Trump, the Fifth Circuit is considering whether President Trump can use the Alien Enemies Act to send Venezuelan immigrants to a prison in El Salvador.
Immigration and Citizenship
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

United States v. Smith

In United States v. Smith, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is considering whether the Fourth Amendment permits law enforcement officers—without a warrant or probable cause—to search and copy the contents...
Civil and Human Rights
June 20, 2025

CAC Release: Purporting to Effectuate “Pure Textualism,” Supreme Court Guts ADA’s Protections for Retirees, Neglecting Critical Statutory Context and History

WASHINGTON, DC – Following today’s decision at the Supreme Court in Stanley v. City of...
Immigration and Citizenship
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto v. HHS

In Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto v. HHS, the Ninth Circuit is considering whether to stay a district court decision that prevented the Office of Refugee Resettlement from cutting off funding for legal...

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.

From Our Think Tank

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.