Constitutional Accountability Center Constitutional Accountability Center

Rule of Law

Holding the courts and political branches accountable to the text and history of the Constitution and federal statutes
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President Obama addressing Joint Session of Congress | Lawrence Jackson, White House Archives

Summary

The Constitution and its Amendments, as well as numerous federal statutes, guarantee rights for all in America, define responsibilities for government officials, and mark the boundary between the federal and state governments. CAC works to hold those in power accountable to the commands of our Constitution and laws in these areas.

Rule of Law in Brief

Oral Arguments at the Florida Supreme Court | Jeanie 0146, Wikimedia Commons

CAC works in the courts and the public square to help ensure that no public official — or ex-officials including former President Trump — is above the law.

Featured Case

Rule of Law November 22, 2022

Biden v. Nebraska

In August of 2022, President Joe Biden announced his Administration’s student-debt relief program, which would forgive up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt for borrowers earning less than $125,000 per year. Shortly thereafter, six states—Nebraska, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and South Carolina—filed a complaint, objecting that the plan exceeds the Administration’s authority.  Specifically, the states argue that the plan is not permitted by the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act (“HEROES Act”) of 2003, a law that the Administration argues authorizes the plan. In October, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri dismissed the...

Case Timeline

Current
  • CAC files amicus brief in the Supreme Court on behalf of former Representative George Miller

Related Issue Areas

Federal Courts and Nominations See More
Access to Justice See More