Lobbying Overview and Introduction

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Even before the Democratic 103rd Congress turned into a 104th Congress dominated by radical conservatives, the ACLU had been confronting a Capitol Hill climate of growing hostility to civil liberties. And when the election results of last November finished rolling in, the climate of hostility had shifted to the dawning of an era marked by leaders who evince open contempt for the Bill of Rights.

The continued disdain and contempt for the Constitution and Bill of Rights are quite amazing. When one Congressman attempted during debate last Spring to insert the exact language of the Fourth Amendment into pending crime legislation, his efforts were overwhelmingly rejected by the House. Republicans and some Democrats seemed to fall lockstep behind the House Speaker and his reactionary agenda, many elements of which passed without hearings.

Legislators elected by voters to push through economic reforms are using their newly found power to make the Constitution unenforceable, a result we do not believe the electorate intended last November. For example, proposed Constitutional amendments on flag "desecration" and religious expression would reverse years of free speech victories and violate the separation of church and state. As we come into the final stretch of the first session of the 104th Congress, we have reason for strong concerns. In addition to the assaults on the First Amendment, the Fourth Amendment, the Fifth Amendment and the independence and integrity of the federal judiciary are at risk.

Conservative representatives and senators are trying to use the appropriations process -- funding bills which, according to House and Senate rules, are to be free of social legislation -- to push forward their anti-liberty agenda. One appropriations bill would force HUD to stop investigating and prosecuting insurance redlining. Another appropriations bill would devastate affirmative action programs. They have called for -- and in many cases approved -- laws that would permit and encourage warrantless searches and seizures, deny women the right to choose abortion, and deny incarcerated juveniles, women and men whose rights have been violated effective access to court remedies.

It is this political environment, in which we face new legislative and constitutional crises each day, which "welcomes" you to the Legislative section of the site. The prospect for reform may seem insurmountable. But there are cracks in the leadership's armor and civil libertarians have had small victories to build upon. At this crucial time in the legislative agenda, committed civil libertarians like you can help us make a clear difference -- by reminding Senators and Representatives of the constitutional principles at stake in the bills they are addressing, by influencing "moderate" Members of Congress who have not yet staked out positions on pending civil liberties legislation, and by reinforcing the leadership of the remaining civil libertarians in Congress.

To help you prepare for this fight we have put together a series of background briefings on several of the most important issues facing the civil liberties community today. There are many more civil liberties issues we could discuss, but we've chosen matters that will be most pertinent during the near term.

On behalf of the entire national office of the ACLU, let me say that we, as always, thank you for your crucial support.

Laura W. Murphy
Director, Washington National Office

Copyright 1996, The American Civil Liberties Union