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About the Government Affairs Office (GAO) The ABA's Governmental Affairs Office (GAO) serves as the "eyes, ears and voice" of the organized bar in the nation's capital. The GAO legislative staff monitors congressional and executive branch developments of interest ....

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.... and other government publications. The GAO serves as the focal point for association efforts to inform federal policymakers about the ABA's views on issues and to influence the outcome of federal policy decisions on these issues. This involves testimony, circulation of position papers and meetings with members of Congress and their staffs. The GAO also maintains an active grassroots lobbying effort and distributes periodic "alerts" to ABA entities and state and local bar groups advising them of legislative developments which call for concerted action. In 1986, the GAO expanded its efforts beyond the federal arena by establishing a State Legisla ....