News & Commentary

This year showed us that we are still at a critical juncture in this country, as we continue to face unprecedented attacks on our rights and our values. With your support, the ACLU is still holding the line and working towards a better tomorrow.

Significant strides were made this year in the legislature around a number of civil liberties issues. Check out our quick rundown of the high points (as well as some disappointments). Details for each bill can be found on our full legislative report.

The role of money in elections was certainly one of the big stories of 2012. But it's been hard to know exactly what the impact of ramped-up spending was. The independent news Web site, Pro Publica, has been investigating the issue. Reporters there have come up with some surprising information. The site's latest story concludes that so-called "dark money" helped Democrats hold a key Senate seat. "With control of the Senate at stake," says Pro Publica, "liberals hit the streets and bought ads for a libertarian candidate who likely siphoned crucial votes away from the Republican challenger."