The U.S. Constitution provides a basic minimum of protection for individual rights, while leaving states free to enact laws that protect those rights more broadly. Unfortunately, our constitutional rights are being undermined by all levels of government. The Goldwater Institute's Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation is dedicated to defending individual liberty in court, while our Van Sittert Center for Constitutional Advocacy works to defend our founding principles and instill those values into our next generation of Americans.
Constitutional Rights
Recent Highlights
Contracting Around the Constitution?
The Goldwater Institute filed a brief in the Arizona Supreme Court last week urging the justices to review a case in which lower courts declared a law unconstitutional—and then said it could be enforced anyway. At is...
A Matter of Life or Death: SCOTUS Should Strike Down ICWA’s Race-Based Burdens
The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday (Nov. 9) in a case that could spell life or death for countless Native American children whose fate is currently governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) – a federal l...
What Should a Post-ICWA America Look Like?
The Supreme Court is poised to strike down parts of a race-based law that deprives Native American kids of legal protections others enjoy. Congress must be prepared to fix the Indian Child Welfare Act. Will the Supr...
Can Arizonans Sue to Prevent the Government from Harming Them?
The Goldwater Institute filed a brief in the Arizona Supreme Court yesterday urging the justices to review the question of when people can sue the government for violating their rights. The case, which began as a laws...
More About Our Work to Defend Constitutional Rights
Free Speech on Campus
Violent protests have shut down speakers on campuses across the country, and administrators are refusing to protect speakers’ and students’ First Amendment rights. Our nation’s precious tradition of freedom of speech is increasingly imperiled in universities and in society at large. Read about Goldwater’s plan to restore free speech on campus.
Defending the Second Amendment
Cities and states routinely overstep their authority and trample on our constitutional rights. In Illinois, for example, the state deprives citizens of their Second Amendment Right to Bear Arms through a constitutionally questionable application process that is indefinitely delaying citizens’ ability to purchase a firearm. The Goldwater Institute’s team of attorneys are suing the state to ensure the Second Amendment is upheld. Read more about the case.
Ensuring Equal Protection for Native American Children
All children deserve the equal protection of the law. But under the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), Native American children are deprived of the legal protections that children of other races enjoy. The Goldwater Institute is challenging this law and fighting to defend the constitutional rights of these children. Read more about it here.
More Issues
Property Rights
Goldwater is protecting a cornerstone of Americans’ liberty: the right to own and use their property as they see fit.
Jobs & Economy
When government stands in the way of people who just want to pursue their career, Goldwater breaks down barriers to work.
Free Speech
Free speech is under attack in America. But Goldwater is leading the fight to protect Americans’ right to speak their minds.
Healthcare
Goldwater is unleashing innovation in healthcare, fighting to protect and expand patient choice, access, and affordability.
Constitutional Rights
Anytime government threatens to trample the U.S. Constitution, Goldwater is ready to go to court to defend our rights.
Limited Government
Goldwater takes down cronyism, sweetheart deals, and government overreach so Americans are treated fairly and equally.
Education
Goldwater is expanding school choice nationwide so families can get their children the education they deserve.
Academic Transparency
Parents have a right to know what's being taught in the classroom, and we're defending that right.
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