Cato's Amicus Program and Its Impact

Cato Institute's amicus program operates independently, without regular instructions from donors or executives. They consider factors such as legal importance, libertarian perspective, and alignment with Cato's mission when deciding whether to file an amicus brief in support of a case. Their goal is to influence not only the specific case at hand, but also public opinion by making their briefs accessible to a wider audience. Ilya Shapiro, head of the amicus program, argues that Senator Whitehouse misunderstands the relationship between funding and advocacy, explaining that donors support organizations because they share common values, rather than dictating specific positions.