White House Repeats Call for Repeal of Three Key Legal Services Restrictions, and a Fully Funded LSC
To download the Statement of Administrative Policy, click here.
In a "Statement of Administrative Policy" released October 5, 2009, the Obama Administration commented on the Senate's Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2010. This bill was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 25, 2009 and contains language almost wholly repealing the legal services restriction on non-federal funds. With regard to the language on the restrictions and funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the Administration writes:
"The Administration appreciates the Committees modification of the restriction on the use of non-LSC funds by LSC grant recipients but also urges the Congress to allow LSC attorneys to collect fees and to participate in class action lawsuits. These riders limit access to legal representation and constrain legal aid lawyers' ability to secure settlements and to pursue injunctive relief to stop illegal activity. In addition, the Administration urges the Congress to fully fund the President's request."
The Administration had originally requested the repeal of these three key legal services funding restrictions in it's FY 2010 "detailed budget."
