[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 32 (Thursday, March 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E475-E476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEGAL SERVICES ELIGIBILITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 1997

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to ensure 
that no woman who is a victim of domestic violence will be denied legal 
services because of the economic status of her abuser.
  The Domestic Violence Legal Services Eligibility Act states that in 
cases of domestic violence only, the Legal Services Corporation, in 
determining eligibility for services, will consider only the income of 
the client seeking services.
  Legal services clinics report that women fleeing the home of a spouse 
or a partner comprise the majority of their domestic violence cases. 
Yet the Legal Services Corporation guidelines currently state that 
eligibility for

[[Page E476]]

services is determined by household income. In the case of a great 
number of legal services they provide, this is fair and appropriate in 
ensuring that people who live at or below the poverty level have access 
to legal services.
  But for women fleeing abuse, the situation becomes complicated. Often 
these women do not have independent income, so the household income 
counted against her is that of the alleged abuser. This legislation 
would make certain that these women do not have to be denied legal 
services because of their spouse or partner's income.
  As the new welfare law goes into effect, domestic violence victims 
will be among those hardest hit. More than 2 million women are abused 
by their husband or partner each year. It has been reported that more 
than half of the women currently receiving government assistance cite 
domestic violence as a factor.
  We are responsible to do everything within our power to help victims 
of domestic violence escape abuse and start on the path to self-
sufficiency. This is just one step on that path and I hope you will 
join me.

                          ____________________