[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 90 (Monday, June 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E850-E851]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2016

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2015

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2578) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, 
     Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 2016, and for other purposes:

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chair, I rise today to support the Cohen 
amendment and urge the House to oppose the excessive cuts to the 
nonprofit and independent Legal Services Corporation.
  Legal Services has a mission to ``provide equal access to the system 
of justice'' in America. It is the most important provider of civil 
legal aid for Americans who cannot afford high-priced legal counsel. In 
fact, legal representation often is out of reach for many

[[Page E851]]

American families. This amendment will make the lives of millions of 
American families even more challenging. Plus, if you take away legal 
counsel, you also complicate the resolution of disputes for businesses 
and others as well. You all know Legal Services is not a Washington-
based bureaucratic program. To the contrary, there are legal aid 
attorneys and professionals in every State, with more than 800 offices. 
Legal Services' moneys are put to work back home across America outside 
of Washington.
  In my Tampa Bay community, Bay Area Legal Services helps to keep the 
wheels of justice turning for everyone. What type of legal help? 
Foreclosure, consumer assistance, domestic violence. Many of the 
domestic violence victims are simply trying to keep their children safe 
and their families together. Others include veterans returning from 
war, families with housing issues, those that were hit hard by natural 
disasters and are dealing with the aftermath, and families involved in 
child custody disputes. I have seen these advocates in action. Many 
Members of Congress actually refer cases to Legal Services groups in 
our area. They help families navigate the justice system. They also 
boost the economy through avoided costs and swift resolution of 
disputes.
  I would also like to remind my colleagues that Legal Services has 
already undergone significant cuts over the past few years. Funding for 
Legal Services was $420 million in fiscal year 2010. It was cut--
especially after sequestration in 2013--and any further cuts will do 
severe damage. This amendment jeopardizes access to justice and the 
rule of law.
  This year's bill is a destructive step backwards which threatens 
these vital community services by slashing funding by $75 million. This 
is the lowest level of funding since FY 1999. These devastating cuts 
will terminate over 1,000 full time staff including 430 attorney 
positions. Under these draconian cuts, Legal services offices across 
the country will be forced to close 25 offices, complete 150,000 fewer 
cases, and serve 350,000 fewer people.
  In exacting such severe cuts, your advice to families is, ``You can't 
get help''. ``You can't avoid a foreclosure''. ``You can't escape an 
abusive relationship or defend yourself against consumer scams''.
  We cannot allow hundreds of thousands of American veterans, elderly 
victims of foreclosure, and women and children desperate to escape 
domestic violence to be denied assistance.
  So I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote on the Cohen amendment.

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