Calvin Dooley: “I rise in favor of this amendment to restore funding for the Legal Services Corporation. I represent a district in the…”

“I rise in favor of this amendment to restore funding for the Legal Services Corporation. I represent a district in the San Joaquin Valley of California that, despite the good economic times in our State and our Nation, is plagued by 14 percent unemployment. I represent many people who are poor and, therefore, do not have the ability to access our judicial system. Their only option, oftentimes, is legal assistance through the Legal Services Corporation. Mr. Chairman, if a low-income elderly person is unfairly evicted from their home, if a young mother is unable to collect child support or is a victim of abuse and must go to the courts to intervene, they have no opportunity if they cannot afford legal representation. I find it somewhat ironic that the same week that this Congress will be considering a huge tax cut bill of almost $800 billion, that Republicans think is important to cut funding, or some Republicans think it is important for cut funding for one of the most important programs that assist the poorest of our citizens. The Legal Services Corporation fills our constitutional obligation to provide the poor with competent legal representation. Our country was founded on the principles of equal opportunity. If we turn our back on the poorest families and deny them access to due process, we are trampling on the principle of equal justice under the law. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.”