David Skaggs: “this amendment would restore just a portion of what is needed for the basic functions of the Legal Services Corporation…”

“this amendment would restore just a portion of what is needed for the basic functions of the Legal Services Corporation, and it ought to command the support of every Member of this body. The Constitution holds out the promise of equal justice under law to every American. But that promise is made real only as our citizens have effective access to the courts to enforce their rights. For the poor these rights often exist only in theory because they cannot afford the lawyers to get into court. Legal Services provides that legal representation. Access to the legal system is more than a matter of equal justice. It is also a key ingredient in maintaining a civil society based on the rule of law. If people are expected to respect the rule of law, they must have some expectation of its protections, as well as of its discipline. Legal Services plays an essential role in that. Mr. Chairman, Legal Services work is accomplished by staff lawyers who work for low pay, supported last year by 150,000 volunteer lawyers providing pro bono services. I used to be one of those volunteers. I can tell you, the staff lawyers can not possibly do anything more than provide the basic representation that they are charged with under the law as it now stands. There is simply no rational basis to assert that additional pro bono work by the private bar can make up the difference for Legal Services.”