Christopher Shays: “I support the Fox-Mollohan amendment, this bipartisan amendment. I voted for the Commerce-Justice-State bill last year…”

“I support the Fox-Mollohan amendment, this bipartisan amendment. I voted for the Commerce-Justice-State bill last year, reducing support for the Legal Services Corporation from $400 million to $278 million. I never in my wildest imagination thought I would be voting to reduce it even further, yet even with this amendment we are seeking to restore funds to $250 million. I hope and pray that this Congress seeks to do that. Mr. Chairman, I believe American citizens should have access to the courts, no matter how much money they make. I think a mother should be able to seek child support in the courts, if necessary, regardless of income. I think a tenant should be able to sue for decent housing, regardless of income. What I cannot understand is why we blame Legal Services for seeking to enforce the laws we pass and the Constitution of the United States we would die defending. If we do not like the end result of the court decisions, then maybe we have to look at the laws we pass. What Legal Services attempts to do is make sure that all citizens, the poorest, in fact, have the same right to defend themselves in court. I hope and pray, I truly pray, that we have the good sense to pass this amendment.”