Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer an amendment to study the return on investment of legal services for survivors of domestic violence. As a former legal services board member and director of a pro bono program, I know the importance of legal representation for the most vulnerable members of our community. Access to justice is especially critical when it comes to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Too often, survivors are left to navigate the overwhelming fallout of abuse alone, whether that means seeking custody, housing, medical care, employment protections, or other legal assistance. In the aftermath of abuse, legal remedies are often complicated and hard to manage, and legal representation in these critical moments can make a life-changing difference. Sometimes that means a lawyer who can remove the abuser from the home so the survivor doesn't lose their housing; other times, it is an attorney helping a survivor access the medical resources to heal from physical and mental injuries. Access to justice remains a crucial issue in our legal system, and one of the key contributions of VAWA is that it recognizes the importance of legal services for the survivors of abuse. So not only does VAWA provide critical medical and housing services, but it provides legal representation that often saves public dollars.…”