Political Quotes

“I rise in opposition to the amendment. The bill that we are considering tonight provides $328 million for legal services, which is a reduction to the fiscal year 2006 level. It is almost $100 million below the FY 2010 level, and we are $74 million below the request by the administration. LSC helps many people. Last year, 2.3 million people were provided assistance in more than 300,000 family law cases, 105,000 domestic violence cases, thousands of veterans benefit cases, 25,000 unemployment cases, and 20,000 foreclosure cases. Those cuts would result in 400,000 fewer people being served nationwide and in 160,000 fewer cases closed. This includes returning veterans who are seeking benefits, and it includes elderly victims of foreclosure. The elderly have been taken advantage of in so many cases. It also includes women who are seeking safety for themselves and for their children from domestic violence. I understand that there are some concerns about LSC-funded programs. Our committee has carried numerous restrictions on political activity by the LSC grantees, to include: lobbying, abortion litigation, class action lawsuits. These restrictions cover both LSC funds, as well as private funds. The administration proposes to eliminate several of these restrictions, but the House bill does not. The committee conducted vigorous oversight over the LSC in March. We heard testimony from a sheep herder who has concerns about the LSC grantee's violating restrictions.…”