Steve Cohen: “This amendment which I offer with Mr. Quigley of Illinois, who is a champion of equal access to justice, would restore…”

“This amendment which I offer with Mr. Quigley of Illinois, who is a champion of equal access to justice, would restore the bill's cuts, devastating cuts, to the Legal Services Corporation. This Nation is justifiably proud of its legal system. In fact, when we visit with foreign folks or travel in foreign lands, the thing I hear most about America that they appreciate is our legal system. It can be impossibly complex, with a language all its own, unfamiliar to many people with its laws and procedures. It can be a bewildering maze even for highly educated people, even for lawyers. Now imagine that you are poor, uneducated, scared, and trying to navigate the legal system by yourself. Without legal representation, too many people are simply unable to vindicate their rights under the law. Think about victims of domestic violence who need protective orders from abusive partners, homeowners facing foreclosure--and indeed we have had too much of that in the last few years--or seniors who have been victimized by fraudulent lenders. Legal assistance is vital to ensure that these parties are treated fairly and made aware of their rights. That is why I have been a champion of Legal Services, which helps fund legal aid programs throughout the country. Unfortunately, this bill cuts $15 million from Legal Services Corporation, which will mean untold numbers of Americans will go unrepresented in court and unable to pursue justice.…”