(Washington, DC) Jo-Ann Wallace, President and CEO, National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA) issued the following statement in response to today’s passage of the fiscal year 2018 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations bill by the House subcommittee:
“We welcome today’s vote. It is a rejection of the administration’s proposal to eliminate the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). However, the proposed cuts that amount to nearly 25 percent of current LSC funding threatens its capacity to provide quality representation to low-income Americans. It is our sincere hope that LSC’s funding level is increased as the appropriation process moves forward. Ensuring equal justice is the foundation of American democracy.It is our duty to safeguard this fundamental right.”
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The National Legal Aid & Defender Association, founded in 1911, is America’s oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. NLADA has pioneered access to justice at the national, state and local levels through the creation of our public defender systems and other important institutions from The Sentencing Project to the Legal Services Corporation. A leader in the development of national standards for civil legal aid and public defense, NLADA also provides advocacy, training and technical assistance for equal justice advocates across the country.