By a vote of 237-185, the House of Representatives approved an amendment adding $25 million to LSC's FY 2007 appropriation. The amendment restores funding for LSC to $338.8 million, which is equal to the amount LSC received in FY 2003. Rep. David Obey (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee and the amendment's sponsor, spoke in favor of the amendment on the House floor, saying, "You simply cannot have justice in this country if you do not have adequate access to its court system." Rep. Allan Mollohan (D-WV), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies (SSJC), added, "If we are to fulfill the promise of this great Nation that everybody in our society has equal access to the law, obviously having the resources to have access to the law is extremely important." Rep. Mollohan noted that Legal Aid of West Virginia has lost a significant number of attorneys because of census adjustments and budget cuts. In addition, Rep. Robert Scott (D-VA) introduced a letter of support organized by NLADA from 60 general counsels of leading American companies. Of note, 40 Republican Members of Congress voted for the amendment, which was opposed by Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), Chairman of the SSJC Subcommittee. The Senate is not expected to act on the bill until after the August recess.

NLADA Legal Aid News (June 28, 2006). See also Legal Services E-lert of June 23, 2006.