Attorney General Phil Weiser leads bipartisan coalition urging Congress to continue legal services for veterans, rural Coloradans
June 10, 2026 (DENVER) — Attorney General Phil Weiser today led a bipartisan coalition of 40 attorneys general in urging congressional leaders to continue funding the Legal Services Corporation, the nation’s largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans.
In a letter to congressional appropriations leaders, the coalition asked Congress to include continued funding for the Legal Services Corporation, or LSC, in the fiscal year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The coalition emphasized that LSC plays a critical role in ensuring access to justice for people who cannot afford legal representation in civil matters and remains a wise investment of federal resources.
“Equal justice under the law is a foundational American principle, and access to legal help should not depend on a person’s income,” said Attorney General Weiser. “The Legal Services Corporation helps veterans secure benefits, supports survivors of domestic violence, assists disaster victims rebuilding their lives, and protects seniors from fraud and exploitation. Continued federal funding for LSC is a smart investment that strengthens communities and helps ensure our justice system works for everyone.”
Created by Congress in 1974, LSC supports a nationwide network of 129 independent legal aid organizations operating more than 900 offices in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Nearly 95% of LSC’s federal funding is distributed directly to local legal aid providers that help millions of Americans each year address critical civil legal issues involving housing, family safety, consumer protection, veterans’ benefits, and disaster recovery.
In their letter, the attorneys general highlighted the vital role LSC-funded programs play in expanding access to justice in rural communities where attorney shortages can leave residents without legal assistance when facing significant civil legal challenges. The coalition also noted that studies show every dollar invested in civil legal aid generates an average of seven dollars in societal benefits, making LSC an effective and efficient use of taxpayer resources.
The letter was led by the attorneys general of Colorado, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee and joined by the attorneys general of Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, the Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Read the letter sent to Congress in support of the Legal Services Corporation (PDF).
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