Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and 39 other bipartisan attorneys general are urging Congress to maintain funding for the Legal Services Corporation, highlighting its role in providing civil legal aid to underserved populations, including rural residents, veterans, and low-income individuals.
Per the news release distributed on Wednesday, April 23: “Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, joined by a bipartisan group of 39 other attorneys general across the country, is urging Congress to keep in place critical funding for the Legal Services Corporation, or LSC. In a letter to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the House and Senate Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, Brown and the other attorneys general called on Congress to continue LSC’s critical mission of providing legal assistance to people in rural communities, veterans and military families, domestic violence survivors, older adults victimized by scams and fraud, and others who might struggle to afford an attorney in civil legal matters.
“Veterans, elderly Marylanders, and those who live in rural communities all depend on LSC funding to find help when they have nowhere else to turn—whether they’re fighting to keep their homes, escape abuse, or simply be heard in a system that too often overlooks them,” said Attorney General Brown. “As government resources grow tighter, we must protect services that ensure no one is left behind in their quest for justice.”
LSC operates a network of 130 independent legal aid organizations in over 900 offices across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. These organizations assist millions of Americans in every congressional district with legal needs such as securing veterans’ benefits, recovering from natural disasters, and accessing legal services in rural areas—such as the Eastern Shore, Western Maryland, and Southern Maryland—where a shortage of lawyers often compounds legal challenges.
Attorneys general have a long history of supporting federal funding for LSC. With Congressional leaders debating potential budget cuts, the bipartisan group of attorneys general is urging leaders from both parties to prioritize funding for LSC, calling the organization a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. The letter also highlights that LSC distributes 95% of its funding directly to legal aid organizations providing services to the public.
Locally, Maryland Legal Aid is the largest recipient of LSC funding, with offices in every region of the state. The $6.5 million grant it receives from LSC supports services for more than 22,000 low-income Marylanders annually. The legal representation provided helps prevent evictions, resolve family law disputes, and ensure access to public benefits. This work contributes significantly to economic security for families, children, seniors, and communities across Maryland.
Joining Attorney General Brown in signing the letter are the attorneys general of Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.”