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.
Legal Services of the Virgin Islands (LSVI), a nonprofit organization with offices in St. Thomas and St. Croix, is partially funded locally by the LSC. LSVI provides civil legal assistance to low income and underserved individuals across the United States Virgin Islands. Since 1969, LSVI has been committed to making equal justice a reality for all who need it. “Legal Services of the Virgin Islands provides a critical lifeline to residents who cannot afford legal representation,” said Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea. “Continued federal support through the Legal Services
Corporation helps ensure that vulnerable individuals and families throughout our territory have access to the legal resources they need to protect their rights and secure justice.”
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.
In addition to the U.S. Virgin Islands, 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, Utah, Vermont, Virginia,
Washington,
