U.S. Virgin Islands – V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea, 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, the 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 any others who might struggle to afford an attorney in civil legal matters.
“The Legal Services Corporation is often the only lifeline for many facing complex legal challenges without the means to hire a lawyer,” said Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea. “From protecting seniors from fraud to helping veterans secure the benefits they’ve earned, LSC ensures equal justice under the law. Congress must continue to invest in this indispensable service.”
LSC operates a network of 130 independent legal aid organizations in over 900 offices in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, assisting millions of Americans in every congressional district with legal needs such as securing veterans’ benefits, support with natural disasters, and providing access to legal services for people in rural areas where a shortage of lawyers often compounds existing legal issues.
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.
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 joining forces to urge leaders from both parties to prioritize funding for LSC, calling the organization a good steward of taxpayer dollars. The letter also notes that the corporation distributes 95% of its funding directly to the legal aid organizations providing services to Americans.
Joining Attorney General Rhea in signing the letter are the attorneys general of Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, 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, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The letters are attached here and here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2025
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340) 774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov