Rep. Serrano Urges Congress to Drop Restriction on Legal Services - December 15, 2003 Vol.4 No.25

December 15, 2003 Vol.4 No.25:

Published: 12/15/2003

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Rep. Serrano Urges Congress to Drop Restriction on Legal Services

On Dec. 8, Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY) raised the issue of restrictions on use of privately raised funds by legal service programs.

He said, “there is growing concern that limits on the uses of private money donated to independent LSC grantees are hurting America's low-income families and imposing unwarranted government restrictions on the private sector. The administration does not tolerate such interference with the privately funded religious activities of its faith-based grantees. It-and we-would not tolerate such interference with privately funded secular activities also dedicated to helping families in need. I am hopeful that next year we can address these restrictions on privately donated funds.”

Nonprofit organizations and 16 members of Congress have written to Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary, and Rep. Serrano, Ranking Minority Member seeking removal of the private money restrictions.

To see the text of Rep. Serrano’s floor statement and the two letters click here.