Floor SpeechNeutral2026-04-21

INTRODUCTION OF THE VETERANS LEGAL SUPPORT ACT OF 2026

TaxesEnvironmentVeterans

Context

On 2026-04-21, Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) delivered a floor speech titled "INTRODUCTION OF THE VETERANS LEGAL SUPPORT ACT OF 2026" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered the environment, veterans affairs.

Full Text

INTRODUCTION OF THE VETERANS LEGAL SUPPORT ACT OF 2026

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E349] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] INTRODUCTION OF THE VETERANS LEGAL SUPPORT ACT OF 2026 ______ HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON of the district of columbia in the house of representatives Tuesday, April 21, 2026 Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Veterans Legal Support Act of 2026, which would allow the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide support to law school clinical programs that provide pro bono legal and support services to veterans, including assistance with disability claims and foreclosures. There are at least 22 law schools that have clinics devoted to veterans' legal needs, including the William & Mary Law School Veterans Benefits Clinic, which was the first recipient of a ``best practice'' certification from the VA. There are many other law schools, such as the University of the District of Columbia's David A. Clarke School of Law, that are interested in starting their own VA-certified clinics. More needs to be done to sustain and increase the number of these programs. I was a tenured professor at the Georgetown University Law Center and continued to teach a seminar there after being elected to Congress. I saw the expert assistance that clinical programs provide their clients. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, a concrete measure that would assist our veterans, who put their lives on the line for this country. ____________________

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INTRODUCTION OF THE VETERANS LEGAL SUPPORT ACT OF 2026 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E349] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] INTRODUCTION OF THE VETERANS LEGAL SUPPORT ACT OF 2026 ______ HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON of the district of columbia in the house of representatives Tuesday, April 21, 2026 Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Veterans Legal Support Act of 2026, which would allow the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide support to law school clinical programs that provide pro bono legal and support services to veterans, including assistance with disability claims and foreclosures. There are at least 22 law schools that have clinics devoted to veterans' legal needs, including the William & Mary Law School Veterans Benefits Clinic, which was the first recipient of a ``best practice'' certification from the VA. There are many other law schools, such as the University of the District of Columbia's David A. Clarke School of Law, that are interested in starting their own VA-certified clinics. More needs to be done to sustain and increase the number of these programs. I was a tenured professor at the Georgetown University Law Center and continued to teach a seminar there after being elected to Congress. I saw the expert assistance that clinical programs provide their clients. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, a concrete measure that would assist our veterans, who put their lives on the line for this country. ____________________