Senate passes $540M for legal services in FY 2026
Contact
Maria Duvuvuei
Communications Strategist
(202) 295-1542
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate voted to provide $540 million for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) for Fiscal Year 2026 as a part of the bipartisan minibus that includes the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies appropriation. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the minibus January 8; President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill.
The $540 million will support civil legal assistance for millions of Americans facing issues with domestic violence, disaster recovery and more. As the largest funder of civil legal services in the U.S., the resources allocated to LSC are distributed to nonprofit legal services organizations in every state, territory and the District of Columbia.
This legislation cuts LSC’s funding by 3.6%. LSC was funded at $560 million in FY 2025 and FY 2024. In May 2025, the White House proposed eliminating LSC in FY 2026. The House Appropriations Committee had proposed a 46% cut to LSC, while the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to increase LSC funding by $6 million in FY 2026.
“We appreciate the strong, bipartisan support for civil legal services in this appropriation,” said LSC President Ron Flagg. “While we’re grateful that proposals for more significant cuts have not prevailed, any cut threatens the stability and safety of American families, seniors and veterans who rely on already under-resourced legal services.”
“LSC remains committed to working with Congress to fulfill the mission that it gave us over 50 years ago: providing equal access to the justice system through high-quality legal assistance for those who cannot afford an attorney,” Flagg continued.
Each year, 6.4 million Americans are served by LSC-funded organizations. In FY 2025, more than 94% of LSC’s congressional appropriation was distributed as grants to 130 independent nonprofit civil legal organizations with offices in every congressional district throughout the country. These organizations deliver no-cost direct legal representation, education and resources to help those who cannot afford a lawyer navigate the legal system.