ABA Continues Push for LSC Funding as FY2026 Budget Negotiations Begin
The American Bar Association is renewing its call for strong and sustained funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) following the release of President Trump’s FY2026 budget blueprint, often referred to as the “Skinny Budget.” Notably, the document did not include a proposal to eliminate LSC—a marked departure from previous administration documents and an omission that, while subtle, carries meaningful implications for ongoing advocacy efforts.
Released on May 2, 2025, the President’s budget outlines the administration’s top-line spending priorities for the coming fiscal year. Although it does not include full agency-by-agency allocations, it often signals the policy direction the administration hopes to see Congress adopt. This year’s version included explicit proposals to eliminate several agencies and programs—yet LSC was not among them. While the omission does not guarantee funding, it avoids the more politically challenging step of justifying LSC’s removal and could give supporters additional room to advocate for increased appropriations in Congress.
LSC is the nation’s largest funder of civil legal aid, supporting a nationwide network of nonprofit organizations that provide free legal services to low-income Americans in every congressional district. Its grantees help individuals navigate critical civil legal matters such as housing instability, domestic violence, veterans’ benefits, family law, and disaster recovery. In 2023 alone, LSC-funded organizations served nearly two million individuals—but continue to turn away more than half of those who qualify due to limited resources.
The ABA has long been a champion of LSC, consistently advocating for increased funding levels to ensure equitable access to justice. The Association’s policy positions reaffirm the essential role civil legal aid plays in strengthening communities and upholding the rule of law. In recent years, ABA members have raised the issue directly with lawmakers during ABA Day visits, in-district meetings, and through the ABA’s grassroots portal.
Despite the more neutral tone in this year’s budget blueprint, challenges remain. Both the House and Senate are preparing for another complex and likely extended budget cycle, including the finalization of the FY2026 appropriations bills and the broader Reconciliation Package. With growing demands on discretionary spending and competing priorities in nearly every sector, advocates will need to remain vocal to ensure LSC remains adequately funded.
If you would like to ask your Members of Congress to support legal aid funding in the upcoming process, please send this letter through the ABA Congressional Messaging Portal. The ABA will continue its advocacy efforts in the coming months, working closely with congressional champions to reinforce the importance of LSC funding.
Access to civil legal aid is not a partisan issue—it is a cornerstone of a just and fair legal system. As Congress takes up the FY2026 budget, the ABA is committed to ensuring that millions of Americans are not left to navigate the legal system alone.