Veterans Legal Support Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced
Summary
Expands federal support for university law clinics that assist veterans. This bill would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund one or more university law school programs to represent veterans in VA appeals, fiduciary proceedings, benefits claims, and other civil, criminal, or family legal matters the Secretary deems appropriate.
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- Veterans: Veterans would gain access to law school legal clinics that can help with appeals to the Department of Veterans Affairs, filing and appealing benefits claims, and disputes over fiduciary appointments.
- Law schools and students: Eligible university law programs could receive VA funding to run clinics, creating paid or supervised practical opportunities for law students and additional legal help for veterans.
- Department of Veterans Affairs: The VA would administer the new grant program and set eligibility and scope for supported clinics across the country.
*Authorizes $10.0 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031 to fund the program, increasing federal spending by that amount during those years.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More free legal help for veterans
If enacted, the bill would let the VA Secretary provide support to one or more university law school programs that help veterans. The funding would pay for law school clinics to represent veterans in VA appeals and proceedings about appointing fiduciaries, to help file and appeal VA benefit claims, and to assist with civil, criminal, or family legal matters the Secretary finds appropriate. The bill would authorize $10 million per year for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out this support. The VA Secretary would decide which law school programs get the funding.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov