Norton Introduces Bill to Provide Funding to Law School Clinics Providing Pro Bono Services to Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced the Veterans Legal Support Act, which would allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide funding to law school clinical programs that provide pro bono legal services to veterans, including assistance with disability claims and foreclosures. Currently, there are more than 20 law schools nationwide that have clinics focusing on the legal needs of veterans, including the William & Mary Law School Veterans Benefit Clinic, which was the first recipient of a "best practice" certification from the VA. Allowing the VA to provide funding to these clinics would allow other law schools, like the University of the District of Columbia's David A. Clarke School of Law, to start their own VA-certified clinics.

"Countless veterans are currently stuck in limbo, waiting for the VA to process their claims. The clinical programs at certain law schools provide these veterans with the free, expert legal assistance they need to navigate a complex system and secure their hard-earned benefits. This bill builds on the proven success of existing law school clinics across the country, ensuring we sustain and expand the vital legal resources our veterans deserve."

Norton's introductory statement follows:

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

On the Introduction of the Veterans Legal Support Act of 2026

April 21, 2026

Today, I 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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