---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 2996"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "2996"
heading: "Congressional findings and declaration of purpose"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/2996"
units:
  - "Chapter 34 — Economic Opportunity Program"
  - "Subchapter X — Legal Services Corporation"
---

# §2996. Congressional findings and declaration of purpose


The Congress finds and declares that—

- (1) there is a need to provide equal access to the system of justice in our Nation for individuals who seek redress of grievances;
- (2) there is a need to provide high quality [legal assistance](/usc/42/2996a.md?p=5) to those who would be otherwise unable to afford adequate legal counsel and to continue the present vital legal services [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4);
- (3) providing [legal assistance](/usc/42/2996a.md?p=5) to those who face an economic barrier to adequate legal counsel will serve best the ends of justice and assist in improving opportunities for low-[income](/usc/42/292s.md?p=c-4) [persons](/usc/42/1320a–7k.md?p=d-4-C-i) consistent with the purposes of this chapter;
- (4) for many of our citizens, the availability of legal services has reaffirmed faith in our government of laws;
- (5) to preserve its strength, the legal services [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) must be kept free from the influence of or use by it of political pressures; and
- (6) attorneys providing [legal assistance](/usc/42/2996a.md?p=5) must have full freedom to protect the best interests of their clients in keeping with the Code of Professional Responsibility, the Canons of Ethics, and the high [standards](/usc/42/1320d.md?p=7) of the legal profession.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 88–452, title X, § 1001, as added Pub. L. 93–355, § 2, July 25, 1974, 88 Stat. 378; amended Pub. L. 95–222, § 2, Dec. 28, 1977, 91 Stat. 1619.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1977—Par. (3). Pub. L. 95–222 inserted provision relating to assistance in improving opportunities for low-income persons consistent with this chapter.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1977 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–222, § 17(b), Dec. 28, 1977, 91 Stat. 1624, provided that: “The amendments made by provisions of this Act other than sections 11 and 15 [amending this section and sections 2996c, 2996e, 2996f, 2996g, 2996h, 2996i, and 2996j of this title] shall be effective on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 28, 1977].”

### Short Title

This subchapter is known as the “Legal Services Corporation Act”, see Short Title note set out under section 2701 of this title.