On July 8, 2009, the Center for American Progress released a new report, "And Justice for All: Prioritizing Free Legal Assistance During the Great Recession." The report highlights the increased need for legal representation during this economic crisis and calls for the following changes as the justice gap widens:

-- Congress should increase fiscal year 2010 appropriations for the Legal Services Corporation. They should match the corporation's request for $485.1 million or at the very least implement the House-passed figure of $440 million. Congress should also lift current restrictions on legal services organizations when it passes appropriations legislation because the restrictions waste resources and hinder the pursuit of justice.

-- Congress should pass H.R. 1728 and S. 718, which are pieces of legislation designed to expand the resources available to legal aid organizations.

-- States must avoid making cuts to legal aid programs while seeking creative solutions that actually increase funding for these vital services.

-- The private bar should continue to expand current efforts that are leading to increased amounts of pro bono service.