To increase the appropriation for nationwide legal services field programs and to provide additional funds to programs providing legal services to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

SA 1659. Mr. HARKIN (for himself, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Obama, Mr. Corzine, and Mr. Durbin) proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 2862, making appropriations for Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes; as follows:

On page 175, strike lines 6 through 9 and insert the following:

For payment to the Legal Services Corporation to carry out the purposes of the Legal Services Corporation Act of 1974, $358,527,000, of which $346,251,000 is for basic field programs and required independent audits (of which $8,000,000 is for basic field programs providing legal assistance to victims of Hurricane Katrina).

Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Act, the sums appropriated for the Department of Justice are reduced by $37 million. This reduction is to be taken by the Attorney General from accounts receiving an increase in travel and transportation of persons as specified in the President's Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Submittal to Congress pursuant to 31 U.S.C. section 1105 and which are in excess of the fiscal year 2005 level;