A bipartisan group in Congress is working to permanently restore the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Access to Justice, Law360 reports. The office, which was closed in 2018, coordinates policy initiatives in areas such as criminal indigent defense and civil legal aid. The “Office for Access to Justice Establishment Act” was introduced yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives, and a Senate companion bill is expected. The move follows the Biden administration’s directive to DOJ to devise a plan to expand access-to-justice functions.

The House of Representatives Appropriations Committee has approved $600 million for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in FY 2022. The amount is equal to the Biden administration’s request and $135 million more than LSC’s current appropriation. If the funding survives the legislative process it would be the largest single increase in LSC history. When the administration requested the funding in June, it was the largest amount ever requested, but it fell short of the $1 billion the LSC asked the administration to request.

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved a pair of bills yesterday that would dramatically expand video coverage of federal court trials and other proceedings while putting Supreme Court arguments on camera for the first time, Politico reports. It’s the first time such legislation has cleared the committee in more than a decade. Both bills have bipartisan support though some committee members expressed concern that cameras would lead to “showboating” by lawyers and justices. The federal Administrative Office of the Courts also opposes the congressional effort, saying a rules change should go through its process for notice and comment.

The Biden administration has asked Congress to provide $600 million for the Legal Services Corporate (LSC) in fiscal year 2022 — the largest budget request ever put forward. According to officials, the request responds to a surge in demand for civil legal services caused by COVID-19’s impact on low-income communities as well as the continuing lack of resources to provide assistance to all Americans eligible for services. The agency also recently announced a new strategic plan outlining goals and initiatives for the next four years. 

Bryan Wayne Ivey of Crossville pleaded guilty this week to a minor protesting charge related to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, the Tennessean reports. He admitted to knowingly entering restricted areas of the Capitol and agreed to pay $500 in restitution. Additional fines or prison time may be imposed at a Sept. 28 sentencing hearing. The charge carries up to six months in prison, a fine of up to $5,000 and/or probation for up to one year. Ivey was arrested on March 4 on four charges. The other charges were dropped as part of a plea agreement. At least 15 people with Tennessee ties have been charged in connection to the riot. In related news, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced this week that she will launch a select committee to probe the events of that day. Last month, the U.S. Senate fell a few votes short to move forward on legislation to establish an independent commission to investigate the attack. The Hill reports on that story.

The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have passed, and President Biden has signed legislation to recognize July 19 as a federal holiday, Reuters reports. The first celebration will take place this Saturday but federal workers will get the day off tomorrow. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Among Tennessee’s delegation, only Rep. Scott Desjarlais, R-Murfreesboro, voted against the measure according to Fox 17.

In related news, Baker Donelson announced this week that it will designate Juneteenth as a permanent firm holiday and will encourage workers to use the day as a time of service, education and engagement. The firm will observe the commemoration tomorrow. Frost Brown Todd says it will mark the day by making a $10,000 donation to ParentPreneur Foundation to fund 10 grants for Black parent entrepreneurs.

Earlier this week, a subcommittee of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee heard from witnesses about whether or not new legislation is needed to curb evictions during a national emergency. Among the witnesses speaking to the need for more consistent tenant protections were two from Memphis: Cindy Ettingoff, CEO of Memphis Area Legal Services, and Katy Mason Ramsey, an assistant law professor at the University of Memphis School of Law. At issue is legislation introduced by Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, who represents Memphis. H.R. 1451, the Emergency Eviction Enforcement Act of 2021, would prevent landlords from trying to evict tenants without a court order or pressure them to vacate the property during a national emergency. Courthouse News reports on the hearing.

The U.S. Senate yesterday voted 53-44 to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the Associated Press reports. Jackson is the first appellate court judge appointed by President Joe Biden. She replaces Merrick Garland, who left the role to serve as Biden’s attorney general. Jackson is considered by many to be a leading contender for the U.S. Supreme Court. Jackson has written nearly 600 opinions as a district judge in Washington, worked as a federal public defender and served as vice chair on the commission that sets the guidelines judges consult when sentencing federal offenders.

Gov. Bill Lee is asking the U.S. Senate to investigate the arrival of unaccompanied migrant children in Tennessee, The Tennessean reports. Lee and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds sent a letter yesterday to U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who previously had asked Senate leaders to hold hearings on the recent influx of migrants at the southern border. Both Lee and Reynolds previously declined a request by the federal government to provide housing for unaccompanied minors in their respective states.

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty have introduced the “Migrant Resettlement Transparency Act,” which would require the secretaries of Health and Human Services and Homeland Security to consult in advance with state and local officials regarding migrant resettlement. It also would require the administration to submit to Congress and governors a monthly, state-specific report regarding the resettlement, transportation or relocation of undocumented individuals. A companion bill has been introduced in the U.S. House by Republican Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, Chattanoogan.com reports. The group says the need for the legislation came to light after it was discovered the Biden administration was using Chattanooga as a hub to relocate unaccompanied migrant children without the knowledge of state officials. “We have no idea where else this is occurring and communities have a right to know what is happening in their backyard,” Blackburn said. Last week, the group sent a letter to both departments asking for more transparency. The White House acknowledged flying children to Chattanooga but said the move is part a long-standing resettlement program.