[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 126 (Monday, July 19, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Victims of Crime Act

  Madam President, on one final matter, VOCA, tomorrow, the Senate will 
take up a desperately needed fix to the Victims of Crime Act. Survivors 
of violent crime often bear tremendous financial hardship, everything 
from medical costs to emergency housing, to legal fees and mental 
health services.
  After suffering a violent crime, the last thing Americans should have 
to worry about is being unable to afford the basic services they need 
to stitch their lives back together. So, for over 35 years, the Justice 
Department's Crime Victims Fund has provided assistance to Americans 
impacted by violent crime, such as domestic abuse, sexual assault, 
human trafficking, DUIs, and other horrific crimes.
  Traditionally, most of the funding came from penalties paid through 
Federal convictions, but over time the fund has shrunk dramatically. 
Compared to 5 years ago, next year, the victims of crime fund could 
fall to less than one-twentieth of its former size.
  So, tomorrow, the Senate will vote on a measure to replenish the 
victim of crimes fund and ensure that it remains stable for the 
foreseeable future. This legislation passed the House with overwhelming 
bipartisan support, and here in the Senate it has at least 63 
cosponsors. The legislation ought to sail through the Senate tomorrow.
  The survivors of violent crimes deserve the peace of mind that they 
do not bear the burden of recovering from their trauma alone.

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