[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, finally, later, the Senate will pass a 
long-overdue fix to the Crime Victims Fund to help Americans stitch 
back their lives after falling victim to violent crime.
  As hard as it is to suffer the trauma of a violent crime, survivors 
almost always face enormous financial hardship in the immediate 
aftermath. Just think about healthcare or mental health services for 
victims of human trafficking or sexual assault, emergency housing for 
victims of serious domestic abuse, legal fees for those who try to 
pursue justice for the crime committed against them. Those services can 
cost tens of thousands of dollars. So for nearly 35 years, the Justice 
Department has operated a Crime Victims Fund that uses money from 
Federal convictions and fines to help survivors of violent crime. It is 
a simple idea. It has helped thousands and thousands of Americans 
during the most challenging moments of their lives.
  But today, this popular and effective program is in danger of going 
into the red. Compared to 5 years ago, the Crime Victims Fund could 
fall to less than one-twentieth--one-twentieth--of its former size by 
the end of the next fiscal year. Well, the Senate is not going to 
abandon Americans who survived violent crimes. Today, the Senate will 
pass legislation to replenish the Crime Victims Fund and set it on a 
path toward long-term stability. The Crime Victims Fund has been a 
beacon of hope and healing for countless survivors over the decades. 
With today's vote, survivors of violent crime can rest assured that it 
will continue to be that beacon of hope and healing for decades more to 
come.

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