Wagner, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Stabilize Crime Victims Fund

Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Ann Wagner (R-MO), along with Reps. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), and Jim Costa (D-CA) introduced the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act. The bill redirects unobligated funds collected through the False Claims Act to the Crime Victims Fund through Fiscal Year 2029, stabilizing the Crime Victims Fund during recent declines.

Read more background on the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act here.

Congresswoman Ann Wagner:"The Crime Victims Fund (CVF) supports essential programs for those who have fallen victim to violent crime, especially children who are often at their most vulnerable. This bill will help ensure the long-term stability of the CVF and strengthen assistance programs like Children's Advocacy Centers, domestic violence shelters, and rape crisis centers that have been significantly impacted by recent declines in funding. The CVF's instability in recent years has caused these programs to make unthinkable choices about who to help and when. It's time Congress stepped up to fix this problem and tell victims we have their backs as they work to recover and find justice." Congressman Nathaniel Moran:"The Crime Victims Fund, which is entirely funded by fines from criminal convictions, ensures that states can provide support, funding, and restitution to victims of serious crimes; however, the fund is quickly depleting. Our Crime Victims Fund (CVF) Stabilization Act guarantees that innocent victims continue to receive the support that they rely on most by using a new source of revenue at no cost to taxpayers. This legislation would redirect fines from False Claim Act convictions and direct those fines into the CVF, which will provide immediate relief to the over-burdened CVF and quickly provide aid to victims of violent crime." Congresswoman Debbie Dingell:"Victim services organizations depend on the Crime Victims Fund to provide critical support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, child abuse, stalking, and other crimes. This legislation will prevent the devastating impact of depleting deposits into the fund, enabling victim services organizations to continue helping those who depend on them to heal and move forward. Congress must ensure that the CVF receives robust, stable funding that equips victim services with adequate staffing and capacity." Congressman Jim Costa:"The Crime Victims Fund is a lifeline for victim service providers to continue providing compensation and assistance to victims of crimes. This fix would increase funding for the Crime Victims Fund to provide life-saving services while having zero impact on the federal deficit."

Supporting Organizations

Teresa Huizar, executive director of National Children's Alliance:"Every year, America's 961 Children's Advocacy Centers serve more than 380,000 abused kids and their families, including almost 10,000 abused kids and their families in Missouri. The VOCA funds under threat are the lifeline to reach these children with the crucial services that help them get back to being kids. This bill keeps agency doors open to crime victims who deserve our assistance. We thank Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) for her leadership on this critical issue, and thank her and Reps. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), and Jim Costa (D-CA) for introducing the Crime Victims Act Stabilization Act to help bolster the VOCA lifeline for abused kids and their families. We urge the House pass this bill and the Senate to swiftly follow suit so that critical dollars are available for the children, families, and communities that need it." Nelson Bunn, Executive Director of the National District Attorneys Association:"The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2024 is essential for the justice system to function effectively. It secures vital funding that enables prosecutors to fulfill their role in supporting victims and upholding justice. This critical legislation ensures that we can continue to deliver comprehensive support and advocacy for every victim, across every community." Monika Johnson Hostler, President & CEO of the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence:"We commend Representatives Wagner, Moran, Dingell, Bice and Costa for introducing the Crime Victims Stabilization Fund of 2024. They have heard the pleas of advocates across the country who have asked for Congress to help with the VOCA crisis. Victims of sexual assault depend on the services funded by VOCA, and this legislation will help ensure that sexual assault programs can keep their doors open. We will work hand in hand with the sponsors to help ensure that this legislation becomes law." Dr. Wendy Mahoney, Interim President and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV):"In every state and community, domestic violence victims and their children flee life-threatening violence and rely on VOCA-funded services to find safety, stability, and support. States are reeling from a 40% cut in their VOCA funding in just one year. Domestic violence programs are having to lay off staff, reduce vital services or even close their doors - leaving victims in further danger. We are incredibly grateful for the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act, which recognizes the urgency of the crisis and will help restore and maintain VOCA-funded services - a lifeline to victims." Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence:"The Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and our 100-member agencies, are grateful to Congresswoman Wagner for her leadership on working to keep Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding stable. VOCA is both a source of support to victims, and an economy and jobs generator. Victim advocates rely on these funds to feed their families while they do the challenging work of hearing victims' stories and working with them on their path to healing. The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act is necessary in order for domestic and sexual violence agencies to continue providing life-changing, life-saving services to survivors and their families." Bill Bedrossian, President & CEO, Covenant House International:"The Crime Victims Fund provides vital resources to our Covenant House programs across the country and the shortfall in funding has already resulted in the elimination of key positions which are essential to supporting youth trafficking survivors. We applaud Representatives Wagner, Moran, Dingell, Bice and Costa for proactively leading on this bipartisan issue to ensure we all can continue our fight to end trafficking and support the healing of survivors." Jewish Women International's CEO, Meredith Jacobs:"This year's 40% cut to Victims of Crime Act victim services grants will devastate America's victim service infrastructure. The bipartisan Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2024 is critical to preventing future cuts to victim service funding. Restoring resources available to victim service providers is an essential element of providing safety and healing for survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, gun violence, trafficking, drunk driving, and other crimes. Without Congressional action, service providers will not be able to meet existing needs and many will be forced to close. We call on Congress to pass this vital bill as soon as possible." YWCA USA CEO Margaret Mitchell:"Stabilizing the Crime Victims Fund is an urgent necessity for supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes. Every day, across our network of nearly 200 local YWCAs, we see the difference that the Crime Victims Fund makes in helping victims and survivors access crucial services to support their safety and healing. YWCA is deeply grateful to Representatives Ann Wagner (R-MO), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), and Jim Costa (D-CA) for leading the effort to stabilize this vital funding lifeline through the bipartisan Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2024."

Additional Supporting Organizations Include:

National Organization for Victim Advocacy

National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators

Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking

Alliance for Safety and Justice

Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice

Californians for Safety and Justice

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Just Solutions

National Domestic Violence Hotline

VALOR

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

Legal Momentum

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