Pelosi Remarks at Bill Enrollment Photo Opportunity for H.R. 1652, the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021

Contact: Speaker's Press Office,

202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined House Democrats for a bill enrollment photo opportunity today for H.R. 1652, the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021, bipartisan and bicameral legislation that supports vital victim service programs by preventing future cuts to already diminished federal victim service grants. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Good afternoon, everyone. Today is a great day. It's a day of action, celebration and hope, as we enroll H.R. [1652], the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021, which passed the Senate yesterday overwhelmingly. Not one bad vote.

[Applause]

This bill secures the Crimes Victims Fund, the lifeline for thousands of service providers, helping millions of victims and survivors. It will bring immediate relief and resources to those in need, including children.

It's an honor to be here with the Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Chairman Nadler. Mr. Nadler, thank you for your leadership on this issue.

[Applause]

The author of this legislation, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, the Chair of the Subcommittee of jurisdiction - and, actually, the author of VAWA, the Violence Against Women Act, which we need to get done as well.

All of the cosponsors are here: Congressman Cicilline, Congresswoman McBath, Congresswoman Scanlon, Congresswoman Bush and Congressman Ted Lieu. Some are still in mark-up: Congresswoman Dean and Bass and Cohen and Escobar. I think they're still in mark-up, but they're with us in spirit and in legislation.

Democrats have been working toward this moment for months. We sought to include the VOCA fix in legislation last year, but sadly faced, then, partisan opposition. This year, we had a very big, bipartisan vote, though, in the House and in the Senate. But with President Biden, we got the job done. And, now, we will send the bill, when it is signed, to the President's desk. That's pretty exciting.

[Applause]

So, let's get it signed and over to the President's desk.

***

This is unusual. The bill has already been signed on the Senate side. That is highly unusual.

[Laughter]

Here. They did it big, so I'll do it bigger. Isn't this exciting?

[Laughter]

Here we are. Congratulations, Sheila Jackson Lee, on this wonderful legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for you leadership. Thank you to all of the Members of the Subcommittee and the full Committee and the House. What was it? Three hundred and something? Votes in the House?

Staff. Three hundred eighty-four.

Congresswoman Jackson Lee. Three hundred eighty-four.

Speaker Pelosi. Three hundred and eighty-four. That's pretty exciting. A great day of bipartisanship in the House.

Chairman Nadler. Who'd have the nerve to go against it?

[Laughter]

Congresswoman Jackson Lee. I think it would be very - it's so needed. Thank you.

Chairman Nadler. Okay. Now, I've got to get back to my job.

[Laughter]

Speaker Pelosi. Okay, now these important Members of the Judiciary Committee have to get back to their day job.

[Laughter]

Thank you all very much.

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