Applauding Stabilizing Crime Victims Fund

Floor Speech

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Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, as the Representative of California's 21st Congressional District, I am here to share some good news for the people of not only the Central Valley but across the country. The House has just passed the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act, with strong bipartisan support.

As one of the original founders of the bipartisan Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus, this is good news. I am proud to co-lead the bill alongside a bipartisan group of colleagues.

Right now, too many victim service organizations are forced to operate with uncertainty, not knowing if funding will be there from year to year. That uncertainty affects real people who have been victims of crime, survivors seeking counseling, families needing emergency shelter, and victims looking for legal support in some of the hardest moments in their lives.

This bill stabilizes the Crime Victims Fund, which is funded by criminal fines, not taxpayer dollars, and supports critical services through VOCA programs across the country.

By bringing stability to the funding, States and local organizations will have the ability to plan ahead, keep staff in place, and continue showing up for survivors when it matters most.

This bill heads to the Senate, and I am urging my colleagues there to act quickly on its passage for victims of crime and their families.

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