Schmidt, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Support Crime Victims
WASHINGTON, DC: Today, Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) announced he introduced the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act alongside Representatives Ann Wagner (MO-02), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Jim Costa (CA-21), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and Stephanie Bice (OK-05). The bill redirects unobligated funds collected through the False Claims Act to the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) through fiscal year (FY) 2029, stabilizing the CVF.
“As Kansas’ top law enforcement official for more than a decade, I know firsthand how crimes impact victims and their families long after cases are closed,” Congressman Derek Schmidt said. “Replenishing the Crime Victims Fund with funds from those who sought to abuse taxpayer dollars is a commonsense solution to the shortfall the CVF is facing. I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this bill, which I hope will be swiftly passed and signed into law.”
“Across the nation, child advocacy centers, rape crisis centers, and domestic violence shelters—organizations that help victims when they are at their most vulnerable—are enduring a devastating drop in funding,” Congresswoman Ann Wagner said. “Due to the rapid decline in the Crime Victims Fund, these organizations saw their federal support cut by 40% last year. Many have been forced to triage their services, and some have had to close their doors entirely. They need our help now. That’s why I am proud to introduce the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act, legislation that will address this issue head on, avert future cuts, and get relief for victim assistance programs in Missouri and throughout the country, all at no cost to the taxpayer. Without these resources, victims of the most depraved crimes will lose a vital lifeline that not only rescues them from their anguish, but gives them the opportunity to help law enforcement bring predators to justice. Congress must act without delay.”
“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,” Congresswoman Debbie Dingell said. “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.”
“The Crime Victims Fund—which is entirely funded by fines from criminal convictions—ensures that victims of serious crimes receive court-ordered restitution and necessary support; however, the fund is quickly depleting,” Congressman Nathaniel Moran said. “Our Crime Victims Fund (CVF) Stabilization Act helps to guarantee that these innocent victims of violent crimes will continue to receive needed support by accessing an existing source, but new stream, of revenue. Opening this new avenue of an existing source is at no cost to taxpayers. This legislation would simply 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.”
“The Crime Victims Fund is essential for supporting victim service providers, ensuring they can continue offering critical aid and compensation to those affected by crime,” Congressman Jim Costa said. “This bill would fix ongoing challenges by boosting funding for life-saving services—without adding to the federal deficit."
“This is a common-sense solution that ensures critical support for millions of victims across the country without burdening taxpayers,” Congresswoman Stephanie Bice said. “By redirecting unobligated funds from fraudulent claims, we are able to continue to support those affected by violent crime. This bill will help keep doors open at child advocacy centers, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, and other essential programs, ensuring that no victim is left without support.”
The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act is supported by multiple state and national victim advocacy organizations, including FosterAdopt Connect, the National Children's Alliance, National District Attorneys Association, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, National Network to End Domestic Violence, RAINN, Covenant House International, and Jewish Women International.
BACKGROUND
The CVF was created as a part of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to provide funding for victim assistance programs in all fifty states. This funding supports thousands of victim assistance programs, including child advocacy centers, domestic violence agencies, and rape crisis centers, serving an average of 3.7 million victims of crime per year.
The CVF is not funded by taxpayer dollars; rather, through the fines, settlements, bonds, and monetary penalties associated with federal criminal prosecutions. While deposits into the CVF fluctuate annually depending on the cases prosecuted by the Department of Justice, the fund’s balance has seen a drastic drop of 83% since fiscal FY 2017. This shortfall is forcing programs that support victims of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault to either triage their services or close their doors entirely.
The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act provides a solution to this shortfall by redirecting funds collected through the False Claims Act into the CVF through FY2029. The FCA authorizes the federal government to hold entities liable that knowingly defraud government agencies for up to 3x the damages. Over the past two fiscal years, settlements and judgements under the FCA have totaled over $5.5 billion. This temporary infusion of resources will help stabilize the CVF while retaining the Fund’s original intent of being financed by legal fines and fees, not Americans’ tax dollars.
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