VIDEO RELEASE: Following Shaheen’s Call on the Senate Floor, Senate Sends Bipartisan Legislation to Sustain Crime Victims Fund to President’s Desk

Press Release from Senator Jeanne Shaheen
​July 20, 2021

(Washington, DC) – This afternoon on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Sciences and Related Agencies (CJS), called on the Senate to overcome partisan politics and pass the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act, legislation that would strengthen the Crime Victims Fund for the future. The legislation redirects monetary penalties from federal deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements into the CVF in order to provide continued support for state victim compensation and assistance programs. Through her leadership on the CJS Appropriations Subcommittee, Shaheen has historically fought to bolster resources for the CVF. Following Shaheen’s remarks, the Senate approved the measure unanimously, which now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. 
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Shaheen highlighted calls she has received from individuals and groups across New Hampshire urging lawmakers to reject the Toomey amendment and pass a clean bill. “I’ve heard from individuals and organizations from across New Hampshire… like the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and Granite State Children’s Alliance who both are beneficiaries of the Crime Victims Fund… This bill has already passed the House. If we pass this legislation today without amendment, it can be quickly signed into law and we can get these much needed changes to shore up collections into the fund so that the victims of crime can get the help that they need. It will make a meaningful impact to ensure there is adequate funding for survivors now and in years to come.” ​

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