The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“Victims of Crime Act (Executive Session)” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Senate section on pages S4946 on July 19.
The Department is one of the oldest in the US, focused primarily on law enforcement and the federal prison system. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, detailed wasteful expenses such as $16 muffins at conferences and board meetings.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
Victims of Crime Act
Madam President, on one final matter, VOCA, tomorrow, the Senate will take up a desperately needed fix to the Victims of Crime Act. Survivors of violent crime often bear tremendous financial hardship, everything from medical costs to emergency housing, to legal fees and mental health services.
After suffering a violent crime, the last thing Americans should have to worry about is being unable to afford the basic services they need to stitch their lives back together. So, for over 35 years, the Justice Department's Crime Victims Fund has provided assistance to Americans impacted by violent crime, such as domestic abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, DUIs, and other horrific crimes.
Traditionally, most of the funding came from penalties paid through Federal convictions, but over time the fund has shrunk dramatically. Compared to 5 years ago, next year, the victims of crime fund could fall to less than one-twentieth of its former size.
So, tomorrow, the Senate will vote on a measure to replenish the victim of crimes fund and ensure that it remains stable for the foreseeable future. This legislation passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, and here in the Senate it has at least 63 cosponsors. The legislation ought to sail through the Senate tomorrow.
The survivors of violent crimes deserve the peace of mind that they do not bear the burden of recovering from their trauma alone.
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