UPDATE – – SUCCESS – – WE WON!

The VOCAfix Campaign Was Successful!

The VOCAfix legislation passed the United States Senate on 7/20 and then on to the White House for the President’s signature and enactment!

On July 20, with an extraordinary vote of 100 to 0, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1652, the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 (“VOCA Fix”).

The Alliance of the 1,700 Nonprofits that joined together (including SCARS) to apply pressure on the U.S. Senate produced the needed result and the bill was passed. It was signed by President Biden on July 22, 2021

VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021

Senate Floor Vote Toolkit

Learn More About This Important Campaign Here!

Contacting U.S. Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell

Contacting Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell is easy! See below for a step-by-step guide.

1. Contact Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer by calling (202) 224-6542. If the line is busy, call one of his in-state offices (https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact/office-locations). You can also email him at https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact/email-chuck. If you only have time for one call, Leader Schumer is the top priority. 
2. Contact Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell by calling (202) 224-2541. If the line is busy, call one of his in-state offices (https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/). You can also email him at https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact?p=ContactForm.  
3. You can use the call script and sample email below, or you can use the talking points below to craft your own!

Talking points:

• The ask: bring the House-passed VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 (“the VOCA Fix Act”) with no amendments to the floor immediately.
• Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants are the largest source of federal funding for programs providing services for victims of all types of crimes. VOCA is also the only source of federal funding for victim compensation grants. 
• VOCA is NOT funded by taxpayers. Instead, it is funded by monetary penalties associated with federal criminal convictions (primarily white collar crime).
• VOCA grants have decreased by two-thirds compared to four years ago, because DOJ is not prosecuting as many crimes and is instead entering into deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements. The monetary penalties from these agreements are deposited into the General Treasury rather than into the VOCA fund.
• This decrease has led to significant cuts to victim service grants, and further catastrophic cuts are anticipated unless Congress acts NOW.
• The solution is the VOCA Fix Act. This bill:
  • Deposits monetary penalties from deferred and non-prosecution agreements that would otherwise go into the General Treasury into the VOCA fund;
  • Increases the federal contribution to state victim compensation funds by 15%;
  • Includes other small but vital updates.
• The VOCA Fix Act passed the House with more than 90% of the votes!
• On June 8, 2021 more than 1,710 organizations and government agencies signed a letter to Congress to fix the Voca Act funding!

List of Current U.S. Senate Sponsors

Last updated 6/8/2021

Alphabetical by STATE NAME (not state abbreviation)

Phone Call Scripts

Majority Leader Schumer:

My name is [your name and location and, if applicable, your organization], and I am calling to tell Leader Schumer to bring the House-passed VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 with no amendments to the floor immediately. The VOCA fix is critical legislation that will prevent catastrophic cuts to victim services grants. Victims of Crime Act (or VOCA) grants are the largest source of federal funding for victim services. They also supplement state victim compensation programs.

The money available for VOCA grants has dropped dramatically over the last few years, because the Department of Justice is entering into deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements instead of convicting offenders. The money from those agreements goes into the Treasury instead of going to VOCA grants. As a result, grants for victim services have been cut by two-thirds compared to three years ago, and victim service providers are facing further potentially catastrophic cuts in their VOCA grants! 

[If applicable, explain how cuts to victim services and victim compensation grants will impact your community].

The VOCA fix solves this crisis by redirecting monetary penalties from deferred and non-prosecution agreements to the VOCA fund and makes other small changes, including increasing the federal contribution to state victim compensation funds. The House bill passed overwhelmingly, on a vote of 384 – 38. 

Victims have already lost $500 million this year, and they lose more every day. Passing the VOCA fix cannot wait. Leader Schumer must bring the House-passed bill with no changes to the floor immediately.

Minority Leader McConnell:

“My name is [your name and location and, if applicable, your organization], and I am calling to tell Leader McConnell to work with Leader Schumer to bring the House-passed VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 with no amendments to the floor immediately. The VOCA fix is critical legislation that will prevent catastrophic cuts to victim services grants. Victims of Crime Act (or VOCA) grants are the largest source of federal funding for victim services. They also supplement state victim compensation programs.

The money available for VOCA grants has dropped dramatically over the last few years, because the Department of Justice is entering into deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements instead of convicting offenders. The money from those agreements goes into the Treasury instead of going to VOCA grants. As a result, grants for victim services have been cut by two-thirds compared to three years ago, and victim service providers are facing further potentially catastrophic cuts in their VOCA grants! 

[If applicable, explain how cuts to victim services and victim compensation grants will impact your community].

The VOCA fix solves this crisis by redirecting monetary penalties from deferred and non-prosecution agreements to the VOCA fund and makes other small changes, including increasing the federal contribution to state victim compensation funds. The House bill passed overwhelmingly, on a vote of 384 – 38. 

Victims have already lost $500 million this year, and they lose more every day. Passing the VOCA fix cannot wait. Leader McConnell needs to work with Leader Schumer to bring the House-passed bill with no changes to the floor immediately.

Email Scripts

Majority Leader Schumer:

Dear Majority Leader Schumer,

My name is [your name and, if applicable, your organization], and I am writing you from [your location] to tell you to bring the House-passed bipartisan VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 (“the VOCA Fix Act”) to the floor for a vote immediately, with no changes. Victim service providers, including programs serving survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, drunk driving, homicide, and other crimes rely heavily on Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants. VOCA also supplements state victim compensation funds. VOCA grants are not taxpayer-funded; instead, VOCA is funded by monetary penalties from federal criminal convictions. 

As the Department of Justice is entering into more deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements, the money available for VOCA grants has dropped dramatically. As a result, victim assistance grants have been cut by two-thirds compared to three years ago, and victim service providers are facing further potentially catastrophic cuts in their VOCA grants! Moreover, state victim compensation programs are struggling and are unable to reimburse medical bills, lost wages, and funeral costs.

[If applicable, explain how cuts to victim services and victim compensation grants will impact your community].

The VOCA Fix Act solves this crisis by redirecting monetary penalties from deferred and non-prosecution agreements to the VOCA fund and increasing the federal government’s contribution to state victim compensation funds. More than 1,710 organizations and government agencies have signed onto a letter in support of the VOCA Fix Act, which can be found at https://tinyurl.com/23drue5v. 

The House VOCA Fix Act passed more than two-and-a-half months ago by a vote of 384 – 38, and the bill is expected to pass by a similar margin in the Senate, but you have not brought it to the floor for a vote. Victims have already lost $500 million this year, and they lose more every day that passes. 

As the Majority Leader, you decide the fate of the VOCA Fix Act. Make survivors a priority and bring the House-passed VOCA Fix Act without amendments to the floor immediately up for a vote. 

If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Graber (rgraber@ncadv.org), Denise Edwards (dedwards@nca-online.org), Terri Poore (terri@endsexualviolence.org), Monica McLaughlin (mmclaughlin@nnedv.org), Daisy Pagan (daisy@navaa.org), and Dan Eddy (dan.eddy@nacvcb.org), Dr. Tim McGuinness (contact@AgainstScams.org). 

Yours truly,

[your name, location]

[organization and title, if applicable]

Minority Leader McConnell:

Dear Minority Leader McConnell,

My name is [your name and, if applicable, your organization], and I am writing you from [your location] to tell you to work with Leader Schumer to bring the House-passed bipartisan VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 (“the VOCA Fix Act”) to the floor for a vote immediately, with no changes. Victim service providers, including programs serving survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, drunk driving, homicide, and other crimes rely heavily on Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants. VOCA also supplements state victim compensation funds. VOCA grants are not taxpayer-funded; instead, VOCA is funded by monetary penalties from federal criminal convictions. 

As the Department of Justice is entering into more deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements, the money available for VOCA grants has dropped dramatically. As a result, victim assistance grants have been cut by two-thirds compared to three years ago, and victim service providers are facing further potentially catastrophic cuts in their VOCA grants! Moreover, state victim compensation programs are struggling and are unable to reimburse medical bills, lost wages, and funeral costs.

[If applicable, explain how cuts to victim services and victim compensation grants will impact your community].

The VOCA Fix Act solves this crisis by redirecting monetary penalties from deferred and non-prosecution agreements to the VOCA fund and increasing the federal government’s contribution to state victim compensation funds. More than 1,710 organizations and government agencies have signed onto a letter in support of the VOCA Fix Act, which can be found at https://tinyurl.com/23drue5v. 

The House VOCA Fix Act passed more than two-and-a-half months ago by a vote of 384 – 38. The bill is expected to pass by a similar margin in the Senate, but it has not been brought to the floor for a vote. Victims have already lost $500 million this year, and they lose more every day that passes. It is time to prove your commitment to supporting victims by working with Leader Schumer to bring the House-passed VOCA Fix Act without amendments to the floor immediately.

If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Graber (rgraber@ncadv.org), Denise Edwards (dedwards@nca-online.org), Terri Poore (terri@endsexualviolence.org), Monica McLaughlin (mmclaughlin@nnedv.org), Daisy Pagan (daisy@navaa.org), and Dan Eddy (dan.eddy@nacvcb.org), Dr. Tim McGuinness (contact@AgainstScams.org). 

Yours truly,

[your name, location]

[organization and title, if applicable]

Social Media Action

Twitter handles: Tweet at @SenSchumer and @LeaderMcConnell

Hashtags: #VOCAFIX #Crisis4Victims

Sample Tweets:

• @SenSchumer The #VOCAFix passed the House with a huge majority and there’s a  #Crisis4Victims. Bring the House-passed bill with no amendments to the floor for a vote right away! https://tinyurl.com/23drue5v
• @SenSchumer, victim services have already lost $500 million this year due to inaction on the #VOCAFix. Join >1,710 organizations, all 56 state/territorial AGs, & 90% of the House in prioritizing addressing the #Crisis4Victims by bringing the House-passed bill for a vote.
• @SenSchumer Bring the #VOCAFix to the Senate floor. It MUST be passed to prevent even further cuts to victim assistance grants. It is URGENT the Senate pass the House-passed bill with no amendments. https://tinyurl.com/23drue5v
• @SenSchumer The #VOCAFix bill is essential to supporting victims’ services and lifesaving resources. Each day the Senate delays increases the #Crisis4Victims. Bring the House-passed bill to the floor. https://tinyurl.com/23drue5v
• @LeaderMcConnell The #VOCAFix passed the House with more than 90% of votes. It’s time for the Senate to address the #Crisis4Victims by passing the House-passed bill with no amendments. https://tinyurl.com/23drue5v
• @LeaderMcConnell Lifesaving victim service programs are experiencing cuts. There is a #Crisis4Victims and I urge you to support bringing the House-passed #VOCAFix bill to the floor for a vote. There is no time to waste. https://tinyurl.com/23drue5v 

Letters of Support:

On social media, you can link to the national stakeholder letter in support of the VOCA Fix using this shortened url: https://tinyurl.com/23drue5v

The national stakeholder letter above signed by more than 1,710 victim rights organizations and government agencies also links to another letter by all 56 Attorneys General (https://dojmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/VOCA-Amendments-NAAG-Final-.pdf).

Graphics can be found at https://tinyurl.com/65pfssmc. 

Letter to the Editor Template (To News Media)

Dear New Media,

Due to dramatic cuts in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants, victim services in our community are facing serious funding cuts. VOCA grants fund services for victims of all types of crime and are the largest source of federal grant funding for victim service providers. VOCA is not funded by taxpayers; instead, it is funded by monetary penalties associated with federal criminal convictions, particularly for white-collar crimes. As DOJ decreases prosecution in favor of deferred prosecution agreements and non-prosecution agreements – the penalties from which go into the General Treasury – VOCA grants are similarly decreasing. The bipartisan, bicameral VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 fixes this by redirecting penalties from deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements into the VOCA fund. The House passed the VOCA Fix with overwhelming bipartisan support. I call on Senators [your Senators] to tell Leader Schumer to bring the House-passed VOCA Fix to the floor for a vote to ensure critical victim services do not see further, catastrophic cuts. A letter explaining the VOCA Fix, signed by more than 1,710 organizations and government agencies, can be found at https://tinyurl.com/23drue5v.

Action Alert for Your Own Organizations

VOCA Day of Action: Tuesday, July 14

Contact Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Senate Minority Leader McConnell, and tell them to bring VOCAfix to the floor for a vote!

Please share with your lists and partners!!!

On March 17, the House of Representatives passed the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 (“the VOCA Fix Act”) with overwhelming bipartisan support. This critical legislation will prevent devastating cuts to federal funding for victim service programs through the Victims of Crime Act (“VOCA”). However, we have yet to see movement in the Senate.

The situation is dire! Federal grants to victim services through the Victims of Crime Act have been cut by two-thirds in the last four years. Congress can fix this by ensuring federal financial penalties from deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements are treated the same way as penalties resulting from criminal convictions – that they go to serve and compensate crime victims.

It has been two-and-a-half months since the VOCA Fix Act passed the House. IT’S TIME FOR THE SENATE TO ACT! 

On July 14th, call and/or email  Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Senate Minority Leader McConnell and tell them to prioritize victims and bring the House-passed VOCA Fix Act with no amendments to the floor for a vote immediately. Victims have already missed out on approximately $500 million this year, and every day the Senate delays is a day that victims lose out on money.

• Senate Majority Leader Schumer’s office number is (202) 224-6542. If the line is busy, you can call one of his in-state offices. Click here to email him.
• Senate Minority Leader McConnell’s office number is (202) 224-2541. If the line is busy, you can call one of his in-state offices. Click here to email him.
• A toolkit with a phone scripts and email templates can be found here.

In addition to contacting your Senators directly, join the Twitter storm Tuesday, July 14 from 2:00 – 3:00 ET. Find graphics and sample tweets in the Google Drive toolkit.

The hashtags are #VOCAFix and #Crisis4Victims. Twitter handles are @SenSchumer and @LeaderMcConnell. 

Graphics You Can Use And Post

State Specific Fact Sheets (Stored on Google Drive):

• Alabama
• Alaska
• American Samoa
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Guam
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virgin Islands
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming