Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2837
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T08:09:01Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025 aims to create a temporary federal advisory group to help victims of gun violence by identifying their needs, sharing useful resources and best practices, and recommending improvements to support services. It focuses on coordinating existing government programs rather than creating new ones or restricting gun ownership.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- "Gun violence" includes a wide range of incidents like suicides, homicides, domestic abuse, hate crimes, mass shootings, unintentional shootings, non-fatal injuries, and threats involving firearms.
- "Victim of gun violence" covers people who are wounded, threatened, or witnesses; it also includes relatives, classmates, coworkers, or associates of those killed or injured.
- "Victim assistance professional" refers to helpers like doctors, social workers, caregivers, and advocates who support victims.
- Establishment of the Advisory Council:
- Creates the Advisory Council to Support Victims of Gun Violence, led by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- Members include leaders (or their representatives) from federal agencies such as HHS, the Department of Justice (Attorney General), Education, Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, Social Security, and others focused on health, mental health, and victim services.
- Adds 2–5 victims of gun violence and 2–5 victim assistance professionals, appointed by HHS.
- Duties of the Council:
- Assessment: Survey victims and professionals on needs; review past programs for effective strategies; evaluate how compensation funds (e.g., after mass shootings) work and how to guide victims to them.
- Information Sharing: Identify and promote resources for medical care, finances, education, work, housing, transportation, mental health, legal help, and government benefits. Include contact info for federal, state, and nonprofit helplines. Make info available online and in hard copies to Congress, Social Security offices, state health/education agencies, and attorneys general.
- Reports: Within 180 days of enactment, produce and share a report on best practices, resource gaps, and needed laws; submit to congressional committees, state agencies, and make public online. Follow up with another report 2 years later.
- Public Input: Gather feedback from victims, professionals, states, locals, and affected communities (especially those hit hardest by gun violence) to update resources and address unmet needs.
- Other Details:
- Exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), a law that sets rules for advisory groups to reduce bureaucracy.
- No new funding required; uses existing resources.
- The council ends (sunsets) 5 years after the law passes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new advisory council, which did not exist before, to coordinate support for gun violence victims across federal agencies. It does not amend or repeal prior laws but builds on them by assessing and promoting existing programs (e.g., victim compensation or mental health services). The exemption from FACA streamlines operations compared to standard advisory bodies.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Encourages better coordination among federal departments (e.g., HHS, Justice) and state/local entities, potentially improving efficiency in sharing victim resources without adding costs. Could lead to recommendations for minor policy tweaks.
- On Citizens: Victims and their families may gain easier access to practical help like benefits, counseling, and legal aid, especially in underserved communities. Broader awareness could reduce isolation and improve recovery, though impacts depend on how well info is disseminated.
- On International Relations: No direct effects, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. programs and victims.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Victims and Families: Direct beneficiaries, including those injured, threatened, or bereaved by gun violence, with emphasis on disproportionately affected groups (e.g., communities of color, youth).
- Victim Assistance Professionals: Doctors, social workers, advocates, and caregivers who provide frontline support and contribute input.
- Federal and State Agencies: HHS, Justice Department, Education, and others involved in health, housing, and victim services; state health, education, and legal offices that receive reports and materials.
- Nonprofits and Communities: Organizations aiding victims, local governments, and schools that can use the shared resources.
- Congress and Policymakers: Receive reports to inform future laws on victim support.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The FACA exemption allows quicker setup and flexibility but skips standard transparency rules like public meetings, which could raise minor accountability concerns. Reports may suggest new laws, indirectly influencing areas like victim compensation without mandating changes.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to create advisory bodies for public welfare (under the Spending Clause and general legislative powers); no First or Second Amendment issues, as it supports victims without regulating speech or guns.
- Political: Introduced by a group of House Democrats, it emphasizes non-partisan victim aid amid ongoing gun debates, potentially bridging divides by focusing on aftermath support rather than prevention or control. The 5-year sunset limits long-term commitment, and no new funding avoids budget fights, but success hinges on agency cooperation and public uptake.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (51)
Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1] and 1 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (12 pages)