Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 909
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-13: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-03T02:22:37Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 aims to temporarily boost funding for the Crime Victims Fund (established under the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, or VOCA) by directing certain recoveries from the False Claims Act (FCA)—a law that combats fraud against the U.S. government—into the Fund. This helps sustain support for crime victim services amid fluctuating collections from fines and penalties.
Key Provisions
- Additional Deposits to the Fund: From the date of enactment through fiscal year 2029, a portion of FCA recoveries (under 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729–3731) will be deposited into the Crime Victims Fund.
- Exclusions: These deposits exclude payments to whistleblowers (known as qui tam plaintiffs under 31 U.S.C. § 3730(d), who file lawsuits on behalf of the government) and reimbursements to the government for its direct losses from fraudulent acts (under 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)).
- Required Audit: By September 30, 2028, the Inspector General of the Department of Justice (DOJ) must audit the Crime Victims Fund and report findings to key congressional committees (House and Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees). The audit will assess:
- Sustainability of Fund deposits.
- Impacts of the 2021 VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act (Public Law 117-27) on the Fund's balance, stability, and spending.
- Impacts of this 2025 Act on the same factors.
- Recommendations for legislative and administrative improvements to enhance oversight, administration, and effectiveness.
- Audit methodology, including data sources, limitations, and evaluation criteria for long-term stability.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends VOCA (34 U.S.C. § 20101(b)(6)) by adding a new subparagraph (C) to expand eligible deposit sources beyond traditional fines, penalties, and forfeitures from federal crimes.
- Introduces time-limited (through FY 2029) use of FCA recoveries, with specific carve-outs to protect whistleblower rewards and government reimbursements—ensuring these funds prioritize victim support without diverting from anti-fraud incentives or direct recovery.
- Mandates a comprehensive audit, which builds on prior oversight but specifically evaluates recent funding fixes and this Act's effects.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The DOJ's Office for Victims of Crime (which administers the Fund) gains more stable, short-term funding for grants to states and local programs, potentially reducing budget shortfalls. The DOJ Inspector General faces new reporting duties, increasing accountability.
- On Citizens: Crime victims and survivors benefit from sustained access to services like counseling, medical care, and legal aid, without immediate cuts due to low traditional collections. However, impacts depend on FCA enforcement levels.
- On International Relations: No direct effects, as the Act focuses on domestic fraud recoveries and victim support.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Crime Victims and Service Providers: Primary beneficiaries, including nonprofits, state agencies, and community organizations that receive VOCA grants for victim assistance.
- DOJ and Federal Agencies: Involved in FCA enforcement (e.g., DOJ's Civil Division) and Fund management; may see shifted resource allocation from recoveries.
- Whistleblowers and Fraud Defendants: Indirectly affected, as FCA proceeds are partially redirected, though rewards and government recoveries remain protected.
- Congressional Committees: Judiciary and Appropriations panels gain detailed insights via the audit to inform future funding decisions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens VOCA's framework by diversifying funding sources without altering core FCA mechanics, potentially encouraging more fraud prosecutions if recoveries increase Fund stability. The audit provision enhances transparency and could lead to future amendments based on findings.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, by reallocating existing recoveries rather than imposing new taxes or burdens.
- Political: Represents bipartisan efforts to address victim service funding gaps (building on the 2021 VOCA Fix), but the temporary nature (ending in FY 2029) may spark debates on long-term solutions, especially if audit reveals sustainability issues. No overt partisan elements in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (327)
Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13], Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. James, John [R-MI-10], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] and 277 more
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-13: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-01-12: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-01-12: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H623)
- 2026-01-12: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H623)
- 2026-01-12: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 909.
- 2026-01-12: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H623-626)
- 2026-01-12: Mrs. Wagner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2026-01-12: CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENT - The Chair announced the Speaker's designation, pursuant to clause 7(a)(1) of rule 15, of H.R. 909 as the measure on the Consensus Calendar to be considered this week.
- 2026-01-09: Assigned to the Consensus Calendar, Calendar No. 1.
- 2025-09-10: Motion to place bill on Consensus Calendar filed by Mrs. Wagner.
- 2025-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-02-04: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 — issued 2026-01-12 — PDF (6 pages)
- Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-04 — PDF (2 pages)
- Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 — issued 2026-01-13 — PDF (4 pages)