Contact: Louisa Tavlas
Mobile: 571-527-6403
Email: ltavlas@niskanencenter.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. June 15, 2022 – The Niskanen Center applauds the U.S. House Judiciary Committee for approving H.R. 5768 (the “VICTIM Act”). The Niskanen Center worked with the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Val Demings (D-FL), to develop the legislation, which aims to improve clearance rates for homicide and non-fatal shootings.
The VICTIM Act would provide $1 billion in funding over 10 years to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to hire and retain homicide detectives and non-fatal shooting investigators and improve evidence processing technology and practices. It would also ensure that victim services programs are sufficiently funded and staffed and that critical resources for victims are accessible and convenient.
“As lawmakers across the ideological spectrum seek answers to violence that continues to plague America’s most vulnerable neighborhoods, we commend the Committee for approving the VICTIM Act,” says Greg Newburn, Niskanen’s director of criminal justice. “The VICTIM Act will provide much-needed relief to communities fed up with senseless violence, and not a moment too soon. We’re hopeful this common-sense legislation will soon be considered on the House floor,” Newburn adds.
A Senate companion to the VICTIM Act, S. 4402, was introduced Tuesday by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-IL). “The VICTIM Act sends a message that violent crime will not go unpunished, and gives law enforcement the resources to back up that message with action. We’re grateful to Senator Booker and Chair Durbin for taking bold action to protect public safety,” Newburn says.
The Niskanen Center is a 501(c)(3) advocacy organization established in 2014 that works to change public policy through direct engagement in the policymaking process.
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