Byron Dorgan: “April 22 marks the beginning of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, an annual commemoration that has been observed…”

“April 22 marks the beginning of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, an annual commemoration that has been observed since the early 1980s to honor crime victims and call attention to their plight. We have an opportunity to provide full justice to many victims of federal crime by passing legislation that will help federal criminal justice officials more fully recover court-order restitution that is owed to innocent crime victims. By ensuring victims receive the restitution they are entitled to, our proposal truly reflects the theme of this year's Crime Victims' Rights Week--Victim's Rights: Every Victim, Every Time. I intend to offer an amendment with Senator Grassley today that would improve the collection of federal criminal debt. Our amendment is being sent over to the floor at this point. I will describe it and the reason for offering it. The amendment will be one in the form of a bill, S. 973, which I authored with my colleague, Senator Grassley. We introduced it with Senators Durbin and Collins. It is called the Restitution for Victims Of Crime Act. This piece of legislation will give Justice Department officials the tools they say are needed to help them do a better job of collecting court-ordered Federal restitution and fines.”