Political Quotes

“We are doing so because we recognize the urgency and dire need faced by victims and survivors throughout this country during a pinnacle moment caused by the pandemic. The numbers of domestic violence have gone up in cities like Houston and San Antonio and in States like Oregon and New York. We should recognize that cooperation on this legislation, in terms of improving the funding, is absolutely crucial. Without the VOCA fix of 2021, survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault will inevitably lose access to victim support services. It is leaving victims and survivors without options for safety and valuable opportunities to help them in their victimization if we don't fund this and change this process. The VOCA fix will rebuild lives, and it will save the lives of children who have been impacted by violence against their family members. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1652, or the ``VOCA Fix Act of 2021,'' a critical piece of legislation designed to curtail and prevent future cuts to an already diminished federal victim service grants program. This legislation must pass, because VOCA grants provides compensation to victims of crime at critical moments of desperate need. VOCA funds could help compensate the only surviving victim of Robert Lee Haskell who, driven by vengeance, fatally shot six members of his ex-wife's family in Texas, including four children.…”