Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the bill we are here today to pass brings much-needed support to crime victims across the country. The bipartisan and bicameral Victims' Voices Outside and Inside the Courtroom Effectiveness Act, or Victims' VOICES Act, passed the Senate through unanimous consent. I am proud to be the House lead on this important legislation. {time} 1645 I thank my friend and colleague across the aisle, Representative Lucy McBath, for her work on this legislation and for her continued advocacy on behalf of victims. I will also take a moment to remember and acknowledge Ms. Jackson Lee. She was a cosponsor of the bill and a longtime advocate for the rights of crime victims. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. The purpose of the Victims' VOICES Act is simple: It assures fairness for all crime victims in accessing and receiving restitution from convicted defendants. Supporting victims and holding criminals accountable has always been a top priority of Congress. In 1996, the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act was signed into law and required defendants convicted of certain crimes, including violent crime, to pay restitution to their victims. These types of restitution can include lost income, childcare costs incurred while participating in the investigation, or medical and nonmedical care and treatment.…”