Congress Moves to Shield Crime Victims Fund: New Bill Aims to Stop Money Diversion

The 'Fairness for Crime Victims Act of 2025' is a new bill designed to protect the money meant to help victims of crime, especially those affected by child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Instead of taxpayer dollars, the Crime Victims Fund is filled with fines and penalties from federal crimes. This bill sets up a roadblock in both the House and Senate against sneaky budget moves that would siphon off money from this fund.

Keeping the Cash Where It Belongs

The core of the bill centers around what are known in Congress as "CHIMPs" (changes in mandatory programs). Basically, it creates a rule—a "point of order," in legislative speak—that stops Congress from diverting money from the Crime Victims Fund to other projects. If someone tries to include a budget provision that reduces the fund's available cash below a three-year average, any member of Congress can call them out on it. If the objection is sustained, that provision gets tossed. This is important because, as the bill notes, over $10 billion has been withheld from victims since 2000. For instance, between 2010 and 2014, the fund collected $12 billion but only $3.6 billion went to victims (SEC. 2 (a)).

Real-World Impact

Imagine a local domestic violence shelter that relies on grants from the Crime Victims Fund. If Congress diverts a big chunk of that money, the shelter might have to cut staff or reduce services, leaving vulnerable people without support. This bill aims to prevent that scenario. By creating this point of order, the bill makes it harder for Congress to raid the fund for unrelated spending. It's like putting a lock on the cookie jar to make sure the cookies actually go to the people they're intended for.

The $2 Billion Catch

There's a caveat, though. The point of order doesn't kick in if the difference between the fund's balance at the end of the previous fiscal year (September 30) and the amount available after the proposed change is less than $2 billion (SEC. 2 (b, c)). So, Congress could technically still reduce the fund by a hefty sum, as long as it stays below that $2 billion threshold. It’s like saying you can’t take all the cookies, but you can still grab a couple of handfuls. This could be a point of contention down the line.

How It All Works

In the Senate, this point of order requires a three-fifths vote to be waived or suspended (SEC. 2 (b)). That means getting around this rule isn't easy—it needs substantial bipartisan support. In the House, the rule operates similarly, blocking any CHIMP that drops the available funds below the three-year average (SEC. 2 (c)). This two-pronged approach aims to ensure that the Crime Victims Fund stays protected, providing consistent support for organizations and individuals who need it most.