Iowa consistently ranks as one of the safest states in America — and we’re #1 in the country for public safety outcomes. That’s no accident. We back the blue, look out for our neighbors, and hold criminals accountable.
But even in the safest communities, crime can still strike. And when it does, victims shouldn’t be left wondering whether help will be there.
The problem: Critical services for crime victims — like emergency shelter, counseling, and legal assistance — are at risk because the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) is running dry. It’s funded by fines from federal cases, but deposits have dropped 90% over the last decade, endangering the lifesaving assistance victims rely on.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice collects billions in civil penalties every year — money that is sitting idle in Washington instead of helping victims recover and rebuild.
That’s why I led the bipartisan Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act, which just passed the House, to:
đź’° Redirect proceeds from fraud and false claims cases to the CVF
⚖️ Put recovered fraud dollars to work for victims — not bureaucracies
🛡️ Provide stable, year-to-year funding so victim services don’t disappear overnight
Why it matters: When victims ask for help, they shouldn’t hear “the money ran out.” Survivors deserve a system that puts people over process and delivers real support in their hardest moments.
Bottom Line: If criminals defraud the system, that money should go toward victims — not gathering dust in a government account. This commonsense fix makes sure survivors receive the support they deserve.