S 611

VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021

Domain:

National

Campaign URL:

Bill status:

Senate Judiciary Committee

CO position:

Support

Short description:

The VOCA Fix Act passed the Senate unanimously! The Toomey amendment failed 60-40, and the VOCA fix is on its way to President Biden's desk for a signature.

Thank you so much to everyone for their help with this critical legislation! According to Rachel Graber of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, disbursement will probably take a year because the vote was very close to the end of the fiscal year and money hasn't had a chance to accrue to the VOCA Fund. In the long term, however, this fix is expected to stabilize the Fund and prevent future catastrophic cuts.

Both Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley voted to support this bill. Thank you, Senators!

Deposits into the Crime Victims Fund have dropped dramatically in the last several years, leading to a substantial cut to the Victims Of Crime Act (VOCA) victim assistance grants. Victims services organizations are facing budget cuts, staff layoffs, and even program closures while demand for victim services is growing. It has been two-and-a-half months since the House overwhelmingly passed the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 to fix the problem. It is time for the Senate to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.

Long description:

HR 1280

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021

Domain:

National

Campaign URL:

Bill status:

United States Senate

CO position:

Support

Short description:

This bill addresses a wide range of policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. It increases accountability for law enforcement misconduct, restricts the use of certain policing practices, enhances transparency and data collection, and establishes best practices and training requirements.

Oregon House cosponsors of HB 1280 were Cong. Bonamici, Blumenauer, and DeFazio. Cong. Schrader voted for the bill but was not a cosponsor.
Oregon Congressman Cliff Bentz voted against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021.

Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are expected to support the bill.

Long description:

HR 1446

Enhanced Background Checks (Expands Charleston Loophole From 3 to 10 Days)

Domain:

National

Campaign URL:

Bill status:

Received in the Senate

CO position:

Support

Short description:

This bill revises background check requirements applicable to proposed firearm transfers from a federal firearms licensee (e.g., a licensed gun dealer) to an unlicensed person.

Specifically, it increases the amount of time, from 3 business days to a minimum of 10 business days, that a federal firearms licensee must wait to receive a completed background check prior to transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. (This type of transaction is often referred to as a default proceed transaction.)

If a submitted background check remains incomplete after 10 business days, then the prospective purchaser may submit a petition for a final firearms eligibility determination. If an additional 10 days elapse without a final determination, then the federal firearms licensee may transfer the firearm to the prospective purchaser.