New Jersey Leads Coalition of 21 Attorneys General in Suit Against Trump Administration Over VOCA Funding Conditions

Strategic Insights -

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has announced that a coalition of 21 Attorneys General is suing the Trump Administration over the illegal imposition of conditions on Congressionally-authorized Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants. The Trump Administration has declared that States will be unable to access these funds unless they accede to the Administration's extreme immigration priorities. This decision aims to block funding for advocacy services, sexual assault forensic exams, medical and funeral expenses, and other critical resources for victims and survivors of crimes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump Administration's conditions on VOCA grants are deemed illegal by a coalition of 21 Attorneys General, including New Jersey, California, and others.
  • The VOCA was enacted in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan, providing grant programs to enable States to provide critical resources and services to victims and survivors of crime.
  • States use these funds to assist nearly 9 million crime victims per year and to provide compensation for more than 200,000 victims' claims per year.
  • Congress has required the distribution of nearly all VOCA funding to States based on fixed statutory formulas and has repeatedly acted to ensure sufficient funding for crime victims.
  • The Trump Administration's directive conflicts with core principles of American governance - the separation of powers, and federalism.
  • The coalition is requesting that the Court permanently enjoin the Trump Administration from implementing or enforcing these illegal conditions.
  • The lawsuit is being co-led by New Jersey, California, Delaware, Illinois, and Rhode Island, and is joined by the Attorneys General of Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Statistics:

  • The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) has provided billions of dollars in funding to States to support victims and survivors of crimes nationwide.
  • VOCA funding is used to assist nearly 9 million crime victims per year.
  • The U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) has declared that States will be blocked from VOCA funds unless they comply with the Administration's political agenda.
  • Congress has required the distribution of nearly all VOCA funding to States based on fixed statutory formulas.
  • More than 200,000 victims' claims are compensated annually using VOCA funding.

Sources:

  • New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin's office.
  • The State of New Jersey's news release.
  • The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984.
  • U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ).
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
  • Congressional records.