S. 3706Victims' VOICES Act

1 recorded action301 of these members are on the 2026 ballotWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: John Cornyn [R-TX]
Cosponsors: 3 · 2 Democrats · 1 Republican
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Committee: Judiciary Committee
Latest action: Jul 30, 2024 · Became Public Law No: 118-77.

IntroducedJan 31, 2024
Passed the SenateFeb 29, 2024
Passed the HouseJul 23, 2024
Sent to the PresidentJul 25, 2024
Became lawJul 30, 2024

What the measure doesCRS summary

This act makes a person who has assumed a victim's rights eligible to receive restitution for certain expenses from a convicted defendant. The act applies to a person (i.e., legal guardian, representative of the victim's estate, another family member, or any other person appointed as suitable by the court) who has assumed the rights of a victim because such victim is under 18 years of age, incompetent, incapacitated, or deceased.

Under the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act of 1996, federal courts must order defendants who are convicted of certain crimes to pay restitution to their victims. This restitution must include the costs to reimburse the victim for lost income and necessary child care, transportation, and other expenses incurred while participating in the investigation or prosecution of the offense or attending proceedings relating to the offense, as well as medical and nonmedical care and treatment, and other associated costs.

This act specifies that, in ordering restitution, a court must order the defendant to pay restitution to a person who has assumed the victim's rights. In particular, the defendant must pay restitution to reimburse the person's necessary and reasonable costs for (1) lost income, child care, transportation, and other expenses associated with participating in the investigation or prosecution of the offense or attending proceedings relating to the offense; and (2) lost income, transportation, and other expenses associated with transporting a victim to receive medical and nonmedical care and treatment (including physical and occupational therapy and rehabilitation).

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing S. 3706 as public Law on Jul 30, 2024. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

How every member votedHouse roll call 361

House Jul 23, 2024

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

Victims’ VOICES Act

Passed · Two-thirds required

408 Yea 2 Nay 21 not voting

Crossed both parties 2 of 410 voting members broke with their own party: 2 Republicans.

Open the official roll call

How the chamber split

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DemocratsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

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All members431 members

Democratic212 members

Republican219 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors3 · 2 Democrats · 1 Republican

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor S. 3706 and vote against it. 3 signed when it was filed.

DRichard Blumenthal [D-CT]Original

RMarsha Blackburn [R-TN]Original

DSheldon Whitehouse [D-RI]Original

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