WASHINGTON, D.C.- On January 12, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez's (NM-02)bill, the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act, passed the House of Representatives unanimously. This bipartisan legislation provides a stable source of funding for the Crime Victims Fund, which supports child advocacy centers, domestic violence agencies, rape crisis centers, and victim assistance programs in New Mexico and across all 50 states.

The bill requires certain civil penalties from fraud cases against the government to be deposited in the Crime Victims Fund.

"Crime victims deserve certainty that help will be there when they need it most," said Rep. Vasquez. "The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Actstrengthens and provides longterm solvency for this critical funding and ensures that survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other crimes in New Mexico can recover and thrive. I'm proud to support it."

The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act delivers for New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, as it:

• Adds a stable funding source for crime victims:The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Actstrengthens the Crime Victims Fund by directing additional money into the fund through 2029.
• Forces fraudsters to help victims:The Crime Victims Fund is financed by fines and penalties paid by offenders - not by taxpayers - and this bill strengthens that model.
• Directly supports victims:The Crime Victims Fund helps pay for services that support crime victims, including compensation, counseling, shelter, and legal assistance.
• Protects essential programs nationwide:The fund supports federal, state, and local programs that help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other violent crimes.

"Passing the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act in the House is an important step towards stopping immediate funding cuts to programs supporting victims of crimes, including New Mexico's Children's Advocacy Centers and their multidisciplinary team partners. We are grateful to Congressman Vasquez and the entire New Mexico House delegation for adding their names as co-sponsors to this widely supported bipartisan bill, which will assist survivors of crime of all ages. Stable funding for victim service providers across New Mexico will help to ensure that survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other violent crimes will receive the professional support they need to heal and thrive. We look forward to swift passage of the companion bill in the Senate," said Melissa Ewer, New Mexico Children's Alliance Director at the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs.

Rep. Vasquez has consistently supported efforts to help prevent and respond to these heinous crimes. He recently voted for the 2026 Commerce, Justice, and Science funding bill, which also included:

• Crime Victims Fund: $1.95 billion to provide victim restitution and victim services
• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA):$720 million for VAWA programs, including increased support for the Services-Training-Officers-Prosecutors (STOP) Program, the rural program, the Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP), and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) program
• Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCAA): $43 million for VOCAA to support essential services for kids and families

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