Legislative Update, Feb. 2024
Not Invisible Act Commission Report and Resource Hub
On November 1, the Not Invisible Act Commission transmitted its report for actions the federal government can take to address the crisis of missing, murdered, and trafficked American Indians and Alaska Natives to the Department of the Interior, Department of Justice, and the United States Congress. The Department of the Interior and Department of Justice must respond to the recommendations in writing within 90 calendar days. To learn more about the Not Invisible Act and the Commission, please read NIWRC’s fact sheet. NIWRC also created a hub to host the Commission’s report, important resources, and any future materials or updates related to the Commission’s work.
United States v. Rahimi Oral Arguments
On November 7, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Rahimi. This case will determine the constitutionality of prohibiting the 
possession of firearms by individuals subject to domestic violence protective orders. NIWRC filed an amicus brief in Rahimi in August as part of our VAWA Sovereignty Initiative. A decision on the case is likely to be issued in June 2024.
Action Alert: VOCA Funding Cuts
The proposed 40% cut to the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) for FY24 would cause thousands of victim service providers nationwide to cut programs or close their doors, and millions of victims to lose access to lifesaving services.
TAKE ACTION NOW by sending a prewritten letter asking Congress to maintain adequate funding for VOCA here.
White House Tribal Nations Summit
On December 6 and 7, Tribal leaders from across the country attended the White House Tribal Nations Summit to meet with senior Administration officials about key priorities and issues facing Tribal Nations. In anticipation of the Summit, the Administration released a fact sheet outlining new actions and progress in supporting Tribal Nations, including the announcement of OVW’s first Notice of Reimbursement under the VAWA 2022 Tribal Reimbursement Program for expenses incurred exercising expanded criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians under VAWA.
