Hill Country Chronicle

WASHINGTON — Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) issued a statement on Tuesday regarding his votes against S. 3706, the Victims’ VOICES Act, and S. 227, the Improving Access to Our Courts Act.

"Today, I voted against S. 3706, the Victims’ VOICES Act, and S. 227, the Improving Access to Our Courts Act," Roy stated. "The Victims’ VOICES Act would extend restitution payments to parents or guardians of victims who are under 18 years old. The Improving Access to Our Courts Act would allow federal court case hearings to take place at existing court facilities in Alpine, Texas, ensuring Texans who have business before the court do not have to unnecessarily travel long distances."

Roy explained his opposition was based on a commitment he made in a letter dated December 19, 2022. "While I agree with the policies put forward in both bills," he noted, "I voted against both as a matter of keeping my word." He emphasized that his pledge was to vote against any legislative priority proposed by senators who supported the fiscal year 2023 omnibus bill.

Roy criticized the omnibus bill for being passed by a lame-duck Congress controlled by Democrats and for perpetuating what he described as "the federal government’s war on the liberty and security of the American people."

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