State's GOP lawmakers oppose Bush plan to end funding for victims of violence

President Bush wants to end funding for a program that aids victims of violence, a budget-cutting proposal that two Republican lawmakers from Tennessee said they oppose for the second straight year.

Victim rights advocates say that for the second year in a row, that money is in danger of disappearing.

The Bush administration's recommended fiscal 2007 budget would end funding for victims assistance programs by moving about $1.3 billion to the general treasury. That would leave a zero balance by 2008.

Last year more than $10 million went to Tennessee from two victims assistance programs started by the 1984 federal law.

Republican congressman Zach Wamp of Chattanooga predicts Congress will again this year defeat the Bush administration's proposal to cut the balance of the victims fund.

A spokesman for Senator Lamar Alexandedr says Alexander supports continuation of the funding.

Southern Adventist University social work professor Chris Atkins says the money comes from federal fines and forfeitures, not taxpayers.

The programs serve victims of child physical or sexual abuse, sexual assault, elderly abuse, robbery and assault.