Commerce, Justice, Science, And Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Floor Speech

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Mr. NADLER of New York. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 3 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment, which I offer with Representatives Mike Michaud and Carolyn Maloney. The amendment increases by $5 million the funding for the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program and offsets that by a corresponding decrease in general operating expenses in the Office of Justice.

Unlike eyewitness testimony and other circumstantial evidence, DNA evidence provides scientific accuracy and assurance. It has resulted in the conviction of countless perpetrators of violent crimes and has freed hundreds of innocent people.

It is incredible that we can identify the guilty and exclude the innocent with certainty with just a little biological evidence and a scientific test. The problem, of course, is that you actually have to collect that biological evidence, do that test, and record that information. If you do not, the power of DNA evidence is unrealized.

Unfortunately, there is a backlog in the hundreds of thousands in the analysis of DNA evidence. This backlog includes untested samples from convicted offenders and from crime scenes, including rape kits.

When such a powerful tool as DNA evidence is unused, we must act. For years I have worked to reduce the DNA backlog and helped pass legislation to do just that. The Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program provides grants to States to collect DNA samples from offenders and crime scenes, including rape kits, to analyze those samples and to expand DNA laboratory capacity. That money is making a difference, and we must ensure that it continues to be available.

Congress provided $151 million to the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program for fiscal year 2009 and reauthorized the program at this level through fiscal year 2014. Unfortunately, this bill cuts this by $5 million for the coming fiscal year to $146 million, and my amendment would restore it to 151.

While I understand the budgetary constraints faced by the Appropriations Committee, this program must not be reduced when these grants mean protecting the lives of millions of innocent Americans and reducing the number of sexual assaults and rapes.

I want to thank my amendment cosponsors, Representatives Michaud and Maloney, for their help. I urge all Members to support the amendment.

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