Letter to Hal Rogers, Chairman, Nita Lowey, Ranking Member, of the House Committee on Appropriations, Frank Wolf, Chairman, and Chaka Fattah, Ranking Member, of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee - Rape Kit Backlog

Letter

Dear Chairman Rogers, Chairman Wolf, Ranking Member Lowey and Ranking Member Fattah:

Thank you for the strong support you have shown for reducing the backlog of untested sexual assault kits. We appreciate the $36 million you included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations bill specifically to reduce the backlog of untested kits at law enforcement agencies and we were pleased that this was increased to $41 million during House floor consideration. As you work toward final legislation that will fund the government through the end of FY 2015, we ask that you include at least $41 million for this important program.

Untested rape kits are a significant public safety hazard that prevents law enforcement from apprehending violent criminals, increases the risk of additional crimes, and robs victims of the justice they deserve. DNA analysis has been revolutionary in helping to catch criminals and prevent crimes from occurring in the first place. But this evidence does us no good if it remains untested and sitting on a shelf in a lab somewhere. Despite progress over the last few years, the number of untested rape kits continues to number in the hundreds of thousands and with state and local governments tightening their belts, significant federal assistance is needed.

The funds included in the House's FY 2015 CJS Appropriations bill for reducing the sexual assault kit backlog at law enforcement agencies is an important down payment toward solving this problem once and for all. The Senate Appropriations Committee included the same amount in its FY 2015 CJS Appropriations bill, demonstrating strong support on both sides of the Capitol. We hope that you will work together to ensure that any omnibus appropriations bill or continuing resolution include at least $41 million for this critical program.

Sincerely,