House Judiciary passes Wagner’s bill to reauthorize DNA backlog grant program

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Sept. 28 voted 28-0 to pass a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) that would continue the federal government’s work toward reducing the nation’s rape kit backlog.

“Thank you to the House Judiciary Committee for advancing this important bill,” Rep. Wagner said, “and I look forward to the whole House showing our support for victims by passing this bipartisan legislation.”

Rep. Wagner on Feb. 17 introduced the Debbie Smith Act of 2023, H.R. 1105, alongside four original cosponsors, including lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN). The bill currently has 85 cosponsors.

If enacted, H.R. 1105 would reauthorize the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program through fiscal year 2029. The program provides grants to state and local governments to improve and expand the collection and analysis of DNA evidence, including evidence in sexual assault kits, according to the congressional record bill summary.

Since it was first enacted in 2004, the program has directly supported the analysis of over 1.79 million DNA cases, resulting in more than 308,000 hits in the federal DNA criminal database — representing 56 percent of all DNA matches, according to information provided by Rep. Wagner’s staff.

“There are far too many victims who have had to go without justice due to the unconscionable rape kit backlog,” said Rep. Wagner. “My bill, the Debbie Smith Act of 2023, will provide critical funding to our state and local law enforcement so rapists and other violent offenders can be identified and held accountable for their horrific crimes.”

The bill now heads to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.