.@AOC might better lead her party to put more rapists in jail by providing federal funds to help states eliminate the backlog of DNA rape kits that need testing.
For the first time in more than a decade, the House of Representatives has failed to provide those vital funds 👇🏽
For the first time in more than a decade, the House of Representatives has failed to provide those vital funds 👇🏽
@AOC Many sexual assault victims wait months or even years before their kits are tested—if they are ever tested at all.
Many states have backlogs of 10,000 kits or more—and experts say as many as 200,000 untested kits are sitting on shelves in crime labs and police departments.
Many states have backlogs of 10,000 kits or more—and experts say as many as 200,000 untested kits are sitting on shelves in crime labs and police departments.
@AOC Congress passed the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Elimination Act in 2004—and it received resounding bipartisan support.
The grant program, unanimously reauthorized in 2008 and 2014, makes funds available for both state and local crime labs to reduce backlogs.
The grant program, unanimously reauthorized in 2008 and 2014, makes funds available for both state and local crime labs to reduce backlogs.
@AOC This past May, the Senate once again unanimously voted in favor of reauthorizing the law.
But to date, @SpeakerPelosi has refused to reauthorize the funds, despite efforts by @RepAnnWagner who says Pelosi is “playing politics” with the issue of rape.
But to date, @SpeakerPelosi has refused to reauthorize the funds, despite efforts by @RepAnnWagner who says Pelosi is “playing politics” with the issue of rape.
@AOC @SpeakerPelosi @RepAnnWagner Evidence shows this grant money makes a significant difference.
Since the law was implemented in 2005, the Debbie Smith Act has funded the completion of more than 860,000 DNA cases, resulting in more than 376,000 DNA profiles being uploaded to the central data base.
Since the law was implemented in 2005, the Debbie Smith Act has funded the completion of more than 860,000 DNA cases, resulting in more than 376,000 DNA profiles being uploaded to the central data base.
@AOC @SpeakerPelosi @RepAnnWagner These DNA profiles have resulted in more than 192,000 matches between rape kits for unresolved crimes and DNA profiles of previously documented criminals.
Appropriations under the law account for 40% of forensic profiles and an astounding 45% of all DNA matches.
Appropriations under the law account for 40% of forensic profiles and an astounding 45% of all DNA matches.
@AOC @SpeakerPelosi @RepAnnWagner Rather than freeing 164,000 convicted rapists, @AOC should push for funding that will ensure more rapists face justice.
Victims of rape and sexual assault deserve no less.
Victims of rape and sexual assault deserve no less.
