DNA/Victims Crime Bill Back on House Radar

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-15) today announced she is co-sponsoring legislation aimed at protecting victims of violent crime by using DNA technology to keep criminals off the street.

The DNA/Victims of Crime Bill is a revised version of the Justice for All Act, a bill which Rep. Pryce co-sponsored and passed the House last year. Among the initiatives in this bill are a focus on eliminating the backlog of DNA samples collected from crime scenes and convicted offenders and improving the DNA testing capacity of federal, state, and local crime laboratories. These two initiatives will have a direct effect on crime fighting in Ohio, which has an extensive backlog of DNA samples that need to be tested.

“The Central Ohio community recently witnessed first hand with the arrest of an accused serial rapist the importance of linking DNA obtained at rape scenes to the DNA of felons already convicted of crimes,” said Pryce. “DNA testing gives us the best chance to close a painful chapter in the lives of women who have been the victims of rape and sexual assault.  It is also the best chance to put rapists behind bars before they have a chance to repeat their crimes.”

The House Justice Committee will mark up the bill tomorrow in preparation for debate on the House floor.

Last year, the federal government provided $100 million to speed up the processing of untested DNA through the Department of Justice and the DNA Index System. Recently, the House passed legislation to increase this amount by over 75 percent to $176 million – mirroring the President’s budget request.  Rep. Pryce was a key advocate for insuring the entire request was fulfilled. 

About Congresswoman Pryce:

Deborah Pryce represents the Fifteenth District of Ohio, which includes Western Franklin County, Madison, and Union counties.  She serves as Chairman of the House Republican Conference for the 108th Congress, making her the fourth ranking member of House leadership.  The Congresswoman also co-chairs the Cancer Caucus.