In a bipartisan appropriations measure that went to President Donald Trump’s desk on Thursday, Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) secured $102 million to help eliminate the backlog in rape kit and DNA testing across the United States.
Aderholt, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, tweeted about the accomplishment this week, “Every untested rape kit is a victim denied justice. Every tested rape kit is a victim’s hope for justice.”
The funding is for the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, originally created by the Debbie Smith Act in 2004. This act is named after a survivor of sexual assault who ultimately found justice due to DNA testing being conducted.
Every untested rape kit is a victim denied justice.
Every tested rape kit is a victim’s hope for justice.
There are thousands of rooms like these across the country.
$102 million in FY20 funding exclusively for the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program. pic.twitter.com/9G3ejgLOOA— Rep. Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) December 17, 2019
In a video released by Aderholt’s office, the dean of Alabama’s House delegation spoke more about the importance of the major funding he secured. The funding will go to federal, state and local labs.
Watch:
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Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
