A bipartisan effort to address the significant backlog of untested sexual assault evidence has emerged in the U.S. Congress. Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina, a Republican, and Representative Barbara Lee of California, a Democrat, introduced a new bill last week designed to tackle the issue. The legislation aims to ensure that DNA evidence collected from survivors of sexual violence is processed, allowing victims to seek justice and closure.
The two representatives spoke with NPR host Ari Shapiro about the motivation behind the bill. Mace, who has publicly shared her experience as a survivor of rape, emphasized the importance of their collaboration. She noted that every untested kit represents a survivor seeking answers. Mace praised Lee for reaching across the political aisle to work on what she described as critical legislation for women.
Lee echoed Mace’s sentiments, highlighting the necessity of demonstrating that Congress can work together on important issues. She pointed to statistics indicating that one in five women are victims of rape or attempted rape, with higher rates among women of color. Lee stated that the bill serves as a message that justice for survivors is a national priority and that these cases should not be overlooked.
The backlog is caused by a mix of resource limitations and organizational challenges within state and local law enforcement agencies. Mace explained that agencies in South Carolina often lack the necessary resources or structure to process all kits. She noted that local law enforcement supports the legislation and agrees that greater accountability and transparency are needed to resolve the crisis.
In California, the situation differs slightly. Lee stated that the state is further ahead than most in terms of processing evidence but still has approximately 14,000 untested DNA rape kits. She expressed confusion over why this backlog persists given that the state has the funding available. She also noted that skepticism from law enforcement toward women’s accounts can contribute to the delay in processing.
The cost to test each kit ranges from $1,000 to $1,500. While the new bill does not provide additional new funds to states, it introduces a mechanism to leverage existing money. Lee explained that the bill conditions the use of Byrne JAG funds, which the federal government already provides, on compliance with simple reporting requirements. This approach aims to ensure that federal funds are used effectively to clear the backlog.
The legislation requires law enforcement agencies to report on their backlog levels and outline their plans for processing the evidence. Mace stated that if agencies fail to meet these reporting standards, they risk losing funding. This requirement is intended to create accountability and encourage agencies to move forward with testing the evidence.
Mace emphasized the strategic goal of passing a bipartisan bill during a period of significant spending debates in Congress. She believes that achieving a consensus on this issue can help restore public trust in the legislative body. She argued that working together for the betterment of communities provides hope to the American people, particularly during times of political division.
Both representatives expressed satisfaction with the media coverage of their joint effort. Lee noted that while many members of Congress work on bipartisan agendas, it is important for the press to highlight these collaborations. The bill represents a step toward empowering law enforcement and ensuring that the voices of survivors are heard clearly.
The introduction of this legislation marks a significant moment for advocates of sexual assault justice. By linking funding to reporting and processing requirements, Representatives Mace and Lee hope to create a sustainable system that reduces the number of kits sitting untested in evidence lockers across the country.
