Bart Stupak: “I am pleased that the U.S. House is today taking up the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 bill. I originally…”

“I am pleased that the U.S. House is today taking up the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 bill. I originally introduced a bill addressing the DNA backlog problem with my colleagues Mr. Gilman and Mr. Ramstad in November 1999. I am so pleased to support this bill on suspension today, as this body acts to bring desperately needed help to our law enforcement during these waning days of the 106th Congress. This help does not come a moment too soon. I would like to thank Mr. McCollum, Mr. Scott, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Weiner and Mr. Kennedy and all the other Judiciary Committee members who devoted their time and energy to move this important issue to the forefront. This bill would not be on the floor today without the hard work of these members, who held hearings and worked to craft this joint legislation. This bill helps states and the FBI take a giant step in the fight against crime by eliminating the national backlog of DNA records. Federal, state and local law enforcement will be more connected, and better able to work together to solve crimes. It also closes significant loopholes that currently exist whereby the DNA samples of federal, military and District of Columbia serious offenders are not being collected. Lastly, it contains important privacy and expungement provisions, so that the rights of individual are protected as well.”