Patrick Leahy: “after years of shortchanging our nation's crime labs, the Administration has unveiled a proposal to spend more than $1…”

“after years of shortchanging our nation's crime labs, the Administration has unveiled a proposal to spend more than $1 billion over five years on forensic DNA programs. This proposal is overdue, but it is welcome, and it will make a difference. For two years I have repeatedly urged the Administration and House Republicans to fully fund existing programs aimed at eliminating the DNA backlog crisis and, in particular, the inexcusable backlog of untested rape kits. Until now, the Justice Department has simply refused to make this a high priority. In the meantime, untested critical evidence has been piling up while rapists and killers remain at large, while victims continue to anguish, and while statutes of limitation expire. I am pleased that the Administration's new commitment to funding DNA programs includes $5 million a year for post-conviction DNA tests that can be used by inmates to prove their innocence. Post-conviction DNA testing has already been used to exonerate more than 120 prisoners nationwide, including 12 awaiting execution. Last year the Justice Department cancelled plans to spend $750,000 on a post-conviction DNA testing initiative, and diverted the money to another program. It is heartening that the Department at last has recognized the importance of ensuring that the power of modern science, in the form of DNA testing, is available to help prosecutors and defendants alike establish the truth about guilt and innocence.”