In Senate Committee·Last action 344 days ago

Federal grants would expand advanced DNA searches in cold cases

Officially: Carla Walker Act

State, Tribal, and local agencies could get federal money to use advanced DNA testing in cold cases and cases involving unidentified remains. Public labs could also buy equipment to do this work in-house. The bill ties the work to Justice Department rules and requires reporting and oversight.

Where it stands

Sitting in the Judiciary

No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.

What this bill actually does

Creates two new federal grant programs for forensic genetic genealogy work. Both programs would be added to the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.
Only certain public offices can get the DNA-analysis grants. That includes states, Tribal or local police agencies, prosecutor offices with labs, and medical examiner or coroner offices.
Grant money could pay for DNA work in cases where CODIS gave no lead. That includes suspected homicide cases and cases involving unidentified remains.

↓ Why your message matters here

This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.

Where your representatives stand

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The debate

What people are saying about this bill

✓Arguments in support

Faster Case Resolution: Supporters argue that using whole genome sequencing can speed up the identification process in stalled cases, helping solve crimes faster.
Closure for Families: By identifying unknown victims and perpetrators, the bill can bring closure to families who have been waiting for answers.
Support for Under-Resourced Agencies: The grants provide necessary resources to local and tribal law enforcement agencies, helping them overcome equipment and training gaps.

✕Arguments against

Privacy Concerns: Critics worry about the expanded access to genealogical databases, which could implicate innocent relatives without their consent.
Federal Overreach and Cost: Some argue that the $25 million over five years could be better spent elsewhere and that the competitive grant process may favor larger agencies.
Implementation Challenges: The strict reporting and auditing requirements could be burdensome for smaller agencies.

Where this bill is in the process

Legislative timeline

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Introduced

Introduced in Senate

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Senate Committee

Under Senate committee consideration

Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (5/22/2025)

MAY 22

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Senate Floor Vote

Voted on by Senate

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Passed Senate

Approved by Senate

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House Review

Sent to House for consideration

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Passed Both Chambers

Approved by both House and Senate

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Signed into Law

Signed by the President

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Federal grants would expand advanced DNA searches in cold cases

Where your representatives stand

What people are saying about this bill

Legislative timeline

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