Reauthorizes the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program through 2029.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
Debbie Smith Act of 2023 is a House bill awaiting final action. The latest recorded action: Held at the desk.
Latest action on S. 499: Held at the desk.
Who this affects: This bill affects several groups who play important roles in justice and community safety. Law enforcement agencies rely on funding to solve crimes, while victims of crime benefit from improved support and resources. Additionally, forensic labs will receive necessary funding for better technology, enhancing investigations. Overall, these changes aim to strengthen the justice system and provide better outcomes for everyone involved.
Why this matters: This bill matters because it directly impacts your safety and the justice system in your community. When DNA evidence is processed quickly, it helps solve crimes faster, which means your neighborhood can be safer. If someone you care about is a victim, timely justice can bring peace and closure, allowing them to heal. Knowing that resources are available for law enforcement to act promptly makes you feel more secure in your daily life.
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Reauthorizes the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program through 2029.
Use this page to support, oppose, or ask Congress to amend S499. Modern Action explains Debbie Smith Act of 2023 in plain English, helps identify the right senators or representative, and drafts a bill-specific message you can edit and send.
Where it stands
Sitting in House Committee
No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.
↓ 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.
Enter your ZIP to see how your senators and member of Congress have voted, sponsored, or spoken on this bill.
Where this bill is in the process
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Senate Committee
Under Senate committee consideration
Senate Floor Vote
Voted on by Senate
Passed Senate
Approved by Senate
House Review
Sent to House for consideration
Latest: Held at the desk. (11/6/2023)
Passed Both Chambers
Approved by both House and Senate
Signed into Law
Signed by the President
For more detail
Choose one clear position: support, oppose, or amend. Then pick any reasons or personal context you want included. Modern Action uses that input and the bill context to draft a message you can edit and send.
Congressional offices prioritize messages from their own constituents. Modern Action uses your address to route the drafted message to your House representative when that is the most relevant target for this bill.
The draft includes the bill number, your position, the reasons you selected, any personal context you added, and a direct ask such as voting yes, voting no, cosponsoring, opposing, or seeking changes. You stay in control because you can edit the message before sending.
This page gives you an opportunity to support, oppose, or ask for changes to Debbie Smith Act of 2023, then contact the elected officials who can act. Modern Action drafts the message from your position and the reasons you select.
Modern Action keeps the action tied to the bill itself: what it would do, where it is in the process (desk), which office can still act, and what ask belongs in the message.
You are not starting from a blank form. Modern Action drafts the message around S499, your stance, and the reasons you choose, then lets you edit and send when ready.
