Carla Walker Act

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Bill ID: 119/s/1890
Last Updated: June 15, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

ID: C001056

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Held at the desk.

June 14, 2026

Introduced

πŸ“ Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

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Committee Review

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Floor Action

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Passed Senate

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House Review

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Passed Congress

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Presidential Action

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Became Law

πŸ“š How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. The Carla Walker Act, a bill so dripping with sanctimony and bureaucratic jargon that it's a wonder anyone can stomach reading it.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of this bill is to establish a grant program for state and local forensic activities, because, you know, throwing money at a problem always solves it. The objectives are to improve forensic analysis, specifically DNA analysis, and to enable law enforcement agencies to use fancy new technologies like whole genome sequencing and genetic genealogy.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (because who doesn't love a good amendment to a 50-year-old law?) to create a new grant program. It defines terms like "accredited forensic laboratory" and "forensic genetic genealogy profile," because, apparently, these concepts were too complex for our lawmakers to grasp without explicit definitions. The bill also authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to eligible entities (states, tribes, law enforcement agencies, etc.) to conduct DNA analyses using whole genome sequencing technology.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties include law enforcement agencies, forensic laboratories, medical examiners, coroners, and prosecutors. Oh, and let's not forget the poor souls who will have to navigate this bureaucratic nightmare: the taxpayers. As for stakeholders, we have the usual suspects: politicians looking for a photo op, lobbyists from the biotech industry, and voters who will be convinced that this bill is actually doing something meaningful.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The potential impact of this bill is negligible, aside from lining the pockets of grant recipients and providing a PR boost to lawmakers. The implications are more sinister: this bill represents another step towards the normalization of surveillance state tactics, where law enforcement agencies can use genetic genealogy to track down suspects without proper oversight or due process. But hey, who needs civil liberties when we have "progress" in forensic science?

In conclusion, the Carla Walker Act is a classic example of legislative malpractice: a bill that promises much but delivers little, aside from more bureaucracy and potential abuses of power. It's a testament to the boundless stupidity of our lawmakers, who seem to think that throwing money at complex problems will magically solve them. As a seasoned cynic, I'll believe it when I see it. Until then, let's just call this bill what it is: a waste of time and taxpayer dollars.

Related Topics

Elections & Voting Rights
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πŸ’° Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Congress 119 β€’ 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$440,480
20 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$440,433

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
WEEKLEY, RICHARD W
1 transaction
$100,000
2
MCINGVALE, JAMES F
1 transaction
$50,000
3
MCINGVALE, LINDA
1 transaction
$50,000
4
DUNN, TIMOTHY
1 transaction
$45,000
5
MIDDLETON, MAYES
2 transactions
$25,000
6
MARTIN, KIMBERLY R
1 transaction
$20,000
7
BLAINE, JAY C.
1 transaction
$16,478
8
THOMPSON, JERE W. MR. JR.
1 transaction
$13,200
9
MIDDLETON, MACEY
1 transaction
$12,500
10
BOLDRICK, MILES
1 transaction
$12,500
11
BOLDRICK, LAURIE
1 transaction
$12,500
12
MIDDLETON, MACY
1 transaction
$12,500
13
WHITEHILL, KIT
1 transaction
$10,755
14
CARROLL, TRACEY
1 transaction
$10,000
15
HUFFINES, PHILLIP
1 transaction
$10,000
16
ALBIN, ALAN S.
1 transaction
$10,000
17
AGRESTI, JOSEPH A
1 transaction
$10,000
18
ADAMSON, MARK
1 transaction
$10,000
19
WILKS, JO ANN
1 transaction
$10,000

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 3 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

ID: W000800

Top Contributors

10

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 8, 2023
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
May 3, 2024
3
FIELD, MARSHALL
THE OLD MOUNTAIN COMPANY, INC. β€’ EXECUTIVE
Individual CHICAGO, IL
$3,300
May 18, 2023
4
RECHNITZ, JOAN
Individual RED BANK, NJ
$3,300
Apr 22, 2024
5
RECHNITZ, JOAN
Individual RED BANK, NJ
$3,300
Apr 22, 2024
6
GORDON, PATRICIA
SELF β€’ MD
Individual LOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
May 22, 2024
7
STILLER, ROBERT
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Sep 22, 2024
8
STILLER, ROBERT
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Sep 22, 2024
9
KALKUT, CRAIG
WEST FRONT STRATEGIES β€’ GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$2,500
May 3, 2023
10
SCHWARTZ, MARTIN
MINILEC SERVICE β€’ CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
Individual CARMEL, CA
$2,000
May 18, 2023

Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]

ID: C000880

Top Contributors

10

1
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
2
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LOS ANGELES, CA
$2,000
Dec 19, 2024
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Apr 30, 2024
4
ONEIDA NATION
Organization ONEIDA, WI
$1,000
Sep 10, 2024
5
RENO-SPARKS INDIAN COLONY
Organization RENO, NV
$500
Sep 10, 2024
6
ARNOLD, JOHN D. MR.
NONE β€’ RETIRED
Individual HOUSTON, TX
$6,600
May 6, 2024
7
LEPRINO, TERRY L
NONE β€’ RETIRED
Individual DENVER, CO
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024
8
BUKOWSKY, BRANT
MORTGAGE RESEARCH CENTER β€’ ENTREPRENEUR
Individual COLUMBIA, MO
$3,300
Oct 9, 2023
9
BUKOWSKY, BROCK
VETERANS UNITED β€’ FINANCE
Individual COLUMBIA, MO
$3,300
Nov 28, 2023
10
SILBEY, ALEXANDER
ATS COMMUNICATIONS, INC. β€’ CONSULTANT
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023

Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

ID: C001088

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 27, 2023
2
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,700
Dec 27, 2023
3
CHEN, YU
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ NOT EMPLOYED
Individual MIAMI, FL
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
4
MIRZAIE, REZA
RUSS AUGUST & KABAT LLP β€’ ATTORNEY
Individual PACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$3,300
Oct 7, 2024
5
CHEN, YU
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ NOT EMPLOYED
Individual MIAMI, FL
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
6
WASSERMAN, CASEY
WASSERMAN β€’ CEO
Individual LOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
7
ZHAO, PENG
CITADEL SECURITIES β€’ CEO
Individual MIAMI, FL
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
8
WASSERMAN, CASEY
WASSERMAN β€’ CEO
Individual LOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
9
ZHAO, PENG
CITADEL SECURITIES β€’ CEO
Individual MIAMI, FL
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
10
MIRZAIE, REZA
RUSS AUGUST & KABAT LLP β€’ ATTORNEY
Individual PACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$3,300
Oct 7, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 30 nodes and 30 connections

Total contributions: $460,380

Top Donors - Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Showing top 20 donors by contribution amount

1 Committee19 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped.

  • +Biotech & Research confidence 0.90

    The bill authorizes grants for forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis and searching, which involves whole genome sequencing and use of genetic genealogy services, directly benefiting biotech firms involved in genetic testing, sequencing, and database services (e.g., companies like 23andMe, Ancestry, or specialized forensic genomics providers). Sections 3062(b), (d), (e), and 3063(b), (d) authorize funding for technology and services that align with biotech industry activities.

  • +Medical Devices confidence 0.85

    The bill funds the purchase of forensic equipment, including supplies, reagents, consumables, and validation expenses for genetic genealogy techniques (Section 3063(d)(1)). This benefits medical device manufacturers that produce DNA sequencing equipment, laboratory instruments, and related consumables used in forensic analysis (e.g., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Illumina, Agilent).

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]) received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022–present cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β€” they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.

Industries this bill HELPS

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