The Obama administration announced on Thursday that it is teaming up with New York City's district attorney to pledge a combined $79 million to help eliminate the backlog of untested rape kits across the nation.

The federal government will donate $41 million in grants, while New York will provide $38 million that will go toward clearing a backlog of untested kits in 43 law enforcement jurisdictions in 27 states.

"Rape kits are an essential tool in modern crime fighting -- not only for the victim, but for the entire community," Vice President Biden said in a White House statement released on Thursday. "When we solve these cases, we get rapists off the streets. For most survivors, seeing their rapists brought to justice, and knowing that they will not return, brings peace of mind and a sense of closure."

Biden added, "The grants we're announcing today to reduce the national rape kit backlog will bring that sense of closure and safety to victims while improving community safety."

Although forensic evidence collected from rape survivors is contained in sexual assault kits, many law enforcement agencies simply do not have the resources and funding to send every kit to a crime lab for testing. Others agencies test only a fraction of the kits due to inconsistent laws and policies, and the lack of national protocols for handling the evidence. As a result, at least 70,000 sexual assault kits remain untested in more than 1,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide, reports USA TODAY.

It can also cost up to $1,000 to have a lab test a kit, but under the Manhattan district attorney's grant initiative and agreements, costs should be reduced to about $675 per kit.

Biden also talked about the new funding at an event at the New York City medical examiner's office. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. also spoke at the event.

"It's estimated there are hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits sitting in police storage facilities nationwide," Vance said. "What stands in the way of testing them is money and the will to get the job done."

Vance added, "I'm saying today to all the women awaiting justice, 'You are not forgotten.'"

"No victim's suffering should be extended one minute longer because of procedural issues, ever," Lynch said, according to CBS New York. "This is our pledge to you; we will not forget you, we will not abandon you."