Chairman Elect Smith Announces HJC Reorganization

Washington, D.C. - Chairman Elect Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today announced the reorganization of the House Judiciary Committee, including the addition of an Intellectual Property Subcommittee. 

Chairman Elect Smith: “As Chairman, I plan to focus on efforts to strengthen national security, protect intellectual property, prevent frivolous lawsuits and keep children safe from Internet sex predators. Much of that work will begin in the subcommittees. The reorganization will help the Committee remain focused on priority issues for the American people.  

“One important change is the creation of a new intellectual property subcommittee. The protection of America’s intellectual property is critical to our economic growth, job creation and ability to compete in the global marketplace. A separate IP subcommittee will ensure that the Committee remains focused on all aspects of intellectual property, including patent reform and copyright protections.”

Below is a list of subcommittees for the House Judiciary Committee in the 112th Congress:

·         Subcommittee on the Constitution: issues of jurisdiction include constitutional amendments, federal civil rights, ethics in government, tort liability, including medical malpractice and product liability, and legal reform. 

·         Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law: issues of jurisdiction include U.S. courts, judicial ethics, bankruptcy and commercial law, bankruptcy judgeships, administrative law, independent counsel, and state taxation affecting interstate commerce.

·         Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security: issues of jurisdiction include criminal law enforcement, drug enforcement, sentencing, parole and pardons, internal and homeland security, prisons, and Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

·         Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement: issues of jurisdiction include immigration and naturalization, border security, admission of refugees, treaties, conventions and international agreements, claims against the United States, private immigration and claims bills, and non-border enforcement.

·         Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet:  issues of jurisdiction include copyright, patent, trademark law, information technology, and antitrust matters.

Decisions regarding chairmen of the subcommittees will be announced early next year.