Press Releases

Chairman Goodlatte:  Our system of government is a tripartite one, with each branch having certain defined functions delegated to it by the Constitution.  The President is charged with executing the laws; the Congress with writing the laws; and the Judiciary with interpreting them.

The Obama Administration, however, has ignored the Constitution’s carefully balanced separation of powers and unilaterally granted itself the extra-constitutional authority to amend the laws and to waive or suspend their enforcement.

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, March 12th at 10:00 a.m., the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on “Exploring Alternative Solutions on the Internet Sales Tax Issue” to examine five proposed Internet sales tax solutions. Each witness will present a proposal and advocate for and defend it against criticisms from fellow panelists to identify the merits and shortcomings of each approach.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) released the statement below on Wednesday’s hearing.

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives approved H.R. 2641, the Responsibly And Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act by a vote of 229-179. The RAPID Act, introduced by Congressman Tom Marino (R-Pa.) and cosponsored by Republicans and Democrats, contains a strong slate of permit streamlining reforms consistent with the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness’ recommendation to “simplify regulatory review and streamline project approvals to accelerate jobs and growth.” The bill streamlines the approval process for federally-funded and federally-permitted infrastructure, energy and other construction projects and delivers faster approvals.

Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved three bills to rein in the growing problem of executive overreach and restore balance to the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution.

First, the Committee approved by a vote of 17-11 the Faithful Execution of the Law Act (H.R. 3973), authored by Representative Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.). The legislation strengthens current law and promotes transparency and honesty in the federal government by requiring all federal officials who establish or implement a formal or informal policy to refrain from enforcing a federal law to report to Congress on the reason for the non-enforcement.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today introduced the Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of the Law (ENFORCE the Law) Act (H.R. 4138) to rein in the growing problem of executive overreach and restore balance to the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution. The introduction of this bill follows the House Judiciary Committee’s careful consideration of the President’s failure to faithfully execute our laws.

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives approved H.R. 2804, the Achieving Less Excess in Regulation and Requiring Transparency Act (ALERRT Act), by a vote of 236-179. Excessive regulation means higher prices, lower wages, fewer job opportunities, and a less competitive America. The ALERRT Act ensures less unneeded regulation; smarter, less costly regulation when regulation is needed; and transparency about new regulations and costs.

Chairman Goodlatte:  “Just over six months ago, President Obama announced that he would once again pivot to the economy.  The bottom line of his speech:  after four-and-a-half years of the Obama Administration, ‘We're not there yet.’