Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) sent a letter today to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano expressing concern regarding the recent surge in foreign nationals, largely from Mexico, claiming asylum at U.S. ports of entry and a potential correlation between the Obama Administration’s decisions to issue policies contrary to law. In recent years, “credible fear” requests at U.S. ports of entry have nearly quadrupled from approximately 5,500 requests in FY 2009 to about 19,000 requests through May of FY 2013. If the present trends continue, U.S.

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) issued the statement below following Attorney General Eric Holder’s speech to the American Bar Association.

Chairman Goodlatte: “Unfortunately, the Obama Administration has a pattern of overstepping its constitutional bounds by selectively enforcing our laws and attempting to change them through executive fiat in blatant disregard for the limitations the U.S. Constitution places on the Executive Branch.

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) issued the statement below following President Barack Obama’s remarks and proposed changes to some of the National Security Administration’s (NSA) intelligence-gathering programs. Last week, Chairman Goodlatte and other Members of the House of Representatives and Senate met with President Obama to discuss our nation’s surveillance programs.

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives approved H.R. 367, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act (REINS Act) by a vote of 232-183. The REINS Act curbs unnecessary major regulations from agencies and holds federal bureaucrats accountable for imposing the heaviest burdens on America's economy. The REINS Act specifically requires that federal agencies submit major regulations to Congress for approval; guarantees that no major regulation becomes effective until Congress approves it; and provides that a fast up or down vote occurs on major rules within 70 legislative days.

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and other Members of the House of Representatives and Senate today met with President Barack Obama to discuss our nation’s surveillance programs. Chairman Goodlatte released the following statement reacting to today’s meeting.

Chairman Goodlatte: “Today I joined several Members of the House and Senate in having a frank conversation with President Obama regarding the National Security Agency’s (NSA) intelligence-gathering programs.

Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved the bipartisan Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act (H.R. 1123), legislation that restores the exemption that permits consumers to unlock their cell phones without the approval of their wireless provider. The Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, which passed by voice vote, also allows third parties to assist consumers, when necessary, in unlocking their cell phones further ensuring that all consumers have the ability to unlock their cell phone.

Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee approved H.R. 2641, the Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development Act of 2013 (RAPID) by a vote of 18-9. The RAPID Act will streamline the approval process for infrastructure, energy and other construction projects. The Administration, the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, and legislation adopted by a strong bipartisan majority in the 109th and 112th Congresses, recognize that the sources of delay and uncertainty in the environmental review process for new permits undermine job creation and economic growth.

Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee approved H.R. 2542, the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2013 by a vote of 15-9. The Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act is one of several bills that the House Judiciary Committee has introduced to reform the United States’ regulatory system.