Press Releases
Washington, D.C. - According to press reports about a September 2011 Inspector General report, Obama administration officials at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services are pressuring immigration service officers to approve immigrants’ visa applications quickly even when fraud is suspected. According to the report, one-quarter of the 254 officers surveyed said they have been pressured to approve questionable cases, sometimes “against their will.” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the statement below.
Washington, D.C. - The Obama administration today announced their decision to draw down the deployment of the National Guard along the Southwest border from 1,200 guardsmen to 300. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the statement below criticizing the administration’s decision.
Washington, D.C. - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today produced documents to the House Judiciary Committee that are in compliance with the Immigration Subcommittee’s subpoena. Last week, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) wrote to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano demanding that the Department comply with the subpoena in its entirety by December 9. Chairman Smith released the statement below following the Department’s compliance.
Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today sent another letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano following the Department’s continued delay in providing a list of illegal and criminal immigrants that have been flagged by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) but have not been detained or placed in removal proceedings by the agency. If DHS fails to produce the requested data in its entirety by December 9, the Committee intends to move forward and consider a resolution to hold DHS in contempt o
POLITICO Honors Rep. Smith for his work on Patent Reform
Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) was honored at an event last night in Washington, D.C. for his efforts to enact patent reform legislation in 2011. Chairman Smith was named a “Policymaker of the Year” in Technology for his work on the America Invents Act (H.R. 1249), a bill that updates America’s patent system to encourage innovation, job creation and economic growth.
Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives today passed legislation to rein in the costly overreach of federal agencies that stifles job creation and slows economic growth. The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act (H.R. 10) passed by a vote of 241-184. The bill requires Congress to take an up-or-down vote to approve regulations that have an economic impact of $100 million or more before they can be imposed on the American people.
POLITICO to Honor Rep. Smith for his work on Patent Reform Legislation
Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives today passed legislation to reform the federal regulatory process and reduce unnecessary burdens on job creators by a vote of 253-167. The Regulatory Accountability Act (H.R. 3010), places permanent restrictions on regulatory agencies and restores accountability by requiring openness and transparency in the regulatory process.
Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives today passed legislation to provide urgently needed help to small businesses by a vote of 263-159. The Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2011 (H.R. 527) requires agencies to identify the costs new regulations could impose on small businesses and to write the regulations in ways that reduce those costs. It also gives small businesses more opportunities to be heard as regulations are written and forces agencies to look at ways to cut the costs of regulations already on the books.
Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s veto threat for H.R. 3010, the Regulatory Accountability Act.