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Press Releases

June 1, 2011

Washington, D.C. - Former Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey today sent a letter to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office supporting the America Invents Act (H.R. 1249), which modernizes and reforms the patent system.  H.R.

May 26, 2011

Chairman Smith: “I am pleased the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Arizona E-Verify law and their right to revoke business licenses for employers that knowingly hire illegal immigrants.  Not only is this law constitutional, it is commonsense.  American jobs should be preserved for Americans and legal workers. 

May 26, 2011

Washington, D.C. - Congress today reauthorized important national security provisions that are critical to our intelligence community’s ability to prevent terrorist attacks and keep America safe. The bill (S. 990) extends for four years three expiring provisions of the PATRIOT Act, including the roving wiretaps, business records and lone wolf provisions.

May 23, 2011

Washington, DC - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today introduced the Keep Our Communities Safe Act (H.R. 1932) to stop the release of dangerous criminal immigrants into American communities. 

May 12, 2011

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Representative Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) today introduced legislation to protect consumers from unfair taxes on digital goods, like those purchased over the Internet or on a smartphone.  The Digital Goods and Services Tax Fairness Act of 2011 (H.R.

May 12, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation to reauthorize expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.  The Committee favorably reported H.R.

May 11, 2011

Washington, D.C. - Senate Democrats today reintroduced the DREAM Act, legislation that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants currently living in the United States.  Following the introduction of this bill, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the statement below. 

May 10, 2011

Washington, D.C. - Claiming that the border is more secure than ever, President Obama today called for legislation to legalize millions of illegal immigration during a speech he gave in El Paso, Texas.  Following the President’s remarks, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the statement below. 

May 6, 2011

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has instructed an immigration court to ignore the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in future rulings. Earlier this year, the Justice Department abandoned its obligation to defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a federal law enacted by Congress and signed by President Clinton to protect the institution of marriage.

May 5, 2011

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today introduced the Secure Visas Act (H.R. 1741) to help prevent terrorists from obtaining U.S. visas and to allow U.S. officials to expedite the removal of terrorists who are in the United States on a visa.