Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today gave the following statement on the House floor in support of the Justice Served Act of 2018 (H.R.4854). This legislation provides funding for grants to ensure that state and local law enforcement has the capacity to prosecute sexual assault crimes. Chairman Goodlatte: Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R.4854, the Justice Served Act of 2018, introduced by the gentleman from Texas, Judge Carter. All of us in this body are familiar with Debbie Smith and the tragedy of her attack and the triumph of the law that bears her name.

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today gave the following statement on the House floor in support of H.Res. 285, a resolution to empower the creation of police and community alliances. Chairman Goodlatte: Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I am pleased the House is considering this resolution today, which highlights the critical need to strengthen relationships between police departments and the communities they serve. This resolution – sponsored by the gentleman from the great Commonwealth of Virginia, Mr.

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today gave the following statement on the House floor in support of the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act of 2017 (H.R. 613). This bill allows correctional officers to store firearms in lockers on prison grounds in order to protect themselves to and from work. Chairman Goodlatte: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  I yield myself such time as I may consume. In 2004, Congress passed and President Bush signed into law the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA).

Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee has announced its schedule for the week of May 14-18, 2018. THURSDAY, MAY 1711:00 a.m.Full Committee MarkupH.R.

Washington, D.C. -- This week House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) wrote a letter to James Duff, Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, concerning efforts to better protect employees in the Judiciary from inappropriate workplace conduct. The letter requests a bipartisan briefing to review the reforms already instituted and those currently under development by the Federal Judiciary Workplace Conduct Working Group, which the Administrative Office heads. In the letter Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Nadler stated, "Sexual harassment is unacceptable in any setting, including in the highest courts in the land.

Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives today passed the Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules (SMARTER) Act (H.R. 5645), a product of the House Judiciary Committee. The SMARTER Act, sponsored by Representative Karen Handel (R-Ga.), increases transparency for companies seeking approval for mergers from the FTC and DOJ. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) has issued the following statement: Chairman Goodlatte: “Every merger impacts American businesses, workers, and consumers.

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today approved by a vote of 221-197 the Citizens’ Right to Know Act (H.R. 2152). This bill, introduced by Congressman Ted Poe (R-Texas), ensures oversight of pre-trial release programs, which allow accused criminals to await their trial at home instead of in jail. Pre-trial release programs were intended for certain lower-risk accused criminals. However, since their inception, pre-trial release programs have expanded well beyond their intended scope and purpose.

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today gave the following statement on the House floor in support of the Citizens’ Right to Know Act (H.R. 2152). This bill, introduced by Congressman Ted Poe (R-Texas), ensures oversight of pre-trial release programs, which allow accused criminals to await their trial at home instead of in jail. Chairman Goodlatte: Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2512, the Citizens Right to Know Act of 2018, introduced by the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Poe. A little over 50 years ago, there were three pre-trial options for defendants accused of a crime.