Press Releases

Washington, D.C. -- House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) released the following statement marking World Intellectual Property (IP) Day. “World Intellectual Property Day is a day to recognize the significant economic and social impact that intellectual property has had on our nation. “Our Founding Fathers realized that intellectual property protections were crucial to ensure that America would become the world’s leader in innovation and creativity. Safeguarded from theft by patent, trade secrets, copyright and trademark laws, intellectual property industries are responsible for creating millions of high-skilled, high-paying U.S. jobs and contributing billions to our economy.

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today issued a statement following the failure of Facebook, Google, and Twitter to attend a hearing on social media filtering practices to which they had been invited: Chairman Goodlatte: “I’m extremely disappointed that some of the Internet’s largest speech platforms refused to testify today. We know that these social media platforms remove content. As legitimate businesses, they must ensure that their services aren’t being abused for illegal purposes such as fraud and identity theft. There is, however, a big difference between removing illegal activity and suppressing speech.

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) delivered the following remarks today at a hearing examining social media filtering practices and their effect on free speech. Chairman Goodlatte: Today’s hearing will examine how social media companies filter content on their platforms. According to a February, 2018 fact sheet published by Pew Research Center, “Today around seven-in-ten Americans use social media to connect with one another, engage with news content, share information and entertain themselves.” In a survey released in March, Pew found that Facebook dominates the social media landscape with 68% of U.S.

Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives today approved by a vote of 415-0 the Music Modernization Act (H.R. 5447), bipartisan legislation that updates several key provisions of U.S. copyright law regarding music licensing.

Washington, D.C. - The House Judiciary Committee today approved the “Private Property Rights Protection Act” (H.R. 1689) by voice vote. This bill provides important limits on the government’s ability to seize private property using eminent domain. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) issued the following statement: Chairman Goodlatte: “Eminent domain has grown far beyond the vision of our nation’s founders. Without this legislation, governments and municipalities could take over homes, farms, and small businesses to make way for shopping malls or other developments without legal repercussions.

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today announced updated subcommittee assignments for Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee in the 115th Congress: Subcommittee on Constitution and Civil Justice Chairman Steve King (IA) Vice Chairman Ron DeSantis (FL) Louie Gohmert (TX) Karen Handel (GA) Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Chairman Darrell Issa (CA) Vice Chairman Doug Collins (GA) Lamar Smith (TX) Steve Chabot (OH) Jim Jordan (OH) Ted Poe (TX) Tom Marino (PA) Trey Gowdy (SC) Raúl Labrador (ID) Ron DeSantis (FL) Matt Gaetz (FL) Andy Biggs (AZ) John Rutherford (FL) Keith Rothfus

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today issued the following opening statement at the markup of the "Private Property Rights Protection Act" (H.R.

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today gave the following statement on the House floor in support of the Music Modernization Act (H.R. 5447). Today, the House brings early 20th Century music laws for the analog era into the 21st Century digital era. These changes are a culmination of years of effort by interested parties as well as by many Members of the Judiciary Committee. The problems and failures in our nation’s music laws have imposed real financial costs upon artists and creators.