News

Washington, D.C.- U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker today overrode the decision of a majority of California voters to define marriage as the legal union between a man and a woman.  House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today criticized the decision as a judicial overreach that undermines democracy and silences the voice of the people.

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today sent a letter to Justice Department Inspector General Glenn Fine urging the IG to investigate allegations that the Civil Rights Division has engaged in racially discriminatory and politically motivated enforcement of federal voting rights laws. 

Washington, DC - According to an internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memo obtained by Senator Chuck Grassley, the Obama administration is scheming to allow millions of illegal immigrants to stay and work in the United States. 

Ranking Member Smith:  “While it is disappointing that Judge Bolton is siding with the Obama administration against Arizona’s immigration enforcement law, it is not surprising that a Democratic appointee would do so.  The federal government has failed to do its job of securing the border and enforcing immigration laws for too long.  Today’s ruling from this

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today opposed S. 1789, a bill to reduce the sentencing disparity between crack cocaine and cocaine powder. 

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today sent a letter to President Obama urging the Administration to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the unexplained dismissal of voter intimidation charges against the New Black Panther Party and some of its members.

Washington, D.C. - Chairman of the Immigration Reform Caucus Congressman Brian Bilbray, Congressman Trent Franks and the Ranking Member on the Committee on the Judiciary Lamar Smith have filed an Amicus Curiae, or Friend of the Court Brief, with the United States District Court in Arizona in regards to the Obama Administration's lawsuit US v. Arizona.

Washington, DC - The House of Representatives today voted to pass two bipartisan bills, both co-sponsored by Ranking Member Lamar Smith (TX-21), that will ease the immigration process in international adoption cases.