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November 16, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives today passed a bill that recognizes the importance of the Second Amendment and makes it easier for individuals with concealed carry permits to carry a firearm in other states.  H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011, allows law-abiding gun owners with valid state-issued concealed firearm permits to carry a concealed firearm in other states that also allow concealed carry.  The bill passed by a vote of 272-154.

November 4, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The Immigration Subcommittee today issued a subpoena to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for 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.  On Wednesday, the Immigration Subcommittee authorized the issuance of the subpoena by a vote of 7-4.

November 3, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The House Judiciary Committee today passed a bipartisan bill to reform the federal regulatory process and reduce unnecessary burdens on job creators. The Regulatory Accountability Act requires agencies to assess the costs and benefits of regulatory alternatives and, in most cases, to adopt the least-costly alternative to achieve the regulatory objectives of Congress. The Act places permanent restrictions on regulatory agencies and restores accountability by requiring openness and transparency in the regulatory process.

November 2, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The Immigration Subcommittee today voted to authorize House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) to issue a subpoena to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for a list of illegal and criminal immigrants the agency has declined to detain or place in removal proceedings.  Chairman Smith asked for this information in August.  But to date, DHS has not provided the requested information. The Immigration Subcommittee voted 7-4 to authorize the subpoena.  Chairman Smith plans to issue the subpoena this week. 

November 2, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The Immigration Subcommittee today voted to authorize House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) to issue a subpoena to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for a list of illegal and criminal immigrants the agency has declined to detain or place in removal proceedings.  Chairman Smith asked for this information in August.  But to date, DHS has not provided the requested information. The Immigration Subcommittee voted 7-4 to authorize the subpoena.  Chairman Smith plans to issue the subpoena this week. 

November 2, 2011

Washington, D.C. - In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) questioned a proposed policy to allow the Justice Department, in limited instances, to deny the existence of records when in fact those records do exist. Chairman Smith expressed concern that the proposal appears to authorize the Justice Department to “lie in response to certain Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.” 

October 31, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against South Carolina over a recently-passed state law seeking to help enforce immigration laws. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the statement below criticizing the administration’s decision.   

October 25, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The House Judiciary Committee today passed a bill to restore accountability to government regulations. Sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Congressman Geoff Davis (R-Ky.), the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act (H.R. 10) requires Congress to take an up-or-down vote on government regulations before they can be enforced on the American people and businesses.

October 18, 2011

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the statement below following the Department of Homeland Security’s announcement of their Fiscal Year 2011 removal numbers.

October 7, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The Justice Department today asked an appeals court to block the enforcement of Alabama’s immigration law.  House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the statement below criticizing the administration’s decision.