News

WASHINGTON - Today more than 50 people were arrested as part of an investigation into an online global child pornography ring. Though successful, the recent news underscores the need to better equip law enforcement with the tools they need in order to stop these perpetrators in their tracks.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today issued the following statement regarding the House of Representatives passage of legislation that cuts federal spending by more than the debt ceiling is increased. The bill also advances efforts by Republicans to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution that makes permanent cuts to federal spending that cannot be undone by future congresses. Congressman Smith is a co-sponsor of H.J. Res. 1, the Balanced Budget Amendment.  

Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives today approved a bill (H.R. 1933) sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) to help hospitals in inner-city neighborhoods and rural areas that have difficulty attracting nurses.  Specifically, it reauthorizes the H-1C temporary visa program that allows foreign nurses to come to the U.S. to work in health professional shortage areas for an additional three years.

The House overwhelmingly approved the bill by a vote of 407-17. 

Washington, D.C. - The House Judiciary Committee today passed a bill to help investigators track down dangerous pedophiles and protect children from sexual exploitation.The bill passed by a vote of 19-10.  The Protecting Children from Internet Pornographers Act of 2011 (H.R. 1981) directs Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to retain subscriber information for 12 months in order to assist federal law enforcement in online child pornography and child exploitation investigations.

Washington, D.C. - Today, President Obama will speak at the National Council of La Raza’s annual conference.  Media reports expect the President to discuss so-called comprehensive immigration reform and the economy.  House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the statement below in advance of the President’s speech. 

Chairman Smith:  “With the national debt at $14.5 trillion, it’s unbelievable that President Obama continues to call for amnesty legislation.  Illegal immigrants have contributed to our debt crisis-they pay little, if any, in income taxes and drain taxpayer dollars.

Washington, D.C. - The House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation to better protect citizens who report suspicious activity indicating possible terror activity.  The See Something, Say Something Act (H.R. 963) expands protections against lawsuits for individuals who report suspicious terrorist-related activity and for law enforcement officers who act on these tips in good faith.  The Committee passed the bill by a voice vote.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, who sponsored H.R. 963, praised the Committee’s vote.

Washington, DC - The House Judiciary Committee today approved the Security and Fairness Enhancement (SAFE) for America Act (H.R. 704), a bill that eliminates the diversity visa program.  This program is plagued by fraud and is an open door for terrorists.  The bill, sponsored by Intellectual Property Subcommittee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), was reported favorably to the House floor by a vote of 19-11.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Chairman Bob Goodlatte today praised the Committee vote.

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) today introduced legislation to prevent forum-shopping in chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization cases.  The Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2011 (H.R.2533) requires corporations to file reorganization cases in the judicial district where they have their principal place of business or principal assets rather than in a far away district where they have no employees, assets, or connection to the community.