News

Washington, D.C. - Chairman Elect Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today announced the reorganization of the House Judiciary Committee, including the addition of an Intellectual Property Subcommittee. 

Chairman Elect Smith: “As Chairman, I plan to focus on efforts to strengthen national security, protect intellectual property, prevent frivolous lawsuits and keep children safe from Internet sex predators. Much of that work will begin in the subcommittees. The reorganization will help the Committee remain focused on priority issues for the American people.  

Washington, D.C. - The House Republican Steering Committee today approved adding nine Republican Members to the Judiciary Committee. Chairman Elect Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement regarding the new members:

Chairman Elect Smith: “The House Judiciary Committee is often referred to as the guardian of the Constitution.  We have a responsibility to protect the principles of liberty, equality and justice for all Americans. 

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Elect issued the following statement regarding a shooting last night along the U.S.-Mexico border in which Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry was killed. 

Washington, D.C.- Congressman Lamar Smith (R-San Antonio) today was appointed by congressional Republicans to Chair the House Judiciary Committee for the next Congress. The appointment makes Smith the first Republican Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee from Texas. Congressman Smith has served as the Committee’s lead Republican Member for the past four years. 

House Judiciary Committee Chairman-Elect Smith issued a statement following the announcement:

Ranking Member Smith:  Mr. Speaker, I oppose this bill.  The DREAM Act is a nightmare for the American people.  It insults American workers, American taxpayers, and anyone who believes in the rule of law.

How can we consider amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants when just last Friday the Department of Labor reported that unemployment in America jumped up to 9.8 percent.  This is the 19th straight month (a new record) that the jobless rate has stayed above 9 percent.  

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to plans by House Democrats to bring up the DREAM Act.

Ranking Member Smith:  “Despite large majorities in both Houses, Democrats are scrambling to find votes for the DREAM Act, a bill that would give amnesty to at least two million illegal immigrants. The bill subsidizes education for illegal immigrants, grants them amnesty, encourages more illegal immigration and inevitably takes jobs from American workers. In short, the DREAM Act is a nightmare for the American people. 

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman-Elect Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today applauded the Senate vote to convict Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr. on four articles of impeachment.

Chairman-Elect Smith:  “After two and half years, I am pleased that justice has finally been served for Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr. The Senate has convicted Porteous on all four articles of impeachment. Today’s vote is in part due to the tireless efforts of the House Judiciary Committee’s Impeachment Task Force, which led a thorough and bipartisan investigation into allegations against Porteous.  

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to reports that political appointees at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) used deceptive deportation practices in order to boost the Agency’s annual deportation numbers. According to reports, illegal immigrants who faced criminal charges were given the opportunity to voluntarily depart without receiving a criminal conviction on their record. This means many criminal aliens who would otherwise have been prohibited from traveling to the U.S. are not barred from applying for legal residence or entering the U.S. in the future.