Committee on the Judiciary
The U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, also known as the House Judiciary Committee, is a standing committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. The committee has jurisdiction over a wide range of issues related to the administration of justice, including:
- Federal courts and judicial procedures
- Civil rights and civil liberties
- Constitutional amendments
- Immigration and nationality
- Monopolies and antitrust issues
- Crime control and law enforcement
- Drug policy
The committee is responsible for considering and reporting legislation related to these areas, as well as conducting oversight of the executive branch and the federal judiciary. The committee also has the authority to impeach federal officials, including the President, and to consider articles of impeachment.
The House Judiciary Committee is chaired by the Speaker of the House or, in the Speaker's absence, the Majority Leader. The ranking minority member is the Minority Leader or, in the Minority Leader's absence, the Minority Whip. The committee is composed of members of the U.S. House of Representatives, with each state represented by at least one member.
Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved the Innovation Act (H.R. 9) by an overwhelming vote of 24-8. This bipartisan bill takes steps to combat the ever increasing problem of abusive patent litigation. The legislation addresses abusive practices taking place in our courts.
Chairman Goodlatte: Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
The clock is ticking down on a key law that protects Internet freedom. On October 1, 2015, a temporary moratorium on state taxation of Internet access will expire.
In 1998, Congress temporarily banned state and local governments from newly taxing Internet access or placing multiple or discriminatory taxes on Internet commerce. With minor modifications, this ban was extended five times, with enormous bipartisan support. The most recent extension passed in 2014.
Washington, D.C. – Following the Senate vote approving the USA Freedom Act (H.R. 2048) without amendment, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.), Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), and Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) issued the following joint statement:
Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.), Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), and Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) issued the following joint statement on proposed Senate amendments to the USA Freedom Act (H.R. 2048):
Washington, D.C. – Following the Senate vote to proceed with debate on the USA Freedom Act (H.R. 2048), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.), Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), and Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) issued the following joint statement:
Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) today issued the following statement calling on the Senate to pass the USA Freedom Act:
“Because the Senate failed to complete its work last Saturday, passage of the USA Freedom Act remains the only viable legislative option that will bring real reform and ensure no lapse in intelligence authorities. The House-passed bill is the only bill the Senate can pass and send to the President before Sunday night’s deadline.