115th Congress

Chairman Goodlatte: When I became Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, I placed a priority on reducing litigation abuse wherever it occurred. As the Committee that oversees our nation’s federal judicial system, the Judiciary Committee must fight all abuses of our nation’s judicial system whether abuse occurs in the patent system or elsewhere.

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today approved by voice vote the Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act (H.R. 2480). This bill, authored by Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) and a product of the House Judiciary Committee, ensures that state and local governments are able to obtain and use federal law enforcement grant funding for programs that combat human trafficking, including programs aimed at reducing demand for commercial sex. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions.

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today delivered the following remarks on the House floor in support of the Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act (H.R. 2480). Chairman Goodlatte: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today, Mr. Speaker, we continue our battle against the scourge of human trafficking with H.R. 2480, the Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act.

Washington, D.C. -- Today the House Judiciary Committee approved H.R. 469, the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2017, by a vote of 15-8. This bill will limit the manipulation of lawsuits, sue-and-settle decrees, and settlement agreements that force regulators to issue new regulations. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Doug Collins (R-Ga.), chief sponsor of the legislation, praised today’s Committee passage of the bill. Chairman Goodlatte: “This legislation is a commonsense solution to curbing regulatory abuse within the federal government.

Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today passed a bipartisan, bicameral bill by voice vote to combat our nation’s synthetic drug epidemic, the Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues Act of 2017 (H.R. 2851). House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Congressman John Katko (R-N.Y.), chief sponsor of the bill, issued the statements below on today’s Committee approval of the bill. Chairman Goodlatte: “The drug epidemic currently plaguing the United States is destroying lives, families, and communities across the United States. It affects rural and urban areas and grandparents, parents, and kids alike.