2011 Press Releases

Smith to Administration: Keep National Guard on Border(12/20/2011)
Washington, D.C. – The Obama administration today announced their decision to draw down the deployment of the National Guard along the Southwest border from 1,200 guardsmen to 300...more

Smith: DHS Cooperation Long Overdue (12/12/2011)
Washington, D.C. – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today produced documents to the House Judiciary Committee that...more

Smith to DHS: Produce Documents or Face Contempt (12/8/2011)
Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today sent another letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano following the Department's....more

House Approves Bill to Rein in Regulations (12/7/2011)
Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today passed legislation to rein in the costly overreach of federal agencies that stifles job creation and slows economic growth....more

Chairman Smith Named “Policymaker of the Year” (12/7/2011)
Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) was honored at an event last night in Washington, D.C. for his efforts to enact patent reform legislation in 2011...more

TONIGHT: Chairman Smith to Receive "Policymaker of the Year" Award (12/6/2011)
Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) will be honored tonight as a "Policymaker of the Year" for his work on the America Invents Act (H.R. 1249)...more

House Passes Bipartisan Regulatory Reform (12/2/2011)
Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today passed legislation to reform the federal regulatory process...more

House Passes Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses (12/1/2011)
Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today passed legislation to provide urgently needed help to small businesses by a vote of 263-159. The Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2011...more

Smith: Obama's Obstinate Opposition to Reg Reform is Unacceptable (11/29/2011)
Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to President Obama's veto threat for H.R. 3010, the Regulatory Accountability Act...more

House Repeals Employment-Based Per-Country Cap (11/29/2011)
Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today passed the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act (H.R. 3012)...more

Smith Presses Administration for Kagan Documents (11/22/2011)
Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today urged the Obama Administration to provide documents and staff interviews regarding former...more

DHS Stonewalls Judiciary Committee (11/18/2011)
Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following their inadequate...more

Dems Block Passage of Balanced Budget Amendment (11/18/2011)
Washington, D.C. – House Democrats today blocked passage of a constitutional amendment that would have required the federal government to balance its budget...more

Smith Calls for Congress to Pass the Balanced Budget Amendment(11/18/2011)
Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today continued floor debate on H.J. Res. 2, a proposed Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith...more

Smith: Backdoor Amnesty Hurts American Workers (11/17/2011)
Washington, D.C. – The Obama administration today has moved forward with its plan to implement backdoor amnesty through administrative action. In August, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)...more

House Passes Right-to-Carry Bill (11/16/2011)
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...more

Subpoena Issued to DHS for Secure Communities Data (11/4/2011)
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...more

Committee Approves Regulatory Accountability Act (11/3/2011)
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...more

Immigration Subcommittee Votes to Authorize DHS Subpoena(11/2/2011)
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...more

Smith Questions DOJ's Proposed FOIA Policy (11/2/2011)
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...more

Smith: DOJ Wastes Resources Suing South Carolina Immigration Law (10/31/2011) Washington, D.C. – A bipartisan group in the House today introduced legislation that expands protections for America's intellectual property (IP) and combats the illegal distribution of counterfeit goods via rogue websites. The Stop Online Piracy Act (H.R. 3261)...more

Committee Passes Bill to Rein in Regulations (10/25/2011) 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) ..more

Smith: Administration Cooking the Books on Immigration Enforcement (10/18/2011) 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...more

Smith to President: Whose Side Are You On? (10/7/2011) Washington, D.C. – The Justice Department today asked an appeals court to block the enforcement of Alabama's immigration law...more

Smith: Administration's Immigration Enforcement Isn't Smart or Effective (10/5/2011) Washington, D.C. – Today, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano spoke at American University regarding the Obama administration's record on immigration enforcement and border security...more

Smith Calls for Investigation into AG's Statements at HJC Hearing (10/4/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today called for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate...more

Smith Applauds International Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (10/1/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today applauded the signing of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) in Japan...more

Smith to President: DOJ Not a Branch of the DNC (09/30/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement today in response to a media report that the Obama administration plans to challenge several state immigration enforcement laws...more

Smith: DOJ Slow to Answer Questions About Fast and Furious (09/22/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder regarding recent resignations and reassignments at ATF following public concerns regarding a Phoenix-based program known as "Fast and Furious,"...more

Bipartisan Bill Reduces Red Tape on Job Creators (09/22/2011) Washington, D.C. – A bipartisan, bicameral group in Congress today unveiled a plan to significantly reform the federal regulatory process and reduce unnecessary burdens on job creators. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas)...more

Committee Approves Legal Workforce Act (09/21/2011) Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved the Legal Workforce Act (H.R. 2885), a bill that could open up millions of jobs for unemployed American workers by requiring all U.S. employers to use E-Verify...more

Smith Patent Reform Bill Becomes Law (09/16/2011) Washington, D.C. – President Obama today signed into law the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (H.R. 1249) a bipartisan, bicameral bill that updates our patent system to encourage innovation, job creation and economic growth...more

Broad Coalition Supports E-Verify (09/13/2011) Washington, D.C. – A broad coalition of groups support the Legal Workforce Act, a bill sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) that could open up millions of jobs for unemployed Americans by requiring all U.S. employers to use E-Verify...more

Smith to President: E-Verify Best Jobs Plan on the Table (09/12/2011) Washington, D.C. – Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement calling on President Obama to include E-Verify in his jobs plan...more

Smith and Aderholt to DHS: Provide Information on Backdoor Amnesty (09/12/2011) Washington, D.C. – Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.)...more

Smith and Gallegly: California Bill Shows Federal E-Verify Law Needed (09/9/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Immigration Subcommittee Chairman Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.) today criticized a California bill that would allow businesses in the state to opt-out of E-Verify...more

Smith: President's Uncle Benefits from Backdoor Amnesty (09/9/2011) Washington, D.C. – According to media reports, President Obama's illegal immigrant uncle, Onyango Obama, has been released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being arrested in Massachusetts for driving under the influence....more

Senate Sends Patent Reform to President's Desk (09/8/2011) Washington, D.C. – The Senate today passed the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (H.R. 1249), a bipartisan, bicameral bill that updates our patent system to encourage innovation, job creation...more

Smith Outlines Judiciary Jobs Agenda (09/8/2011) Washington, D.C. – Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today outlined the Judiciary Jobs Agenda for the remainder of 2011, which includes legislation to encourage innovation, reduce frivolous lawsuits, rein in federal regulations and protect jobs for American workers...more

Chairman Smith Introduces American Specialty Agriculture Act (09/7/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today introduced the American Specialty Agriculture Act...more

Smith: President Should Practice Regulatory Restraint (09/7/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today called on President Obama to exercise...more

Smith: Melson Reassignment Leaves Questions Unanswered (08/30/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today issued the following statement on ATF Acting Director Kenneth Melson's reassignment to the Office of Legal Policy...more

Smith: President Should Create Jobs for American Workers – Not Illegal Immigrants (08/20/2011) Washington, D.C. – The Administration's announcement that they will review removal proceedings of illegal immigrants may strike another blow to 24 million unemployed or underemployed Americans...more

Smith: Administration Intent on Granting Backdoor Amnesty (08/18/2011) Washington, D.C. – Today, the Department of Homeland Security announced the creation of a new working group that will begin a case-by-case review of illegal immigrants in removal proceedings and with a final order...more

Smith Applauds E-Verify Expansion (08/15/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today praised the decision to expand the E-Verify Self-Check system to 16 additional states across the nation...more

Smith: Arizona Law Should Be Upheld (08/10/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today praised the decision by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to continue to defend the state's immigration enforcement law...more

Smith & Wasserman Schultz Applaud Arrest of Child Pornographers (07/14/2011) Washington, D.C. –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...more

Smith Supports Significant Spending Cuts (08/1/2011) 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...more

House Passes Bill to Reauthorize Temporary Nurse Visa Program (08/01/2011) 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...more

Committee Passes Bipartisan Bill to Protect Children from Child Pornography (07/28/2011) 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. ...more

Smith to President: Amnesty Buries U.S. in Debt (07/25/2011) 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...more

Committee Approves "See Something, Say Something Act" (07/20/2011) Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation to better protect citizens who report suspicious activity indicating possible terror activity...more

Committee Approves Bill to Eliminate Visa Lottery (07/20/2011) Washington, D.C. – 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...more

Smith and Conyers Introduce Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Venue Bill (07/14/2011) 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...more

Committee Approves Keep Our Communities Safe Act (07/14/2011) Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved the Keep Our Communities Safe Act (H.R. 1932), a bill to stop the release of dangerous criminal immigrants into American communities. The bill was reported favorably to the House floor by a vote of 17-14...more

Chairman Smith and Senator Vitter Introduce Bill to Stop Backdoor Amnesty (07/12/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today introduced the Hinder the Administration's Legalization Temptation (HALT) Act (H.R. 2497)...more

Smith: Administration's Gun Restrictions Target Border State Citizens (07/11/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today criticized the Obama administration's decision to impose new reporting requirements for gun sales in states along the U.S.-Mexico Border......more

Committee Approves Bill to Limit Frivolous Lawsuits (07/07/2011) Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation to reduce frivolous lawsuits that plague our legal system and restore sanctions against attorneys who file meritless suits in federal court...more

Smith and Aderholt to Administration: Stop Administrative Amnesty (07/05/2011) Washington, D.C. – Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) sent a letter to Secretary Janet Napolitano...more

Smith to Administration: Enforce the Law, Don't Ignore It (07/01/2011) Washington, D.C. – Recently, officials at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) called off the deportation of an illegal immigrant who is married to his same-sex partner in the United States...more

Smith to President: E-Verify is a Jobs Bill (06/29/2011) Washington, D.C. – During his press conference today, President Obama made remarks regarding the E-Verify program and comprehensive immigration reform...more

Smith: DREAM Act a Jobs Bill for Illegal Immigrants (06/27/2011) Washington, D.C. – The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to hold a hearing tomorrow on the DREAM Act, a bill that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants currently living in the United States...more

Smith: Changes to Secure Communities Contradict ICE's Mission (06/24/2011) Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved the Secure Visas Act (H.R. 1741), a bill to help prevent terrorists from obtaining U.S. visas and to allow U.S. officials to expedite...more

House Passes Smith's Patent Reform Bill (06/23/2011) Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today passed a bill sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) that updates our patent system to encourage innovation, job creation and economic growth...more

House Adopts Smith Manager's Amendment (06/23/2011) Washington, D.C. – The Committee on Rules has favorably reported a rule to allow a floor vote on the Smith Manager's amendment to H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act. The bill is expected to be considered by the full House tomorrow...more

Committee Approves Bill to Reauthorize Temporary Nurse Visa Program (06/23/2011) Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved a bill (H.R. 1933) to help hospitals in inner-city neighborhoods and rural areas that have difficulty in attracting nurses...more

Committee Approves Secure Visas Act (06/23/2011) Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved the Secure Visas Act (H.R. 1741), a bill to help prevent terrorists from obtaining U.S. visas and to allow U.S. officials to expedite...more

Floor Statement of Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith H.R. 1249, the "America Invents Act" (06/22/2011) Washington, D.C. – Chairman Smith: – The foresight of the Founders in creating an intellectual property system in the Constitution demonstrates their understanding of how patent rights benefit the American people. Technological innovation from our intellectual property...more

Patent Reform Bill Heads to House Floor (06/21/2011) Washington, D.C. – The Committee on Rules has favorably reported a rule to allow a floor vote on the Smith Manager's amendment to H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act. The bill is expected to be considered by the full House tomorrow...more

Patent Reform Agreement Ends Fee Diversion, Preserves Oversight (06/21/2011) Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary and Appropriations Committees have reached an agreement to end fee diversion and preserve oversight of the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)......more

Smith: Keeping National Guard on Southwest Border Right Decision (06/17/2011) Washington, D.C. – The Administration today announced their decision to extend the temporary deployment of National Guard troops along the Southwest border through September 30, 2011...more

Committee Approves Balanced Budget Amendment (06/15/2011) Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved a balanced budget amendment (H.J. Res. 1) to the Constitution to restore fiscal responsibility and accountability...more

Chairman Smith Introduces Legal Workforce Act (06/14/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today introduced the Legal Workforce Act (H.R. 2164), a bill that could open up millions of jobs for...more

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Supports Patent Reform (06/14/2011) Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today sent a letter to Members of the House of Representatives expressing support for the America Invents Act (H.R. 1249)...more

Smith Requests DOJ Docs on Libya Action (06/10/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder...more

Support for House Patent Reform Proposal Grows (06/01/2011) Washington, D.C. – Former Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey today sent a letter to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office supporting the America Invents Act...more

Congress Reauthorizes PATRIOT Provisions (05/26/2011) Washington, D.C. – Congress today reauthorized important national security provisions that are critical to our intelligence community's ability to prevent terrorist attacks and keep America safe....more

Smith Statement on Supreme Court's Decision Upholding E-Verify Law (05/26/2011) Washington, D.C. – In a 5-3 decision, the Supreme Court today upheld an Arizona law requiring employers to use the federal E-Verify system to check the legal status of newly hired employees. The law also permits Arizona to revoke business licenses of employers that knowingly hire illegal immigrants...more

Chairman Smith Introduces Keep Our Communities Safe Act (05/23/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today introduced the Keep Our Communities Safe Act (H.R. 1932) to stop the release of dangerous criminal immigrants into American communities...more

Chairman Smith and Rep. Cohen Introduce Digital Goods Bill (05/12/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Representative Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) today introduced legislation to protect consumers from unfair taxes on digital goods....more

Committee Votes to Reauthorize PATRIOT Provisions (05/12/2011) Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation to reauthorize expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act. The Committee favorably reported H.R. 1800...more

Smith: DREAM Act Exacerbates Illegal Immigration Problem (05/11/2011) Washington, D.C. – Senate Democrats today reintroduced the DREAM Act, legislation that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants currently living in the United States...more

Smith: President's Immigration Speech Far From Reality (05/10/2011) Washington, D.C. – Claiming that the border is more secure than ever, President Obama today called for legislation to legalize millions of illegal immigration during a speech he gave in El Paso, Texas...more

Smith to Administration: Stop Putting Politics Above Law (05/06/2011) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has instructed an immigration court to ignore the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in future rulings. Earlier this year...more

Chairman Smith Introduces Secure Visas Act (05/05/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today introduced the Secure Visas Act (H.R. 1741)...more

Smith: Administration's Border Security Index an Excuse for Inaction (05/05/2011) Washington, D.C. – Yesterday during testimony before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano unveiled plans to develop a "border security index"...more

House Approves Ban on Federal Funding for Abortion (05/04/2011) Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today passed legislation to ban the federal funding of abortion by a vote of 251-175. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 3)...more

Smith to DOJ: Utah Immigration Law is Unconstitutional (04/18/2011) Washington, D.C. – Today, House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder urging him to take legal action against a recently enacted Utah law that creates its own guestworker program for illegal immigrants...more

Committee Approves Patent Reform Proposal (04/14/2011) Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved the America Invents Act (H.R. 1249), a bill to modernize and reform the patent system. The bill was reported favorably to the House floor...more

Judiciary Committee Leaders Focus On Fighting Online Infringement (04/04/2011) Washington, D.C. – Leading members of the Senate and House Judiciary Committees spoke to reporters Monday afternoon on Capitol Hill about the continuing harm online infringement...more

Smith: KSM Not a Common Criminal, He's a War Criminal (04/04/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to reports that the Obama Administration will prosecute Khalid Sheikh Mohammed...more

Chairman Smith: Patent Reform Creates Jobs (03/30/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today introduced a proposal to modernize and reform the patent system. Similar to legislation that passed the Senate earlier this month, the America Invents Act...more

Smith & Grassley: Delaying REAL ID Implementation Endangers American Lives (03/28/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS)...more

HJC to Examine AT&T; and T-Mobile Proposed Merger (03/21/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today announced that the House Judiciary Committee will examine the proposed merger of telecommunications giants AT&T; and T-Mobile...more

Smith Joins Amicus Brief: Law Shouldn't Reward Illegal Behavior (03/18/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) joined the Washington Legal Foundation in filing an amicus brief this week urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review Martinez vs. Regents of the University of California...more

Smith: Immigrant Criminals Should Be Detained and Deported (03/18/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to a media report regarding immigrant criminals who cannot be deported...more

Bill Requires Consultation Before Giving Terrorists Miranda Rights (03/17/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith today introduced legislation to require the Attorney General to consult with U.S. intelligence officials before...more

GOP Chairmen Press Obama on Regulatory Reform (03/10/2011) Washington, D.C. – Four GOP Committee Chairmen today sent a letter to President Obama urging him to reduce costly government regulations that burden American businesses and restrict economic growth...more

Republicans Want Answers on ATF Gun Trafficking Program (03/09/2011) Washington, D.C. – Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and 13 Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee today sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder regarding recent ...more

Smith & Grassley Introduce Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act (03/09/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today introduced legislation to reduce frivolous lawsuits that plague our legal system...more

Chairman Smith Praises Senate Passage of Patent Reform (03/08/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s overwhelming vote (95-5) to pass patent reform legislation...more

Smith, Lieberman, Collins Introduce "See Something, Say Something Act" (03/08/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith today joined Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Joseph Lieberman and Ranking Member Susan Collins...more

Smith: Administration Finally Sees the Light on Military Commissions (03/07/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to the Administration’s announcement that it will resume military...more

Smith, Issa, King, Sensenbrenner: Time to Implement REAL ID (03/04/2011) Washington, D.C. – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced that it will again delay the deadline for states to tighten security requirements for driver’s licenses...more

Committee Approves Ban on Federal Funding for Abortion (03/03/2011) Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation to ban the federal funding of abortion. The Committee favorably reported...more

Smith, King and Sensenbrenner: Further REAL ID Extension Threatens National Security (02/28/2011) Washington, D.C. – Today, House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), Homeland Security Chairman Peter King (R-N.Y.) and Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security...more

Smith: Terror Plot is Failure of Immigration System (02/24/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to the thwarted terror plot in Texas. Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, a 20-year-old citizen of Saudi Arabia...more

Smith: DOJ Has a Responsibility to Defend DOMA (02/23/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today criticized the Administration’s decision not to defend a federal marriage law enacted by Congress in 1996. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)...more

Smith Response to GAO Border Security Report: 44 Percent is a Failing Grade (02/17/2011) Washington, D.C. – The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report finding the U.S.-Mexico border is vulnerable to cross-border illegal activity. Of the nearly 2,000 miles separating the U.S. and Mexico, only 129 miles ...more

Smith Supports 90-Day Extension of PATRIOT Act Provisions (02/17/2011) Washington, D.C. – [Statement on the House Floor] House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today urged the House to pass a 90-day extension of expiring national security provisions. Below is Chairman Smith’s statement from the House floor...more

Smith Statement on Proposed NYSE-Deutsche Börse Merger (02/15/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement regarding the proposed New York Stock Exchange and Deutsche Börse merger...more

House Extends PATRIOT Provisions (02/14/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today called on the Senate to take up the House’s extension of the PATRIOT Act...more

Chairman Lamar Smith Dispels Myths on the PATRIOT Act (02/14/2011) Washington, D.C. – [Statement on the House Floor] Chairman Smith: Since its enactment in 2001, the PATRIOT Act has been the object of so many false allegations and exaggerations that the myths have overshadowed the truth...more

Smith & Conyers Applaud Creation of IP Enforcement Committees (02/08/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.) today praised the President’s decision...more

Smith: Mandate is Undemocratic, Unprecedented and Unconstitutional (01/31/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today responded to another federal court ruling finding that the health care mandate...more

Smith Response to Secretary Napolitano's University of Texas Address (01/31/2011) Washington, D.C. – Today, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano spoke at the University of Texas El Paso regarding the state of America’s homeland security...more

Smith Supports Bill to Extend PATRIOT Act Provisions (01/26/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today joined Crime Subcommittee Chairman Jim...more

Smith: President Should Consider Bipartisan Medical Malpractice Reforms (01/25/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s State of the Union Address...more

Smith: Ghailani Trial was Close Call (01/25/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to the sentencing of Ahmed Ghailani for his role...more

Smith, Gingrey, Scott Call on President to Support Medical Liability Reform (01/24/2011) Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), senior Health Subcommittee Member Phil Gingrey, M.D. (R-Ga.), and Congressman David Scott (D-Ga.)...more

Smith & Davis Introduce the REINS Act House Judiciary Committee to Hold Hearing on REINS Act Next Week (01/20/2011) Washington, D.C. — House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today joined Congressman Geoff Davis (R-Ky.) in introducing legislation to...more

Smith Hosts Bipartisan Retreat for HJC Members (01/19/2011) Washington, D.C. — Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today hosted a bipartisan retreat for members of the House Judiciary Committee. Though Chairman Smith had...more

Chairman Smith Announces GOP Subcommittee Assignments (01/19/2011) Washington, D.C. — Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today announced the House Judiciary Committee's Republican subcommittee assignments for the 112th Congress ...more

Smith Statement re: DOJ Approval of Comcast-NBC Universal Merger (01/18/2011) Washington, D.C. — Smith Statement re: DOJ Approval of Comcast-NBC Universal Merger...more

Smith Statement Regarding GAO Report on E-Verify (01/18/2011) Washington, D.C. — Smith Statement Regarding GAO Report on E-Verify ...more

Smith and Schiff Introduce Drug Safe Harbor Elimination Act (01/18/2011) Washington, D.C. — Smith and Schiff Introduce Drug Safe Harbor Elimination Act ...more

Chairman Smith Announces Subcommittee Chairmen (01/07/2011) Washington, D.C. — Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today announced the House Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee chairmen for the 112th Congress ...more

HJC to Play Key Role in Health Care Debate (01/05/2011) Washington, D.C. — House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today outlined the Committee’s role in the upcoming debate on the vote to repeal Democrats’ misguided government takeover of health care...more