Constitution
The Committee on the Judiciary plays an important role in protecting people's constitutional rights and-when the Constitution falls short of its promise "to form a more perfect Union"-in amending the Constitution. In the 116th Congress, the Committee passed a resolution to revoke the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and held hearings on state efforts to curb people's constitutional right to an abortion, the lasting negative impact of Citizens United on our campaign finance system, the constitutional role of the pardon power, and opportunities to reform presidential clemency. The Committee also filed several lawsuits to uphold its constitutional authority to conduct oversight of the executive branch. In the 117th Congress, the Committee will continue to build on these accomplishments and further the Constitution's promise of a more perfect Union.
More on Constitution
Following the Senate vote rejecting the USA Freedom Act, 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:
Today, 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 statement regarding attempts at a short-term extension in the Senate of the Patriot Act and other reported proposals.
Today, 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 statement urging the Senate to pass the USA Freedom Act of 2015.
Today, during a full House Judiciary Committee hearing on "Policing Strategies for the 21st Century," Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) delivered the following opening statement:
"Law enforcement accountability is an issue that is very topical given current events, but also one that has long been a concern of mine and many other Members.
The following is the House Judiciary Committee's schedule for the week May 18 - 22.
Tuesday, May 19 2015
10:00 a.m. 2141 Rayburn House Office Building
Full Committee Hearing: Policing Strategies for the 21st Century
Witnesses for the Hearing:
On Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing titled "Policing Strategies for the 21st Century." This hearing will examine police accountability, aggression towards law enforcement, public safety concerns related to these issues, and solutions to address these problems.
Witnesses for Tuesday's hearing are:
· Sheriff David A. Clarke, Jr., Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lee, Leahy, Sensenbrenner, Goodlatte, Conyers, Nadler: "We will oppose any extension of the NSA's bulk collection program."
Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.), and Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), issued the following statement urging the Senate to take up and pass the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015.
The House of Representatives today approved by a vote of 338-88 the USA Freedom Act (H.R. 2048).
Today, during debate on the House Floor of H.R. 36, the "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Act," House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. urged his colleagues to vote in opposition to the measure. Rep. Conyers delivered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery:
"Mr. Speaker, this legislation is a dangerous and far reaching attack on a woman's constitutional right to choose whether or not to terminate a pregnancy - a right that the Supreme Court guaranteed 42 years ago in Roe v. Wade.
Today, during debate on the House Floor of H.R. 2048, the "USA FREEDOM Act," House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. urged his colleagues to vote in support of measure. Rep. Conyers delivered the following remarks as prepared for delivery: