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
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, in a 5-4 decision, that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. Section 3 defined marriage for purposes of federal law as the legal union of a man and woman, thus denying thousands of married gay and lesbian couples federal responsibilities and rights provided all other married couples. Following the decision by the Supreme Court, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement:
Today, senior members of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee including John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.), F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr, (R-Wis.), Melvin L. Watt (D-N.C.), and Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) released this statement addressing the Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder that overturned the coverage formula for Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. In a 5-4 decision, the Court voted "Our decision in no way affects the permanent, nationwide ban on racial discrimination in voting found in [Section] 2. We issue no holding on [Section] 5 itself, only on the coverage formula.
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder. In a 5-4 decision, the Court overturned the coverage formula for Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, stating that, "Our decision in no way affects the permanent, nationwide ban on racial discrimination in voting found in [Section] 2. We issue no holding on [Section] 5 itself, only on the coverage formula. Congress may draft another formula based on current conditions." ranking member of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released this statement following the decision:
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives considered H.R. 1797 the, "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act," on the House floor. The legislation, which imposes a nationwide ban on abortions performed after 20 weeks, passed the House by a vote of 228 to 196. Following the passage of this legislation, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement:
Today, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released this statement applauding the Supreme Court ruling in Arizona et al. v. Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona that invalidated Arizona's law requiring applicants to submit documentary proof of citizenship beyond what is required by the common registration "Federal Form" established by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Writing for the 7-2 majority, Justice Scalia reiterated that the Elections Clause of the U.S.
This morning, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee held a full committee markup of H.R. 1797, the "Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act." The legislation was passed out of the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 20 to 12. Following the markup, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement:
"The legislation considered today by the Judiciary Committee represents one of the most far reaching bans on abortion that we have ever considered, and is a direct attack on women's constitutional right to choose."