Press Releases

Today, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI), John Conyers (D-MI), applauded the passage of the Senate version of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) following the failure of the partisan and discriminatory proposal put forth this week by House Republicans.

Today, former Chairmen of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wis.) and Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) responded to oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court in the case Shelby County v. Holder. The bipartisan group of members filed a brief as amici curiae on February 1, 2013 to affirm what the Supreme Court has declared for over 50 years: Congress can enforce Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act under Congress's 15^th Amendment Powers. Specifically, Section 5 halts discrimination at the outset of any voting change made in a state.

Today, civil rights icon Rosa Parks was honored by having a statue dedicated in her honor within Statuary Hall inside of the United States Capitol. Following his participation in the ceremony, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement:

"Rosa Parks was a champion of civil rights, an advocate for peace, and a dear friend," said Conyers.

This morning, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee held a full committee oversight hearing entitled, "Drones and the War on Terror: When Can the U.S. Target Alleged American Terrorists Overseas?" Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) delivered the following statement during his opening remarks:

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I very much appreciate that our Committee is examining such a pressing matter: the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or 'drones,' to strike at suspected terrorists abroad.

Today, the Republican leadership announced they will bring their version of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization to the House Floor next week. As opposed to S. 47, which passed the Senate with a bipartisan vote of 78 to 22 last week, the House Republican version of VAWA omits protections for the LGBT, Native women, and immigrant communities. It also excludes provisions that combat sex trafficking, and that would have helped law enforcement address the backlog in DNA evidence kits.

Today, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) and Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) released this statement following the Senate passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), S. 47, by a vote of 78 to 22. This Senate-passed bill is almost identical to the bill introduced in January by Reps. Moore and Conyers (H.R. 11). VAWA supporters in the House look forward to retaining the Senate improvements.

This past Sunday, former Congresswoman Cardiss Collins (D-Ill.) passed away in Arlington, Virginia at the age of 81. Representative Collins was the first black congresswoman from Illinois and represented her Midwestern district for nearly 25 years. During the 96^th Congress she served as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and in the 104^th Congress she served as ranking member of the Government Reform and Oversight Committee. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued this statement following the news of her passing:

This afternoon, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a final rule formalizing, "the national standard for determining whether a housing practice violates the Fair Housing Act as a result of discriminatory effect." After the announcement of this rule, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement: