Press Releases

Today, Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) led the opposition to H.R. 822, the "National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011," a dangerous bill that would override the laws of almost every state by obliging each to accept concealed handgun carry permits from every other state, even if the permit holder would not be allowed to carry or even possess a handgun in the state where he or she is traveling. The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill by 19-11 vote with all Democrats and one Republican opposed to the bill.

Today, the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law held a hearing on H.R. 1996, the "Government Litigation Savings Act". The bill would prevent our veterans and elderly from recovering their legal fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act, which for 30 years has helped to ensure that senior citizens, veterans, environmental groups, and other non-profit organizations can vindicate their rights against unreasonable governmental action. House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released the following statement in response to the hearing:

Today, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Previously, the Committee's Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on H. J. Res 1, a balanced budget amendment, which the Full Committee subsequently reported. During the hearing, the majority's witnesses, including former U.S.attorney general and Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh, acknowledged that they could not support a balanced budget amendment as reported by the House Judiciary Committee. Following the hearing, Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr.

Yesterday, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.), Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-Va.), and House Judiciary Committee Member Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) wrote a letter to the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles urging them to reconsider the decision to conclude Troy Davis' death penalty clemency hearing. Mr. Davis' defense team was unable to finish presenting evidence in support of his request for clemency. Specifically, Mr.

Today, the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on H.R. 822, the "National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011." The bill would override the laws of almost every state by obligating each to accept concealed handgun carry permits from every other state, even if the permit holder would not be allowed to obtain such a permit or carry a gun in the state in which he or she is traveling. House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement in response to the hearing:

Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1059, a bill that makes permanent the United States Judicial Conference's authority to redact personal and sensitive information from financial disclosure reports filed by judges and judiciary branch employees, such as the filer's home address or spouse's workplace address. Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released the following statement in response to the House's action:

Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2076, a bill allowing the attorney general and the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to provide assistance at the request of state and local law enforcement officials in the investigation of mass killings and other violent acts such as school and workplace shootings.

Today, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit to block the implementation of AT&T Inc.'s proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA Inc. on grounds that the arrangement would violate U.S. antitrust law and adversely affect American consumers. House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement in response to the Department's action: