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Reps. Kristi Noem (R-SD) and John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) today led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in reintroducing H.R. 2193, the Remote Transactions Parity Act (RTPA), which aims to create a level playing field so Main Street stores and online retailers can compete fairly. Reps. Steve Womack (R-AR), Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Lou Barletta (R-PA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), and David Cicilline (D-RI) joined Noem and Conyers as lead cosponsors for the reintroduction.

The House of Representatives today approved by a vote of 378-48 the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act (H.R. 1695). This bipartisan bill – introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) -- makes important changes to the selection process for the head of the U.S. Copyright Office, known as the Register of Copyrights. 

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1695, the "Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act of 2017."

As the lead Democratic cosponsor of this bipartisan and bicameral legislation, I am pleased that this bill passed the Judiciary Committee last month by a vote of 27 to 1.

This legislation represents sound public policy that will strengthen the copyright system.

To begin with, it has evolved directly from the bipartisan copyright review process that Chairman Goodlatte initiated back in 2013.

Mr. Chairman, I welcome this hearing as the Crime Subcommittee continues its oversight of the components of the Department of Justice that advance the Department's law enforcement mission.

The Bureau of Prisons and the Marshals Service both play important roles in this regard.

It is particularly important that we closely examine the administration of the Bureau of Prisons at this time.

Today, on the three-year anniversary of the water switch that resulted in a lead contamination in Flint, Mich., the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) sent a letter to President Trump questioning the Administration's commitment to the area in light of proposed budget cuts to EPA and other agencies. Although the water in the majority African-American city continues to improve and federal agencies have invested millions of dollars in resources in the area, residents still have to use filters and many of them don't trust that the water is safe for drinking and bathing.

The core copyright industries employ an estimated 5.5 million people, throughout all 50 states, and represent $1.2 trillion in GDP, almost 7 percent of the economy. Creators depend on the copyright laws, and a strong and independent Copyright Office. Since 2013, the House Judiciary Committee has been working on ways to improve the Copyright Office including making the Register a Presidentially appointed and Senate confirmed position in order to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency at the Copyright Office.

Bipartisan, bicameral Judiciary Committee leaders today reaffirmed their commitment to reform the troubled EB-5 investor visa program ahead of its scheduled expiration on April 28, or to let the flawed program expire if reforms are not possible. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senator Patrick Leahy, along with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. reiterated requirements of any meaningful negotiation as they continue to search for a compromise on EB-5 reform.