Media Center
Latest News
Today, Judge Robert Simpson of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania partially blocked the state of Pennsylvania's voter ID law. Specifically, the court struck down two provisions of the law that required voters to show their IDs within six days or appear before the county board of elections. Although the injunction applies to the election this November, the Judge stated that future hearings would be scheduled on the merits of the case brought by the plaintiffs. Further, election officials may still ask to see an individual's ID, but an ID will not be required to cast a regular ballot.
Today Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner, former chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and John Conyers, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee and also a former chair of the Committee, introduced the Athlete Due Process Protection Act of 2012, a bipartisan bill that will strengthen the United States Anti-Doping Agency's (USADA) ability to ensure a fair playing field in sports.
This morning, Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) delivered the following opening statement during a House Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "Regulation Nation: The Obama Administration's Regulatory Expansion vs. Jobs and Economic Recovery":
"As we begin this hearing, it is important that we note and appreciate the backgrounds of our witnesses.
"One of our witnesses is an economic advisor for Mitt Romney campaign. He also co-founded a group called 'Economists for Romney.' Welcome.
Today, the Inspector General of the United States Department of Justice issued a report entitled, "A Review of ATF's Operation Fast and Furious and Related Matters." The tactic of 'gun walking' took place in Operation Wide Receiver, initiated in 2006, and in Operation Fast and Furious, initiated in 2009. The report detailed that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Headquarters, the Phoenix Field Division, as well as the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona, share primary responsibility for these lapses in judgment and public safety.
Today, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in a 4-2 decision, instructed a judge on the lower Commonwealth Court to cease implementation of the state's Voter ID law and for the lower court to further review the case. Specifically, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court instructed the Commonwealth Court to determine whether or not the law disenfranchises voters, and to assess the ease of access to ID cards. Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released this statement following the decision:
This morning, Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) delivered the following opening statement during a House Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "The Obama Administration's Abuse of Power":
(DETROIT)-Last week, a three-judge District Court in D.C. blocked onerous legislation requiring an individual to show a photo identification before casting a ballot in an election. The court found the law to be discriminatory, and would effectively limit the right to vote of minorities and poor voters. Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released this statement following the court's decision:
Last Wednesday August 15th, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted issued a directive requiring specific rules and operating hours for county boards of elections. Specifically, the directive eliminated early voting on weekends, and barred all boards of elections from being open on Columbus Day. The directive further raised questions about postage being paid for on absentee ballot envelopes. Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) and Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (D-Ohio) released this statement in response:
Today, Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.), along with Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Democratic Caucus Leader John Larson (D-Conn.), Ranking Member Robert Brady (D-Pa.), Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), and APAC Chairwoman Judy Chu (D-Calif.), along with 35 other Members of the House of Representatives introduced a House Resolution, H.Res. 758, calling for a "National Month of Voter Registration." Representative John Conyers, Jr. released this statement following the introduction of the resolution:
Today, Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) joined alongside Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Robert Brady (D-Pa.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Robert Andrews (D-N.J.), and Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), to introduce as co-sponsors legislation authored by Representative John Dingell (D-Mich.) entitled the, "Restoring Confidence in Our Democracy Act." Representative John Conyers, Jr. released this statement following the introduction of the bill: