“H.R. 1854, the ‘Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act of 2015,’ reauthorizes funding for and updates the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act of 2004. “I support this bipartisan bill for several reasons. “To begin with, the legislation recognizes the fact that approximately 45% of federal inmates, 56% of state inmates, and 64% of jail inmates display symptoms of mental he... Read more »
“H.R. 4240, the ‘No Fly for Foreign Fighters Act,’ is a common sense measure that supports the Terrorist Screening Database maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and, in doing so, will aid in our efforts to combat terrorism and keep our Nation safe. “Since 2003, the FBI's Terrorist Screening Center helps to identify those individuals known or reasonably suspected of being involved in ... Read more »
“As a longtime champion of reentry and criminal justice reform, I am encouraged by the Committee’s continued bipartisan progress in moving reform legislation and today’s markup of H.R., 3406, the ‘Second Chance Reauthorization Act.’ With its enactment under President George W. Bush in 2008, the Second Chance Act was Congress’ first major bipartisan step toward addressing the Nation’s exploding pri... Read more »
“Mr. Chair – I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1927, the ‘Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claims Transparency Act of 2015.’ “I oppose this legislation because it shields corporate wrongdoers by making it more difficult for those who have been harmed by their actions from obtaining justice and allows these wrongdoers to further victimize their victims. “Among H.R. 1927... Read more »
Today, the House of Representatives passed two anti-regulatory bills led by the conservative Majority, H.R. 1155, the Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act (SCRUB) and H.R. 712, the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act, largely along party lines. House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) released the following statement u... Read more »
Floor Statement: House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. on H.R. 1155, the ‘‘Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act of 2015" “Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1155, the so-called SCRUB Act because it threatens to drown agencies in additional layers of red-tape and make it nearly impossible to establish any new rule, no matter ... Read more »
The Administration has released a description of the Executive Actions President Obama will be taking to help reduce gun violence in America. Included in these initiatives are steps to expand and improve the conduct of background checks for prospective firearms purchasers, provide more resources for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosiv... Read more »
House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) announced that the Committee is working on legislation to "enhance visa security processing." In related press releases, he has argued that the Obama Administration is to blame for admitting one of the suspects in the San Bernardino attacks into the country in 2013. Last week, the Committee obtained a copy of Tashfeen Malik’s immigration file. Today, ... Read more »
Today, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released the following statement after the White House announced the commutation of the sentences of 95 individuals, including three in Michigan, and the pardoning of two individuals: “I welcome and applaud the commutations and pardons announced today. Incarcerating people for unwarranted lengths of time serves no construc... Read more »
Today, Reps. John Conyers (D-MI), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), joined by 29 Members of Congress, issued a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (R-NV) asking them to consider possible improvements to the House-passed version of H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015. The letter was si... Read more »
