Press Releases

Nadler's Statement for Markup of Classification Bills Making Technical Amendments to Update Statutory References to Certain Provisions Classified to the United States Code

Washington, DC, April 11, 2018

Today we are considering four classification bills.  These are noncontroversial and bipartisan bills and I hope that we can move through them quickly.  To that end, I am incorporating my comments on all four bills into this single statement. 

H.R. 5283, H.R. 5293, H.R. 5335, and H.R. 5344 -- make a series of long-overdue technical amendments to the United States Code.  They are the product of a meticulous review conducted by the Office of Law Revision Counsel, which is responsible for maintaining and publishing the Code.

         Based on this comprehensive review, the Law Revision Counsel drafted each of these bills that our colleagues on both sides of the aisle have introduced.

         These measures modernize various titles of the Code by deleting outdated provisions and by reorganizing other provisions into a more coherent and reader-friendly format.   

         The titles of the Code updated by these bills cover a broad range of subject matters, including Native Americans, national defense, law enforcement, education, public lands, and agriculture. 

         And, it is important to note, that none of these revisions is intended to substantively change current law.  While the amendments effectuated by these bills are purely technical, the enhanced clarity and efficiency that will result from their ultimate enactment will vastly improve the interpretation and practice of federal law.

         The Office of Law Revision Counsel is to be commended for preparing these bills for us.  I also want to acknowledge the Members who sponsored these measures as well as the Chairman’s leadership in facilitating their consideration today. 

         Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support each of these bills and I yield back the balance of my time.