Yesterday the Department of Justice issued an updated policy statement to curb the risks of unlawful profiling by federal law enforcement agencies. Building on the 2003 guidance issued by the Bush administration, the new policy expands covered classifications to include gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity and includes activities related to national security and intelligence. In response to this announcement, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. released the following statement:
Dear Colleague:
Over the past two decades, tensions between police and communities of color have grown as allegations of police brutality and racial profiling by law enforcement agents have increased in number and frequency. The tragic police-involved shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and the local police department's response to the protests are just the latest examples of the challenges faced in reforming police practices.
As President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder begin to act on recommendations of an administration review of federal programs and funding that provide military equipment to local law enforcement agencies; and discussions begin on how communities and law enforcement can work together to build trust to strengthen neighborhoods across the country, Reps.
Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5421, the Financial Institution Bankruptcy Act of 2014 (FIBA), by a voice vote. FIBA is the product of the Judiciary Committee's multi-year examination of the ability of the bankruptcy laws to resolve a failing financial institution.
DETROIT – House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. released the following statement after the announcement of the grand jury's decision not to indict Ferguson, MO police officer Darren Wilson:
"Though the judicial process was fully exercised in this case, I am disappointed in the grand jury's decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed, African-American 18 -year-old. This result underscores the legal hurdles faced in holding the police accountable for abuse of authority and further illustrates the need for major reform in our criminal justice system.
DETROIT – Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee John Conyers Jr. (MI-13) released the following statement in response to ongoing events in Ferguson, Missouri:
"A few facts are clear: A young, unarmed man was shot by a police officer. A small town is under what is essentially martial law. Tear gas and rubber bullets are being used against everyday citizens. Serious and sweeping civil rights violations may have taken place in Ferguson, Missouri.
Following the tragic killing of Michael Brown, an unarmed African American teenager who was shot by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri on August 9, 2014, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee John Conyers Jr. (MI-13), Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (MO-01) and Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) issued a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder asking the Department of Justice (DOJ) to formally investigate the shooting.
A copy of the letter sent to the DOJ is attached.
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Conyers: Boehner Lawsuit Against President Obama Is Pure Political Theatre
Today, the U.S. House Rules Committee held a hearing on Speaker John Boehner's resolution, "providing for authority to initiate litigation for actions by the president inconsistent with his duties under the Constitution of the United States." Specifically, House Republicans contend that President Obama overstepped his constitutional authority in delaying the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act through executive action. After the hearing concluded, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Members John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) delivered the following statement:
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, ruling that closely-held for-profit companies with religious objections can opt out of providing contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act. After the ruling, Ranking Members John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) and Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice Ranking Member Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) delivered the following statement:
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in McCullen v. Coakley, striking down a Massachusetts state law requiring a 35-foot fixed buffer zone around healthcare clinics while affirming the legality of buffer zones generally. After the ruling, Ranking Members John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) and Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice Ranking Member Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) delivered the following statement:
Conyers & Members of Congress Urge Education Secretary to Bring More Fairness to Struggling Students
Conyers & Members of Congress Urge Education Secretary to Bring More Fairness to Struggling Students
(DETROIT) – Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) joined with six other Members of Congress urged the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, to bring more fairness to struggling students by establishing clear standards of eligibility for "undue hardship" discharge of federal student loans in bankruptcy. The members said this type of guidance would benefit the most vulnerable student loan debtors by bringing consistency to the manner in which the Department of Education's contractors handle undue hardship claims.
(DETROIT) – Today, the United States Supreme Court in Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, reversed the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit's ruling and upheld Michigan Proposal 2 prohibiting affirmative action in public education, government contracting, and public employment. Today's decision did not deal with the issue of race-conscious admissions generally, which have been previously upheld and which the court reiterated today. After the ruling, ranking member of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released this statement: