Lamar Smith RSS Articles

Smith Releases Results of Austin Area Teletownhall Poll

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

This week, Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) hosted two telephone town meetings with constituents from the 21^st District of Texas. During the calls, Congressman Smith polled participants about their views on several important issues facing our nation.

Around 3,500 constituents from Travis, Blanco and Hays Counties participated in this week’s teletownhalls. Participants are randomly selected registered voters.

Congressman Smith: “More than 3,000 of my constituents participated in this week’s meetings about important issues facing our nation. During the calls, a random survey was conducted on immigration and government spending. Here are the results:

· 61% of respondents feel that the border should be secured before other immigration reforms take effect.

· 78% favor a system that would require employers to hire legal workers.

· 72% think the federal government should balance its budget.

“These are sincerely held views by hard-working, law-abiding, tax-paying, good Americans. I appreciate the participation of so many constituents and look forward to representing their views on issues before Congress.”

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Smith Demands Release of EPA Secret Data Behind Regulations

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Robert Perciasepe demanding the release of data underpinning costly new air quality rules.

On March 4, 2013, Chairman Smith wrote to Gina McCarthy, EPA’s Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation and the President’s nominee to become the next Administrator, requesting the release of underlying data that EPA has relied on to support multiple air regulations. Today’s letter criticizes the fact that EPA has failed to provide the data and continues to rely on it for new regulations even after the National Research Council has cautioned against using them in its 2004 report.

“Throughout this process, EPA has responded to our questions in a cavalier manner, hoping perhaps we were not reading the NRC reports carefully or were simply unaware of the law or guidance governing data access,” Chairman Smith wrote. “Current law and OMB guidance are clear in requiring EPA to obtain and release the data. The EPA’s continued refusal to comply with this Committee’s oversight request undermines the credibility of its regulations.”

The letter continues, “EPA has projected that its upcoming ozone standard will be the most costly environmental regulation in U.S. history. Working families will bear these costs. They have a right to know what scientific data supports EPA’s claims.”

Chairman Smith urged EPA to respond by July 8, 2013 in order to avoid formal Committee action.

The full letter can be found HERE.

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Smith Supports SMART Border Security

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – At a press conference today on Capitol Hill, Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) joined members of the Immigration Reform Caucus in pushing for legislation to beef up border security and increase interior enforcement of immigration laws.

Earlier this month, the members introduced H.R. 2220, the Support More Assets, Resources and Technology on the Border Act (SMART Act), which requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to secure the U.S.-Mexico border within one year. Congressman Smith called on Congress to support the SMART Act to better secure the border and protect American communities.

Congressman Smith: “A recent Rasmussen poll found that 55 percent of likely voters favor an immigration plan that secures the border and prevents future illegal immigration. Similarly, a CNN poll found that 88 percent of respondents believe more federal law enforcement officials are needed along the U.S.-Mexico border. And a Fox News survey found that 68% of respondents want new border security measures to be completed before other changes to immigration policies. The SMART Act responds to what the American people have made clear they want: secure the border first.

“The SMART Act focuses on the safety and security of Americans by securing the border and enforcing our interior immigration laws. It sets a deadline for securing the border and restores accountability by requiring an annual report by the non-partisan Government Accountability Office on the status of border security. If the border is not secured, the bill triggers the automatic hiring of 1,500 additional Border Patrol agents and the short-term deployment of the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border.

“The immigration debate may be complex. But the solution to our nation’s immigration problems is neither complex nor complicated – it’s common sense. We need to enforce the laws currently on the books and secure the border before any other immigration reforms are implemented.”

Summary of H.R. 2220:

· Requires DHS to achieve operational control of the U.S.-Mexico border within one year of enactment and to submit a report on its achievement to the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO).

· Requires the GAO to submit an annual reporter to Congress on the state of border security.

· Mandates that DHS fully implement the US-VISIT biometric entry-exit system within two years of enactment at all ports of entry in the U.S.

· Requires the Defense Department to make 10,000 National Guard troops available for deployment for border control activities on the request of border state governors.

· Directs DHS to appoint 1,500 additional Border Patrol agents if operational control is not met.

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Chairman Smith Urges Thorough Audit of EPA Political Discrimination

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Paul Broun (R-Ga.) today sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Inspector General (IG) requesting additional information about how his office will conduct an investigation into allegations that EPA disproportionately charged conservative organizations fees for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, while waiving those same fees for environmental groups. A vital establishment of government transparency, FOIA is the law by which the public and media can access information from the federal government that has otherwise not been made available.

“EPA’s actions are cause for concern in light of similar allegations at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that the agency is targeting conservative political groups for unfair and improper screening,” the lawmakers wrote. “These discriminatory actions reflect an unfair and unequal application of the law, designed to clearly dissuade people and groups of a different political mindset than the administration. Such actions can have a chilling effect on the public, and raise questions about the integrity of critical agencies.”

In light of these allegations, EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe requested the IG’s office conduct an audit focusing on the agency’s use of FOIA fee waivers. In their letter, Chairmen Smith and Broun urge the IG to conduct a swift and thorough audit of such discriminatory practices. As part of the review, they charged the IG to determine “whether these are the actions of a few individuals, or the philosophy of leadership at EPA.”

The Members also requested that the IG provide the Committee with details about the audit process, expectations for the investigation and the timeframe for when the audit will be concluded.

The full letter can be found HERE.

Smith to Holder: Explain Discrepancies before Committee

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee today sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder requesting that he appear before the Committee on June 18, 2013, or some other time before the July 4^th recess, to explain the discrepancies between his sworn congressional testimony and his decision to obtain a search warrant for the emails of Fox News’ chief Washington correspondent James Rosen. According to reports, the search warrant stated that Rosen was at the very least an “aider, abettor, and/or co-conspirator” of the person who allegedly leaked classified information.

Last week, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte wrote to the Attorney General asking him to explain these discrepancies to the Committee by June 5, 2013. But the Committee never received an on-the-record response from Attorney General Holder himself answering the questions asked. The Committee did receive a nonresponsive letter from the Attorney General’s subordinate, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik, earlier this week. The Committee replied to Kadzik and stated his response was insufficient. Attorney General Holder sent a letter last night but he failed to answer any of the Committee’s questions.

Below is the text of today’s letter to Attorney General Holder from Judiciary Committee Republicans. To read the signed letter, click here.

Dear Attorney General Holder:

We are in receipt of your June 5th letter endorsing the Department’s previous letter regarding the veracity of your testimony before the Committee. We are disappointed that your response still fails to fully and adequately answer our questions. Neither the letter from Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik, nor your follow-up letter, constitutes a satisfactory on-the-record response by you to the Committee.

You testified on May 15th that “with regard to potential prosecution of the press for the disclosure of material, that is not something that I have ever been involved, heard of, or would think would be a wise policy.” This statement left members of the Committee and the American people with the clear understanding that the Department had never taken the unprecedented step of characterizing a member of the media as a criminal co-conspirator in a sworn court document.

We do not believe our request – that you provide the Committee with an on-the-record explanation of your on-the-record testimony – is extraordinary. We believe the Committee and the American people deserve to hear from you directly. It is with this goal in mind that we invite you to appear before the Committee on June 18, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. to respond to our inquiry. If this date and time presents a conflict for you, please provide us with an alternative date between June 18 and June 28, 2013, for your appearance.

Please reply by COB, Friday, June 14, 2013, to schedule your appearance. We look forward to your reply.

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¨ Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology ¨ Committee on Homeland Security ¨ Committee on the Judiciary ¨

http://lamarsmith.house.gov

Smith, Goodlatte Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Cut Government Red Tape

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today joined House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) in introducing bipartisan legislation to cut government red tape and restore accountability to the federal regulatory process. The Regulatory Accountability Act (H.R. 2122), which passed the House of Representatives in the 112th Congress, reforms the current federal rulemaking process to lower the costs and improve the quality of new regulations.

Congressman Smith introduced the Regulatory Accountability Act in the 112^th Congress and is an original cosponsor of H.R. 2122.

Congressman Smith: “Under President Obama, the regulatory system has become a barrier to economic growth and job creation. Federal regulations cost our economy $1.75 trillion each year. Employers are concerned about the costs these regulations will impose on their businesses. So they stop hiring, stop spending and start saving for a bill from Big Brother. But rather than burdening businesses with more regulations, we need to free up employers so they can create jobs for American workers. The Regulatory Accountability Act places permanent restrictions on regulatory agencies and restores transparency to the regulatory process.”

Chairman Goodlatte: “America’s job creators are being buried under an avalanche of federal regulations. When small business owners and entrepreneurs have to divert precious resources to manage costly new mandates that are coming down from Washington, they have fewer resources available to grow their business or create jobs and this has a devastating impact on our national economy. If we are to grow our economy and get more Americans back to work, Washington must get out of the way. The Regulatory Accountability Act solves the problem of overreaching and unnecessary regulation by providing greater transparency, cost-benefit analysis of new rules, and a more thorough process for high-impact rules.”

The Regulatory Accountability Act requires federal agencies to choose the lowest cost rulemaking alternative that meets statutory objectives, improves agency fact-gathering, fact-finding and identification of regulatory alternatives, requires advance notice of proposed major rulemakings to increase public input before costly agency positions are proposed, and fortifies judicial review of new agency regulations.

Representatives Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), Colin Peterson (D-Minn.), William Owens (D-N.Y.), Howard Coble (R-N.C.), and Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.) also are original cosponsors of H.R. 2122. Companion legislation was introduced today in the U.S. Senate by Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bill Nelson (D- Fla.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas).

A copy of the legislation can be found here.

Smith Votes to Repeal Obamacare

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) voted today to repeal the President’s costly and ineffective government takeover of the health care sector. The Republican-led House of Representatives passed H.R. 45 by a vote of 229-195.

Congressman Smith, who chairs the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, is a cosponsor of the bill. This is the 37^th time the House of Representatives has voted repeal all or some of the failed health care law.

Congressman Smith: “Three years after its enactment, one thing is clear about Obamacare: the law is a train wreck that will cost Americans trillions of dollars. As we approach the implementation deadline in 2014, President Obama’s broken promises are piling up.

“The President promised that no families making less than $250,000 per year would see their taxes go up as a result of Obamacare. But Obamacare includes 21 new or higher taxes that will cost $1.1 trillion over the next decade.

“The President promised that families could save $2,500 on health care premiums. Instead, the average family premium has increased by over $3,000 since 2008.

“The President promised that he would not sign a plan that adds a single dime to the deficit. But according to the Congressional Budget Office, the 10-year estimate for the cost of Obamacare has doubled from $940 billion to $1.88 trillion.

“Congressional Democrats promised that Obamacare would create 400,000 jobs almost immediately. But according to the Congressional Budget Office, Obamacare will reduce the labor force by 800,000 over the next decade. That means 800,000 jobs will no longer be available for American workers.

“We now know that the so-called Affordable Care Act is not so affordable after all. Americans across the country are facing higher health insurance premiums, the loss of the health plans, lower wages, and less hiring and business expansion. We should repeal Obamacare and replace it with real reforms that reduce, rather than raise, health care costs for all Americans.”

Smith Demands Nationwide Investigation of IRS

Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

At a House Judiciary Committee hearing today, Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) questioned Attorney General Eric Holder about the Justice Department’s investigation into allegations that IRS employees intentionally targeted conservative organizations, including Tea Party-affiliated groups, for additional scrutiny in their applications for tax-exempt status.

Specifically, Congressman Smith asked if the Department’s investigation would be limited to the Ohio allegations or if it would be a nationwide investigation that examines allegations of unfair targeting of conservative groups across the nation. In response to Smith’s question, Attorney General Holder confirmed that the investigation would be nationwide and not simply limited to the actions of individuals in Ohio.

Congressman Smith also asked about what recourse a targeted group might have against the IRS for the possible violation of their First Amendment rights. Specifically, Representative Smith asked if groups might be able to recoup any finances lost while responding to the unfair scrutiny of IRS employees.

Congressman Smith: “The alleged actions by government employees to target conservative organizations are dangerous, unconstitutional and possibly criminal. Targeting organizations for their political views threatens our democracy and violates the First Amendment of the Constitution. And IRS employees who singled out conservative organizations for additional scrutiny may well have violated criminal laws.

“I will hold the Attorney General to his word that the Justice Department will conduct a nationwide investigation that follows the facts wherever they lead. If federal employees are found to have violated the law, the Justice Department must prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. And the federal government should also be held responsible for reimbursing conservative organizations for any additional expenses they incurred in responding to the unfair scrutiny of the IRS.”

In May 2012, Congressman Smith wrote to the IRS about allegations that the San Antonio Tea Party had been subject to delays and burdensome information requests in connection with their applications for tax-exempt status. A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

More information about today’s hearing, including the webcast, is available at the House Judiciary Committee website.

Smith, Gowdy Introduce Keep Our Communities Safe Act

Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Immigration Subcommittee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) today introduced the Keep Our Communities Safe Act (H.R. 1901) to stop the release of dangerous criminal immigrants into American communities.

In the 2001 decision of Zadvydas v. Davis, the Supreme Court ruled that under current law immigrants who had been admitted to the U.S. and then ordered removed could not be detained for more than six months. In the 2005 case of Clark v. Martinez, the Supreme Court expanded its decision in Zadvydas to apply to illegal immigrants. The problem with both of these rulings is that not every criminal immigrant who is ordered removed can be because of the unwillingness of some countries to issue travel documents necessary for repatriation.

As a result, the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have had to release thousands of criminal immigrants into our neighborhoods. In the last four years, nearly 17,000 immigrants with orders of removal were released because their own countries refused to take them back. Justice Department officials have stated that these criminal immigrants include rapists, child molesters, murderers, and other dangerous criminals.

Congressman Smith: “Recent federal court rulings have required the release of dangerous criminal immigrants into our communities, putting American lives at risk. Just because some criminal immigrants cannot be returned to their home country does not mean they should be allowed back on our streets. Dangerous criminal immigrants need to be detained.

“The Keep Our Communities Safe Act closes the legal loophole that allows dangerous criminal immigrants to be released into our communities. The bill authorizes DHS to detain non-deportable criminal immigrants for more than six months. Congress has a responsibility to make sure the laws of the land protect Americans rather than endanger them. This bill helps ensure that dangerous criminal immigrants do not slip through the cracks of our legal justice system.”

Chairman Gowdy: “In the wake of federal court decisions, our country is forced to let dangerous criminal immigrants back onto our streets if their countries of origin refuse to repatriate them. This law gives DHS the ability to detain criminals beyond six months, through the duration of the removal process, when necessary to protect our communities. The primary function of government is to ensure public safety. Congress should act to fix this judicially created hole in the legal system.”

Summary of H.R. 1901: The bill provides a statutory basis for DHS to detain as long as necessary specified dangerous criminal immigrants under orders of removal who cannot be removed. It authorizes DHS to detain non-removable immigrants beyond six months, but only if:

· the alien will be removed in the reasonably foreseeable future;

· the alien would have been removed but for the alien’s refusal to make all reasonable efforts to comply and cooperate
with the Homeland Security Secretary’s efforts to remove him;

· the alien has a highly contagious disease;

· release would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences;

· release would threaten national security; or

· release would threaten the safety of the community and the alien either is an aggravated felon or has committed a
crime of violence.

Such aliens may be detained for periods of six months at a time, and the period of detention may be renewed.

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Smith: Senate Immigration Bill Costs Too Much

Tue, 07 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today delivered the below statement on the House floor regarding the Heritage Foundation’s study on the cost of amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants.

Congressman Smith: “A new study by the Heritage Foundation warns that the Senate immigration bill would cost $6.3 trillion. That’s because over their lifetime, illegal immigrants given amnesty would receive $9.4 trillion in government benefits while paying $3.1 trillion in taxes.

“Government benefits include Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps and health care. That means each taxpayer would be forced to pay $40,000 to cover just some of the costs of the immigration bill.

“The immigration bill costs too much, has no deadline to secure the border, and hurts American workers. We should put the interests of American taxpayers and American workers first.”

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