[House Report 113-682]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Union Calendar No. 513
113th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 113-682
_______________________________________________________________________
ACTIVITY REPORT
of the
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
of the
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
for the period
JANUARY 3, 2013 THROUGH DECEMBER 15, 2014
December 22, 2014.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_____
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
49-006 WASHINGTON : 2014
LETTER OF TRANSMITTALL
----------
House of Representatives,
Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC, December 22, 2014.
Hon. Karen Haas,
Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Ms. Haas: Pursuant to clause 1(d) of rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, I am transmitting the
report on the activities of the Committee on the Judiciary of
the U.S. House of Representatives in the 113th Congress.
Sincerely,
Bob Goodlatte,
Chairman.
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Committee Membership............................................. vi
Jurisdiction of the Committee.................................... 1
Committee Activity............................................... 2
Tabulation of Activity............................ 2
Public Laws....................................... 3
Printed Hearings.................................. 4
Activities Conducted Pursuant to Clauses 2(n),
(o), or (p) of House Rule XI............................... 9
Committee Oversight Plan......................................... 11
Activities Conducted Pursuant to Committee Oversight Plan........ 17
Full Committee................................................... 21
Jurisdiction of the full Committee................ 21
Legislative Activities............................ 22
Oversight Activities.............................. 55
Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice............... 63
Jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.................. 63
Legislative Activities............................ 63
Oversight Activities.............................. 65
Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.. 67
Jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.................. 67
Legislative Activities............................ 67
Oversight Activities.............................. 68
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and
Investigations................................................. 77
Jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.................. 77
Oversight Activities.............................. 77
Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.................. 81
Jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.................. 81
Legislative Activities............................ 81
Oversight Activities.............................. 82
Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law.. 87
Jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.................. 87
Legislative Activities............................ 87
Oversight Activities.............................. 92
Over-Criminalization Task Force Resolution of 2013............... 97
Jurisdiction of the Task Force.................... 97
Oversight Activities.............................. 97
Over-Criminalization Task Force Resolution of 2014............... 99
Jurisdiction of the Task Force.................... 99
Oversight Activities.............................. 99
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY\1\
BOB GOODLATTE, Virginia, Chairman\2\
F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, Jr., JOHN CONYERS, Jr., Michigan\3\
Wisconsin JERROLD NADLER, New York
HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT,
LAMAR SMITH, Texas Virginia
STEVE CHABOT, Ohio ZOE LOFGREN, California
SPENCER BACHUS, Alabama SHEILA JACKSON LEE, Texas
DARRELL E. ISSA, California STEVE COHEN, Tennessee
J. RANDY FORBES, Virginia HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, Jr.,
STEVE KING, Iowa Georgia
TRENT FRANKS, Arizona PEDRO R. PIERLUISI, Puerto Rico
LOUIE GOHMERT, Texas JUDY CHU, California
JIM JORDAN, Ohio THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida
TED POE, Texas LUIS V. GUTIEERREZ, Illinois\4\
JASON CHAFFETZ, Utah KAREN BASS, California
TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania CEDRIC L. RICHMOND, Louisiana
TREY GOWDY, South Carolina SUZAN K. DelBENE, Washington
RAUUL R. LABRADOR, Idaho JOE GARCIA, Florida
BLAKE FARENTHOLD, Texas HAKEEM S. JEFFRIES, New York
GEORGE HOLDING, North Carolina DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island\5\
DOUG COLLINS, Georgia
RON DeSANTIS, Florida
JASON T. SMITH, Missouri\6\
VACANCY\7\
----------
\1\Membership of Committee current through date of this report. Except
as otherwise provided in the notes, infra, Republican members were
elected to the Committee pursuant to H. Res. 17, approved January 4,
2013; Democratic Members were elected to the Committee pursuant to H.
Res. 7, approved January 3, 2013.
\2\Elected to the Committee as chairman pursuant to H. Res. 6, approved
January 3, 2013.
\3\Elected to the Committee as ranking minority member pursuant to H.
Res. 7, approved January 3, 2013.
\4\Mike Quigley of Illinois resigned from the Committee as of January
14, 2013. The vacancy was filled by Luis V. Gutieerrez of Illinois
pursuant to H. Res. 22, approved January 14, 2013. 5
\5\Melvin L. Watt of North Carolina resigned from Congress and the
Committee on January 6, 2014. The vacancy was filled by David Cicilline
of Rhode Island pursuant to H. Res. 460, approved January 16, 2014.
\6\Keith J. Rothfus of Pennsylvania resigned from the Committee as of
April 16, 2013. The vacancy was filled by Jason T. Smith of Missouri
pursuant to H. Res. 257, approved June 12, 2013.
\7\Mark E. Amodei of Nevada resigned from the Committee as of December
9, 2013. The Committee had not filled the vacancy at the time of this
report.
Union Calendar No. 513
113th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 113-682
======================================================================
ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY FOR THE PERIOD
JANUARY 3, 2013 THROUGH DECEMBER 15, 2014
_______
December 22, 2014--Committed to the Committee on the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Goodlatte, from the Committee on the Judiciary,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
JURISDICTION OF THE COMMITTEE
The jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary is set
forth in clause 1(l) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives for the 113th Congress, which reads:
Rule X--Organization of Committees
COMMITTEES AND THEIR LEGISLATIVE JURISDICTIONS
1. There shall be in the House the following standing
committees, each of which shall have the jurisdiction and
related functions assigned by this clause and clauses 2, 3, and
4. All bills, resolutions, and other matters relating to
subjects within the jurisdiction of the standing committees
listed in this clause shall be referred to those committees, in
accordance with clause 2 of rule XII, as follows:
(l) Committee on the Judiciary.
(1) The judiciary and judicial proceedings, civil and
criminal.
(2) Administrative practice and procedure.
(3) Apportionment of Representatives.
(4) Bankruptcy, mutiny, espionage, and
counterfeiting.
(5) Civil liberties.
(6) Constitutional amendments.
(7) Criminal law enforcement.
(8) Federal courts and judges, and local courts in
the Territories and possessions.
(9) Immigration policy and non-border enforcement.
(10) Interstate compacts generally.
(11) Claims against the United States.
(12) Meetings of Congress; attendance of Members,
Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner; and their
acceptance of incompatible offices.
(13) National penitentiaries.
(14) Patents, the Patent and Trademark Office,
copyrights, and trademarks.
(15) Presidential succession.
(16) Protection of trade and commerce against
unlawful restraints and monopolies.
(17) Revision and codification of the Statutes of the
United States.
(18) State and territorial boundary lines.
(19) Subversive activities affecting the internal
security of the United States.
COMMITTEE ACTIVITY\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\Through December 12, 2014.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tabulation of Activity
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE
Public Legislation:
House bills............................................... 876
House joint resolutions................................... 71
House concurrent resolutions.............................. 13
House resolutions......................................... 62
Senate bills.............................................. 8
Senate joint resolutions.................................. 0
Senate concurrent resolutions............................. 1
______
Subtotal.............................................. 1031
Private Legislation:
House bills (claims)...................................... 1
House bills (copyrights).................................. 0
House bills (immigration)................................. 28
House resolutions (claims)................................ 0
Senate bills (claims)..................................... 0
Senate bills (immigration)................................ 0
______
Subtotal.............................................. 29
=================================================================
________________________________________________
Total............................................. 1060
HEARINGS
Full Committee................................................ 30
Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice............ 12
Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the
Internet.................................................. 29
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and
Investigations............................................ 12
Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security............... 10
Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust
Law....................................................... 22
Over-Criminalization Task Force of 2013....................... 4
Over-Criminalization Task Force of 2014....................... 6
=================================================================
________________________________________________
Total............................................. 125
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS MARKED UP
Full Committee................................................ 54
Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice............ 3
Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the
Internet.................................................. 0
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and
Investigations............................................ 0
Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security............... 4
Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust
Law....................................................... 5
=================================================================
________________________________________________
Total............................................. 66
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS REPORTED TO THE HOUSE
House bills................................................... 44
House joint resolutions....................................... 1
House concurrent resolutions.................................. 0
House resolutions............................................. 2
Senate bills and resolutions.................................. 0
=================================================================
________________________________________________
Total............................................. 47
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS (REFERRED) PASSING THE HOUSE
House bills................................................... 71
House joint resolutions....................................... 1
House concurrent resolutions.................................. 1
House resolutions............................................. 3
Senate bills and resolutions.................................. 3
=================================================================
________________________________________________
Total............................................. 79
PUBLIC LAWS
Pub. L. No. 113-12. Stolen Valor Act of 2013. [H.R. 258] (Signed
June 3, 2013)
Pub. L. No 113-42. To extend the period during which Iraqis who
were employed by the United States Government in Iraq may be granted
special immigrant status and to temporarily increase the fee or
surcharge for processing machine-readable nonimmigrant visas. [H.R.
3233] (Signed October 4, 2013)
Pub. L. No. 113-47. United States Parole Commission Extension Act
of 2013. [H.R. 3190] (Signed October 31, 2013)
Pub. L. No. 113-51. HIV Organ Policy Equity Act. [S. 330] (Signed
November 21, 2013)
Pub. L. No. 113-57. To extend the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988
for 10 years. [H.R. 3626] (Signed December 9, 2013
Pub. L. No. 113-61. To amend title 28, United States Code, to
modify the composition of the southern judicial district of Mississippi
to improve judicial efficiency, and for other purposes. [H.R. 2871]
(Signed December 20, 2013)
Pub. L. No. 113-62. To extend the authority of the Supreme Court
Police to protect court officials away from the Supreme Court grounds.
[H.R. 2922] (Signed December 20, 2013)
Pub. L. No. 113-100. A bill to deny admission to the United States
to any representative to the United Nations who has been found to have
been engaged in espionage activities or a terrorist activity against
the United States and poses a threat to United States national security
interest. [S. 2195] (Signed April 18, 2014)
Pub. L. No. 113-104. Kilah Davenport Child Protection Act of 2013.
[H.R. 3627] (Signed May 20, 2014)
Pub. L. No. 113-117. North Texas Invasive Species Barrier Act of
2014. [H.R. 4032] (Signed June 9, 2014)
Pub. L. No. 113-128. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
[H.R. 803] (Signed July 22, 2014)
Pub. L. No. 113-143. Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2014.
[H.R. 1528] (Signed August 1, 2014)
Pub. L. No. 113-160. Emergency Afghan Allies Extension Act of 2014.
[H.R. 5195] (Signed August 8, 2014)
Pub. L. No. 113-163. Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act
of 2013. [S. 1799] (Signed August 8, 2014)
Pub. L. No. 113-170. All Circuit Review Extension Act. [H.R. 4197]
(Signed September 26, 2014)
Pub. L. No. 113-182. Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2014.
[H.R. 4323] (Signed September 29, 2014)
Pub. L. No. 113-199. To amend the Federal charter of Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States to reflect the service of women in
the Armed Forces of the United States. [H.R. 5441] (Signed December 4,
2014)
Pub. L. No. 113-200. STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014. [H.R. 5728]
(Signed December 4, 2014)
Printed Hearings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Serial
Date Hearing Title Forum Number
------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 5, 2013............ America's Full Committee. 113-1
Immigration
System:
Opportunities
for Legal
Immigration
and
Enforcement of
Laws Against
Illegal
Immigration.
February 27, 2013........... Drones and the Full Committee. 113-2
War on Terror:
When Can the
U.S. Target
Alleged
American
Terrorists
Overseas?
February 26, 2013........... Agricultural Subcommittee on 113-3
Labor: From H- Immigration
2A to a and Border
Workable Security.
Agricultural
Guestworker
Program.
February 27, 2013........... How E-Verify Subcommittee on 113-4
Works and How Immigration
It Benefits and Border
American Security.
Employers and
Workers.
March 19, 2013.............. The Release of Full Committee. 113-5
Criminal
Detainees by
U.S.
Immigration
and Customs
Enforcement:
Policy or
Politics?
May 7, 2013................. DOJ's Quid Pro Subcommittee on 113-6
Quo with St. the
Paul: A Constitution
Whistleblower' and Civil
s Perspective. Justice and
Subcommittee
on Economic
Growth, Job
Creation and
Regulatory
Affairs of the
Committee on
Oversight and
Government
Reform.
March 5, 2013............... Excessive Subcommittee on 113-7
Litigation's the
Impact on Constitution
America's and Civil
Global Justice.
Competitivenes
s.
March 13, 2013.............. Examination of Subcommittee on 113-8
Litigation the
Abuses. Constitution
and Civil
Justice.
March 14, 2013.............. Separation of Subcommittee on 113-9
Nuclear Immigration
Families Under and Border
U.S. Security.
Immigration
Law.
April 16, 2013.............. Mismanagement Full Committee. 113-10
at the Civil
Rights
Division of
the Department
of Justice.
May 16, 2013................ H.R. 1772, the Subcommittee on 113-11
``Legal Immigration
Workforce and Border
Act''. Security.
May 16, 2013................ H.R. 1773, the Subcommittee on 113-12
``Agricultural Immigration
Guestworker and Border
Act''. Security.
March 14, 2013.............. Abusive Patent Subcommittee on 113-13
Litigation: Courts,
The Impact on Intellectual
American Property, and
Innovation & the Internet.
Jobs, and
Potential
Solutions.
March 13, 2013.............. Investigating Subcommittee on 113-14
and Crime,
Prosecuting Terrorism,
21st Century Homeland
Cyber Threats. Security, and
Investigations.
March 5, 2013............... Enhancing Subcommittee on 113-15
American Immigration
Competitivenes and Border
s Through Security.
Skilled
Immigration.
March 19, 2013.............. ECPA (Part I): Subcommittee on 113-16
Lawful Access Crime,
to Stored Terrorism,
Content. Homeland
Security, and
Investigations.
April 18, 2013.............. H.R._, the Subcommittee on 113-17
``Private the
Property Constitution
Rights and Civil
Protection Act Justice.
of 2013'' (The
bill, H.R.
1944, was not
introduced
prior to the
hearing).
April 25, 2013.............. H. J. Res. 40, Subcommittee on 113-18
the ``Victims' the
Rights Constitution
Amendment''. and Civil
Justice.
May 23, 2013................ H.R. 1797, the Subcommittee on 113-19
``District of the
Columbia Pain- Constitution
Capable Unborn and Civil
Child Justice.
Protection
Act''.
March 20, 2013.............. The Register's Subcommittee on 113-20
Call for Courts,
Updates to Intellectual
U.S. Copyright Property, and
Law. the Internet.
May 22, 2013................ Protecting U.S. Full Committee. 113-21
Citizens'
Constitutional
Rights During
the War on
Terror.
February 26, 2013........... Competition and Subcommittee on 113-22
Bankruptcy in Regulatory
the Airline Reform,
Industry: The Commercial and
Proposed Antitrust Law.
Merger of
American
Airlines and
US Airways.
April 10, 2013.............. Luxury Jets and Subcommittee on 113-23
Empty Prisons: Crime,
Wasteful and Terrorism,
Duplicative Homeland
Spending at Security, and
the Department Investigations.
of Justice.
April 16, 2013.............. Abusive Patent Subcommittee on 113-24
Litigation: Courts,
The Issues Intellectual
Impacting Property, and
American the Internet.
Competitivenes
s and Job
Creation at
the
International
Trade
Commission and
Beyond.
April 25, 2013.............. An Examination Subcommittee on 113-25
of the Courts,
Judicial Intellectual
Conduct and Property, and
Disability the Internet.
System.
March 5, 2013............... H.R. 367, the Subcommittee on 113-26
``REINS Act of Regulatory
2013'': Reform,
Promoting Commercial and
Jobs, Growth Antitrust Law.
and American
Competitivenes
s.
June 6, 2013................ H.R. 1123, the Subcommittee on 113-27
``Unlocking Courts,
Consumer Intellectual
Choice and Property, and
Wireless the Internet.
Competition
Act''.
June 5, 2013................ H.R. 1493, the Subcommittee on 113-28
``Sunshine for Regulatory
Regulatory Reform,
Decrees and Commercial and
Settlements Antitrust Law.
Act of 2013''.
June 28, 2013............... H.R. 2542, the Subcommittee on 113-29
``Regulatory Regulatory
Flexibility Reform,
Improvements Commercial and
Act of 2013''. Antitrust Law.
May 22, 2013................ S. 744 and the Full Committee. 113-30
Immigration
Reform and
Control Act of
1986: Lessons
Learned or
Mistakes
Repeated?
May 16, 2013................ A Case Study Subcommittee on 113-31
for Consensus Courts,
Building: The Intellectual
Copyright Property, and
Principles the Internet.
Project.
June 13, 2013............... Oversight of Full Committee. 113-32
the Federal
Bureau of
Investigation.
July 23, 2013............... Addressing the Subcommittee on 113-33
Immigration Immigration
Status of and Border
Illegal Security.
Immigrants
Brought to the
United States
as Children.
April 25, 2013.............. Electronic Subcommittee on 113-34
Communications Crime,
Privacy Act Terrorism,
(ECPA) (Part Homeland
II): Security, and
Geolocation Investigations.
Privacy and
Surveillance.
July 18, 2013............... Voting Rights Subcommittee on 113-35
Act After the the
Supreme Constitution
Court's and Civil
Decision in Justice.
Shelby County.
June 13, 2013............... H.R. 2278, the Full Committee. 113-36
``Strengthen
and Fortify
Enforcement
(SAFE) Act''.
July 9, 2013................ H.R. 2122, the Subcommittee on 113-37
``Regulatory Regulatory
Accountability Reform,
Act of 2013''. Commercial and
Antitrust Law.
February 28, 2013........... The Obama Subcommittee on 113-38
Administration Regulatory
's Regulatory Reform,
War on Jobs, Commercial and
the Economy, Antitrust Law.
and America's
Global
Competitivenes
s.
March 13, 2013.............. H.R. 982, the Subcommittee on 113-39
``Furthering Regulatory
Asbestos Claim Reform,
Transparency Commercial and
(FACT) Act of Antitrust Law.
2013''.
May 17, 2013................ Eyes in the Subcommittee on 113-40
Sky: The Crime,
Domestic Use Terrorism,
of Unmanned Homeland
Aerial Systems. Security, and
Investigations.
June 4, 2013................ Department of Subcommittee on 113-41
Justice's Crime,
Handling of Terrorism,
Known or Homeland
Suspected Security, and
Terrorists Investigations.
Admitted Into
the Federal
Witness
Security
Program.
July 11, 2013............... H.R. 2641, the Subcommittee on 113-42
``Responsibly Regulatory
And Reform,
Professionally Commercial and
Invigorating Antitrust Law.
Development
(RAPID) Act of
2013''.
May 15, 2013................ Oversight of Full Committee. 113-43
the United
States
Department of
Justice.
June 14, 2013............... Defining the Over- 113-44
Problem and Criminalizatio
Scope of Over- n Task Force
criminalizatio of 2013.
n and Over-
federalization.
July 17, 2013............... Oversight of Full Committee. 113-45
the
Administration
's Use of FISA
Authorities.
July 19, 2013............... Mens Rea: The Over- 113-46
Need for a Criminalizatio
Meaningful n Task Force
Intent of 2013.
Requirement in
Federal
Criminal Law.
July 25, 2013............... Innovation in Subcommittee on 113-47
August 1, 2013.............. America (Part Courts,
I): The Role Intellectual
of Copyrights. Property, and
Innovation in the Internet.
America (Part
II): The Role
of Technology.
September 10, 2013.......... Satellite Subcommittee on 113-48
Television Courts,
Laws in Title Intellectual
17. Property, and
the Internet.
September 18, 2013.......... Role of Subcommittee on 113-49
Voluntary Courts,
Agreements in Intellectual
the U.S. Property, and
Intellectual the Internet.
Property
System.
September 19, 2013.......... Oversight of Subcommittee on 113-50
the Federal Crime,
Bureau of Terrorism,
Prisons. Homeland
Security, and
Investigations.
September 19, 2013.......... Patient Subcommittee on 113-51
Protection and Regulatory
Affordable Reform,
Care Act, Commercial and
Consolidation, Antitrust Law.
and the
Consequent
Impact on
Competition in
Healthcare.
September 30, 2013.......... Office of Subcommittee on 113-52
Information Regulatory
and Regulatory Reform,
Affairs: Commercial and
Federal Antitrust Law.
Regulations
and Regulatory
Reform.
October 29, 2013............ Are More Judges Full Committee. 113-53
Always the
Answer?.
November 13, 2013........... Implementation Full Committee. 113-54
of an Entry-
Exit System:
Still Waiting
After All
These Years.
December 3, 2013............ The President's Full Committee. 113-55
Constitutional
Duty to
Faithfully
Execute the
Laws.
December 12, 2013........... Asylum Abuse: Full Committee. 113-56
Is It
Overwhelming
Our Borders?
January 9, 2014............. H.R. 7, the Subcommittee on 113-57
``No Taxpayer the
Funding for Constitution
Abortion Act''. and Civil
Justice.
October 29, 2013............ H.R. 3309, the Full Committee. 113-58
``Innovation
Act''.
December 3, 2013............ Bankruptcy Code Subcommittee on 113-59
and Financial Regulatory
Institution Reform,
Insolvencies. Commercial and
Antitrust Law.
October 30, 2013............ Regulatory Over- 113-60
Crime: Criminalizatio
Identifying n Task Force
the Scope of of 2013.
our Problem.
November 14, 2013........... Regulatory Over- 113-61
Crime: Criminalizatio
Solutions. n Task Force
of 2013.
February 4, 2014............ Examining Full Committee. 113-62
Recommendation
s to Reform
FISA
Authorities.
February 26, 2014........... Enforcing the Full Committee. 113-63
President's
Constitutional
Duty to
Faithfully
Execute the
Laws.
January 28, 2014............ Top Management Subcommittee on 113-64
Challenges: Crime,
Grant Terrorism,
Management at Homeland
the U.S. Security, and
Department of Investigations.
Justice.
March 12, 2014.............. Exploring Full Committee. 113-65
Alternative
Solutions on
the Internet
Sales Tax
Issue.
February 11, 2014........... Asylum Fraud: Subcommittee on 113-66
Abusing Immigration
America's and Border
Compassion?. Security.
November 15, 2013........... Oversight of Subcommittee on 113-67
the Antitrust Regulatory
Enforcement Reform,
Agencies. Commercial and
Antitrust Law.
February 27, 2014........... Bureau of Subcommittee on 113-68
Alcohol, Crime,
Tobacco, Terrorism,
Firearms and Homeland
Explosives' Security, and
Use of Investigations.
Storefront
Operations.
February 11, 2014........... Hearing on Subcommittee on 113-69
``Searching Regulatory
for and Reform,
Cutting Commercial and
Regulations Antitrust Law.
that are
Unnecessarily
Burdensome
(SCRUB) Act of
2014'' (The
bill, H.R.
4874, was not
introduced
before the
hearing; the
hearing was
based on a
discussion
draft text.).
February 26, 2014........... H.R. 2992, the Subcommittee on 113-70
``Business Regulatory
Activity Tax Reform,
Simplification Commercial and
Act of 2013''. Antitrust Law.
February 28, 2014........... Criminal Code Over- 113-71
Reform. Criminalizatio
n Task Force
of 2014.
April 3, 2014............... Overturning 30 Subcommittee on 113-72
Years of Immigration
Precedent: Is and Border
the Security and
Administration Subcommittee
Ignoring the on National
Dangers of Security of
Training the Committee
Libyan Pilots on Oversight
and Nuclear and Government
Scientists? Reform.
April 29, 2014.............. The Original Subcommittee on 113-73
Meaning of the the
Origination Constitution
Clause. and Civil
Justice.
November 19, 2013........... The Rise of Subcommittee on 113-74
Innovative Courts,
Business Intellectual
Models: Property, and
Content the Internet.
Delivery
Methods in the
Digital Age.
June 10, 2014............... State of Subcommittee on 113-75
Religious the
Liberty in the Constitution
United States. and Civil
Justice.
April 8, 2014............... Oversight of Full Committee. 113-76
the United
States
Department of
Justice.
June 11, 2014............... Oversight of Full Committee. 113-77
the Federal
Bureau of
Investigation.
May 29, 2014................ Oversight of Full Committee. 113-78
the United
States
Department of
Homeland
Security.
March 27, 2014.............. Over- Over- 113-79
federalization. Criminalizatio
n Task Force
of 2014.
March 26, 2014.............. Innocence for Subcommittee on 113-80
Sale: Domestic Crime,
Minor Sex Terrorism,
Trafficking. Homeland
Security, and
Investigations.
January 14, 2014............ The Scope of Subcommittee on 113-81
Copyright Courts,
Protection. Intellectual
Property, and
the Internet.
January 28, 2014............ The Scope of Subcommittee on 113-82
Fair Use. Courts,
Intellectual
Property, and
the Internet.
April 3, 2014............... Hearing on the Subcommittee on 113-83
``Standard Regulatory
Merger and Reform,
Acquisition Commercial and
Reviews Antitrust Law.
through Equal
Rules Act of
2014'' (The
bill, H.R.
5402, was not
introduced
before the
hearing; the
hearing was
based on a
discussion
draft text.).
June 25, 2014............... An Full Committee. 113-84
Administration
Made Disaster:
The South
Texas Border
Surge of
Unaccompanied
Alien Minors.
July 24, 2014............... Constitutional Full Committee. 113-85
Solutions to
Our Escalating
National Debt:
Examining
Balanced
Budget
Amendments.
March 13, 2014.............. Section 512 of Subcommittee on 113-86
Title 17. Courts,
Intellectual
Property, and
the Internet.
June 19, 2014............... GSA's Failure Subcommittee on 113-87
to Meet the Courts,
Needs of the Intellectual
Judiciary: A Property, and
Case Study of the Internet.
Bureaucratic
Negligence and
Waste.
April 2, 2014............... Preservation Subcommittee on 113-88
and Reuse of Courts,
Copyrighted Intellectual
Works. Property, and
the Internet.
May 8, 2014................. Compulsory Subcommittee on 113-89
Video Licenses Courts,
of Title 17. Intellectual
Property, and
the Internet.
March 26, 2014.............. Exploring Subcommittee on 113-90
Chapter 11 Regulatory
Reform: Reform,
Corporate and Commercial and
Financial Antitrust Law.
Institution
Insolvencies;
Treatment of
Derivatives.
April 29, 2014.............. H.R. 1129, the Subcommittee on 113-91
``Mobile Regulatory
Workforce Reform,
State Income Commercial and
Tax Antitrust Law.
Simplification
Act of 2013''.
July 30, 2014............... IRS Targeting Full Committee. 113-92
Scandal: The
Need for a
Special
Counsel.
July 30, 2014............... Oversight of Subcommittee on 113-93
the False the
Claims Act. Constitution
and Civil
Justice.
May 8, 2014................. Competition in Subcommittee on 113-94
the Video and Regulatory
Broadband Reform,
Markets: the Commercial and
Proposed Antitrust Law.
Merger of
Comcast and
Time Warner
Cable.
June 24, 2014............... Proposed Merger Subcommittee on 113-95
of AT&T and Regulatory
DIRECTV. Reform,
Commercial and
Antitrust Law.
September 9, 2014........... Access to Full Committee. 113-96
Justice?: Does
DOJ's Office
of Inspector
General Have
Access to
Information
Needed to
Conduct Proper
Oversight?
June 24, 2014............... Trade Secrets: Subcommittee on 113-97
Promoting and Courts,
Protecting Intellectual
American Property, and
Innovation, the Internet.
Competitivenes
s and Market
Access in
Foreign
Markets.
June 2, 2014................ First Sale Subcommittee on 113-98
Under Title 17. Courts,
Intellectual
Property, and
the Internet.
July 29, 2014............... Oversight of Full Committee. 113-99
the United
States
Citizenship
and
Immigration
Services.
June 26, 2014............... Collateral Over- 113-100
Consequences. Criminalizatio
n Task Force
of 2014.
July 11, 2014............... Agency Over- 113-101
Perspectives. Criminalizatio
n Task Force
of 2014.
July 25, 2014............... The Crimes on Over- 113-102
the Books and Criminalizatio
Committee n Task Force
Jurisdiction. of 2014.
July 15, 2014............... Moral Rights, Subcommittee on 113-103
Termination Courts,
Rights, Resale Intellectual
Royalty, and Property, and
Copyright Term. the Internet.
September 9, 2014........... Proposing an Subcommittee on 113-104
Amendment to the
the Constitution
Constitution and Civil
of the United Justice.
States
Relating to
Parental
Rights.
June 10, 2014............... Music Licensing Subcommittee on 113-105
June 25, 2014............... Under Title 17 Courts,
(Part I & II). Intellectual
Property, and
the Internet.
April 10, 2014.............. Should the Subcommittee on 113-106
Department of Courts,
Commerce Intellectual
Relinquish Property, and
Direct the Internet.
Oversight Over
ICANN?.
July 24, 2014............... Copyright Subcommittee on 113-107
Remedies. Courts,
Intellectual
Property, and
the Internet.
July 15, 2014............... Lessons from Subcommittee on 113-108
the States: Crime,
Responsible Terrorism,
Prison Reform. Homeland
Security, and
Investigations.
September 18, 2014.......... Oversight of Subcommittee on 113-109
the Drug Crime,
Enforcement Terrorism,
Administration. Homeland
Security, and
Investigations.
July 30, 2014............... The U.S. Patent Subcommittee on 113-110
and Trademark Courts,
Office: The Intellectual
America Property, and
Invents Act the Internet.
and Beyond,
Domestic and
International
Policy Goals.
June 20, 2014............... Net Neutrality: Subcommittee on 113-111
Is Antitrust Regulatory
Law More Reform,
Effective Than Commercial and
Regulation In Antitrust Law.
Protecting
Consumers and
Innovation?.
July 15, 2014............... Hearing on the Subcommittee on 113-112
``Financial Regulatory
Institution Reform,
Bankruptcy Act Commercial and
of 2014'' (The Antitrust Law.
bill, H.R.
5421, was not
introduced
before the
hearing; the
hearing was
based on a
discussion
draft text.).
May 30, 2014................ Penalties...... Over- 113-113
Criminalizatio
n Task Force
of 2014.
July 17, 2014............... Guilty Until Subcommittee on 113-114
Proven Regulatory
Innocent? A Reform,
Study of the Commercial and
Propriety and Antitrust Law.
Legal
Authority for
the Justice
Department's
Operation
Choke Point.
September 17, 2014.......... Chapter 12 of Subcommittee on 113-115
Title 17. Courts,
Intellectual
Property, and
the Internet.
September 18, 2014.......... Oversight of Subcommittee on 113-116
the U.S. Courts,
Copyright Intellectual
Office. Property, and
the Internet.
November 18, 2014........... Abuse of Full Committee 113-117
USPTO's and House
Telework Oversight and
Program: Government
Ensuring Reform
Oversight, Committee.
Accountability
and Quality.
November 19, 2014........... Oversight of Full Committee. 113-118
the United
States Secret
Service.
November 19, 2014........... Copyright Subcommittee on 113-119
Issues in Courts,
Education and Intellectual
for the Property, and
Visually the Internet.
Impaired.
December 2, 2014............ President Full Committee. 113-120
Obama's
Executive
Overreach on
Immigration.
December 3, 2014............ H.R. 917, the Subcommittee on 113-121
``Sunshine in Courts,
the Courtroom Intellectual
Act of 2013''. Property, and
the Internet.
December 10, 2014........... Impact on Local Subcommittee on 113-122
Communities of Immigration
the Release of and Border
Unaccompanied Security.
Alien Minors
and the Need
for
Consultation
and
Notification.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activities Conducted Pursuant to Clauses 2(N), (O), or (P) of House
Rule XI
Clause 2 of rule XI of the House charges the Committee to
hold regular hearings on the topic of waste, fraud, abuse, or
mismanagement in Government programs which that committee may
authorize. The Committee fulfilled its responsibilities under
rule XI by conducting the following oversight activities. Each
of these activities is discussed in more detail in later
sections of this report:
America's Immigration System: Opportunities for
Legal Immigration and Enforcement of Laws Against Illegal
Immigration (Serial No. 113-1)
Drones and the War On Terror: When Can the U.S.
Target Alleged American Terrorists Overseas? (Serial No. 113-2)
Agricultural Labor: From H-2A to a Workable
Agricultural Guestworker Program (Serial No. 113-3)
The Release of Criminal Detainees by U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Policy or Politics?
(Serial No. 113-5)
DOJ's Quid Pro Quo with St. Paul: A
Whistleblower's Perspective (Serial No. 113-6)
Mismanagement at the Civil Rights Division of the
Department of Justice (Serial No. 113-10)
Protecting U.S. Citizens' Constitutional Rights
During the War on Terror (Serial No. 113-21)
Luxury Jets and Empty Prisons: Wasteful and
Duplicative Spending at the Department of Justice (Serial No.
113-23)
An Examination of the Judicial Conduct and
Disability System (Serial No. 113-25)
Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(Serial No. 113-32)
The Obama Administration's Regulatory War on Jobs,
the Economy, and America's Global Competitiveness (Serial No.
113-38)
Eyes in the Sky: The Domestic Use of Unmanned
Aerial Systems (Serial No. 113-40)
The Department of Justice's Handling of Known or
Suspected Terrorists Admitted Into the Federal Witness Security
Program (Serial No. 113-41)
Oversight of the United States Department of
Justice (Serial No. 113-43)
Oversight of the Administration's Use of FISA
Authorities (Serial No. 113-45)
Oversight of the Administration's Use of FISA
Authorities (Classified)
Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (Serial
No. 113-50)
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,
Consolidation, and the Consequent Impact on Competition in
Healthcare (Serial No. 113-51)
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs:
Federal Regulations and Regulatory Reform (Serial No. 113-52)
Are More Judges Always the Answer? (Serial No.
113-53)
Implementation of an Entry-Exit System: Still
Waiting After All These Years (Serial No. 113-54)
The President's Constitutional Duty to Faithfully
Execute the Laws (Serial No. 113-55)
Asylum Abuse: Is it Overwhelming Our Borders?
(Serial No. 113-56)
Enforcing the President's Constitutional Duty To
Faithfully Execute the Laws (Serial No. 113-63)
Top Management Challenges: Grant Management at the
U.S. Department of Justice (Serial No. 113-64)
Asylum Fraud: Abusing America's Compassion?
(Serial No. 113-66)
Oversight of the Antitrust Enforcement Agencies
(Serial No. 113-67)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives' Use of Storefront Operations (Serial No. 113-68)
Overturning 30 Years of Precedent: Is the
Administration Ignoring the Dangers of Training Libyan Pilots
and Nuclear Scientists? (Serial No. 113-72)
Oversight of the United States Department of
Justice (Serial No. 113-76)
Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(Serial No. 113-77)
Oversight of the United States Department of
Homeland Security (Serial No. 113-78)
An Administration Made Disaster: The South Texas
Border Surge of Unaccompanied Alien Minors (Serial No. 113-84)
GSA's Failure to Meet the Needs of the Judiciary:
A Case Study of Bureaucratic Negligence and Waste (Serial No.
113-87)
The IRS Targeting Scandal: The Need for a Special
Counsel (Serial No. 113-92)
Oversight of the False Claims Act (Serial No. 113-
93)
Access to Justice?: Does DOJ's Office of Inspector
General Have Access to Information Needed to Conduct Proper
Oversight (Serial No. 113-96)
Oversight of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (Serial No. 113-99)
Should the Department of Commerce Relinquish
Direct Oversight Over ICANN? (Serial No. 113-106)
Lessons from The States: Responsible Prison Reform
(Serial No. 113-108)
Oversight of the Drug Enforcement Administration
(Serial No. 113-109)
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: The America
Invents Act and Beyond, Domestic and International Policy Goals
(Serial No. 113-110)
Guilty until Proven Innocent? A Study of the
Propriety & Legal Authority for the Justice Department's
Operation Choke Point (Serial No. 113-114)
Oversight of the U.S. Copyright Office (Serial No.
113-116)
Abuse of USPTO's Telework Program: Ensuring
Oversight, Accountability and Quality (Serial No. 113-117)
Oversight of the United States Secret Service
(Serial No. 113-118)
President Obama's Executive Overreach on
Immigration (Serial No. 113-120)
The Impact on Local Communities of the Release of
Unaccompanied Alien Minors and the Need for Consultation and
Notification (Serial No. 113-122)
Committee Oversight Plan
Adopted February 14, 2013
In accordance with rule X of the House of Representatives,
the Committee on the Judiciary is responsible for determining
whether the laws and programs within its jurisdiction are
implemented and carried out in accordance with the intent of
Congress and whether they should be continued, curtailed,
eliminated, or enhanced. Accordingly, in the 113th Congress the
Committee will review all laws and programs within its
jurisdiction to assess their application, administration,
execution, and effectiveness. The Committee will also review
the organization and operation of Federal agencies and entities
within its jurisdiction for the administration and execution of
laws and programs within its jurisdiction.
The Committee will review all agencies and programs within
its jurisdiction to identify wasteful, inefficient, or
duplicative programs that should be streamlined or eliminated,
as well as those that could be enhanced. The Committee will
also review the mission and operations of all agencies,
including component organizations, within its jurisdiction.
Through such oversight, the Committee seeks to determine how
these agencies and entities can achieve more impactful and
effective programs with an eye toward improving the efficiency
and effectiveness of Federal programs and agencies. The
Committee also seeks to eliminate fraud, abuse, and
mismanagement. As a result of this oversight, the Committee
anticipates streamlining and eliminating spending on agencies
and programs within its jurisdiction, if appropriate.
This document outlines the current plans of the Committee
on the Judiciary for oversight activities in the 113th
Congress. The Committee's oversight and investigative
activities will be coordinated between the full Committee and
the Subcommittees in order to facilitate comprehensive and
strategic oversight of the programs and agencies within its
jurisdiction. Oversight activities will include hearings,
briefings, correspondence, reports, and public statements.
Full Committee
U.S. Department of Justice. In conjunction with the
Subcommittees, the Committee will conduct oversight of the U.S.
Department of Justice, including all Department components and
agencies.
Budget Oversight and Management Performance. The Committee
will conduct oversight and identify U.S. Department of Justice
grant programs that should be streamlined or eliminated, as
well as those that could be enhanced. The Committee will also
conduct oversight of all agencies and programs within its
jurisdiction to uncover waste, fraud, or abuse and to identify
programs that are inefficient, duplicative, or outdated, or
that are more appropriately administered by State or local
governments. The Committee will also consider the extent to
which federally funded or administered agencies and activities
can more efficiently handle certain tasks on a national level
and whether they save, reduce, or render more effective State
or local government expenditures or activities. In addition,
the Committee will consider whether any federal programs within
its jurisdiction should be enhanced, concomitant with cuts to
or the elimination of less effective programs.
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations
U.S. Department of Justice: The Subcommittee will conduct
oversight of the law enforcement agencies of the U.S.
Department of Justice.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI):
The Subcommittee will conduct oversight of the FBI. In
addition to its traditional criminal investigatory
jurisdiction, the Subcommittee will also conduct
oversight of the FBI's counter-terrorism and counter-
intelligence authorities.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): The
Subcommittee will review the operations of the DEA,
including domestic and international drug enforcement,
money laundering and narco-terrorism investigations.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and
Explosives (ATF): The Subcommittee will review the
mission and operations of the ATF, including federal
firearms enforcement, explosives investigations, and
tobacco and alcohol trafficking operations.
U.S. Marshals Service (USMS)/Office of the
Federal Detention Trustee: The Subcommittee will review
the mission and operations of the USMS, including
fugitive apprehensions, court and witness security, and
its responsibilities under the Sex Offender
Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). The
Subcommittee will also conduct oversight on the
operations of OFDT.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): The Subcommittee will
review the mission and operation of the federal prison system,
including prisoner rehabilitation, reentry programs, and
management of a growing offender population.
Federal Prison Industries: The Subcommittee
will also conduct oversight of the Federal Prison
Industries (FPI), a government corporation that employs
offenders incarcerated in federal prisons and provides
job training opportunities to prisoners by producing
goods and services for federal agencies.
Criminal Division: The Subcommittee will conduct oversight
of the Justice Department's Criminal Division.
National Security Division: The Subcommittee will conduct
oversight of the Justice Department's National Security
Division.
Office of Justice Programs (OJP): The Subcommittee will
review the mission and operations of OJP and its component
organizations and the administration of law enforcement
assistance grants in order to identify programs that should be
streamlined or eliminated, and those that could be enhanced.
Office on Violence against Women (OVW): The Subcommittee
will review the mission and operations of OVW and the
administration of Violence against Women Act (VAWA) grants.
Community Oriented Policing Services Office (COPS): The
Subcommittee will review the mission and operations of COPS and
the administration of community policing grants.
Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA): The
Subcommittee will conduct oversight on the operations of EOUSA.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): The
Subcommittee will conduct oversight of DHS law enforcement
components, including the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement, the Bureau of Customs and Border
Protection, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Federal Air Marshals
Service.
U.S. Sentencing Commission: The Subcommittee will review
the mission and operations of the U.S. Sentencing Commission
with particular attention to the role of the Commission
following the Supreme Court's decision in U.S. v. Booker, 543
U.S. 220 (2005) and its progeny. The Subcommittee will also
examine the extent to which federal courts are imposing
sentences that diverge from those recommended by the sentencing
guidelines.
National Security: The Subcommittee will review the use of
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and U.S. PATRIOT
Act authorities by Intelligence Community (IC) agencies.
Domestic/Home-Grown Terrorism: The Subcommittee will review
the threat to our national security from home-grown terrorists
including the recruitment and training or self-radicalization
of home-grown terrorists and the federal government's efforts
to preempt, investigate, and prosecute domestic terrorism.
Protection of U.S. Citizens' Constitutional Rights: The
Subcommittee along with the Subcommittee on the Constitution
and Civil Justice will examine the adequacy of current
protections for U.S. citizens' Constitutional rights vis-aa-vis
law enforcement and national security efforts.
Trial of Suspected Terrorists: The Subcommittee will
conduct oversight on matters related to the prosecution of
suspected terrorists.
Electronic Communications Privacy Act: The Subcommittee
will examine whether this decades-old statute requires
modernization in light of the digital revolution that has taken
place since the statute's enactment.
Cybersecurity: The Subcommittee will review the laws and
law enforcement tools designed to combat and prevent
cybersecurity attacks.
Firearms: The Subcommittee will conduct oversight on the
reauthorization of the NICS Amendments Improvement Act and will
examine ways to reduce firearms-related violence, including
examining current federal law and state compliance with
requirements to post information to the NICS database.
Criminal Code: The Subcommittee will examine whether all
criminal statutes in the U.S. Code should be consolidated and/
or listed in Title 18.
Over-criminalization: The Subcommittee will conduct
oversight on the increase in the volume and scope of federal
criminal laws and whether more of these matters should be
handled by state criminal laws.
Economic Espionage: The Subcommittee will examine the
threat posed by economic espionage and federal efforts to
investigate and prosecute these crimes.
Crimes against Children: The Subcommittee will review laws
and law enforcement tools designed to combat child
exploitation, including reauthorization of the Adam Walsh Act,
and the proliferation of child pornography on the Internet.
Criminal Street Gangs: The Subcommittee may consider
enforcement and prevention issues concerning criminal street
gangs, and the issue of how gang affiliations may be broken to
reduce the number of both street and prison gangs.
Crime Prevention: The Subcommittee may examine the extent
to which federal policies and funding are adequate to support
crime prevention strategies at the Federal, State, local, and
tribal levels.
International and Domestic Human Trafficking: The
Subcommittee will review law enforcement and other activities
within its jurisdiction that address international and domestic
trafficking in human beings.
Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice
Protection of U.S. Citizens' Constitutional and Civil
Rights: In general, the Subcommittee will examine the adequacy
of current protections for U.S. citizens' constitutional and
civil rights.
Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice: The
Subcommittee will examine the enforcement record and priorities
of the Civil Rights Division. The Subcommittee will focus on
the Division's activities in the areas of education,
employment, credit, fair housing, public accommodations, law
enforcement practices, voting rights and the integrity of
federal elections, and federally funded and conducted programs.
Fiscal Responsibility: The Subcommittee will examine
constitutional reforms to address government spending.
Federalism/Congressional Authority: The Subcommittee plans
to examine the proper balance between the finite powers
allocated to the federal government in the U.S. Constitution
and the powers reserved to the states.
Exercise of Constitutional Authority: The Subcommittee will
conduct oversight of the exercise of constitutional authority
by the legislative, judicial, and executive branches.
Civil Justice: The Subcommittee will review the policies
and practices of the civil justice system and the need for its
reform.
Community Relations Service: The Subcommittee will conduct
oversight of the operations of the Community Relations Service.
Office of Government Ethics: The Subcommittee will consider
the priorities and operation of the Office of Government
Ethics.
Property Rights: The Subcommittee will consider whether
there is a need to address existing protections for citizens'
private property rights.
Religious Liberty: The Subcommittee will consider the
federal role in the protection of Americans' rights under the
Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses.
Abortion: The Subcommittee will examine the
constitutionality and enforcement of federal and state statutes
that relate to abortion.
Marriage: The Subcommittee will examine constitutional
issues concerning marriage.
War on Terrorism: The Subcommittee will consider
constitutional issues associated with the War on Terrorism.
Detention of Suspected Terrorists: The Subcommittee will
conduct oversight on matters related to the long-term detention
of suspected terrorists, including the protection of the
related constitutional rights of U.S. citizens.
United States Commission on Civil Rights: The Subcommittee
will review the work of the Commission, its management, and its
implementation.
Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security
Budgetary Resources: The Subcommittee expects to conduct
oversight of the sufficiency of budgetary resources with regard
to immigration functions at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (``CIS'') and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(``ICE'').
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): The
Subcommittee will conduct oversight of the components within
DHS that are responsible for enforcing and ensuring the
integrity of United States immigration laws, including U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services.
Legal Immigration: The Subcommittee expects to conduct
oversight over our current legal immigration laws and programs,
including whether relevant federal agencies are efficiently
administering and enforcing these laws and programs, issues
relating to backlogs, family reunification, whether excessive
regulations are stifling the use of these programs, the impact
on U.S. citizens, comparisons with our global competitors, and
related issues.
Illegal Immigration: The Subcommittee will conduct
oversight of the causes and methods of illegal immigration and
how to better prevent it in the future.
Fiscal Impacts of Immigration: The Subcommittee expects to
conduct hearings on the fiscal effects of legal and illegal
immigration, including their impact on the Social Security
system and other federal programs.
Immigration Enforcement: The Subcommittee intends to
examine the sufficiency of current immigration enforcement laws
and programs, including whether relevant federal agencies'
policies and enforcement records are sufficient and consistent
with current federal statutes, the level of cooperation with
other countries, and the proper roles for the federal
government, states and localities in enforcing our immigration
laws.
Fraud: The Subcommittee expects to conduct hearings on
fraud associated with petitions for visas and other immigration
benefits. The Subcommittee also intends to conduct oversight of
identity fraud and identity theft in the immigration context.
Adjudication of Immigration Cases: The Subcommittee will
conduct oversight of the Department of Justice's adjudication
of immigration cases.
Criminal Issues: The Subcommittee expects to conduct
hearings on trends in gang violence among immigrant
communities, as well as the sufficiency of efforts to remove
violent criminals.
Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: The Subcommittee will
conduct oversight of the USPTO, including the status of pending
patent and trademark applications and developments with patent
and trademark quality. The Subcommittee will also continue to
exercise oversight to ensure that the USPTO has full access to
the fees it collects from applicants and appropriately
exercises its new fee-setting authority.
Implementation of the America Invents Act: The Subcommittee
will conduct oversight on the implementation of the America
Invents Act that contained numerous changes to our nation's
patent system.
Patent Litigation: The Subcommittee will examine patent
litigation practices to determine whether legislation is needed
to reduce frivolous, abusive, or anti-competitive patent
litigation that discourages innovation in America.
The U.S. Copyright Office: The Subcommittee will conduct
oversight of the Copyright Office as it completes its
transition to a digital environment. Oversight will include
review of its recordation system and public access to its
registration records.
Copyright Law and Policy: The Subcommittee may examine
potential revisions to the Copyright Act to update the law to
better address challenges faced by copyright owners, users, and
consumers in the digital environment.
Technology Issues: The Subcommittee will examine
developments in technology and the Internet affecting public
policy, including issues surrounding Internet governance.
Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act: The
Subcommittee will examine the application of the Satellite
Television Extension and Localism Act in light of technological
and marketplace changes in advance of the potential
reauthorization of the legislation.
International Intellectual Property Laws: The Subcommittee
will conduct oversight of the impact of international
intellectual property laws, regulations, and policies upon
American interests. In addition, the Subcommittee will conduct
oversight of international trade agreements and their
negotiations.
Federal Judiciary: The Subcommittee will conduct oversight
of the federal judiciary, including evidence issues and civil
and appellate procedures. In addition, the Subcommittee will
examine the resources available to Article III courts,
including judicial salaries and security for federal judges.
State Justice Institute: The State Justice Institute (SJI)
provides matching grants to state courts that allow them to
develop methods to work more efficiently and productively. The
Subcommittee intends to review SJI operations.
Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law
Administrative Process and Procedure: The Subcommittee will
conduct oversight on the topic of regulatory reform in general,
including examining specific regulations, as well as issues
related to the Administrative Procedure Act, the Congressional
Review Act, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, the overall costs and
benefits of federal regulation in general and their impact on
specific communities, the extent to which agencies compete for
policymaking primacy with the Legislative Branch, and the role
that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within
the Office of Management and Budget plays in the federal
rulemaking process. In addition, the Subcommittee will examine
regulatory litigation and enforcement.
Bankruptcy: The Subcommittee expects to conduct oversight
of the Bankruptcy Code and bankruptcy system, including their
responsiveness to the needs of financially troubled businesses,
individuals and municipalities. The Subcommittee may conduct
oversight of bankruptcy judgeship needs.
State Taxation Affecting Interstate Commerce: The
Subcommittee will conduct oversight of issues related to state
taxation that affect interstate commerce.
Agencies: The Subcommittee will conduct oversight of the
Justice Department's Civil Division, Environment and Natural
Resources Division, Antitrust Division, Tax Division, Executive
Office for United States Trustees, and Office of the Solicitor
General. It will also conduct oversight of the Department's
compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and the Office
of Management and Budget's Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs.
Administrative Conference of the United States: The
Subcommittee will conduct oversight on the Administrative
Conference of the United States.
Arbitration: The Subcommittee may conduct oversight of
issues arising under the Federal Arbitration Act.
Legal Services Corporation: The Subcommittee will review
the mission and operations of the Legal Services Corporation.
Interstate Compacts: The Subcommittee may conduct oversight
to determine the extent of compliance with the constitutional
process by which States seek Congressional approval of
interstate compacts.
Divergence in U.S. Merger Review and Enforcement: The
Subcommittee may examine disparities in the tools available to
the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice with
regard to mergers and whether these disparities result in
different substantive standards.
International Divergence in Antitrust Enforcement: The
Subcommittee may conduct oversight of international competition
laws.
Antitrust Exemptions: The Subcommittee may conduct
oversight of industry antitrust exemptions to determine whether
such exemptions continue to serve the public interest.
Activities Conducted Pursuant to Committee Oversight Plan
The following hearings were held pursuant to the
Committee's Oversight Plan. These hearings, as well as other
hearings and markups of legislation, are described in more
detail in a later section of this report.
Full Committee
America's Immigration System: Opportunities for
Legal Immigration and Enforcement of Laws Against Illegal
Immigration (Serial No. 113-1)
Drones and the War On Terror: When Can the U.S.
Target Alleged American Terrorists Overseas? (Serial No. 113-2)
The Release of Criminal Detainees by U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Policy or Politics?
(Serial No. 113-5)
Mismanagement at the Civil Rights Division of the
Department of Justice (Serial No. 113-10)
Protecting U.S. Citizens' Constitutional Rights
During the War on Terror (Serial No. 113-21)
Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(Serial No. 113-32)
Oversight of the Department of Justice (Serial No.
113-43)
Oversight of the Administration's Use of FISA
Authorities (Serial No. 113-45)
Oversight of the Administration's Use of FISA
Authorities (Classified)
Are More Judges Always the Answer? (Serial No.
113-53)
Implementation of an Entry-Exit System: Still
Waiting After All These Years (Serial No. 113-54)
The President's Constitutional Duty to Faithfully
Execute the Laws (Serial No. 113-55)
Asylum Abuse: Is it Overwhelming Our Borders?
(Serial No. 113-56)
Examining Recommendations to Reform FISA
Authorities (Serial No. 113-62)
Enforcing the President's Constitutional Duty To
Faithfully Execute the Laws (Serial No. 113-63)
Exploring Alternative Solutions on the Internet
Sales Tax Issue (Serial No. 113-65)
Oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice
(Serial No. 113-76)
Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(Serial No. 113-77)
Oversight of the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security (Serial No. 113-78)
An Administration Made Disaster: The South Texas
Border Surge of Unaccompanied Alien Minors (Serial No. 113-84)
Constitutional Solutions to our Escalating
National Debt: Examining Balanced Budget Amendments (Serial No.
113-85)
Access to Justice?: Does DOJ's Office of Inspector
General Have Access to Information Needed to Conduct Proper
Oversight (Serial No. 113-96)
Oversight of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (Serial No. 113-99)
Abuse of the USPTO's Telework Program: Ensuring
Oversight, Accountability, and Quality (Serial No. 113-117)
Oversight of the United States Secret Service
(Serial No. 113-118)
President Obama's Executive Overreach on
Immigration (Serial No. 113-120)
Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice
DOJ's Quid Pro Quo with St. Paul: A
Whistleblower's Perspective (Serial No. 113-6)
Excessive Litigation's Impact on America's Global
Competitiveness (Serial No. 113-7)
Examination of Litigation Abuses (Serial No. 113-
8)
The Voting Rights Act after the Supreme Court's
Decision in Shelby County (Serial No. 113-35)
The Original Meaning of the Origination Clause
(Serial No. 113-73)
The State of Religious Liberty in the United
States (Serial No. 113-75)
Oversight of the False Claims Act (Serial No. 113-
93)
Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States Relating to Parental Rights (Serial No. 113-104)
Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
Abusive Patent Litigation: The Impact on American
Innovation & Jobs, and Potential Solutions (Serial No. 113-13)
The Register's Call for Updates to the U.S.
Copyright Law (Serial No. 113-20)
Abusive Patent Litigation: The Issues Impacting
American Competitiveness and Job Creation at the International
Trade Commission and Beyond (Serial No. 113-24)
An Examination of the Judicial Conduct and
Disability System (Serial No. 113-25)
A Case Study for Consensus Building: The Copyright
Principles Project (Serial No. 113-31)
Innovation in America (Part I): The Role of
Copyrights (Serial No. 113-47)
Innovation in America (Part II): The Role of
Technology (Serial No. 113-47)
Satellite Television Laws in Title 17 (Serial No.
113-48)
The Role of Voluntary Agreements in the U.S.
Intellectual Property System (Serial No. 113-49)
The Rise of Innovative Business Models: Content
Delivery Methods in the Digital Age (Serial No. 113-74)
The Scope of Copyright Protection (Serial No. 113-
81)
The Scope of Fair Use (Serial No. 113-82)
Section 512 of Title 17 (Serial No. 113-86)
GSA's Failure to Meet the Needs of the Judiciary:
A Case Study of Bureaucratic Negligence and Waste (Serial No.
113-87)
Preservation and Reuse of Copyrighted Works
(Serial No. 113-88)
Compulsory Video Licenses of Title 17 (Serial No.
113-89)
Trade Secrets: Promoting and Protecting American
Innovation, Competitiveness and Market Access in Foreign
Markets (Serial No. 113-97)
First Sale Under Title 17 (Serial No. 113-98)
Moral Rights, Termination Rights, Resale Royalty,
and Copyright Term (Serial No. 113-103)
Music Licensing Under Title 17 Part One (Serial
No. 113-105)
Music Licensing Under Title 17 Part Two (Serial
No. 113-105)
Copyright Remedies (Serial No. 113-107)
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: The America
Invents Act and Beyond, Domestic and International Policy Goals
(Serial No. 113-110)
Chapter 12 of Title 17 (Serial No. 113-115)
Oversight of the U.S. Copyright Office (Serial No.
113-116)
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations
Investigating and Prosecuting 21st Century Cyber
Threats (Serial No. 113-14)
ECPA (Part 1): Lawful Access to Stored Content
(Serial No. 113-16)
Luxury Jets and Empty Prisons: Wasteful and
Duplicative Spending at the Department of Justice (Serial No.
113-23)
The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)
(Part 2): Geolocation Privacy and Surveillance (Serial No. 113-
34)
Eyes in the Sky: The Domestic Use of Unmanned
Aerial Systems (Serial No. 113-40)
The Department of Justice's Handling of Known or
Suspected Terrorists Admitted Into the Federal Witness Security
Program (Serial No. 113-41)
Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (Serial
No. 113-50)
Top Management Challenges: Grant Management at the
U.S. Department of Justice (Serial No. 113-64)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives' Use of Storefront Operations (Serial No. 113-68)
Innocence for Sale: Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking
(Serial No. 113-80)
Lessons from The States: Responsible Prison Reform
(Serial No. 113-108)
Oversight of the Drug Enforcement Administration
(Serial No. 113-109)
Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security
Agricultural Labor: From H-2A to a Workable
Agricultural Guestworker Program (Serial No. 113-3)
How E-Verify Works and How It Benefits American
Employers (Serial No. 113-4)
The Separation of Nuclear Families Under U.S.
Immigration Law (Serial No. 113-9)
Enhancing American Competitiveness Through Skilled
Immigration (Serial No. 113-15)
Addressing the Immigration Status of Illegal
Immigrants Brought to the United States as Children (Serial No.
113-33)
Asylum Fraud: Abusing America's Compassion?
(Serial No. 113-66)
Overturning 30 Years of Precedent: Is the
Administration Ignoring the Dangers of Training Libyan Pilots
and Nuclear Scientists? (Serial No. 113-72)
The Impact on Local Communities of the Release of
Unaccompanied Alien Minors and the Need for Consultation and
Notification (Serial No. 113-122)
Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law
Competition and Bankruptcy in the Airline
Industry: The Proposed Merger of American Airlines and U.S.
Airways (Serial No. 113-22)
The Obama Administration's Regulatory War on Jobs,
the Economy, and America's Global Competitiveness (Serial No.
113-38)
The Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act,
Consolidation, and the Consequent Impact on Competition in
Healthcare (Serial No. 113-51)
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs:
Federal Regulations and Regulatory Reform (Serial No. 113-52)
The Bankruptcy Code and Financial Institution
Insolvencies (Serial No. 113-59)
Oversight of the Antitrust Enforcement Agencies
(Serial No. 113-67)
Exploring Chapter 11 Reform: Corporate and
Financial Institution Insolvencies; Treatment of Derivatives
(Serial No. 113-90)
Competition in the Video and Broadband Markets:
the Proposed Merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable (Serial
No. 113-94)
The Proposed Merger of AT&T and DIRECTV (Serial
No. 113-95)
Net Neutrality: Is Antitrust Law More Effective
Than Regulation in Protecting Consumers and Innovation? (Serial
No. 113-111)
Guilty until Proven Innocent? A Study of the
Propriety & Legal Authority for the Justice Department's
Operation Choke Point (Serial No. 113-114)
Over-Criminalization Task Force Resolution of 2013
Defining the Problem and Scope of Over-
criminalization and Over-federalization (Serial No. 113-44)
Mens Rea: The Need for a Meaningful Intent
Requirement in Federal Criminal Law (Serial No. 113-46)
Regulatory Crime: Identifying the Scope of the
Problem (Serial No. 113-60)
Regulatory Crime: Solutions (Serial No. 113-61)
Over-Criminalization Task Force Resolution of 2014
Criminal Code Reform (Serial No. 113-71)
Over-federalization (Serial No. 113-79)
Penalties (Serial No. 113-113)
Collateral Consequences (Serial No. 113-100)
Agency Perspectives (Serial No. 113-101)
The Crimes on the Books and Committee Jurisdiction
(Serial No. 113-102)
FULL COMMITTEE
Jurisdiction
The full Committee has jurisdiction over such matters as
determined by the Chairman.
Legislative Activities
Committee Organizational Meeting
On January 23, 2013, the Committee met for the first time
to organize and adopt its rules and ratify the Subcommittee
chairmanships and memberships.
H.R. 2, American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More
Americans Jobs Act
H.R. 2 is an omnibus bill with multiple provisions. Of
pertinence to the Committee, the bill includes H.R. 2641, the
``RAPID Act,'' a measure amending the Administrative Procedure
Act to add provisions addressing and revising the federal
environment review and permitting process for certain
construction projects.
Rep. Lee Terry introduced the bill on September 15, 2014.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform,
Commercial and Antitrust Law. The House considered the bill
pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 727 and the bill passed
the House by a roll call vote of 226 ayes to 191 nays on
September 18, 2014.
H.R. 4, Jobs for America Act
H.R. 4 is an omnibus bill with multiple provisions. Of
pertinence to the Committee, the bill makes revisions to
federal law concerning rulemaking, including the Administrative
Procedure Act, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, and the
Congressional Review Act. The measure includes provisions
pertaining to rulemaking, congressional review of rules,
federal agency reporting on proposed and final new regulations
to the OMB, and the settlement of litigation relating to
rulemaking requirements. The bill also amends the Internet Tax
Freedom Act to make permanent the ban on state and local
taxation of Internet access and on multiple or discriminatory
taxes on electronic commerce.
Rep. Dave Camp introduced the bill on September 15, 2014.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform,
Commercial and Antitrust Law. The House considered the bill
pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 727 and the bill passed
the House by a roll call vote of 253 ayes to 163 nays on
September 18, 2014.
H.R. 7, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion
Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2014
H.R. 7 prohibits the expenditure of funds authorized or
appropriated by federal laws or funds in any trust fund to
which funds are authorized or appropriated by federal law
(federal funds) for any abortion, prohibits federal funds from
being used for any health benefits coverage that includes
coverage of abortion, and makes such prohibitions applicable to
District of Columbia funds.
Rep. Christopher H. Smith introduced the bill on May 14,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on the
Constitution and Civil Justice. On January 15, 2014, the full
Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably
to the House by a roll call vote of 22 ayes to 12 nays. The
bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-332, Part I, filed on
January 23, 2014. The House considered the bill pursuant to the
provisions of H. Res. 465 and the bill passed the House by a
roll call vote of 227 ayes to 188 nays with 1 present on
January 28, 2014.
H.R. 45, To repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and
Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
H.R. 45 repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act, effective as of its enactment and restores provisions of
law amended by such Act.
Rep. Michelle Bachmann introduced the bill on January 3,
2013. The bill was referred to the Committee. The House
considered the bill pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 215
and the bill passed the House by a roll call vote of 229 ayes
to 195 nays on May 16, 2013.
H.R. 180, the ``National Blue Alert Act of 2013''
H.R. 180 directs the formation of a national Blue Alert
communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ)
to disseminate information when a law enforcement officer is
seriously injured or killed in the line of duty and a suspect
has not been apprehended. An existing DOJ officer shall act as
the national coordinator of the Blue Alert communications
network who must 1) encourage states and local governments to
develop additional Blue Alert plans, 2) establish voluntary
guidelines for states and local governments to use in
developing such plans, 3) develop protocols for efforts to
apprehend suspects, and 4) establish an advisory group to
assist states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and
other entities in initiating, facilitating, and promoting Blue
Alert plans.
Rep. Michael G. Grimm introduced the bill on January 4,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime,
Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. On May 7,
2013, the full Committee considered the bill and ordered it
reported favorably to the House by voice vote. The bill was
accompanied by H. Rept. 113-54, filed on May 14, 2013. Under
suspension of the rules, the bill passed the House as amended
by a roll call vote of 406 ayes to 2 nays on May 14, 2013, two-
thirds majority required.
H.R. 258, the ``Stolen Valor Act of 2013''
H.R. 258 amends the federal criminal code to narrow the
scope of the current prohibition on falsely holding oneself out
to be a recipient of certain military decorations.
Specifically, H.R. 258 amends the current statute to only
subject those who, with intent to obtain money, property, or
other tangible benefit, fraudulently hold themselves out to be
a recipient of certain military decorations to a fine or up to
one year in prison. The bill limits the application of this
penalty to fraudulent claims related to only the Congressional
Medal of Honor and those decorations or medals listed in
subsection (d) of section 704 of title 18. The bill amends
subsection (a) of 704 to remove the term ``wears'' and amends
subsection (d) of 704 to add ``combat badges'' and a definition
of such term to the list of decorations and medals.
Rep. Joseph J. Heck introduced the bill on January 15,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime,
Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. On March 14,
2013, the full Committee considered the bill and ordered it
reported favorably to the House by voice vote. The bill was
accompanied by H. Rept. 113-84, filed on May 20, 2013. Under
suspension of the rules, the bill passed the House by a roll
call vote of 390 ayes to 3 nays on May 20, 2013, two-thirds
majority required. The Senate passed H.R. 258 on May 22, 2013.
The bill was signed into law on June 3, 2013, becoming Public
Law 113-12.
H.R. 306, Private Bill; For the relief of Corina de Chalup
Turcinovic
H.R. 306 provides for the relief of Corina de Chalup
Turcinovic.
Rep. Daniel Lipinski introduced the bill on January 15,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration
and Border Security. On April 30, 2014, the full Committee
considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably to the
House by voice vote. The bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-
445, filed on May 13, 2014. The bill was considered on the
private calendar and passed the House without objection on July
15, 2014.
H.R. 338, the ``Stop Tobacco Smuggling in the Territories Act
of 2013''
H.R. 338 amends the federal criminal code to include
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, and Guam in the definition of ``state'' for purposes
of provisions prohibiting trafficking in contraband cigarettes
and smokeless tobacco.
Rep. Eni F.H. Faleomavaega introduced the bill on January
22, 2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime,
Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. Under
suspension of the rules, the bill passed the House by a roll
call vote of 421 ayes to 5 nays on March 5, 2013, two-thirds
majority required.
H.R. 367, the ``Regulations From the Executive in Need of
Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2013''
H.R. 367 amends the Congressional Review Act of 1996 (CRA).
The CRA was adopted to increase the accountability of federal
regulatory agencies and the Congress by creating a fast-track
legislative process for Congress to disapprove a final federal
regulation within 60 days of the rule's publication in the
Federal Register. In the seventeen years since the CRA was
adopted, Congress has overturned only one regulation using the
CRA disapproval process. The number of major regulations,
moreover, has increased in recent years. The REINS Act amends
the CRA, insofar as the CRA applies to major regulations. The
REINS Act would require Congress to pass within 60 days, and
the President to sign, a joint resolution approving a new major
regulation issued by a regulatory agency before the regulation
could take effect.
Rep. Todd C. Young introduced the bill on January 23, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform,
Commercial and Antitrust Law. On April 11, 2013, the full
Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably
as amended to the House by a roll call vote of 20 ayes to 9
nays. The bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-160, Part I,
filed on July 19, 2013. The House considered the bill pursuant
to the provisions of H. Res. 322 on August 1, 2013. The bill
passed the House as amended on August 2, 2013 by a roll call
vote of 232 ayes to 183 nays.
H.R. 744, the ``STOP Identity Theft Act of 2013''
H.R. 744 increases the penalty for federal identity theft
offenses committed during and in relation to tax fraud and
clarifies that, in addition to individuals, businesses and
organizations can be considered victims of federal identity
theft offenses. The bill encourages the Department of Justice
to dedicate additional resources, including the use of
investigative task forces, to address tax return identity theft
and coordinate investigations with state and local law
enforcement agencies and requires the Department to submit a
report on the trends in tax return identity theft,
recommendations for additional improvements to Federal law, and
the status of the Department's implementation of the DOJ IG's
2010 report entitled ``The Department of Justice's Efforts to
Combat Identity Theft.''
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz introduced the bill on
February 15, 2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on
Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. On
July 16, 2014, the full Committee considered the bill and
ordered it reported favorably as amended to the House by voice
vote. The bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-576, filed on
September 8, 2014. Under suspension of the rules, the bill
passed the House as amended by voice vote on September 8, 2014.
H.R. 761, the ``National Strategic and Critical Minerals
Production Act of 2013''
H.R. 761 would require the Secretary of the Interior and
the Secretary of Agriculture to develop domestic sources of the
minerals and mineral materials of strategic and critical
importance to United States economic and national security and
manufacturing competitiveness.
Rep. Mark E. Amodei introduced the bill on February 15,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory
Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law. The House considered the
bill pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 292 and H. Res. 347
and the bill passed the House as amended by a roll call vote of
246 ayes to 178 nays on September 18, 2013.
H.R. 776, the ``Security in Bonding Act of 2014''
H.R. 776 amends the requirements that a prospective bidder
for a federal project must satisfy in order to bid on or
perform work for the United States government under a Federal
contract. Specifically, the bill requires individual sureties
to submit their proposed collateral for review by government
officials to ensure the collateral is of sufficient value, and
requires that the collateral be deposited with the government
to allow the government to control the collateral during the
course of the bidding and performance periods. The bill also
requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct
a study on the impact of individual sureties on Federal
contracts and H.R. 776's impact on the ability of emerging
businesses, including disadvantaged business enterprises
(DBEs), to bid successfully for Federal Government contracts.
Rep. Richard L. Hanna introduced the bill on February 15,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory
Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law. On April 30, 2014, the
full Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported
favorably as amended to the House by voice vote. The bill was
accompanied by H. Rept. 113-462, Part I, filed on May 21, 2014.
H.R. 803, the ``SKILLS Act''
H.R. 803 amends the Workforce Investment act of 1988 to
revise requirements and reauthorize appropriations for
workforce investment systems for job training and employment
service and adult education and family literacy education
programs.
Rep. Virginia Foxx introduced the bill on February 25,
2013. The bill was referred to the Committee. The House
considered the bill pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 113
and the bill passed the House as amended by a roll call vote of
215 ayes to 202 nays on March 15, 2013. The bill passed the
Senate as amended by a roll call vote of 95 ayes to 3 nays on
June 25, 2014. Under the suspension of the rules, the House
agreed to the Senate amendments by a roll call vote of 415 ayes
to 6 nays on July 9, 2014, two-thirds majority required. The
bill was signed into law on July 22, 2014, becoming Public Law
113-128.
H.R. 850, the ``Nuclear Iran Prevention Act of 2013''
H.R. 850 imposes additional human rights and economic and
financial sanctions with respect to Iran.
Rep. Edward R. Royce introduced the bill on February 27,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration
and Border Security. Under suspension of the rules, the bill
passed the House as amended by a roll call vote of 400 ayes to
20 nays and 1 present on July 31, 2013, two-thirds majority
required.
H.R. 899, the ``Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency
Act of 2014''
H.R. 899 establishes cost-benefit analysis requirements for
new regulations, directs agencies to conduct a retrospective
review of any regulation at the request of the chairman or
ranking minority member of a standing or select committee of
the House of Representatives or the Senate, and includes
provisions to facilitate the ability of Congress, federal
agencies, and the public to identify federal mandates that
impose costs on state, local, and tribal governments and the
private sector.
Rep. Virginia Foxx introduced the bill on February 28,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory
Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law. The House considered the
bill pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 492 and the bill
passed the House by a roll call vote of 234 ayes to 176 nays on
February 28, 2014.
H.R. 938, the ``United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act
of 2014''
H.R. 938 declares that Israel is a major strategic partner
of the U.S. and changes language in the U.S.-Israel Enhanced
Security Cooperation Act to authorize the President to take
actions assisting in the defense of Israel and to protect U.S.
interests. The bill includes provisions aimed to further
Israel's defense development, such as, extending authority to
transfer surplus DOD items to Israel and requiring the
President to report to Congress regarding the status of
Israel's qualitative military edge every two years. The bill
authorizes the President to carry out cooperative activities
with Israel and to provide assistance to Israel in the fields
of energy, water, and agriculture. Also, the bill encourages
U.S.-Israel energy cooperation including natural gas energy
projects and energy efficiency improvement projects.
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen introduced the bill on March 4,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration
and Border Security. Under suspension of the rules, the bill
passed the House as amended by a roll call vote of 410 ayes to
1 nay on March 5, 2014, two-thirds majority required.
H.R. 982, the ``Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT)
Act of 2013''
H.R. 982 adds a paragraph to subsection (g) of section 524
of title 11 of the United States Code to require a trust
established pursuant to that subsection to file, each quarter,
a public report with the bankruptcy court listing the names and
exposure histories of those who have filed claims with such
trust and any payments made to claimants and the basis for such
payments. The bill specifically prohibits the disclosure of
confidential medical records and full Social Security numbers
of claimants. It further requires each such trust to provide,
upon written request, information related to payment from, and
demands for payment from, such trust to any party in an action
involving liability for asbestos exposure. An asbestos trust
may require the requesting party to pay for the reasonable
costs associated with such a request for information.
Rep. Blake Farenthold introduced the bill on March 6, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform,
Commercial and Antitrust Law. On May 21, 2013, the full
Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably
to the House by a roll call vote of 17 ayes to 14 nays. The
bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-254, filed on October 30,
2013. A supplemental report was filed by the Committee on
November 12, 2013 as H. Rept. 113-254, Part II. The House
considered the bill pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 403
and the bill passed the House by a roll call vote of 221 ayes
to 199 nays on November 13, 2013.
H.R. 1067, To make revisions in title 36, United States Code,
as necessary to keep the title current and make technical
corrections and improvements.
H.R. 1067 makes revisions in title 36, United States Code,
as necessary to keep the title current and make technical
corrections and improvements. The bill was prepared by the
Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the House of
Representatives as part of its responsibility under section
205(c) of House Resolution No. 988, 93d Congress, as enacted
into law by Public Law 93-554 (2 U.S.C. 285b), to prepare and
submit periodically to the Committee on the Judiciary proposed
bills to maintain titles of the United States Code that have
been enacted into positive law.
Chairman Bob Goodlatte introduced the bill on March 12,
2013. The full Committee considered the bill on March 14, 2013
and ordered it reported favorably to the House by voice vote.
The bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-43, filed on April 19,
2013. Under suspension of the rules, the bill passed the House
by a roll call vote of 409 ayes to 0 nays on April 23, 2013,
two-thirds majority required.
H.R. 1068, To enact title 54, United States Code, ``National
Park Service and Related Programs,'' as positive law.
H.R. 1068 gathers provisions relating to the National Park
Service and related programs and restates these provisions as a
new positive law title of the United States Code. The new title
replaces the former provisions, which are repealed by the bill.
Chairman Bob Goodlatte introduced the bill on March 12,
2013. The full Committee considered the bill on March 14, 2013
and ordered it reported favorably to the House by voice vote.
The bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-44, filed on April 19,
2013. Under suspension of the rules, the bill passed the House
by a roll call vote of 409 ayes to 0 nays on April 23, 2013,
two-thirds majority required.
H.R. 1073, the ``Nuclear Terrorism Conventions Implementation
and Safety of Maritime Navigation Act of 2013''
H.R. 1073 implements certain provisions of four
multilateral counterterrorism treaties. These treaties are
important tools in the fight against terrorism and each one
builds on an existing treaty to which the United States is a
party. This implementing legislation enhances U.S. national
security by modernizing and strengthening the international
counterterrorism and counter proliferation legal framework and
improving multilateral efforts to combat terrorism and nuclear
proliferation. This legislation and the underlying treaties
also complement important United States priorities such as the
Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, the Washington
Nuclear Security Summit, and the Proliferation Security
Initiative.
Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. introduced the bill on
March 12, 2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on
Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. On
March 14, 2013, the full Committee considered the bill and
ordered it reported favorably to the House by voice vote. The
bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-85, filed on May 20, 2013.
Under suspension of the rules, the bill passed the House by a
roll call vote of 390 ayes to 3 nays on May 20, 2013, two-
thirds majority required.
H.R. 1123, the ``Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless
Competition Act''
H.R. 1123 repeals a Library of Congress (LOC) rulemaking
determination, made upon the recommendation of the Register of
Copyrights, regarding the circumvention of technological
measures controlling access to copyrighted software on wireless
telephone handsets (mobile telephones) for the purpose of
connecting to different wireless telecommunications networks (a
practice commonly referred to as ``unlocking'' such devices).
The bill reestablishes, as an exemption to provisions of the
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) prohibiting such
circumvention, a previous LOC rule permitting the use of
computer programs, in the form of firmware or software, that
enable used wireless telephone handsets to connect to a
wireless telecommunications network, when circumvention is
initiated by the owner of the copy of such computer program
solely to connect to such a network and access to the network
is authorized by the network operator, thus permitting unlocked
phones.
H.R. 1123 also directs the Librarian of Congress, upon the
recommendation of the Register, to determine whether to extend
such exemption to include any other category of wireless
devices in addition to wireless telephone handsets (e.g.,
tablets and other mobile broadband-enabled devices).
Chairman Bob Goodlatte introduced the bill on March 13,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Courts,
Intellectual Property, and the Internet. On July 31, 2013, the
full Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported
favorably to the House as amended by voice vote. The bill was
accompanied by H. Rept. 113-356, filed on February 25, 2014.
Under suspension of the rules, the bill passed the House as
amended by a roll call vote of 295 ayes to 114 nays on February
25, 2014, two-thirds majority required. A companion bill, S.
517, was signed into law on August 1, 2014, becoming Public Law
113-144.
H.R. 1447, the ``Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2013''
H.R. 1447 reauthorizes the Death in Custody Reporting Act
which expired in 2006. This legislation requires the submission
of death statistics at the federal, state and local levels. It
also provides for reductions of up to ten percent of federal
Byrne JAG grant funds at the discretion of the Attorney
General, in the event of a state's non-compliance with the
reporting requirements. H.R. 1447 also requires a study and
report of information on deaths in custody.
Rep. Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott introduced the bill on April
9, 2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime,
Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. On December
4, 2013, the full Committee considered the bill and ordered it
reported favorably to the House by voice vote. The bill was
accompanied by H. Rept. 113-285, filed on December 9, 2013.
Under suspension of the rules, the bill passed the House by
voice vote on December 12, 2013.
H.R. 1493, the ``Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and
Settlements Act of 2013''
H.R. 1493 amends procedures for the consideration and entry
of consent decrees and settlement agreements that require new
federal regulations. The bill includes procedures to allow
greater opportunities for affected regulated entities and co-
regulators to intervene in civil litigation concerning
regulatory action and for the public to provide public comment
on proposed consent decrees and settlement agreements, expand
judicial review of proposed decrees and settlements, and
require review by the Attorney General and agency heads of
certain proposed decrees and settlements.
Rep. Doug Collins introduced the bill on April 11, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform,
Commercial and Antitrust Law. On July 24, 2013, the full
Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably
to the House by a roll call vote 17 ayes to 12 nays. The bill
was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-230, filed on September 26,
2013.
H.R. 1528, the ``Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2014
H.R. 1528 amends the Controlled Substances Act to prohibit
a veterinarian who is registered to manufacture or distribute
controlled substances from being required to have a separate
registration in order to transport and dispense controlled
substances in the usual course of veterinary practice at a site
other than such veterinarian's principal place of business or
professional practice, as long as the transporting and
dispensing site is located in a state where the veterinarian is
licensed to practice and is not a principal place of business
or professional practice.
Rep. Kurt Schrader introduced the bill on April 12, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations. Under suspension of the
rules, the bill passed the House as amended by voice vote on
July 8, 2014. H.R. 1528 passed the Senate on July 16, 2014. The
bill was signed into law on August 1, 2014, becoming Public Law
113-143.
H.R. 1771, the ``North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act of
2014''
The purpose of H.R. 1771 is to compel the Government of
North Korea to verifiably suspend, and ultimately dismantle,
its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, including,
but not limited to, the cessation of all uranium enrichment and
plutonium-related activities. Through the application of broad-
based sanctions, it is also intended to deprive North Korea of
the resources it requires to develop other unconventional
weapons and ballistic missiles, acquire destabilizing
conventional weapons that threaten U.S. allies in the region,
support terrorism in the region and across the globe, and
engage in the systematic oppression of the people of North
Korea. Finally, it is intended to force the Government of North
Korea to accept a degree of transparency that will allow for
the verification of its commitments, peaceful coexistence with
its neighbors, including South Korea, and an end to the
repression of the North Korean people.
Rep. Edward R. Royce introduced the bill on April 26, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations. Under suspension of the
rules, the bill passed the House as amended by voice vote on
July 28, 2014.
H.R. 1772, the ``Legal Workforce Act''
H.R. 1772 amends the employment eligibility verification
process and requires all employers hiring or employing
individuals in the United States to use the E-Verify system to
check the employment eligibility of their new hires and to
recheck the employment eligibility of certain existing
employees.
Rep. Lamar Smith introduced the bill on April 26, 2013. The
bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border
Security. On June 26, 2013, the full Committee considered the
bill and ordered it reported favorably as amended to the House
by a roll call vote of 22 ayes to 9 nays.
H.R. 1773, the ``Agricultural Guestworker Act''
H.R. 1773 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to
establish a new nonimmigrant visa for an alien having a
residence in a foreign country which he or she has no intention
of abandoning and who is coming temporarily to the United
States to perform agricultural labor or services. This new ``H-
2C'' program replaces the current H-2A agricultural temporary
worker program. H.R. 1773 expands the definition of
``agricultural labor or services'' (relative to its meaning
under the existing agricultural guestworker program) to include
temporary, seasonal, and year-round agricultural or
aquacultural work as well as the handling, packing, and
processing of raw agricultural or aquacultural products.
Chairman Bob Goodlatte introduced the bill on April 26,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration
and Border Security. On June 19, 2013, the full Committee
considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably as
amended to the House by a roll call vote of 20 ayes to 16 nays.
The bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-674, Part I, filed on
December 12, 2014.
H.R. 1797, the ``Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act''
H.R. 1797 would generally prohibit abortions of unborn
children after 20 weeks post-fertilization, with limited
exceptions.
Rep. Trent Franks introduced the bill on April 26, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations and to the Subcommittee
on the Constitution and Civil Justice. On June 12, 2013, the
full Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported
favorably as amended to the House by a roll call vote of 20
ayes to 12 nays. The bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-109,
Part I, filed on June 14, 2013. The House considered the bill
pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 266 and the bill passed
the House by a roll call vote of 228 ayes to 196 nays on June
18, 2013.
H.R. 1896, the ``International Child Support Recovery
Improvement Act of 2013''
H.R. 1896 would implement the Hague Convention on
International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of
Family Maintenance. This multilateral treaty, to which the
Senate gave its consent in 2010, provides for the structured
exchange of information and consistent enforcement of
international cases of child support. The Act authorizes access
to the Federal Parent Locator Service by an entity designated
as a Central Authority for child support enforcement in a
foreign reciprocating country or a foreign treaty country so
that foreign reciprocating countries will be notified of the
state of residence of individuals sought for support
enforcement. The Act also increases from 24 to 48 months the
length of time information entered into the database maintained
by the National Directory of New Hires must remain before being
deleted, and imposes a penalty of a fine or imprisonment for up
to five years for the willful unauthorized disclosure of
certain personal identifiers.
Rep. David G. Reichert introduced the bill on May 8, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations. Under suspension of the
rules, the House passed the bill by a roll call vote of 394
ayes to 27 nays on June 18, 2013, two-thirds majority required.
H.R. 1944, the ``Private Property Rights Protection Act of
2013''
H.R. 1944 prohibits state and local governments that
receive federal economic development funds from using eminent
domain to transfer private property from one private owner to
another for the purpose of economic development.
Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. introduced the bill on May
9, 2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on the
Constitution and Civil Justice. On June 12, 2013, the full
Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably
to the House by voice vote. The bill was accompanied by H.
Rept. 113-357, filed on February 25, 2014. Under suspension of
the rules, the bill passed the House by a roll call vote of 353
ayes to 65 nays on February 26, 2014, two-thirds majority
required.
H.R. 1947, the ``Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk
Management Act of 2013''
H.R. 1947 repeals and reforms government programs and
achieves deficit reduction following a multi-year process that
included the auditing for effectiveness and efficiency of all
policies under the jurisdiction of the House Committee on
Agriculture.
Rep. Frank Lucas introduced the bill on May 13, 2013. On
May 29, 2013, the bill was referred sequentially to the
Committee for a period not ending later than June 7, 2013 for
consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as
fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee pursuant to
clause 1(1) of rule X. On June 5, 2013, the full Committee
considered the bill and ordered it reported without
recommendation as amended to the House by voice vote. The bill
was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-92, Part II, filed on June 10,
2013. On June 18, 2013, the House considered the bill pursuant
to the provisions of H. Res. 266, which provided for one hour
of debate. On June 19, 2013, the House considered the bill
pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 271, which provided for
the consideration of amendments. On June 20, 2013, the bill was
defeated in the House by a roll call vote of 195 ayes to 234
nays.
H.R. 1965, the ``Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act of
2013''
H.R. 1965 would require the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
to establish certain fees for activities related to the
development of oil and gas on federal lands. A portion of those
amounts along with a portion of fees from renewable energy
projects on federal lands would be available to the agency,
subject to appropriation, to cover the costs of activities
aimed at increasing energy development on federal lands. The
bill also would exempt lawsuits related to energy production on
federal lands from the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA).
Rep. Doug Lamborn introduced the bill on May 14, 2013. The
bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform,
Commercial and Antitrust Law. The House considered the bill
pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 419 and the bill passed
the House by a roll call vote of 228 ayes to 192 nays on
November 20, 2013.
H.R. 2122, the ``Regulatory Accountability Act of 2013''
H.R. 2122 amends the federal regulatory process by making a
series of changes and adding requirements to the rulemaking
process outlined in the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
These changes and additions include new notice and cost-benefit
analysis requirements and expanded review by the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs, as well as expanded
judicial review, among other things.
Chairman Bob Goodlatte introduced the bill on May 23, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform,
Commercial and Antitrust Law. On July 24, 2013, the full
Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably
to the House by a roll call vote of 13 ayes to 9 nays. The bill
was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-237, filed on September 28,
2013.
H.R. 2131, the ``SKILLS Visa Act''
H.R. 2131 increases the number of immigrant visas made
available annually to beneficiaries of approved employment-
based petitions and to the spouses and minor children of lawful
permanent residents, creates an immigrant visa program pathway
for entrepreneurs, reforms some of our temporary work visa
programs, while strengthening protections for American workers,
and eliminates the diversity visa and sibling visa programs.
Rep. Darrell E. Issa introduced the bill on May 23, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and
Border Security. On June 27, 2013, the full Committee
considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably as
amended to the House by a roll call vote of 20 ayes to 14 nays.
The bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 676, Part I, filed on
December 15, 2014.
H.R. 2278, the ``SAFE Act'' (Serial No. 113-36)
H.R. 2278 grants states and localities the authority to
apprehend and detain persons who are believed to be in
violation of federal immigration laws and to enact and enforce
their own immigration laws; makes it a crime for a person to
overstay a visa or be unlawfully present in the country;
provides U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with the
ability to detain beyond the removal period certain immigrants
considered dangerous who have been ordered removed but who
cannot be removed; prevents the administration from
implementing agency guidance including memoranda setting civil
immigration enforcement priorities and the Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals program; and expands access to federal lands
near the border to Border Patrol agents. The bill makes changes
to removal procedures concerning aliens with criminal
convictions, including sex offenders and drunk driving, and
persons who are or were associated with criminal gangs. H.R.
2278 expands the Visa Security Program to additional high risk
posts and provides additional resources and authorities to U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
Rep. Trey Gowdy introduced the bill on June 6, 2013. The
bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border
Security.
On June 13, 2013, the full Committee held a hearing on H.R.
2278. The hearing consisted of one panel of the following
witnesses: (1) the Honorable Paul Babeu, Sheriff of Pinal
County, Florence, Arizona; (2) Mr. Chris Crane, President,
National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council 118,
American Federation of Government Employees; (3) the Honorable
Sam S. Page, Sheriff of Rockingham County, Wentworth, North
Carolina; (4) Mr. Jamiel Shaw, Sr., Committee to Pass Jamiel's
Law, Los Angeles, California; (5) the Honorable Randy C.
Krantz, Commonwealth's Attorney, Bedford, Virginia; (6) Ms.
Sabine Durden, mother of Dominic Durden, Moreno Valley,
California; (7) Ms. Karen Tumlin, Managing Attorney, National
Immigration Law Center; and (8) Ms. Clarissa Martinez De
Castro, Director of Civic Engagement and Immigration, National
Council of La Raza.
On June 18, 2013, the full Committee considered the bill
and ordered it reported favorably as amended to the House by a
roll call vote of 20 ayes to 15 nays.
H.R. 2542, the ``Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of
2013''
H.R. 2542 amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980
(RFA) and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness
Act of 1996 (SBREFA). The RFA and SBREFA attempted to require
agencies to account better for the impacts of proposed
regulations on small businesses and other small entities and to
tailor final regulations to minimize adverse impacts on these
entities, but have not commanded full agency compliance. This
bill further amends the RFA and SBREFA to require agencies to
perform additional and more detailed regulatory analyses,
expands the use of small business review panels, broadens
judicial review, and amends requirements for periodic
retrospective review of existing regulations.
Rep. Spencer Bachus introduced the bill on June 27, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform,
Commercial and Antitrust Law. On July 31, 2013, the full
Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably
to the House by a roll call vote of 15 ayes to 9 nays. The bill
was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-288, Part I, filed on December
11, 2013.
H.R. 2641, the ``RAPID Act''
H.R. 2641 amends the Administrative Procedure Act to add
provisions addressing and revising the federal environmental
review and permitting process for certain construction
projects. The legislation expands earlier, more limited steps
to streamline the environmental review and permitting process
and responds to the call of the President's Council on Jobs and
Competitiveness to streamline permitting further.
Rep. Tom Marino introduced the bill on July 10, 2013. The
bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform,
Commercial and Antitrust Law. On July 31, 2013, the full
Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably
to the House by a roll call vote of 18 ayes to 9 nays. The bill
was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-363, Part I, filed on February
27, 2014. The House considered the bill pursuant to provisions
of H. Res. 501 and the bill passed the House by a roll call
vote of 229 ayes to 179 nays on March 6, 2014.
H.R. 2655, the ``Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013''
H.R. 2655 would (1) restore mandatory sanctions for filing
lawsuits in violation of Rule 11, (2) remove Rule 11's ``safe
harbor'' provisions that currently allows parties to avoid
sanctions by withdrawing potentially frivolous claims, and (3)
require monetary sanctions, including attorneys' fees and
compensatory costs, against any party making a frivolous claim.
Rep. Lamar Smith introduced the bill on July 11, 2013. The
bill was referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and
Civil Justice. On September 11, 2013, the full Committee
considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably to the
House by a roll call vote of 17 ayes to 10 nays. The bill was
accompanied by H. Rept. 113-255, filed on October 30, 2013. The
House considered the bill pursuant to the provisions of H. Res.
403 and the bill passed the House by a roll call vote of 228
ayes to 195 nays on November 14, 2013.
H.R. 2711, the ``Citizen Empowerment Act''
H.R. 2711 ensures that individuals have a right to record
their meetings and telephone exchanges with federal officials,
including regulatory officials engaged in enforcement
activities. Individuals are to be notified of such right by
federal agencies.
Rep. Lynn Jenkins introduced the bill on July 17, 2013. The
bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations. Under suspension of the
rules, the bill was considered by the House on July 31, 2013.
The House then laid on the table the consideration of the bill
pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 322 on August 1, 2013.
H.R. 2804, the ``Achieving Less Excess in Regulation and
Requiring Transparency Act of 2014''
H.R. 2804 amends title 5, United States Code, to require
the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs to publish information about rules on the Internet, and
for other purposes.
Rep. George Holding introduced the bill on July 24, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform,
Commercial and Antitrust Law. The House considered the bill
pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 487 and the bill passed
the House by a roll call vote of 236 ayes to 179 nays on
February 27, 2014. As separate titles of this bill, the House
also passed on that same day, by that same vote: H.R. 2122, the
Regulatory Accountability Act; H.R. 2542, the Regulatory
Flexibility Improvements Act; and, H.R. 1493, the Sunshine for
Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act.
H.R. 2871, To amend title 28, United States Code, to modify
the composition of the southern judicial district of
Mississippi to improve judicial efficiency, and for other
purposes.
The purpose of H.R. 2871 is to increase efficiency and
better serve the public by reorganizing the southern judicial
district of Mississippi in recognition of the Judicial
Conference of the United States' decision to close an
underutilized court facility.
Rep. Howard Coble introduced the bill on July 31, 2013. The
bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual
Property, and the Internet. On September 11, 2013, the full
Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably
to the House by voice vote. The bill was accompanied by H.
Rept. 113-258, filed on November 12, 2013. Under suspension of
the rules, the bill passed the House by a roll call vote of 401
ayes to 0 nays on November 12, 2013, two-thirds majority
required. On December 10, 2013, the Senate passed H.R. 2871. On
December 20, 2013, the bill was signed into law, becoming
Public Law 113-61.
H.R. 2879, the ``Stop Government Abuse Act''
H.R. 2879 generally prohibits the payment of certain
discretionary monetary payments or performance awards to
federal employees during any period of sequestration. The bill
sets forth investigative leave requirements for certain federal
employees accused of misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance
or misappropriation of funds. H.R. 2879 also grants individuals
who are the target of enforcement actions by executive agency
employees the right to record in-person and telephonic
interactions and requires the federal government to provide
written and online notice in certain circumstances.
Rep. Lynn Jenkins introduced the bill on July 31, 2013. The
bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations. The House considered the
bill pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 322 and the bill
passed the House by a roll call vote of 239 ayes to 176 nays on
August 1, 2013.
H.R. 2919, the ``Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act''
H.R. 2919 reinstates tracking and reporting requirements of
payments made by the Federal Government under the Equal Access
to Justice Act (EAJA). The bill requires every Federal agency
to once again track EAJA payments and tasks the Administrative
Conference of the United States (ACUS) with compiling the data.
After compiling the data, the bill requires ACUS to submit an
annual report to Congress and to establish an online searchable
database to allow the public access to the data on EAJA
payments.
Rep. Cynthia M. Lummis introduced the bill on August 1,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on the
Constitution and Civil Justice. On February 5, 2014, the full
Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably
to the House by voice vote. The bill was accompanied by H.
Rept. 113-434, filed on May 6, 2014. Under suspension of the
rules, the bill passed the House by voice vote on May 6, 2014.
H.R. 2922, To extend the authority of the Supreme Court Police
to protect court officials away from the Supreme Court grounds.
H.R. 2922 extends until December 29, 2019 the long-standing
authority of the Supreme Court Police to provide appropriate
protection for the safety of Justices, Court employees and
official guests of the Court.
Rep. George Holding introduced the bill on August 1, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Courts,
Intellectual Property, and the Internet. On September 11, 2013,
the full Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported
favorably to the House by voice vote. The bill was accompanied
by H. Rept. 113-259, filed on November 12, 2013. Under
suspension of the rules, the bill passed the House by a roll
call vote of 399 ayes to 3 nays on November 12, 2013, two-
thirds majority required. On December 10, 2013, the Senate
passed H.R. 2922. On December 20, 2013, the bill was signed
into law, becoming Public Law 113-62.the bill by unanimous
consent.
H.R. 3086, the ``Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act''
H.R. 3086 amends the Internet Tax Freedom Act to make
permanent the ban on state and local taxation of Internet
access and on multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic
commerce.
Chairman Bob Goodlatte introduced the bill on September 12,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory
Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law. On June 18, 2014, the
full Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported
favorably to the House by a roll call vote of 30 ayes to 4
nays. The bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-510, filed on
July 3, 2014. Under suspension of the rules, the bill passed
the House by voice vote on July 15, 2014.
H.R. 3190, the ``United States Parole Commission Extension Act
of 2013''
H.R. 3190 amends federal law (18 U.S.C. 3551 note) to
reauthorize the United States Parole Commission for an
additional five years, until November 2018. The bill contained
two reporting requirements. The first reporting requirement
compels the Commission to provide, on an annual basis, a
variety of information relating to each category of offenders
under the Commission's jurisdiction, which will help track the
number of individuals under the Commission's jurisdiction, and
estimate the date on which no federal offenders will remain
under the Commission's jurisdiction. The second reporting
requirement compels the Commission to provide information on
the parole failure rate among D.C. offenders.
Rep. Steve Chabot introduced the bill on September 26,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime,
Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. The bill was
discharged by the Committee and agreed to in the House by
unanimous consent on October 14, 2013. On October 30, 2013, the
Senate passed H.R. 3190. The bill was signed into law on
October 31, 2013, becoming Public Law 113-47.
H.R. 3233, To extend the period during which Iraqis who were
employed by the United States Government in Iraq may be granted
special immigrant status and to temporarily increase the fee or
surcharge for possessing machine-readable nonimmigrant visas.
H.R. 3233 amends the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2008 to provide that the total number of aliens
eligible for special immigrant status (Iraqis who were employed
by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq) during the
first three months of FY2014 shall be the sum of: (1) the
number of such aliens whose applications were pending on
September 30, 2013, and (2) 2,000. The bill imposes a deadline
of December 15, 2013, for applications for special immigrant
status. It directs the Secretary of State to increase the fee
or surcharge authorized under the Foreign Relations
Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 by $1 for
processing machine-readable nonimmigrant visas and machine-
readable combined border crossing identification cards and
nonimmigrant visas; and requires amounts collected as a result
of the fee increase to be deposited in the general fund of the
Treasury.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer introduced the bill on October 2,
2013. The bill was discharged by the Committee and agreed to in
the House by unanimous consent on October 2, 2013. The Senate
passed H.R. 3233 on October 3, 2013. The bill was signed into
law on October 4, 2013, becoming Public Law 113-42.
H.R. 3309, the ``Innovation Act'' (Serial No. 113-58)
H.R. 3309 makes changes to the nation's patent laws that
are intended to curb abuses of patent litigation and correct
several technical problems that have become apparent during the
course of the implementation of the America Invents Act.
Chairman Bob Goodlatte introduced the bill on October 23,
2013. On October 29, 2013, the full Committee held a hearing on
H.R. 3309. The hearing consisted of one panel of the following
witnesses: (1) Mr. Krish Gupta, Senior Vice President and
Deputy General Counsel, EMC Corporation; (2) Mr. Kevin Kramer,
Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Intellectual
Property, Yahoo! Inc.; (3) Mr. David J. Kappos, Former Under
Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of
the United States Patent and Trademark Office; and, (4) Mr.
Robert A. Armitage, Former General Counsel, Eli Lilly & Co.
On November 20, 2013, the full Committee considered the
bill and ordered it reported favorably as amended to the House
by a roll call vote of 33 ayes to 5 nays. The bill was
accompanied by H. Rept. 113-279, filed on December 2, 2013. The
House considered the bill pursuant to the provisions of H. Res.
429 and the bill passed the House by a roll call vote of 325
ayes to 91 nays on December 5, 2013.
H.R. 3361, the ``USA FREEDOM Act''
H.R. 3361 reforms Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act
(Section 501 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
(FISA)), clarifies several other national security authorities,
expands existing oversight provisions, and creates greater
transparency of national security programs operated pursuant to
FISA.
Rep. James F. Sensenbrenner, Jr. introduced the bill on
October 29, 2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on
Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. On May
7, 2014, the full Committee considered the bill and ordered it
reported favorably as amended to the House by a roll call vote
of 32 ayes to 0 nays. The bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-
452, Part I, filed on May 15, 2014. The House considered the
bill pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 590 and the bill
passed the House by a roll call vote of 303 ayes to 121 nays on
May 22, 2014.
H.R. 3374, the ``American Savings Promotion Act''
H.R. 3374 amends the Revised Statutes of the United States,
the Federal Reserve Act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and
the Home Owner's Loan Act to authorize covered financial
institutions to conduct a contest, known as a ``savings
promotion raffle,'' in which the sole consideration required
for a chance of winning designated prizes is obtained by the
deposit of a specified amount of money in a savings account or
program, where each ticket or entry has an equal chance of
being drawn. The bill also amends the federal criminal code to
exempt savings promotion raffles conducted by an insured
depository institution or an insured credit union from
specified prohibitions against interstate and foreign travel or
transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises.
Rep. Derek Kilmer introduced the bill on October 29, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations. Under suspension of the
rules, the bill passed the House as amended by voice vote on
September 15, 2014.
H.R. 3530, the ``Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of
2014''
H.R. 3530 is a comprehensive response to the growing crime
of minor sex trafficking. Among other things, this legislation
addresses victim services and provides additional resources to
law enforcement through the new victim-centered grant program;
helps to facilitate these investigations by providing that sex
trafficking and other similar crimes are predicate offenses for
state wiretap applications; addresses the demand side of this
crime by clarifying that under existing 18 U.S.C. 1591, it is a
Federal crime to solicit or patronize for sex minors, or adults
who are involved in the sex trade through force, fraud, or
coercion; and reauthorizes the funding stream for Child
Advocacy Centers, which are often the first line of service
providers for the victims of this and other crimes.
Rep. Ted Poe introduced the bill on November 19, 2013. The
bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations. On April 30, 2014, the
full Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported
favorably to the House as amended by voice vote. The bill was
accompanied by H. Rept. 113-450, filed on May 15, 2014. Under
suspension of the rules, the bill passed the House by a roll
call vote of 409 ayes to 0 nays, two-thirds majority required,
on May 20, 2014.
H.R. 3590, the ``SHARE Act''
H.R. 3590 encourages outdoor sports and recreation and
enhancement of these activities through the use of public
funds. The bill amends the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
to exclude from the definition of ``chemical substance''
multiple firearm and firearm components the sale of which is
subject to federal excise tax and any sport fishing equipment
and components the sale of which is subject to federal excise
tax; and, the bill amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife
Restoration Act to authorize more state funding for expanding
or constructing public target ranges and to authorize
allocation of federal dollars for wildlife restoration to
construct ranges.
Rep. Robert E. Latta introduced the bill on November 21,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on the
Constitution and Civil Justice and the Subcommittee on Crime,
Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. The House
considered the bill pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 470
and the bill passed the House by a roll call vote of 268 ayes
to 154 nays on February 5, 2014.
H.R. 3608, the ``Grand Portage Band Per Capita Adjustment
Act''
H.R. 3608 excludes funds paid by Minnesota to members of
the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians,
pursuant to the agreements of such Band to voluntarily restrict
tribal rights to hunt and fish in territory ceded under the
Treaty of September 30, 1854, from: (1) federal or state income
taxes; or (2) use in denying or reducing a member's benefits
under the Social Security Act or, except for payments in excess
of $2,000, a federal or federally-assisted program.
Rep. Richard M. Nolan introduced the bill on November 21,
2013. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on the
Constitution and Civil Justice. Under suspension of the rules,
the bill passed the House by voice vote on November 17, 2014.
H.R. 3610, the ``Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act of
2014''
H.R. 3610, as reported by the substitute amendment, intends
to encourage the states, by giving them preference in their
applications for Community Oriented Police Service grants, to
pass safe harbor statutes for victims of minor sex trafficking.
The bill, as amended, also helps to fight the scourge of minor
sex trafficking by requiring additional reporting to Congress
on restitution orders in these cases, codifying a national
human trafficking hotline to help victims get assistance, and
making it easier for victims to leave a life of trafficking
through the Job Corps program.
Rep. Erik Paulsen introduced the bill on November 21, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations. On April 30, 2014, the
full Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported
favorably as amended to the House by voice vote. The bill was
accompanied by H. Rept. 113-447, Part I, filed on May 13, 2014.
Under suspension of the rules, the bill passed the House as
amended by voice vote on May 20, 2014.
H.R. 3626, To extend the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 for
10 years.
H.R. 3626 extends the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 for
10 years.
Rep. Howard Coble introduced the bill on December 2, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations. Under suspension of the
rules, the bill passed the House by voice vote on December 3,
2013. The Senate passed H.R. 3626 on December 9, 2013. The bill
was signed into law on December 9, 2013, becoming Public Law
113-57.
H.R. 3627, the ``Kilah Davenport Child Protection Act of
2013''
H.R. 3627 requires the Department of Justice to issue a
report with 180 days of enactment, and again three years
thereafter, regarding the penalties for violations of laws
prohibiting child abuse in the 50 states, the District of
Columbia, and the U.S. territories, including whether they
provide enhanced penalties when the victim has suffered serious
bodily injury, or permanent or protracted loss or impairment of
any mental or emotional function. To address the problem of
child abuse in areas where the federal government has increased
responsibility for criminal justice, including in Indian
Country and the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction,
the bill also amends 18 U.S.C. 117 to allow prior convictions
for assault, acts of sexual abuse, or serious violent felonies
against a child of the person or in the person's care to be
used as prior convictions that trigger this offense in these
areas.
Rep. Robert Pittenger introduced the bill on December 2,
2013. On December 4, 2013, the full Committee considered the
bill and ordered it reported favorably to the House by voice
vote. The bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-286, filed on
December 9, 2013. Under suspension of the rules, the bill
passed the House by voice vote on December 9, 2013. The Senate
passed H.R. 3627 on May 7, 2014. The bill was signed into law
on May 20, 2014, becoming Public Law 113-104.
H.R. 3732, the ``Immigration Compliance Enforcement (ICE)
Act''
H.R. 3732 prohibits the use of federal funds for: (1) the
position of Public Advocate within U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE); (2) the position of Deputy Assistant
Director of Custody Programs and Community Outreach within ICE;
or (3) any other position within ICE whose functions are
substantially the same as those which as of March 26, 2013,
were assigned to the position of Public Advocate within ICE, or
as of the date of the enactment of this Act were assigned to
the position of Deputy Assistant Director of Custody Programs
and Community Outreach within ICE.
Rep. Diane Black introduced the bill on December 12, 2013.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and
Border Security. On March 5, 2014, the full Committee
considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably as
amended to the House by a roll call vote of 17 ayes to 14 nays.
H.R. 3973, the ``Faithful Execution of the Law Act of 2014''
H.R. 3973 expands the circumstances under which the
Attorney General is required to report to Congress regarding
the enforcement of laws to include any instance in which the
Attorney General, an officer of the Department of Justice
(DOJ), or any other federal officer establishes or implements a
policy to refrain from: (1) enforcing, applying, or
administering any federal statute, rule, regulation, program,
policy, or other law within the responsibility of the Attorney
General or such officer; or (2) adhering to, enforcing,
applying, or complying with, a final decision of any court of
jurisdiction respecting the application of the Constitution,
any statute, rule, regulation, program, policy, or other law
within the responsibility of the Attorney General or such
officer. (Currently, reports are not required with respect to
the policies of other federal officers and reports concerning
nonenforcement of a law are required only when the Attorney
General or a DOJ officer refrains on grounds that the provision
is unconstitutional.) It also requires such reports to state
the grounds for policies of nonenforcement.
Rep. Ron DeSantis introduced the bill on January 29, 2014.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution
and Civil Justice. On March 5, 2014, the full Committee
considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably to the
House by a roll call vote of 17 ayes to 11 nays. The bill was
accompanied by H. Rept. 113-376, filed on March 7, 2014. The
House considered the bill pursuant to the provisions of H. Res.
511 and the bill passed the House by a roll call vote of 244
ayes to 171 nays on March 13, 2014.
H.R. 4015, the ``SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment
Modernization Act of 2014''
H.R. 4015 directs Secretary of Health and Human Services to
define standards for and establishment of a merit-based
incentive payment system (MIPS) created through consolidation
of existing electronic health records, incentive programs,
quality reporting programs, and value-based payment programs.
The bill requires MIPS-eligible professionals to receive annual
payment increases or decreases based on their performance,
while creating formulas for these program incentive payments
and standards of eligibility for the payment system. The bill
also requires transparency by directing the Secretary to
publish information on the Physician Compare website of the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding
performance of MIPS-eligible professionals.
Rep. Michael C. Burgess introduced the bill on February 6,
2014. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on the
Constitution and Civil Justice. The House considered the bill
pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 515 and the bill passed
the House by a roll call vote of 238 ayes to 181 nays on March
14, 2014.
H.R. 4032, the ``North Texas Invasive Species Barrier Act of
2014''
H.R. 4032 exempts from the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981
certain water transfers by the North Texas Municipal Water
District and the Greater Texoma Utility Authority.
Rep. Ralph M. Hall introduced the bill on February 11,
2014. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime,
Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. Under
suspension of the rules, the bill passed the House as amended
by voice vote on April 28, 2014. On May 22, 2014, the Senate
passed H.R. 4032. The bill was signed into law on June 9, 2014,
becoming Public Law 113-117.
H.R. 4138, the ``ENFORCE the Law Act of 2014''
H.R. 4138 authorizes either chamber of Congress, upon
adoption of a resolution declaring that the President or any
officer or employee of the United States has established or
implemented a policy, practice, or procedure to refrain from
enforcing, applying, following, or administering any federal
statute, rule, regulation, program, policy, or other law in
violation of the constitutional requirement that the President
faithfully execute the laws of the United States, to bring a
civil action for a declaratory judgment to that effect. It
grants jurisdiction to a three-judge panel of a U.S. district
court to hear such civil action and provides for an expedited
direct appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill requires the
Comptroller General (GAO) to submit quarterly reports to the
congressional judiciary committees on the costs of any civil
action brought under this Act, including any attorney fees paid
in connection with any such action.
Rep. Trey Gowdy introduced the bill on March 4, 2014. The
bill was referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and
Civil Justice. On March 5, 2014, the full Committee considered
the bill and ordered it reported favorably to the House by a
roll call vote of 18 ayes to 14 nays. The bill was accompanied
by H. Rept. 113-377, filed on March 7, 2014. The House
considered the bill pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 511
and the bill passed the House by a roll call vote of 233 ayes
to 181 nays on March 12, 2014.
H.R. 4197, the ``All Circuit Review Extension Act''
H.R. 4197 extends from two to five years after the
effective date of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act
of 2012 (i.e., December 27, 2012), the period allowed for: (1)
filing a petition for judicial review of Merit Systems
Protection Board decisions in whistleblower cases, and (2) any
review of such a decision by the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management (OPM).
Rep. Elijah E. Cummings introduced the bill on March 11,
2014. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory
Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law. Under suspension of the
rules, the bill passed the House by voice vote on July 14,
2014. The Senate passed H.R. 4197 on September 11, 2014. The
bill was signed into law on September 26, 2014, becoming Public
Law 113-170.
H.R. 4225, the ``SAVE Act of 2014''
H.R. 4225 amends the federal criminal code to prohibit
advertising of commercial sex acts involving a minor or an
individual engaged in such an act through force, fraud, or
coercion. The bill requires a person to have knowingly
benefitted financially or otherwise from the sale of such
advertising to be punished under this provision.
Rep. Ann Wagner introduced the bill on March 13, 2014. The
bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations. On April 30, 2014, the
full Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported
favorably as amended to the House by a roll call vote of 24
ayes to 3 nays. The bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-451,
filed on May 15, 2014. Under suspension of the rules, the bill
passed the House as amended by a roll call vote of 392 ayes to
19 nays, two-thirds majority required, on May 20, 2014.
H.R. 4278, the ``Ukraine Support Act''
H.R. 4278 sets forth U.S. policy regarding Ukraine,
including: (1) support for the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of a democratic Ukraine, (2) condemnation of Russia's
armed intervention into Ukraine and its illegal annexation of
Crimea, and 3) making inadmissible to the U.S. aliens knowingly
responsible for anti-Ukraine actions.
Rep. Edward R. Royce introduced the bill on March 21, 2014.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and
Border Security. Under suspension of the rules, the bill passed
the House as amended by a roll call vote of 399 ayes to 19
nays, two-thirds majority required, on March 27, 2014.
H.R. 4292, the ``Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional
Immunity Clarification Act''
Currently, a provision in the Foreign Sovereign Immunities
Act (FSIA) discourages foreign governments from lending
government-owned artwork and objects of cultural significance
to U.S. museums and educational institutions for temporary
exhibition or display. Foreign governments are discouraged from
such lending by the possibility that it will open them up to
litigation in U.S. courts for which they would otherwise be
immune. This legislation fixes this problem by making a
narrowly tailored change to FSIA. This change will make it
easier for U.S. museums and educational institutions to borrow
works of art and other objects from abroad, increasing
Americans' opportunities for cultural and educational
development.
Rep. Steve Chabot introduced the bill on March 25, 2014.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution
and Civil Justice. On April 2, 2014, the full Committee
considered the bill and ordered it reported favorably to the
House by voice vote. The bill was accompanied by H. Rept. 113-
435, filed on May 6, 2014. Under suspension of the rules, the
bill passed the House by a roll call vote of 388 ayes to 4
nays, two-thirds majority required, on May 6, 2014.
H.R. 4299, the ``Improving Regulatory Transparency for New
Medical Therapies Act''
H.R. 4299 improves patient access to new and innovative
medications by streamlining the process for scheduling new
drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The bill also
amends the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) approval
process for drugs to be used in clinical trials by requiring
that, for the purposes of a DEA registration to manufacture or
distribute a controlled substance for use only in connection
with clinical trials, the DEA must either register the
manufacturer for the purposes of a clinical trial or serve an
order to show cause on the applicant within 180 days.
Rep. Joseph R. Pitts introduced the bill on March 26, 2014.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations. On September 10, 2014,
the full Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported
favorably as amended to the House by voice vote. The bill was
accompanied by H. Rept. 113-565, Part II, filed on September
19, 2014.
H.R. 4323, the ``Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2014''
H.R. 4323 amends the Debbie Smith Act of 2004 to
reauthorize funding through FY2019 for: (1) the Debbie Smith
DNA Backlog Grant Program; (2) DNA training and education for
law enforcement, correctional personnel, and court officers;
and (3) sexual assault forensic exam program grants.
Chairman Bob Goodlatte introduced the bill on March 27,
2014. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime,
Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. On April 2,
2014, the full Committee considered the bill and ordered it
reported favorably to the House by voice vote. The bill was
accompanied by H. Rept. 113-404, filed on April 7, 2014. Under
suspension of the rules, the bill passed the House by voice
vote on April 7, 2014. The Senate passed H.R. 4323 on September
18, 2014. The bill was signed into law on September 29, 2014,
becoming Public Law 113-182.
H.R. 4414, the ``Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act
of 2014''
H.R. 4414 exempts expatriate health plans, employers acting
as sponsors of such plans, and health insurance issuers
providing coverage under such plans from the health care
coverage requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act
of 2010.
Rep. John C. Carney, Jr. introduced the bill on April 7,
2014. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration
and Border Security. Under suspension of the rules, the bill
was defeated by a roll call vote of 257 ayes to 159 nays, two-
thirds majority required, on April 9, 2014. The House
considered the bill pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 555
and the bill passed the House by a roll call vote of 268 ayes
to 150 nays, on April 29, 2014.
H.R. 4573, the ``International Megan's Law to Prevent Demand
for Child Sex Trafficking''
H.R. 4573 directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to
establish within the Child Exploitation Investigations Unit of
the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Angel Watch
Center, with the purpose of closely monitoring and reviewing
travel and information in regards to travel by and complaints
about child-sex offenders. The Center will also engage in
consultations with NGOs, governments of other countries, and
Internet and software providers regarding technology
facilitating international sex offender travel notifications
systems.
Also, the bill authorizes the Secretary of Homeland
Security and the Secretary of State to enable international
cooperation in the notification system, while encouraging
Congress and the President to negotiate with foreign
governments to further the purpose of the act.
Rep. Christopher H. Smith introduced the bill on May 6,
2014. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime,
Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. Under
suspension of the rules, the bill passed the House as amended
by voice vote on May 20, 2014.
H.R. 4587, the ``Venezuelan Human Rights and Democracy
Protection Act''
H.R. 4587 directs the Secretary of State to require the
U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization of American
States to work to protect the Inter-American Democratic
Charter, and strengthen efforts by international and
multilateral organizations to protect human rights throughout
the Western Hemisphere. The bill directs the President and the
Secretary of Homeland Security to impose sanctions against any
person, including Venezuelan government officials who have
perpetrated or furthered human rights abuses or censorship of
any person's exercise of freedom of expression or assembly and
sets forth penalty requirements, including making them
inadmissible to the U.S.
The bill also sets forth specifics relating to sanctions
such as conditions under which the President can waive them and
details on how the President should transmit information on
sanctions to Congress. The bill sunsets this Act two years
after its enactment.
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen introduced the bill on May 7,
2014. The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration
and Border Security. Under suspension of the rules, the bill
passed the House as amended by voice vote on May 28, 2014.
H.R. 4709, the ``Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug
Enforcement Act of 2014''
H.R. 4709 would help prevent prescription drug abuse while
ensuring patients have access to needed medications by
fostering better collaboration between drug manufacturers,
wholesalers, pharmacies, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),
and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Rep. Tom Marino introduced the bill on May 21, 2014. The
bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations. Under suspension of the
rules, the bill passed the House as amended by voice vote on
July 29, 2014.
H.R. 4771, the ``Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act of
2014''
H.R. 4771 amends the Controlled Substances Act to more
effectively regulate anabolic steroids.
Rep. Joseph R. Pitts introduced the bill on May 29, 2014.
The bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations. On September 10, 2014,
the full Committee considered the bill and ordered it reported
favorably as amended to the House by voice vote. The bill was
accompanied by H. Rept. 113-587, Part II, filed on September
15, 2014. Under suspension of the rules, the bill passed the
House as amended by voice vote on September 15, 2014.