Calls on AG Eric Holder to Testify

Congressman Lamar Smith has released a report documenting the U.S. Justice Department’s disregard of the Constitution and rule of law.

"Instead of enforcing the law and upholding the Constitution, the Obama administration is putting partisanship above the rule of law," Smith said. "Attorney General Holder and the Justice Department have a responsibility to enforce the laws of the land and protect the Constitution. Of all federal agencies, the Justice Department should not be motivated by a partisan agenda. But under this Administration and this Attorney General, the Justice Department has become more partisan than ever."

Congressman Lamar Smith has earned the backing of the Texas Leadership Coalition, a San Antonio-based non-profit fostering civic responsibilities.

The TLC reviewed candidates from all political parties representing Bexar county residents running for federal, state, and county offices in the 2012 primary elections. The vetting process included analyzing voting records, public speeches, questions and answers in candidate forums, and endorsements and ratings from other organizations.

See the TLC's endorsement roster HERE.

HOSPAC, the bipartisan federal political action committee of the Texas Hospital Association, endorses Congressman Smith's candidacy.

"Hospitals look forward to working with you to improve health care."

Read HOSPAC's letter HERE.

Gary Martin, a columnist for the San Antonio Express News, has written up his take on Congressman Smith's re-election efforts as well as the prospects of other candidates in the mix.

Read the whole article HERE.

The board of directors of the U.S. Chamber endorses Lamar Smith's candidacy for re-election.

"We believe that your re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives will help produce sustained economic growth, help create jobs and get our country back on track," the Chamber wrote in its notification letter.

The letter went on to note that 236 of the 276 Chamber-endorsed candidates were elected in 2010.

Read the whole letter HERE.

U.S. Congressman Lamar Smith (R-21, San Antonio) visited Gillespie County last Wednesday to reacquaint himself with the area and people who will be his District 21 constituents again after final redistricting maps are settled.

Congressman Lamar Smith hosted a lunch meeting for Travis County Republican Party leaders in Austin on April 10. Among those joining Lamar were Chairman Rosemary Edwards, Secretary Dan McDonald, Communications Director Andy Hogue and several precinct chairs.

Congressman Smith today hosted a job fair in Austin, drawing nearly 60 area employers and more than 600 job seekers. The job fair was hosted at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin in cooperation with Workforce Solutions Capital Area.

"In these difficult economic times, there are still too many unemployed residents looking for work in our state’s Capital," said Smith. "I appreciate all the employers and groups that participated and hope many Austin-area job seekers found long-term and lasting employment.”

Employers at Congressman Smith's job fair included AT&T, the Austin Police Department, Dell, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, eBay, Seton Health Care, and UT Austin. A full list of participating employers is here.

Listen to full interview from March 31st here.

Texas Association of Business Has Long Supported Smith

The Texas Association of Business's political committee has extended its support of Lamar Smith as the conservative voice for business in Congress for the 21st District.

Read the TAB's full list of endorsed candidates

Congressman Lamar Smith this month earned the Spirit of Enterprise award from the United States Chamber of Commerce for advancing legislation important to the nation’s business community.

As Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Congressman Smith sponsors and supports numerous bills to help spur the economy, grow businesses and create jobs for American workers.

Chairman Smith sponsored the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, reducing frivolous litigation and ensuring faster approval of better patents to more quickly convert ideas on paper to jobs in production.

The House of Representatives last year approved three Judiciary Committee bills to help reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses and the economy.

Congressman Smith has a record of voting in step with the Chamber 93 percent of the time during his tenure in Congress and has earned a full 100 percent in many years, including this one.

"I'm honored to be recognized by the Chamber for my pro-business efforts," Smith said. "Business is the economy's prime engine and I'm glad to help lead the efforts allowing businesses to thrive, grow and hire."

The National Rifle Association has extended its support of Lamar Smith as the conservative voice in Congress for the 21st District.

In its letter to the Congressman, the NRA notes Smith earned the group's highest legislative rating along with its support of his candidacy.

Read the NRA letter

"If Smith is re-elected to Congress in November, which is likely, he will represent the middle swath of Hays County."

Congressman Lamar Smith is meeting with Hays County public officials and community leaders to find out what is important to them, their communities, and the county as a whole.

One stop was with the Hays Free Press. for an interview with editor Wes Ferguson.

Read the whole story here.

President's Health Care Rationing Panel Meet its Death

Congressman Lamar Smith and his House Republican colleagues this week voted to dissolve the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), which the president incorporated into his unrelenting push to nationalize healthcare. The panel of 15 federal employees would have made unilateral healthcare decisons on Medicare coverage that would likely have restricted seniors’ access to treatment and services.

This week marked the two-year anniversary of the enactment of the President’s healthcare law, which includes a mandate requiring all Americans -- whether they want to or not -- to purchase health insurance from a private company, or face stiff sanctions.

Two other provisions of ObamaCare have since been repealed. Republicans have voted to fully repeal the government takeover of healthcare, though Democrat support is keeping the program alive -- for now. More than half of the nation's states are challenging the constitutionality of ObamaCare, and the matter goes next week before the U.S. Supreme Court, which could strike down all or parts of the takeover in a ruling expected in June.

Congressman Smith greets a forum attendee.

Congressman Lamar Smith on 3/14 hosted a small business forum at Northeast Lakeview College in Bexar County. More than 80 local small business owners came to learn about funding options, contracts with the government, website development and engaging social media.

Congressman Smith launched the forum in cooperation with the UTSA Institute for Economic Development and the South-West Texas Border small business development center.

“Small business owners play a critical role in our economy and are vital to building strong communities and I was glad to have been a part of this business-boosting forum," Congressman Smith said. “My colleagues and I in the U.S. House of Representatives recently delivered good news for small business owners in the 21st District and across the nation by passing the JOBS Act, a series of measures to help small businesses gain access funding and reduce the red tape stifling innovation, job creation and overall economic growth."

"Congressman Smith (front, center) on 3/14 visited with City of San Marcos leaders including City Manager Jim Nuse (to Lamar's right) and City Councilman Wayne Becak (to Lamar's left)."

Hope spring is finding all well with you.

In my last note I mentioned I had filed for re-election in December. A second filing period, brought about by the redistricting process, just closed at the end of last week and two Richards have jumped on the GOP primary ballot.

Twenty-four-year-old Richard Morgan moved to the district from Dallas a few weeks ago and filed at the final hour by fee after failing to get the needed signatures to file by petition.

Congressman Lamar Smith earned an A+ rating from NumbersUSA for his voting record on immigration policy for the period 2009 to present.

In fact, Smith has a lifetime A+ rating from the group, which advocates for bi-partisan immigration strategies. 

I hope that all is well with you during these early days of the new year.

With redistricting still before the courts, uncertainty persists on a number of fronts. County election officials are still not able to set ballots or send out voter registration cards, county party chairs are unsure when to hold ballot drawing meetings, political clubs are trying to decide when to hold candidate forums, and candidates and potential candidates are wondering where district lines will fall and when to file.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith has set February 15 for the full committee to consider the constitutionality of recent appointments made by the Obama Administration.  Among these was Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and three individuals appointed to the National Labor Relations Board. 

Texas Alliance for Life Executive Director Joe Pojman wrote Congressman Smith on December 16, 2001, to give the news that the TAL had again endorsed Smith heading into the 2012 elections.

Lamar Smith today filed for re-election to Congress. Smith represents the 21st District, which runs from Bexar County to Travis County and stretches west into the Hill Country.

"I'm grateful for the past support of my constituents, and I'm working to build on this trust going into 2012," Smith said.

From "The Hill"

December 13, 2001

"I am an author living in Texas. My Congressman, Lamar Smith, introduced a bill this fall to help protect copyrights online. I wish this effort every success...."

Read Full Blog Here: http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/technology/198981-digital-thieves-are-stealing-from-me

AG's second appearance before the committee this year; detailed answers on Fast and Furious and other Department of Justice actions still lacking....

Reps. Lamar Smith and Paul Ryan, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, and Sen. Patrick Leahy will be honored as policymakers of the year at POLITICO and POLITICO Pro’s P2 Policy + Politics Conference and Awards Dinner on Dec. 6.

The executive director of the National Rifle Assoication wrote to thank Congressman Smith for Smith's efforts in gaining House passage of the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011.