A Judiciary Committee hearing held today (5/15/13) at which Attorney General Eric Holder testified on the Justice Department’s investigation into allegations that IRS employees intentionally targeted conservative organizations, spurred Congressman Lamar Smith to noted the following:

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

'Congress has a responsibility to make sure the laws of the land protect Americans rather than endanger them.'

Congressman Lamar Smith and Immigration Subcommittee Chairman Trey Gowdy this week (5/6/13) introduced the Keep Our Communities Safe Act (H.R. 1901) to stop the release of dangerous criminal immigrants into American communities.

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

Congressman Lamar Smith writes guest editorial in The Hill

Congressman Lamar Smith this week (5/6/13) wrote on the risks of enacting another round of illegal immigrant amnesty -- or whatever term is used by amnesty advocates -- in a guest editorial for The Hill, a capitol hill chronicler.

"America already has the most generous immigration system in the world, admitting an estimated one million legal immigrants each year," wrote Congressman Smith. "Those in the country illegally can always do what generations before them have done: get in line and wait their turn to be admitted."

'We should put the interests of American taxpayers and American workers first.'

Congressman Lamar Smith today (5/7) gave the following remarks on the House floor regarding a recent study on the cost of amnesty as called for in a Senate proposal:

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

The United States Chamber of Commerce today (4/16/13) presented Congressman Lamar Smith with its annual "Spirit of Enterprise" award for his support of pro-jobs, pro-growth policies during the second session of the 112th Congress (2012).

"With millions of Americans still unemployed and underemployed, Congress has a responsibility to support policies that encourage the private sector to invest and grow," Congressman Smith said. "Reducing burdensome regulations and simplifying our tax code are examples of the ways I will continue to work to expand our economy and create jobs for American workers."

Congressman Smith maintained a 100% rating with the Chamber of Commerce for all of 2012 year and holds a lifetime 94% chamber rating.

'Smith is dedicated to raising the committee's profile.' - E&E Publishing

Efforts expended by Congressman Lamar Smith to revitalize the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology since taking chairmanship of the panel in January were detailed in an article published today (4/16/13 by Environment and Energy Publishing (E&E).

Congressman Lamar Smith writes guest editorial in Politico

Congressman Lamar Smith this week (4/8/13) wrote on the need to fully enforce existing immigration law and fully secure our borders in a guest editorial for Politico, the popular congressional chronicler.

Hardworking taxpayers are tired of watching the government borrow and spend money it doesn't have.

Congressman Lamar Smith today took the President's budget proposal to task.

"The President's budget gets a failing grade," Congressman Smith said. "Filled with new spending and over one trillion dollars in tax increases, his proposal once again fails to balance the budget and continues to borrow 25 cents for every dollar the federal government spends."

New Gasoline Regulations Lack Scientific Justification

Congressman Lamar Smith, chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, took the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to task after the agency released a controversial proposed rule requiring changes in how gasoline is refined. Congressman Smith noted the EPA’s “Tier 3” gasoline regulations could cause refinery closures and increase gasoline prices.

“The EPA is the federal government’s worst offender when it comes to overreaching regulations that hurt American consumers,” Congressman Smith said. “And the EPA ignored the law in being years late in releasing a mandatory study to first determine if the rule is even necessary.”

Obama administration's decision sound policy or partisan politics -- so far, it seems like politics as usual.

Congressman Lamar Smith today (3/19) questioned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton on the release of more than 2,000 illegal immigrants awaiting deportation.

When asked why the Administration chose to release potentially dangerous detainees rather than reallocating funds from less critical programs, Director Morton could not provide a clear answer. Instead, he continued to blame budget cuts.

Congressman Lamar Smith issued the following statement in response to Barack Obama’s continued calls for amnesty.

"If the President was serious about creating jobs and spurring economic growth, amnesty for illegal immigrants would not be on his agenda.

Four years and counting without an accounting of how tax dollars are to be spent

Congressman Smith today (1/23/13) supported a bill requiring the Senate to pass a budget or forfeit their pay. The No Budget, No Pay Act passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 285-144 with bipartisan support.

"A fundamental responsibility of the government is to set budgets and stick to them," Congressman Smith said. "Americans across the nation routinely set budgets for their family’s expenses. They accomplish every single day a task the Senate has neglected for four years."

Congressman Lamar Smith today (1/15) voted against H.R. 152, appropriating money for damage caused by Hurricane Sandy as the aid package went beyond necessity at a time when the nation is heavily in debt.

“I sympathize with the victims of Hurricane Sandy, and Congress has already authorized $9.7 billion in emergency funding," Congressman Smith said. "The $50 billion bill considered today includes additional spending far beyond emergency funds. Under President Obama, the federal government now borrows 42 cents for every dollar it spends. No family, no community, no business and no country can sustain that kind of excessive spending. That is the road to insolvency. Emergency spending bills should not be a vehicle for pet projects or even important programs."

Measure prevents the President from imposing the largest tax increase in history

Congressman Lamar Smith today (1/1/13) voted to steer the nation away from the "fiscal cliff" and protect millions of Americans from the largest tax hike in American history. Smith supported the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (Senate Amendment to H.R. 8), which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 257-167. If the bill had been defeated, taxes would have increased for every American. Income taxes, the inheritance tax, and the capital gains tax all would have gone up. 21st District taxpayers would have seen an average increase of more than  $5,000 per return had Congress not passed this legislation.

"House Republicans passed numerous bills in 2012 to cut government spending and prevent a massive tax hike on middle class Americans," Congressman Smith said. "But the President and Senate Democrats consistently rejected House proposals, pushing instead for tax increases that would burden small businesses and stifle job creation."

Congressman Smith noted the bill passed today (1/1/13) protects tens of thousands of farmers, ranchers and family businesses by permanently providing death tax relief for estates valued at less than $5 million. Without this bill, the tax rate would have reverted back to 55% on estates valued at $1 million or more. The bill also provides a permanent fix to the alternative minimum tax to ensure that nearly 30 million middle class Americans are not forced to pay an additional tax. And it permanently extends the current 15% rate for capital gains for taxpayers making less than $400,000 (single) and $450,000 (married).

Law provides added resources to combat the exploitation of children

The President on 12/7/12 signed into law the Child Protection Act of 2012, authored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith.

H.R. 6063 increases penalties for child pornography offenses involving children and strengthens protections for child witnesses and victims. The House passed the bill in August. The Senate passed Smith's bill by unanimous consent in November, paving the way for the December signing.

Tapped to lead Science, Space and Technology panel

Congressional Republicans on 11/28/12 selected Congressman Lamar Smith to lead the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology beginning in January. A member of the Science Committee since first elected, Congressman Smith presently chairs the House Judiciary Committee.

Makes 55,000 Green Cards Available to Foreign Students Obtaining STEM Degrees from U.S. schools

The House on 11/30/12 approved by a vote of 245-139 legislation introduced by Congressman Lamar Smith creating a new green card category for immigrants receiving advanced science, technology, engineering, or mathematics ("STEM") degrees from U.S. universities. Should it earn Senate and presidential approval, the measure would ultimately help create jobs across the skills spectrum as these advanced degree graduates develop high-tech ideas, processes, products and projects.

His experience and seniority are assets for his district.

The San Antonio Express News resoundingly endorsed the re-election of Congressman Lamar Smith, citing him as "an honest, conservative representative for San Antonio."

Read the full story HERE

"We look forward to your continued service."

The National Vietnam & Gulf War Veterans Coalition recently signified its support of Congressman Smith and his service to the nation.

"Your leadership and patriotism are especially needed in the US House of Representatives," wrote coalition Chairman John Molloy in the group's support letter.

Read the full letter HERE

"The candidate best qualified to represent farm and ranch interests."

The Texas Farm Bureau earlier this month endorsed Congressman Smith for re-election to represent the 21st District. "Chairman Smith is in an important position to represent Texas and the interests of agriculture," wrote Ken Dierschke, president of both the Farm Bureau and AgFund, the bureau's political arm.

Read the full letter here.

Tax dollars are not meant for the Administration's partisan projects

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith is questioning Attorney General Eric Holder's challenge to South Carolina's voter ID law.

Legislation Attracts Bipartisan Co-Sponsorship

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith today (9/18) filed a bill boosting job creation, growing the U.S. economy, and increasing America's presence in the global business market.

"We need to further lift the burden on small businesses to create more jobs for more Americans."

Congressman Lamar Smith earned the recognition of the National Federation of Independent Business as a Guardian of Small Business for his strong consistent record of supporting the small business community over the 112th Congress.

Obama's Actions undermine the Constitution, the Economy and the Nation's Citizenry

House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith today (9/12) led a full committee hearing on the Obama administration’s abuses of power and the effect on our Constitution and economy.

WDPAC, the political arm of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors is endorsing Congressman Lamar Smith's candidacy for re-election. You can read the endorsement letter HERE.

Nanotechnology developments will lead to product innovations and job creation.

Congressman Lamar Smith today (9/10) recognized the University of Texas for its work in earning an $18.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create and lead a nanosystems engineering research center. The Nanomanufacturing Systems for Mobile Computing and Mobile Energy Technologies (NASCENT), will develop new nanotechnologies leading to product innovations and job creation for Austin, Texas and the nation.

Congressman Lamar Smith often and rightly asserts that the top 20 percent of taxpayers shoulder nearly 70 percent of all federal taxes. In looking into this stat, the Austin American-Statesman checked in with the Congressional Budget Office, and deemed his statement as True in a "PolitiFact" review.

Read the full assessment HERE.

The NRTL's political action committee is backing Congressman Lamar Smith's re-election to serve the people of the 21st District as their voice in Congress.

"During the 112th Congress, you have compiled a 100 percent pro-life voting record," wrote the NRTL in a letter signed by the group’s executive, political and legislative directors. “All voters concerned with the protection of the most vulnerable members of the human family should vote to return you to the House.”

"The Department has little regard for preventing fraud."

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) along with Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) today (8/13) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano expressing concern about the Department's plan to grant deferred action and work permits to illegal immigrants, particularly with regard to how the President's directive will be implemented without the means to combat fraud and abuse.

The Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act extends much-needed tax relief for all Americans.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith today (8/1) voted to extend Bush-era tax cuts to prevent significant tax increases on middle class Americans.

Tax relief enacted in 2001 and 2003 was scheduled to expire at the end of this year setting up a scenario where people of the 21st District of Texas could see an estimated average increase per tax return of $5,152 starting in 2013. The Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act of 2012 (H.R. 8) extends the Bush-era tax relief for a year. The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 256-171 and is now before the Senate.