Senate Committee on the Judiciary -- http://judiciary.senate.gov
Welcome to PMC!
This background paper should serve as the starting point for your individual research of a specific policy topic. Here you will find information on your committee's jurisdiction, subcommittees, and current hot topics. However, do not stop here - keep your eye on news events, check out government websites, search the internet for interesting topics that fall within this committee's scope, and above all -- think about important and relevant legislative issues that matter to you. We look forward to reading your bill and to hearing a thoughtful debate on its merits at the conference. Please remember to research the facts that drive your bill in order to solidify your arguments. Use the links on the Delegate Start Page to help you in this endeavor. After your bill is submitted, review some of the other topics your committee is currently tackling in order to form opinions on issues engaged by the bills of your fellow delegates.
We look forward to seeing you this year at the conference and good luck!
Senate Committee on the Judiciary
JURISDICTION:
According to Rule XXV on Standing Committees, the Standing Rules
of the Senate, the Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over the following:
1. Apportionment of Representatives. 2. Bankruptcy, mutiny, espionage, and counterfeiting.
3. Civil liberties. 4. Constitutional amendments. 5. Federal courts and judges. 6. Government information. 7. Holidays and celebrations. 8. Immigration and naturalization. 9. Interstate compacts, generally. 10. Judicial proceedings, civil and criminal, generally.
11. Local courts in the territories and possessions.
12. Measures relating to claims against the United States.
13. National penitentiaries. 14. Patent Office. 15. Patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
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.
The following items explain further specific responsibilities that
are within the scope of the Senate Judiciary Committee:
(1) Creating and executing anti-trust laws including the Sherman
and Clayton Acts and overseeing the antitrust enforcement of the Justice
Department. The Judiciary Committee is responsible for protecting the American
consumer and American business from the growth of large companies and
monopolies. The Judiciary Committee acts as an overseer of American business and
protects against monopolization and the formation of trusts.
(2) Approving all new Constitutional amendments, and protection of
rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The Judiciary Committee must approve all new amendments to the
Constitution. With this duty comes the duty to protect the rights contained in
it. The Voting Rights Act is a good example. The Committee also has jurisdiction
over the "due process" amendments (IV, V, VI, and VIII) and the protection of
rights such as habeas corpus. (3) Administering and managing the courts of the United
States. The Committee has the responsibility of facilitating efficient
action within the Justice system. It reforms judicial procedures and rules, and
can create or abolish courts. It also must approve all new judgeships on the
federal level (the district and appeals courts). (4) Regulation of immigration and refugee
affairs. The Judiciary Committee is the overseer of the Naturalization
Services Department of the United States. It can set limits on the amount of
foreigners allowed in, as well as the laws that pertain to those legally allowed
into the country. (5) Regulation of patents, copyrights and trademarks.
The Committee originates all patent and copyright legislation,
including that on home audio and video taping. It also has jurisdiction over
financial syndication and intellectual property rights, or scientific
breakthroughs or ideas. (6) Administration of new technology and its relation to the
law. The Judiciary Committee formulates laws on all issues relating to
information policy. It ensures electronic communication and governs individual
information rights, (such as the Freedom of Information Act), privacy and
security of computer information, as well as trade and licensing of new
technologies. SUBCOMMITTEES: Administrative Oversight and the
Courts Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer
Rights The Constitution, Civil Rights and Property
Rights Crime, Corrections and Victims'
Rights Immigration, Border Security and
Citizenship Terrorism, Technology and Homeland
Security MEMBERS: Orrin G. Hatch, CHAIRMAN, UTAH Patrick J. Leahy, RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER,
VERMONT Charles E. Grassley, IOWA Edward M. Kennedy, MASSACHUSETTS Arlen Specter, PENNSYLVANIA Joseph R. Biden, Jr., DELAWARE Jon Kyl, ARIZONA
Herbert Kohl, WISCONSIN Mike DeWine, OHIO Dianne Feinstein, CALIFORNIA
Jeff Sessions, ALABAMA
Russell D. Feingold, WISCONSIN Lindsey Graham, SOUTH CAROLINA Charles E. Schumer, NEW YORK Larry Craig, IDAHO Richard J. Durbin, ILLINOIS
Saxby Chambliss, GEORGIA John Edwards, NORTH CAROLINA John Cornyn, TEXAS