House Judiciary Committee

In the U.S. House of Representatives, the House Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over the Courts, and of substantial parts of the Federal law enforcement structure. It does not enter into the selection or confirmation of judges, that being a role Constitutionally reserved for the Senate.

The committee is chaired by Rep. John Conyers (D-Michigan); Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) is ranking minority member.

Under the Standing Rules of the House, it oversees:

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. Members 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.