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Senate Judiciary Committee

Jan 4, 2019

For the first time, GOP women join Senate Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON – For the first time in the history of the Senate, Republican women are joining the Judiciary Committee, a powerful panel that processes nominees for the Supreme Court and engages in contentious debates over abortion and immigration. Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., will be on the committee, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s […]

Aug 1, 2014

Senators discuss protecting women from gun violence

Elvin Daniel is helping to raise his sister Zina’s children because she is no longer around to take care of them. “Every happy milestone is now covered in sadness,” he said. “Mother’s Day is now a day to survive, rather than celebrate because we know that Zina isn’t here to watch over her girls. She […]

Jan 31, 2014

Sentencing reform bill moves to Senate Floor

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday passed a bill that would significantly lower mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug offenses and allow judges to use more discretion when determining sentences for non-violent drug offenses. The committee also voted to add two new mandatory minimum sentences for sexual assault crimes. The American Civil Liberties Union supports […]

Nov 8, 2013

Senate committee reviews proposals

The airing of concerns is underway on proposed changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, designed to reduce costs and delays. Among the biggest concern witnesses testified about during a congressional hearing Tuesday had to do with proportionality, a change that would narrow the scope of discovery to what is proportional to the needs […]

Oct 29, 2013

Senators bicker over state stand your ground laws

WASHINGTON — Trayvon Martin’s mother told a panel of senators Tuesday that state stand your ground self-defense laws do not work and must be amended, reviving the politically charged gun control issue. Democrats who hold majority power in the Senate and are trying to keep it supported Sybrina Fulton’s call. Republicans, led by Sen. Ted […]

Sep 20, 2013

Senate hears call for federal sentencing reform

Growing federal prison populations and related costs are not sustainable, according to the chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, who Wednesday called on his committee to work together to reform the system. “Fiscal responsibility demands it,” Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said. “Justice demands it.” Leahy made it clear he believes some offenders deserve […]

May 16, 2013

Senate committee OKs 3 judicial nominees

WASHINGTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved three of President Barack Obama’s judicial nominees, including one for an influential appeals court, for a full Senate vote. Senators voted 18-0 to move forward with nomination of Sri Srinivasan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, considered the second most […]

Apr 17, 2013

Senators look at antitrust enforcement

Preserving competition is in the best interest of consumers, senators agree, but they question how antitrust laws are enforced. “Vigilant antitrust enforcement means more money in the pockets of American consumers,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., chair of the Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. “It means identifying and preventing com[...]

Mar 6, 2013

Holder promises more openness on nat’l security

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder promised the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that the Obama administration will share more information with Congress and the American people about national security policies, particularly the government’s use of drone strikes. Holder’s comments came at a hearing where both Democratic and Republican senators said they must have access [&hellip[...]

Feb 28, 2013

Senators clash over need to ban assault weapons

WASHINGTON — Recent mass shootings like the massacre of first-graders and staffers at a Connecticut elementary school and the increasing deadliness of assault weapons makes a ban on those firearms more urgent than ever, the Senate author of a proposal to prohibit them said Wednesday. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., made the remark as the Senate […]

Feb 7, 2013

Subcommittee focuses on bankruptcy, courts

The Senate Judiciary Committee has created a new subcommittee focused on federal courts and the bankruptcy litigation system. The new Subcommittee on Bankruptcy and the Courts is one of the new subgroups created by splitting up the former Administrative Oversight and the Courts Subcommittee. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., named chairman of the new subcommittee, said […]

Feb 5, 2013

Panel splits in advancing Cuomo court nominee

ALBANY — The Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced the nomination of a New York City law professor to the state’s highest court, but only after many Republican senators faulted Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s choice for limited experience as a trial lawyer and judge. Chairman John Bonacic, a Middletown Republican, says he’ll forward Jenny Rivera’s name […]

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