Lamar Smith - OpenCongress Wiki
Lamar Smith
From OpenCongress Wiki
| U.S. Representative Lamar Smith (R) | ||
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| TX-21 | ||
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| Leadership: | No leadership position | |
| Committees: | House Committee on Homeland Security, House Committee on Science and Technology, House Committee on the Judiciary | |
| (subcommittees and past assignments) | ||
| Next election: Nov. 6, 2012
Primary challenge: No Incumbent running: Yes | ||
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2012 candidates for TX-21 | ||
| Confirmed: | Candace Duval, Lamar Smith | |
| Possible: | None so far | |
| Out: | None so far | |
| (more info & editing for TX-21) | ||
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| Official website | ||
Lamar Seeligson Smith, a Republican, has represented the Twenty-First Congressional District of Texas in the United States House of Representatives since 1986. (map)
Contents |
Record and controversies
Congressional scorecards
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Iraq War
Smith voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.[1]
Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal
Transparency
OPEN Government Act
On March 5, 2007, Smith introduced the OPEN Government Act of 2007, a bill to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act, in the House. It was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Main article: OPEN Government Act of 2007
Cape Cod Residence
Lamar Smith purportedly spends most of his time on Cape Cod. His house on the Cape, close to the Kennedy Family compound at Hyannisport, is valued at somewhere between $250,000 and $500,000, according to his Financial Disclosure Statement for the Calendar Year 2005[1], easily more than his residence in his own district, valued at $190,000, according to the Bexar County Appraisal District [2].
Views on Immigration
In September of 2005, a fax intended for Karl Rove was intercepted in which Lamar Smith stated:
"Immigration needs to be considered in the context of: (1). Media Bias, (2). Animosity toward the president and (3) the feelings of the Republican base."
Smith is a member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims as well as the Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity. No issues regarding the legislative jurisdiction of these committees were mentioned in the memo.
Smith also suggests that "Liberals can easily and accurately be painted as opposing enforcement." [3]
Orphan works copyright legislation
On May 22, 2006, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), then ranking member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, introduced the Orphan Works Act of 2006 (H.R. 5439). [2] The bill would “limit the remedies available in a copyright infringement action if the infringer proves that: (1) the infringer performed and documented a reasonably diligent search in good faith to locate the copyright owner before using the work, but was unable to locate the owner; and (2) the infringing use of the work provided attribution to the author and owner of the copyright, if known.” [3]
The bill received no cosponsors, was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, and never received a vote on the floor. [4]
On September 12, 2006, Smith introduced the Copyright Modernization Act of 2006, (H.R. 6052) which would “amend title 17, United States Code, to provide for licensing of digital delivery of musical works and to provide for limitation of remedies in cases in which the copyright owner cannot be located, and for other purposes.” [5]
The bill included the orphan works provisions originally introduced in the Orphan Works Act of 2006, and also included other measures regarding intellectual property rights.[6][7] Like his other bill, Smith's measure attracted no cosponsors, was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, and never received a vote on the floor. [8]
- Main article: orphan works legislation
DC voting rights
When the District of Columbia Fair and Equal Voting Rights Act of 2007 passsed the House on April 19, 2007, with a vote of 241-177, Rep. Smith filed a motion to recommit to require an expedited judicial review for the legislation, which many Republican members said is unconstitutional. The motion, however, failed.
Bio
Background
Smith was born November 19, 1947 in San Antonio, Texas and graduated from T.M.I., The Episcopal School of Texas and Yale University. Smith was elected to the Texas House of Representatives as a Republican in 1980. He served as Bexar County, Texas commissioner from 1982 to 1985. Smith is a follower of Christian Science.
Congressional Career
He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1986.
Positions and Views
A conservative, Smith has advocated ways to reduce illegal immigration and has opposed proposals by Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to offer legal status to some categories of immigrants who have entered the country illegally.
2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated John Courage, and the Libertarian Party nominated James Arthur Strohm to face Smith in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) [4] Smith retained his seat.
Money in politicsThis section contains links to – and feeds from – money in politics databases. For specific controversies, see this article's record and controversies section. Campaign contributionsThe following is drawn from government records of campaign contributions to Lamar Smith. Campaign contributions are one of the most direct conduits for influencing members of Congress. How to use this information. File:SmithLamar elections.jpg Source: Federal Election Commission
Revolving doorThe "revolving door" refers to the passage of staffers between government and industry employment. Former staff for members of Congress often use the connections and knowledge they gained as public employees to help their new employers – often lobbying firms – influence their former employers and institutions.
Privately funded travelThe following is drawn from Lamar Smith's travel disclosure forms. Corporations and other organizations can pay for trips by members of Congress and their staff as long as it is related to official business (though some trips have been glorified junkets). How to use this information.
Personal financesThe following is drawn from Lamar Smith's personal financial disclosure forms. Close study of the data has often revealed conflicts of interest by members of Congress. How to use this information.
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Committees and Affiliations
Committees
- House Committee on Homeland Security
- House Committee on Science and Technology
- House Committee on the Judiciary -Ranking
Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)
- House Committee on Homeland Security
- Subcommittee on Economic Security Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity
- Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness Science and Technology
- House Committee on the Judiciary
- Subcommittee on Task Force on Antitrust
- Subcommittee on Courts the Internet and Intellectual Property - Chair
- Subcommittee on Immigration Border Security and Claims
- House Committee on Science
- Subcommittee on Research
- Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics
- House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct
Coalitions and Caucuses
- Assistant Whip
- Congressional Grace Caucus
- Congressional Sportsman's Caucus
- House G.O.P. Economic Task Force
Boards and other Affiliations
More Background Data
Wikipedia also has an article on Lamar Smith. This article may use content from the Wikipedia article under the terms of the GFDL.
Contact
DC Office:
2184 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-4236
Fax: 202-225-8628
Web Email
Website
District Office - Austin:
13333-A Highway 71 West, Room 100
Austin, TX 78738
Phone: 512-402-9743
Fax: 512-402-9867
District Office - San Antonio:
Guaranty Bank Building
1100 Northeast Loop 410, Suite 640
San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone: 210-821-5024
Fax: 210-821-5947
Campaign Office:
Post Office Box 6155
San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone: 210-826-1085
Articles and resources
Articles
Resources
- Official website
- Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database
