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44-640: The U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary , also called the House Judiciary Committee , is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives . It is charged with overseeing the administration of justice within the federal courts , federal administrative agencies, and federal law enforcement entities. The Judiciary Committee is often involved in the impeachment process against federal officials. Because of

88-775: A B.A. in political science in 1965. He received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1968. Sensenbrenner served as staff assistant to California U.S. Congressman J. Arthur Younger and Wisconsin State Senator Jerris Leonard . Sensenbrenner was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1968, the same year he graduated from law school. He served in the State Assembly until 1975, and in

132-591: A Congress counts against that total. A longer term for the task force would cause the Judiciary Committee to exceed this limit. Chairman: Adam Schiff (D-CA) Ranking member: Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) Established in September 2008, the Judicial Task force on Judicial Impeachment was to look into charges against District Judge Thomas Porteous . The investigation was not completed by the end of

176-800: A bid for another office. Collins was succeeded as ranking member by Jordan, who represents Ohio's 4th congressional district , but who has never taken a bar examination or practiced law. Resolutions electing members: H.Res. 14 (Chair), H.Res. 15 (Ranking Member), H.Res. 70 (R), H.Res. 71 (D), H.Res. 502 (D), H.Res. 908 (R), H.Res. 1431 (García) Sources: H.Res. 24 (Chair), H.Res. 25 (Ranking Member), H.Res. 46 (D), H.Res. 68 (R), H.Res. 903 (R), H.Res. 1037 (R) Sources: H.Res. 6 (Chair), H.Res. 45 (D), H.Res. 51 (R) and H.Res. 95 (D) Sources: Sources: Chairman: Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI); Ranking member: John Conyers (D-MI) The Antitrust Task Force during

220-627: A bill that created the 9/11 Commission . In 2006, the NRA successfully lobbied Sensenbrenner to add a provision to the Patriot Act re-authorization that requires Senate confirmation of ATF director nominees. In 2005, Sensenbrenner authored the Real ID Act , which requires scrutiny of citizenship before issuing drivers' licenses to make it more difficult for terrorists and criminals to alter their identities by counterfeiting documents. He attached

264-419: A temporary subcommittee to examine the pending merger between XM Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio . The task force operated like any other subcommittee, except that it only has a six-month term. House Rules limit each full committee to just five subcommittees, and any task force, special subcommittee, or other subunit of a standing committee that is established for a cumulative period longer than six months in

308-639: Is excessive and un-American. He released a statement saying: "While I believe the Patriot Act appropriately balanced national security concerns and civil rights, I have always worried about potential abuses." He also criticized the PRISM program, stating that the Patriot Act did not authorize the program. Sensenbrenner supported the Amash–Conyers Amendment , a plan to defund the NSA's telephone surveillance program. "Never, he said, did he intend to allow

352-665: Is supported by civil liberties advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union . In March 2005, Sensenbrenner sided with the parents and siblings in the Terri Schiavo case , who fought unsuccessfully in federal court to block the withdrawal of her feeding tube. Sensenbrenner was the main sponsor of H.R. 4437 , a bill passed by the House in 2005 that would provide additional criminal penalties for aiding and abetting illegal immigration to

396-631: The Congressional Record . Sensenbrenner has also won lottery prizes three times, the largest, $ 250,000, in 1997. Other notable ancestors of Sensenbrenner's include maternal great-great-grandfather John C. Pritzlaff , founder of Milwaukee-based John Pritzlaff Hardware Company , and paternal great-grandfather James C. Kerwin , a justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court . His ancestry includes German, Irish, and Alsatian . In August 2009, Sensenbrenner announced that he

440-400: The 115th Congress , the chairman of the committee was Republican Bob Goodlatte of Virginia , and the ranking minority member was initially Democrat John Conyers of Michigan . On November 26, 2017, Conyers stepped down from his position as ranking member, while he faced an ethics investigation. On November 28, 2017, Jerrold Nadler of New York was named as acting ranking member. In

484-473: The 116th Congress , the House flipped from Republican to Democratic control. Doug Collins , a Republican from Georgia's 9th congressional district , became ranking member and served from 2019 to 2020. In early 2020, Collins stepped down from his leadership position when he became a candidate in the 2020 special election held to replace retiring U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson . Under House Republican rules, members must relinquish leadership positions if they launch

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528-669: The Dalai Lama in Dharamsala , India during the March 2008 protests against China by Tibetans . While there he said, "In the US Congress, there is no division between Democrats and Republicans on the issue of protecting Tibetan culture and eliminating repression against Tibetans around the world." Following the death of Nelson Mandela , Sensenbrenner objected to the executive proclamation by President Barack Obama to lower

572-586: The FBI and NSA 's use of the PATRIOT Act to routinely collect phone metadata from millions of Americans without any suspicion of wrongdoing. He said: The Bureau's broad application for phone records was made under the so-called business records provision of the Act. I do not believe the broadly drafted FISA order is consistent with the requirements of the Patriot Act. Seizing phone records of millions of innocent people

616-699: The FCC regulatory methods. In July 2012, Sensenbrenner advocated amending the Espionage Act of 1917 to enable the prosecution of journalists involved in publishing leaks of state secrets. In December 2011, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Sensenbrenner referred to First Lady Michelle Obama 's "big butt" while talking to church members at a Christmas bazaar at St. Aidan's church in Hartford . Church member Ann Marsh-Meigs told

660-669: The House Science Committee and the former chairman of the House Judiciary Committee ; when the Republicans lost control of the House, he finished his six-year term as chairman and was not chosen as the Judiciary Committee's ranking minority member (that honor went to Lamar S. Smith of Texas ). He served as the ranking Republican on the House Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming from 2007 to 2011 before Republicans abolished

704-695: The United States Congress , standing committees are permanent legislative panels established by the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate rules. ( House Rule X, Senate Rule XXV.) Because they have legislative jurisdiction, standing committees consider bills and issues and recommend measures for consideration by their respective chambers. They also have oversight responsibility to monitor agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions, and in some cases in areas that cut across committee jurisdictions. Due to their permanent nature, these committees exist beyond

748-612: The Wisconsin State Senate from 1975 to early 1979. When 9th District Congressman Bob Kasten vacated his seat to run for governor in 1978, Sensenbrenner ran in the election to succeed him in what was then the 9th District, which covered most of Milwaukee's northern and western suburbs. He defeated his primary opponent, State Assemblywoman Susan Engeleiter , by 589 votes with a plurality of 43%. He defeated Democratic lawyer Matt Flynn in November 1978 with 61% and

792-539: The 108th Congress existed from March 26, 2003, to September 26, 2003. All Judiciary Committee Members also served as members of the Task Force, and conducted hearings and investigations into consolidation of the Bell Telephone Companies. Chairman: John Conyers (D-MI); Ranking member: Steve Chabot (R-OH) The Antitrust Task Force during the 110th Congress was established February 28, 2007, as

836-468: The 110th Congress, and it was reestablished after the 111th Congress convened in January 2009. The responsibilities of the Task Force were expanded to include the case of Judge Samuel B. Kent , leading to hearings and his subsequent impeachment by the full House of Representatives. The Task force finally voted to impeach Porteous on January 21, 2010. Standing committee (United States Congress) In

880-618: The 1989 trial of Walter Nixon , the 2009 trial of Samuel B. Kent , and the 2010 trial of Thomas Porteous . Sensenbrenner introduced the USA PATRIOT Act to the House on October 23, 2001. Although the primary author was Assistant Attorney General of the United States Viet Dinh , Sensenbrenner has been recognized as "one of the architects of the Patriot Act". In November 2004, Sensenbrenner and California Congressman Duncan L. Hunter objected to provisions of

924-705: The House, one person may not serve on more than two standing committees and four subcommittees at one time, though waivers can be granted to serve on additional committees. Also in the House, the House Republican Steering Committee assigns Republican representatives to their committee(s), while the Steering and Policy Committee is in charge of assigning Democratic representatives to committees. The Senate follows similar procedures, with senators being limited to no more than three full committees and five sub-committees. As of June 20, 2020,

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968-649: The NRA lobbied Sensenbrenner to add a provision to the Patriot Act re-authorization that requires Senate confirmation of ATF director nominees. In 1977, Sensenbrenner married Cheryl Warren, daughter of former state attorney general and U.S. District Court Judge Robert W. Warren . The couple have two sons, Frank (born 1981), and Bob (born 1984). Frank worked as a lobbyist for the Canadian embassy in Washington D.C. starting in 2007, although he didn't register with

1012-458: The Senate had 16 standing committees and the House had 20 standing committees. (The count is for standing committees only and does not include select or special committees or joint committees . See those articles for that information.) This United States Congress –related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Jim Sensenbrenner He is the former chairman of

1056-686: The U.S. as an agent for a foreign government. He is currently a visiting fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies , his research focusing on Eurozone financial markets, and has blogged for the Huffington Post on Italian politics and the Vatican . When not in Washington D.C. , Sensenbrenner resides in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin . Sensenbrenner has a net worth of about $ 11.6 million. His net worth in 2010

1100-585: The United States . Sensenbrenner, in spite of unanimous Congressional support, attempted to delay a bill in December 2010 that would have been benefited Hotaru Ferschke, the Japanese-born widow of a United States Marine killed in combat. Congressman John Duncan was able to use "a loophole" to get the bill passed in spite of Sensenbrenner's objections. By adding language in the Senate indicating

1144-525: The adjournment of each two-year meeting of Congress. Most standing committees recommend funding levels—authorizations—for government operations and for new and existing programs. A few have other functions. For example, the Appropriations Committees recommend legislation to provide budget authority for federal agencies and programs. The Budget Committees establish aggregate levels for total spending and revenue that serve as guidelines for

1188-437: The bill would not impact the federal budget Sensenbrenner could no longer block the bill by himself according to House rules. The measure was passed unanimously. On May 9, 2019, Sensenbrenner was one of four Republicans who voted for HR 986, a measure supported by all voting House Democrats intended to maintain protections of those with pre-existing medical conditions to have continued access to affordable medical insurance under

1232-516: The committee after regaining control of the House. At the time of his retirement, Sensenbrenner was the most senior member of the Wisconsin delegation and the second most senior member in the House. Sensenbrenner announced in September 2019 that he would not run for re-election in 2020 . Sensenbrenner was born in Chicago, Illinois . His great-grandfather, Frank J. Sensenbrenner, was involved in

1276-619: The controversial act as a rider on military spending bill HR418, which the Senate passed without debate. On June 17, 2005, Sensenbrenner, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, ended a meeting where Republicans and Democrats were debating the renewal of the USA PATRIOT Act and walked out in response to Democratic members discussing human rights violations at the Guantanamo Bay detainment camp and

1320-664: The creation of an "inspector general" on the federal Judiciary. In fall 2006, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act unanimously passed the Senate, but Sensenbrenner used his position to block final House consideration of the legislation, even though the bill had 324 co-sponsors. The act creates felony -level penalties for animal fighting activities. Sensenbrenner was the only Republican to join House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's Congressional delegation to meet

1364-461: The early marketing of Kotex sanitary napkin and served as the second president of Kimberly-Clark . His grandfather, John S. Sensenbrenner, also spent his entire career working for Kimberly-Clark. Sensenbrenner was raised in Shorewood, Wisconsin , and attended the private Milwaukee Country Day School , from which he graduated in 1961. He matriculated at Stanford University , graduating with

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1408-706: The existing provisions of the Affordable Care Act . On September 8, 2005, Sensenbrenner voted against a bill to provide $ 50 billion in emergency aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina . The bill passed and was signed into law by President George W. Bush . On December 16, 2005, Sensenbrenner introduced the Digital Transition Content Security Act . He helped lead the effort to pass the Intellectual Property Protection Act of 2006 , which

1452-864: The flags to half-staff to honor Mandela. He stated it was his belief that the American flag should only be flown at half-staff for Americans. Sensenbrenner received important international recognitions. In 2014, the Japanese Government awarded him the Order of the Rising Sun , gold and silver stars. He is only the second American to receive the Robert Schuman Medal (2015) after President George H. W. Bush (2014). Sensenbrenner believes in criminal prosecution of broadcasters and cable operators who violate decency standards, in contrast to

1496-505: The issue at a town hall, Sensenbrenner stated, "Nobody's got to use the Internet." In 2006, Sensenbrenner expressed outrage at the FBI raid of the congressional office of Democratic Representative William J. Jefferson , asserting constitutional concerns over separation of powers . He held Judiciary Committee hearings in May 2006 on this issue. One year before, on May 9, 2005, he suggested

1540-650: The legal nature of its oversight, committee members usually have a legal background, but this is not required. In the 118th Congress , the chairman of the committee is Republican Jim Jordan of Ohio , and the ranking minority member is Democrat Jerry Nadler of New York . The committee was created on June 3, 1813, for the purpose of considering legislation related to the judicial system . This committee approved impeachment resolutions/ articles of impeachment against presidents in four instances: against Andrew Johnson ( in 1867 ), Richard Nixon ( in 1974 ), Bill Clinton ( in 1998 ), and Donald Trump ( in 2019 ). In

1584-403: The newspaper that she heard Sensenbrenner's remarks. She said the congressman was speaking about the first lady's efforts to combat childhood obesity, and added, "And look at her big butt." On December 22, Sensenbrenner's press secretary said Sensenbrenner had sent Obama a personal note and released a statement saying he regretted his "inappropriate comment". Sensenbrenner's office would not release

1628-547: The ongoing Iraq War . He ordered the court reporter to halt transcription of the proceedings and C-SPAN to shut off its cameras. Sensenbrenner defended his actions by stating that the Democrats and witnesses had violated House rules in discussing issues unrelated to the subject of the meeting. Democrats have claimed that his walkout was contrary to House parliamentary procedure , which is to adjourn either on motion or without objection. In June 2013, Sensenbrenner objected to

1672-575: The text of the note. Sensenbrenner has received high marks from the National Taxpayers Union , a non-profit organization that supports low taxes. Sensenbrenner was named the 2006 "Man of the Year" by the conservative publication Human Events because of his immigration policies. In contrast, in the same year he was rated the second-worst member of the House by Rolling Stone , which dubbed him "the dictator ". Also in 2006,

1716-506: The vote, and in 2006 defeated him in a rematch with 62%. On September 4, 2019, he announced that he would not seek a 22nd term in office and would retire from Congress at the conclusion of the 116th Congress. In 1998, Sensenbrenner was one of the House managers (prosecutors) in the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton . He was also one of the impeachment managers for three other impeachment trials (all for federal judges):

1760-488: The wholesale vacuuming up of domestic phone records, nor did his legislation envision that data dragnets would go beyond specific targets of terrorism investigations." The Amendment fell seven votes short of the number it needed to pass. In October 2013, he introduced the USA Freedom Act in the House, a bill designed to curtail the powers of the NSA and end the NSA's dragnet phone data collection program. The bill

1804-588: The work of the authorizing and appropriating panels. Committees also provide oversight of federal agencies and programs. The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 greatly reduced the number of committees. The membership of each committee is adopted at the beginning of each Congress, usually by adoption of a formal resolution. Each committee is assigned its own staff to assist with its legislative, investigative, and research functions. Several committees divide their work into sub units called subcommittees . Committee sizes range from 6 to 50 members per committee. In

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1848-515: Was $ 9.9 million. He is an heir to the Kimberly-Clark family fortune, but no longer owns any Kimberly-Clark stock. His great-grandfather, Frank J. Sensenbrenner, who served as Kimberly-Clark's second president and CEO during the period Kimberly Clark developed Kotex and numerous other consumable goods, but the congressman has never served on the board or been directly involved with the company. He has put his money into stocks, as detailed in

1892-421: Was reelected 20 more times with no substantive opposition, sometimes running unopposed in what has long been the most Republican district in Wisconsin. His district was renumbered as the 5th after the 2000 census, when Wisconsin lost a district. He never won re-election with less than 62% of the vote. In fact, his worst two re-elections were in 2004, when he defeated UW-Milwaukee professor Bryan Kennedy with 67% of

1936-461: Was supported by large copyright holders and opposed by fair use activists. In 2017, Sensenbrenner joined fellow Congressional Republicans in overturning policies put in place by the Obama administration that required telecommunication carriers like Verizon , AT&T , and Comcast to allow customers to opt in or out from those companies' sharing their confidential information. When asked about

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