Before us now is the Judiciary Committee’s Oversight Plan for the 111th Congress. House Rule X requires every standing committee to adopt an oversight plan by February 15th of each new Congress.
This Committee’s oversight function is one of its primary responsibilities. In the past we have conducted robust oversight and I hope that will continue in the 111th Congress.
I hope that we can focus on issues that are truly important to the American people. We should adopt the President’s philosophy of looking “forward as opposed to looking backwards,” and finding solutions for the American people.
Our oversight should focus on whether the executive branch is effectively executing the laws passed by Congress. We should examine issues where the majority of the American people have clearly defined views, like crime and immigration enforcement, giving these issues the attention that they deserve.
I am pleased the Majority has accepted a number of additional issues that we submitted for consideration. In particular, the plan now includes language calling for a review of the status of the border fence as well as oversight over the newly enacted PRO-IP Act and Second Chance Act. I am also glad to see the oversight plan continues to contain a review of the problem of criminal gangs preying on our communities, including our immigrant communities.
I also note that this plan is non-binding. Thus, the Committee and its Members may consider any other matters that fall within our jurisdiction and we are not bound to consider only the items in this document.
I appreciate the collaboration between the Chairman’s staff and my staff to draft this plan and will vote in favor of its adoption.
I yield back the balance of my time.