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Congressman Bob Goodlatte was elected by the House Republican Conference on the recommendation of the Republican Steering Committee and Judiciary Ranking Member Lamar Smith (TX-R) to serve as the Vice Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee. Congressman Goodlatte has been an active member of the House Judiciary Committee since he was elected to Congress.

“I am truly honored to have been chosen to serve in this position of leadership,” said Congressman Goodlatte. “The Judiciary Committee, which has far-reaching legislative jurisdiction, is one of the most active committees in Congress. In fact, one-third of all legislation introduced in Congress is referred to the Judiciary Committee, and they include a broad range of issues that affect every American.”

The scope of the Judiciary Committee includes civil and criminal judicial proceedings, federal courts and judges, as well as issues related to bankruptcy, abortion, espionage, terrorism, civil liberties, constitutional amendments, gun owners rights, immigration, antitrust laws and impeachment proceedings, just to name a few.

The Judiciary Committee is well-suited to many of Congressman Goodlatte’s legislative priorities which include reining in wasteful spending by requiring the government to have a balanced budget, reforming our tax code to make it fairer and simpler, protecting private property rights, ensuring the Internet is free from regulatory burdens and combating spyware.

Goodlatte continued, “The scope of the Judiciary Committee provides Members who serve there the opportunity to consider and debate some of the most significant issues of our day. It is an honor to serve Virginia and our nation in this capacity and I look forward to my continued legislative work on the Judiciary Committee in the coming Congress.”

“I’m happy to have Congressman Goodlatte serve as Vice Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee for the 111th Congress,” said Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith. “During his tenure on the Committee, Bob has been a leading voice on issues ranging from national security and immigration enforcement to civil liberties and intellectual property. His unwavering commitment to justice and his willingness to reach across party lines make him an invaluable member of the Committee and I look forward to working with him in this new role next Congress.”

In addition to his new role on the House Judiciary Committee, Congressman Goodlatte, who was required to step down as the lead Republican on the House Agriculture Committee because of a three term limit set by the House Republican Leadership in 1994, was selected to serve as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research. This important subcommittee has jurisdiction over a wide range of issues including water conservation, energy production, rural electrification, agricultural credit and agricultural research and education.

“Energy is vital to every sector of the U.S. economy, including homes, small businesses and industries. Energy powers everything from computers and appliances, technology and the Internet and fuels transportation and farming,” said Congressman Goodlatte. “It has never been more evident that America is in need of a comprehensive energy policy and I look forward to being a strong voice on this important issue in my new role as the Ranking Member on the Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research Subcommittee.”

Congressman Goodlatte will also serve on the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry. This subcommittee, which has jurisdiction of livestock, dairy and poultry, inspection, marketing and promotion of these commodities, animal welfare and grazing, is particularly important to the farmers of the 6th Congressional District, which includes the Shenandoah Valley and parts of central and southwest Virginia. The Sixth District is one of the leading turkey and poultry producing districts in the nation and ranks among the top 100 in fruit, cattle, dairy products, sheep, corn, and barely production. In addition to being one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, this region is also one of the most agriculturally diverse. From corn and grains to vineyards and livestock to forestry products, the Sixth District has a vibrant agricultural economy.

“American agriculture is a dynamic part of our national economy and a significant part of our local communities,” said Congressman Goodlatte. “If you eat, agriculture impacts your life and it is important to ensure that American agriculture can continue to meet the needs of our nation. I have served on the Agriculture Committee since being elected to the Congress and I look forward to working in my new leadership role to address the important agricultural issues facing the United States and the Sixth District of Virginia.”

Congressman Goodlatte has served on the House Agriculture Committee since arriving in Congress in January 1993. He has served the Agriculture Committee in a variety of leadership roles including Chairman of the Subcommittee on Department, Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry Subcommittee (1996-2002), Chairman of the full Agriculture Committee (2003-2006), and Ranking Member of the full Agriculture Committee (2007-2008).