Lamar S. Smith

This article is about the American politician. For other uses, see Lamar Smith.

Lamar S. Smith
Chairman of the House Science Committee
Assumed office
January 3, 2013
Preceded by Ralph Hall
Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by John Conyers
Succeeded by Bob Goodlatte
Chairman of the House Ethics Committee
In office
January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2001
Preceded by James V. Hansen
Succeeded by Joel Hefley
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Texas's 21st district
Assumed office
January 3, 1987
Preceded by Tom Loeffler
Bexar County Commissioner
from the 3rd district
In office
January 1983 – January 1985
Preceded by Jeff Wentworth
Succeeded by Walter Bielstein
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 57th district
In office
December 15, 1981 – November 15, 1982
Preceded by James Nowlin
Succeeded by Chock Word
Personal details
Born Lamar Seeligson Smith
(1947-11-19) November 19, 1947
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Elizabeth Lynn Schaefer
Alma mater Yale University
Southern Methodist University
Profession lawyer
journalist
Religion Christian Science

Lamar Seeligson Smith (born November 19, 1947) is the U.S. Representative (Republican) for Texas's 21st congressional district, serving since 1987. The district includes most of the wealthier sections of San Antonio and Austin, as well as some of the Texas Hill Country. He sponsored the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), and the Protecting Children From Internet Pornographers Act (PCIP). He also co-sponsored the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act.[1]

Smith attended the private high school at TMI — The Episcopal School of Texas and graduated in 1965.[2] He then earned a B.A. in American Studies from Yale University (1969)[3] and a J.D. from Southern Methodist University (1975).[4]

In 1969, Smith was hired as a management intern by the Small Business Administration in Washington, D.C.[5] He was a business and financial writer for the Christian Science Monitor (1970–1972),[5] was admitted to the Texas bar in 1975, and went into private practice in San Antonio with the firm of Maebius and Duncan, Inc.[5]

State politics

In 1978, he was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Bexar County. In 1980, Smith was elected to the Texas House of Representatives representing Bexar County, the 57th District. He served on the Energy Resources Committee and the Fire Ants Select Committee.[6] In 1982, he was elected to the 3rd Precinct of the Bexar County Commission.

U.S. House of Representatives

Earlier portrait of Congressman Lamar S. Smith

Elections

1986

In 1986, four-term incumbent Republican U.S. Congressman Tom Loeffler of Texas' 21st congressional district decided to retire to run for governor of Texas. Smith led a crowded six-way primary with 31% of the vote[7] and then defeated Van Archer in the run-off election 54%–46%.[8] He won the general election with 61% of the vote.[9]

1988–2002

During this time period, he never won re-election with less than 72% of the vote.

2004

Smith's district was significantly altered in the 2003 Texas redistricting. While he lost most of the Hill Country to the 23rd District, he picked up a significant portion of Austin, including the area around the University of Texas, a traditional bastion of liberalism. Smith won re-election with 62% of the vote, Smith's lowest winning percentage since his initial run in 1986.[10]

2006

In 2006, the Supreme Court of the United States threw out the 23rd District in League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry on the grounds that it violated the rights of Latino voters. The 23rd is the largest district in the nation (not counting the at-large districts), stretching across 800 road miles from El Paso to San Antonio. Due to its size, nearly every district in the El Paso-San Antonio corridor had to be redrawn. Smith regained most of the Hill Country, but kept a large portion of his share of Austin, including the area around the University of Texas.

In November 2006 the Texas Legislative Council [11] found that nearly two-thirds of voters in District 21 cast ballots for statewide Republican candidates in 2004. In the November 2006 open election, Smith faced six candidates. He defeated Democrats John Courage and Gene Kelly 60%–24%–9%.[12][13] This was Smith's lowest winning percentage of his career.

2008

He only faced one candidate, Libertarian nominee James Arthur Strohm, and defeated him with 80% of the vote.[14]

2010

He faced two candidates, Democratic nominee Lainey Melnick and Libertarian nominee James Arthur Strohm, and won with 69% of the vote.[15]

2012

Smith faced five challengers in the 2012 general election on November 6, 2012: Candace Duval (Dem), John-Henry Liberty (Lib), Fidel Castillo (Grn), Bill Stout (Grn), and Carlos Pena (Ind).[16] He won the race with 63% of the vote.[17]

2014

Smith won re-nomination to fifteenth House term in the Republican primary held on March 4, 2014. He received 40,262 votes (60.4 percent). His runner-up was Matt McCall (born c. 1963) of San Antonio, with 22,596 votes (33.9 percent). Michael J. Smith polled the remaining 3,772 votes (5.7 percent).[18]

2016

Smith won re-nomination to a sixteenth term in the House in the Republican primary held on March 1. He received 69,872 votes (60.1 percent). Running against him once more was Matt McCall, who drew 33,597 votes (28.9 percent). McCall polled 11,000 more votes than he did in 2014, but his percent went down because of higher turnout. Two other candidates held the remaining 11 percent of the ballots cast.[19]

Smith faces the Democrat Tom Wakely (born c. 1953) of San Antonio in the November 8 general election.

Tenure

Abortion

Smith has consistently supported restrictions on abortion. In 2009, Smith voted to prohibit federally funded abortions.[20] In 2006, Smith voted for the Abortion Pain Bill, which would “ensure that women seeking an abortion are fully informed regarding the pain experienced by their unborn child”,[21] and the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, which would “prohibit taking minors across State lines in circumvention of laws requiring the involvement of parents in abortion decisions”.[22] In 2008, the National Right to Life Committee, an anti-abortion-rights advocacy group, gave Representative Smith a rating of 100 on a point system in which points were assigned for actions in support of legislation they described as pro-life.[23]

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

On April 23, 2006 CNET reported that Smith was introducing a bill that "would expand the DMCA's restrictions on software that can bypass copy protections and grant federal police more wiretapping and enforcement powers".[24] The move sparked a negative response among technology enthusiasts in opposition to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011

On June 23, 2011, H.R. 2306 was introduced to Congress by Barney Frank and co-signer Ron Paul.[25] The intent of the bill was to end the Federal prohibition on cannabis, turning over the regulation of marijuana to states (similar to alcohol). The bill was the first of its kind since prohibition began. H.R. 2306 would limit federal powers to interstate transfer; while laws for cultivation, sales, use, and taxation would be determined by each state. This bill was well received by the public, especially medical marijuana patients and activists.

Lamar Smith informed reporters that he had no intention of considering the bill or providing it with a hearing. With Smith's position as chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, he has great influence on what bills will be considered.

Smith stated that "Marijuana use and distribution is prohibited under federal law because it has a high potential for abuse and does not have an accepted medical use in the U.S., The Food and Drug Administration has not approved smoked marijuana for any condition or disease".[26] Smith also stated that "Decriminalizing marijuana will only lead to millions more Americans becoming addicted to drugs and greater profits for drug cartels who fund violence along the U.S.-Mexico border. Allowing states to determine their own marijuana policy flies in the face of Supreme Court precedent".[26]

On June 24, 2011, Lamar Smith's Facebook page was flooded with protests from citizens, asking him to change his position on the bill and calling for a fair hearing. Smith's Facebook page was temporarily taken down soon after, to be returned void of all comments related to H.R. 2306 and with future comments disabled.[27] The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) encouraged MMJ patients and activists to contact Smith via his phone, which was soon turned to an automatic answering machine, stating the office was closed.[27]

Donations

In 2011 Smith had received $37,250 in campaign contributions from the Beer, Wine and Liquor Lobby,[28] and $65,800 total between 2009 and 2011. He received more than $133,000 from the Content Industry, including Industry groups and individual companies through mid-2011. Another $60,000 was donated by these companies in the 2012 Election Cycle.[29] Maplight.org listed the Beer, Wine, and Liquor Lobby as third among Smith's top ten campaign contributors, and Content Industry as #1.[30]

Leahy-Smith America Invents Act

In 2011 Smith co-sponsored the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, a bill that made significant changes to the U.S. patent system.[1] The bill was signed into law by President Barack Obama on September 16, 2011.[31] The law will switch U.S. rights to a patent from the present first-to-invent system to a first inventor-to-file system for patent applications filed on or after March 16, 2013.[32][33]

Space Launch Liability Indemnification Extension Act

On November 20, 2013, Smith introduced the Space Launch Liability Indemnification Extension Act (H.R. 3547; 113th Congress), a bill that would extend until December 31, 2014, the current limitation on liability of commercial space launch companies.[34] Under the current system, the space launch company is liable for any damages up to $500 million, after which the U.S. Government will pay the damages in the range of $500 million to $2.7 billion. Above $2.7 billion, the company is again responsible.[35]

STEM Education Act of 2014

On July 8, 2014, Smith introduced the STEM Education Act of 2014 (H.R. 5031; 113th Congress), a bill that would add computer science to the definition of STEM fields used by the United States federal government in determining grants and education funding.[36][37] Smith said that "we have to capture and hold the desire of our nation's youth to study science and engineering so they will want to pursue these careers. A health and viable STEM workforce, literate in all STEM subjects including computer science, is critical to American industries. We must work to ensure that students continue to go into these fields so that their ideas can lead to a more innovative and prosperous America."[38]

Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)

On October 26, 2011, Smith introduced the Stop Online Piracy Act (H.R. 3261), also known as SOPA.[39] The bill sought to expand the ability of U.S. law enforcement to fight online trafficking in copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods. SOPA faced significant opposition from internet freedom advocacy groups and web companies, and on January 15, 2012, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor cancelled a planned vote on the bill.[40][41][42]

Protecting Children from Internet Pornographers (PCIP) Act

On May 25, 2011, Smith introduced the Protecting Children from Internet Pornographers Act of 2011, which sought to change sentencing rules and mandated that ISPs keep logs of customer data (such as name, IP addresses, credit card numbers, and bank account numbers) for at least a year.[43] Representative Zoe Lofgren, (D-Calif.) and Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) criticized PCIP. Lofgren said a better name would be "Keep Every Americans' Digital Data for Submission to the Federal Government Without a Warrant Act". Conyers said the bill would allow use of the information for purposes entirely unrelated to fighting child pornography.[43][44]

Taxes

Smith is a signer of Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge.[45]

Climate change

As of 2015, Smith has received more than $600,000 from the fossil fuel industry during his career in Congress.[46] In 2014, Smith got more money from fossil fuels than he did from any other industry.[47] Smith is publicly skeptical of global warming.[48][49][50] Under his leadership, the House Science committee has held hearings that feature the views of skeptics,[51] subpoenaed the records and communications of scientists who published papers that Smith disapproved of,[48] and attempted to cut NASA's earth sciences budget.[52] He has been criticized for conducting "witch hunts" against climate scientists.[47] In his capacity as Chair of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Smith issued more subpoenas in his first three years than the committee had for its entire 54-year history.[47] In a June 2016 response letter to the Union of Concerned Scientists, Mr. Smith cited the work of the House Un-American Activities Committee in the 1950s as valid legal precedent for his investigation.[53][54]

On December 1, 2016 as Chair on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, he tweeted out on behalf of that committee a Breitbart article denying climate change. [55]

Committee assignments

Smith currently serves as chairman of the Committee on Science, Space and Technology for the 113th Congress, having replaced Ralph Hall.[56] Smith has previously served on the Committee on Homeland Security, Committee on the Judiciary (Chairman), the Republican Study Committee, and the Tea Party Caucus.

On January 30, 2015, Law360 reported that Smith has sent letters to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and to the chief technology officer at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, asking for an explanation of media claims of HealthCare.gov sharing private data supplied by subscribers with third-parties such as Google, Twitter, and YouTube.[57]

Personal life

Smith is a Christian Scientist. In 1992, he married Elizabeth Lynn Schaefer,[58] a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, as was his first wife, Jane Shoultz, before her death in 1991.[59] They have two children, Nell Seeligson (born 1976) and Tobin Wells (born 1979), from his previous marriage.

Electoral history

Texas's 21st congressional district: Results 1986–2014[60][61][62]
Year Name Party Votes % Name Party Votes % Name Party Votes %
1986 Lamar Smith Republican 100,346 61% Pete Snelson Democratic 63,779 39% James Robinson Libertarian 1,432 1%
1988 Lamar Smith Republican 203,989 93% James Robinson Libertarian 14,801 7%
1990 Lamar Smith Republican 144,570 75% Kirby Roberts Democratic 48,585 25%
1992 Lamar Smith Republican 190,979 72% James Gaddy Democratic 62,827 24% William Grisham Libertarian 10,847 4%
1994 Lamar Smith Republican 165,595 90% Kerry Lowry Independent 18,480 10%
1996 Lamar Smith Republican 205,830 76% Gordon Wharton Democratic 60,338 22% Randy Rutenbeck Natural Law 3,139 1%
1998 Lamar Smith Republican 165,047 91% Jeffrey Blunt Libertarian 15,561 9%
2000 Lamar Smith Republican 251,049 76% Jim Green Democratic 73,326 22% C.W. Steinbrecher Libertarian 6,503 2%
2002 Lamar Smith Republican 161,836 73% John Courage Democratic 56,206 25% D.G. Roberts Libertarian 4,051 2%
2004 Lamar Smith Republican 209,774 61% Rhett Smith Democratic 121,129 36% Jason Pratt Libertarian 10,216 3%
2006 Lamar Smith Republican 122,486 60% John Courage Democratic 49,957 25% Gene Kelly Democratic 18,355 9% [63]
2008 Lamar Smith Republican 243,471 80% James Strohm Libertarian 60,879 20%
2010 Lamar Smith Republican 162,924 69% Lainey Melnick Democratic 65,927 28% James Strohm Libertarian 7,694 3%
2012 Lamar Smith Republican 187,015 61% Candace Duval Democratic 109,326 35% John-Henry Liberty Libertarian 12,524 4%
2014 Lamar Smith Republican 135,660 72% Antonio Diaz Green 27,831 15% Ryan Shields Libertarian 25,505 13%

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Jackson, Leahy, Smith and Ryan named policymakers of the year, Politico, Published 2011-11-29, Accessed 2012-02-01.
  2. ↑ US Rep Lamar Smith in 1965 at TMI. myalamoheights.com. Retrieved on 2016-01-3.
  3. ↑ Even Presidential Science Advisers Can Give Boring Lectures. sciencemag.org. Retrieved on 2016-01-3.
  4. ↑ "SMITH, Lamar Seeligson, (1947 - )". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 Representative Lamar S. Smith. Independenceave.org. Retrieved on 2012-02-15. Archived January 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ Legislative Reference Library | Legislators and Leaders | Member profile. Lrl.state.tx.us. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.
  7. ↑ TX District 21 – R Primary Race – May 03, 1986. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.
  8. ↑ TX District 21 – R Runoff Race – Jun 07, 1986. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.
  9. ↑ TX District 21 Race – Nov 04, 1986. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.
  10. ↑ TX – District 21 Race – Nov 02, 2004. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.
  11. ↑ Gary Martin, "Courage, other veterans speak out against Bush", San Antonio Express-News, February 8, 2006. Archived September 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  12. ↑ Greg Jefferson, "Remap is looking good for incumbent Smith", San Antonio Express-News, September 3, 2006. Archived September 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  13. ↑ TX – District 21 Race – Nov 07, 2006. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.
  14. ↑ TX – District 21 Race – Nov 04, 2008. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.
  15. ↑ TX – District 21 Race – Nov 02, 2010. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.
  16. ↑ "Texas' 21st Congressional District elections, 2012". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  17. ↑ "Joaquin Castro, Lamar Smith, Lloyd Doggett win U.S. Rep races". Ksat.com. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  18. ↑ "Republican primary election returns, March 4, 2014". Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Republican primary returns". Texas Secretary of State. March 1, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Project Vote Smart – Representative Smith on H Amdt 509 – Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  21. ↑ "Project Vote Smart – Representative Smith on HR 6099 – Abortion Pain Bill". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  22. ↑ "Project Vote Smart – Representative Smith on S 403 – Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  23. ↑ "Project Vote Smart – Representative Lamar S. Smith – Interest Group Ratings". Votesmart.org. 2010-05-14. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  24. ↑ Declan McCullagh , "Congress readies broad new digital copyright bill", CNET, April 24, 2006.
  25. ↑ H.R. 2306: Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011. GovTrack.us. Retrieved on 2011-11-16.
  26. 1 2 "Marijuana bill officially introduced to Congress by Ron Paul, Barney Frank", Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2011, Retrieved on 2012-01-09.
  27. 1 2 "Reefer Madness: Alive And Well In The Federal Government!", NORML blog, (2011-06-24). Retrieved on 2012-1-26.
  28. ↑ Lamar Smith: Campaign Finance/Money – Summary – Representative 2012. OpenSecrets. Retrieved on 2011-11-16.
  29. ↑ Opensecrets.org, Retrieved on 2012-22-02.
  30. ↑ Lamar Smith (R-TX) U.S. House | MAPLight.org – Money and Politics. MAPLight.org. Retrieved on 2011-11-16.
  31. ↑ "President Obama Signs America Invents Act, Overhauling the Patent System to Stimulate Economic Growth, and Announces New Steps to Help Entrepreneurs Create Jobs | The White House". Whitehouse.gov. 2011-09-16. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  32. ↑ Zwahlen, Cyndia (July 11, 2011). "Patent measure causing concern among independent inventors". Los Angeles Times.
  33. ↑ "Leahy-Smith America Invents Act Implementation". Uspto.gov. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  34. ↑ Kasperowicz, Pete (2 December 2013). "Monday: Guns and fire hydrants in the House". The Hill. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  35. ↑ Kasperowicz, Pete (2 December 2013). "Both parties reject EPA fire hydrant guidance". The Hill. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  36. ↑ Callahan, Molly (15 July 2014). "House passes Rep. Esty's STEM Education Act". My Record Journal. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  37. ↑ "H.R. 5031 – Text". United States Congress. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  38. ↑ "House Approves Four Committee Bills". House Committee on Science. 14 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  39. ↑ "Bill Summary & Status – 112th Congress (2011–2012) – H.R.3261 – THOMAS (Library of Congress)". Thomas.loc.gov. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  40. ↑ Lee, Timothy (2012-01-14). "Under voter pressure, members of Congress backpedal (hard) on SOPA". arstechnica.com. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
  41. ↑ Smith, Erica (2012-01-16). "Internet giants to protest controversial legislation with blackouts". STLToday.com (St. Louis Today). Retrieved 2012-01-17.
  42. ↑ Kang, Cecilia (October 26, 2011). "House introduces Internet piracy bill". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  43. 1 2 McCullagh, Declan (July 28, 2011). "House panel approves broadened ISP snooping bill". CNET. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  44. ↑ Gross, Grant (July 28, 2011). "House Panel Votes to Require ISPs to Keep Customer Records". PC World. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
  45. ↑ "The Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers 112th Congressional List" (PDF). Americans for Tax Reform. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  46. ↑ Lisa Rein (December 22, 2015). "Meet the House science chairman who's trying to put global warming research on ice". Washington Post. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  47. 1 2 3 John Abraham (November 11, 2015). "Lamar Smith, climate scientist witch hunter". The Guardian. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  48. 1 2 Warrick, Joby (23 October 2015). "Congressional skeptic on global warming demands records from U.S. climate scientists". Washington Post. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  49. ↑ Smith, Lamar (8 September 2015). "Climate change: Seven indisputable facts". The Hill. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  50. ↑ Billups, Andrea (24 April 2015). "Rep. Lamar Smith: Global Warming Has Become a 'Religion'". Newsmax. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  51. ↑ Gillman, Todd J. (11 January 2013). "House Science Chairman Lamar Smith puts climate change assessment on agenda". Trail Blazer's Blog. Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  52. ↑ Hiltzik, Michael (1 May 2015). "The GOP attack on climate change science takes a big step forward". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  53. ↑ "When Subpoenas Threaten Climate Science". New York Times. 19 July 2016.
  54. ↑ Barenblatt v. United_States
  55. ↑ "The House Science Committee's tweets are an embarrassment to science.".
  56. ↑ Terkel, Amanda (November 27, 2012). "Global Warming Skeptic Set To Chair House Science Committee". Huffington Post.
  57. ↑ http://www.law360.com/health/articles/616939/rep-demands-answers-on-healthcare-gov-data-sharing
  58. ↑ "Lamar Smith – Candidate for U.S. President, Republican Nomination – Election 2012". Election 2012. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  59. ↑ Roper, Peter (January 6, 1991). "Family's privacy protected: Smith silent on wife's death". Del Rio News Herald. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  60. ↑ "Office of the House Clerk – Electoral Statistics". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.
  61. ↑ "Election Results". Federal Election Commission.
  62. ↑ "1992 – Current ELECTION HISTORY". Secretary of State of Texas. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014.
  63. ↑ In 2006, four other candidates received another 6% of the vote.
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Tom Loeffler		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Texas's 21st congressional district
1987–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by
James V. Hansen		 Chairman of the House Ethics Committee
1999–2001 		Succeeded by
Joel Hefley
Preceded by
John Conyers		 Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee
2011–2013 		Succeeded by
Bob Goodlatte
Preceded by
Ralph Hall		 Chairman of the House Science Committee
2013–present 		Incumbent
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Louise Slaughter		 United States Representatives by seniority
15th 		Succeeded by
Fred Upton
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