United States House Committee on the Judiciary

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House Judiciary Committee
Standing committee
Active
Seal of the United States House of Representatives.svg
United States House of Representatives
119th Congress
History
FormedJune 6, 1813
Leadership
Chair Jim Jordan (R)
Since January 7, 2023
Ranking member Jamie Raskin (D)
Since January 3, 2025
Structure
Seats44
Political partiesMajority (25)
  •   Republican (25)
Minority (19)
Jurisdiction
Senate counterpart Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Website
judiciary.house.gov (Republican)
democrats-judiciary.house.gov (Democratic)

    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 the legal nature of its oversight, committee members usually have a legal background, but this is not required.

    Contents

    In the 119th Congress, the chair of the committee is Republican Jim Jordan of Ohio, and the ranking minority member is Democrat Jamie Raskin of Maryland.

    History

    The committee was created on June 3, 1813, [1] 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 the 115th Congress, the chair 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. [2] On November 28, 2017, Jerrold Nadler of New York was named as acting ranking member.

    In 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 a bid for another office. [3] 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.

    Predecessor committees

    Members, 119th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    Resolutions electing members: H.Res. 13 (Chair), H.Res. 14 (Ranking Member), H.Res. 31 (R), H.Res. 40 (D)

    Subcommittees

    SubcommitteeChair [5] Ranking Member [6]
    Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI) Jerry Nadler (D-NY)
    The Constitution and Limited Government Chip Roy (R-TX) Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA)
    Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet Darrell Issa (R-CA) Hank Johnson (D-GA)
    Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Andy Biggs (R-AZ) Lucy McBath (D-GA)
    Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Tom McClintock (R-CA) Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)
    Oversight Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) Jasmine Crockett (D-TX)

    Committee leadership

    Chairs
    NamePartyStateStartEnd
    Charles Ingersoll Democratic-RepublicanPA18131815
    Hugh Nelson Democratic-RepublicanVA18151819
    John Sergeant Democratic-RepublicanPA18191822
    Hugh Nelson Democratic-RepublicanVA18221823
    Daniel Webster FederalistMA18231827
    Philip Barbour DemocraticVA18271829
    James Buchanan DemocraticPA18291831
    Warren Davis DemocraticSC18311832
    John Bell DemocraticTN18321834
    Thomas Foster WhigGA18341835
    Samuel Beardsley DemocraticNY18351836
    Francis Thomas DemocraticMD18361839
    John Sergeant WhigPA18391841
    Daniel Barnard WhigNY18411843
    William Wilkins DemocraticPA18431844
    Romulus Saunders DemocraticNC18441845
    George Rathbun DemocraticNY18451847
    Joseph Ingersoll WhigPA18471849
    James Thompson DemocraticPA18491851
    James McLanahan DemocraticPA18511853
    Frederick Stanton DemocraticTN18531855
    George Simmons Whig & RepublicanNY18551857
    George Houston DemocraticAL18571859
    John Hickman RepublicanPA18591863
    James Wilson RepublicanIA18631869
    John Bingham RepublicanOH18691873
    Benjamin Butler RepublicanMA18731875
    James Knott DemocraticKY18751881
    Thomas Reed RepublicanME18811883
    John Tucker DemocraticVA18831887
    David Culberson DemocraticTX18871889
    Ezra Taylor RepublicanOH18891891
    David Culberson DemocraticTX18911895
    David Henderson RepublicanIA18951899
    George Ray RepublicanNY18991903
    John Jenkins RepublicanWI19031909
    Richard Parker RepublicanNJ19091911
    Henry Clayton DemocraticAL19111914
    Edwin Webb DemocraticNC19141919
    Andrew Volstead RepublicanMN19191923
    George Graham RepublicanPA19231931
    Hatton Sumners DemocraticTX19311947
    Earl Michener RepublicanMI19471949
    Emanuel Celler DemocraticNY19491953
    Chauncey Reed RepublicanIL19531955
    Emanuel Celler DemocraticNY19551973
    Peter Rodino DemocraticNJ19731989
    Jack Brooks DemocraticTX19891995
    Henry Hyde RepublicanIL19952001
    Jim Sensenbrenner RepublicanWI20012007
    John Conyers DemocraticMI20072011
    Lamar Smith RepublicanTX20112013
    Bob Goodlatte RepublicanVA20132019
    Jerry Nadler DemocraticNY20192023
    Jim Jordan RepublicanOH2023present
    Ranking members
    NamePartyStateStartEnd
    Emanuel Celler DemocraticNY19471949
    Earl Michener RepublicanMI19491951
    Chauncey Reed RepublicanIL19511953
    Emanuel Celler DemocraticNY19531955
    Chauncey Reed RepublicanIL19551956
    Kenneth Keating RepublicanNY19561959
    William McCulloch RepublicanOH19591973
    Edward Hutchinson RepublicanMI19731977
    Robert McClory RepublicanIL19771983
    Hamilton Fish RepublicanNY19831995
    John Conyers DemocraticMI19952007
    Lamar Smith RepublicanTX20072011
    John Conyers DemocraticMI20112017
    Jerry Nadler DemocraticNY20172019
    Doug Collins RepublicanGA20192020
    Jim Jordan RepublicanOH20202023
    Jerry Nadler DemocraticNY20232025
    Jamie Raskin DemocraticMD2025present

    Historical membership rosters

    118th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    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), H.Res. 1585 (Carter)

    Subcommittees
    SubcommitteeChair [7] Ranking Member [8]
    Administrative State, Regulatory Reform and Antitrust Thomas Massie (R-KY) David Cicilline (D-RI) (until 5/31/23)
    Lou Correa (D-CA) (from 5/31/23)
    The Constitution and Limited Government Mike Johnson (R-LA) (until 10/25/23)
    Chip Roy (R-TX) (from 10/26/23)
    Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA)
    Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet Darrell Issa (R-CA) Hank Johnson (D-GA)
    Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Andy Biggs (R-AZ) Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) (until 7/19/24)
    Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Tom McClintock (R-CA) Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)
    Responsiveness and Accountability to Oversight Ben Cline (R-VA) Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
    Weaponization of the Federal Government (Select) Jim Jordan (R-OH) Stacey Plaskett (D-VI)

    117th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    Resolutions electing members: H.Res. 9 (Chair), H.Res. 10 (Ranking Member), H.Res. 62 (D), H.Res. 63 (R)

    Subcommittees
    SubcommitteeChair [9] Ranking Member [10]
    Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law Ken Buck (R-CO) David Cicilline (D-RI)
    The Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Mike Johnson (R-LA) Steve Cohen (D-TN)
    Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet Darrell Issa (R-CA) Hank Johnson (D-GA)
    Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Andy Biggs (R-AZ) Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)
    Immigration and Citizenship Tom McClintock (R-CA) Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
    Weaponization of the Federal Government Jim Jordan (R-OH)TBA

    116th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    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)

    Subcommittees
    SubcommitteeChairRanking Member [11]
    Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law David Cicilline (D-RI) Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI)
    The Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Steve Cohen (D-TN) Mike Johnson (R-LA)
    Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet Hank Johnson (D-GA) Martha Roby (R-AL)
    Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Karen Bass (D-CA) John Ratcliffe (R-TX)
    Immigration and Citizenship Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) Ken Buck (R-CO)

    115th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    Sources: H.Res. 6 (Chair), H.Res. 45 (D), H.Res. 51 (R) and H.Res. 95 (D)

    114th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    Sources:

    112th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    Sources:

    111th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    Task forces

    Antitrust Task Force: 108th Congress

    Chair: Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI); Ranking member: John Conyers (D-MI)

    The Antitrust Task Force during the 108th Congress existed from March 26, 2003, to September 26, 2003. All Judiciary Committee Members also served as members of the Task Force, [13] and conducted hearings and investigations into consolidation of the Bell Telephone Companies. [14]

    Antitrust Task Force: 110th Congress

    Chair: John Conyers (D-MI); Ranking member: Steve Chabot (R-OH)

    The Antitrust Task Force during the 110th Congress was established February 28, 2007, as a temporary subcommittee to examine the pending merger between XM Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. [15] 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 a Congress counts against that total. [16] A longer term for the task force would cause the Judiciary Committee to exceed this limit.

    Judicial Impeachment: 110th and 111th Congresses

    Chair: Adam Schiff (D-CA) [17] Ranking member: Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) [17]

    Established in September 2008, [18] the Judicial Task force on Judicial Impeachment was to look into charges against District Judge Thomas Porteous. [18] The investigation was not completed by the end of the 110th Congress, and it was reestablished after the 111th Congress convened in January 2009. [19] The responsibilities of the Task Force were expanded to include the case of Judge Samuel B. Kent, [20] leading to hearings [21] and his subsequent impeachment by the full House of Representatives. [22] The Task force finally voted to impeach Porteous on January 21, 2010.

    Projects

    Hearings

    See also

    References

    1. "The Creation of the Judiciary Committee | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives".
    2. Wilkinson, Tracy (November 26, 2017). "Rep. John Conyers quits House committee post amid sexual harassment probe". Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
    3. Beavers, Olivia; Brufke, Juliegrace (February 6, 2020). "House Republicans move Jordan to Judiciary, Meadows to Oversight". The Hill. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
    4. "Rep. Becca Balint Returns to Powerful House Judiciary Committee as Newly Elected Vice Ranking Member | U.S. Representative Becca Balint". balint.house.gov. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
    5. "Chairman Jordan Announces Judiciary Subcommittee Leadership". House Judiciary Committee Republicans. December 30, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
    6. "Nadler Announces Judiciary Committee Democratic Subcommittee Members". U.S. House Judiciary Committee Democrats. January 15, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
    7. "Chairman Jim Jordan Announces Judiciary Subcommittee Leadership". House Judiciary Committee Republicans. January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
    8. "Nadler Announces Judiciary Committee Democratic Subcommittee Members". U.S. House Judiciary Committee Democrats. January 31, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
    9. Chairman Nadler Welcomes New Democratic Members and Announces Democratic Subcommittee Assignments for 117th Congress
    10. Ranking Member Jordan Announces Republican Subcommittee Assignments for 117th Congress
    11. "Collins Announces Ranking Members for House Judiciary Subcommittees". House Judiciary Committee. Archived from the original on January 26, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
    12. Bachus news release Dec. 19
    13. "Judiciary Task Force on Antitrust". Archived from the original on May 14, 2007. Retrieved March 9, 2007.
    14. House Antitrust Task Force, Antitrust Review.com
    15. Anti-Trust Panel to Examine XM-Sirius Merger United States House Committee on the Judiciary Press Release, February 27, 2007
    16. Rules of the House of Representatives Archived February 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , Rule X(b)(C), Page 12
    17. 1 2 "House Judiciary Committee Announces Retention of Alan Baron to Lead Inquiry into Possible Impeachment of Judge Porteous" (Press release). U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary. October 2, 2008. Archived from the original on June 25, 2009. Retrieved June 27, 2009.
    18. 1 2 "House panel moves toward impeaching a judge". Associated Press. September 18, 2008. Retrieved June 27, 2009.
    19. Conyers, John Jr. (January 6, 2009). "H. Res. 15: Authorizing and directing the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire whether the House should impeach G. Thomas Porteous, a judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana". United States House of Representatives. Retrieved June 27, 2009.
    20. Conyers, John Jr. (May 29, 2009). "H. Res. 424: Authorizing and directing the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire whether the House should impeach Samuel B. Kent, a judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas". United States House of Representatives. Retrieved June 27, 2009.
    21. "Victims allege years of sexual misconduct by federal judge". CNN. June 3, 2009. Retrieved June 27, 2009.
    22. Powell, Stewart (June 19, 2009). "U.S. House impeaches Kent". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved June 27, 2009. In action so rare it has been carried out only 14 times since 1803, the House on Friday impeached a federal judge — imprisoned U.S. District Court Judge Samuel B. Kent...