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'''Lamar Seeligson Smith ''' (born November 19, 1947) is an increasingly [[liberal]] [[Republican Party|Republican]] U.S. Representative from [[Texas]]'s 21st Congressional District, who was elected to office in 1987. He is one of the wealthiest members of [[Congress]].

'''Lamar Seeligson Smith ''' (born November 19, 1947) is an increasingly [[liberal]] [[Republican Party|Republican]] U.S. Representative from [[Texas]]'s 21st Congressional District, who was elected to office in 1987. He is one of the wealthiest members of [[Congress]]. He is retiring from his seat effective January 3, 2019.

Lamar Smith pretends to be a fiscal conservative based on his vote for a balanced budget amendment, which is a meaningless vote because the amendment has no chance of passing in the [[U.S. Senate]].  Smith also voted for ending taxpayer support of presidential campaigns, which is likewise almost meaningless. He did vote against Obama's raising of the debt ceiling.<ref>http://www.votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/27097/</ref>  

Smithhas claimed to be a fiscal conservative based on his vote for a balanced budget amendment measure with no chance of passing in the [[U.S. Senate]].  Smith voted for ending taxpayer support of presidential campaigns.

He voted against [[Barack H. Obama]]'s raising of the debt ceiling.<ref>http://www.votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/27097/</ref>  

He is responsible for introducing the controversial [[SOPA]] bill into the House of Representatives as an attempt to curb online piracy and copyright infringement.  

He is responsible for introducing the controversial [[SOPA]] bill into the House of Representatives as an attempt to curb online piracy and copyright infringement.  

Rep Smith has introduced, and voted for, a number of bills which placed restrictions on abortion, and has a 100% rating from the [[National Right to Life Committee]].

Smith has introduced, and voted for, a number of bills which placed restrictions on abortion, and has a 100% rating from the [[National Right to Life Committee]].

In June 2011, Smith became embroiled in a controversy over his opposition to the [[Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011]], which would have ended the prohibition of marijuana at the federal level. The bill was introduced by [[Barney Frank]]. Smith announced that he had no intention of giving the bill a hearing in the [[House Judiciary Committee]], of which he is the chairman, thus causing the bill to never reach the floor.

In June 2011, Smith became embroiled in a controversy over his opposition to the [[Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011]], which would have ended the prohibition of marijuana at the federal level. The bill was introduced by [[Barney Frank]]. Smith announced that he had no intention of giving the bill a hearing in the [[House Judiciary Committee]], of which he is the chairman, thus causing the bill to never reach the floor.

Richard Mack, former sheriff of Graham County, Arizona, and the upcoming challenger for Smith's House seat, called Smith a [[RINO]].<ref>[http://www.infowars.com/splc-admits-lying-about-sheriff-mack-lawsuit-pending/ SPLC Admits Lying About Sheriff Mack, Lawsuit Pending]</ref>

Eighteen Republican candidates are running in the Republican primary on March 6, 2016, to choose a nominee to succeed Smith who will then run in the November 6 general election. Among the candidates is former U.S. Representative [[Francisco Canseco]] and [[Robert Stovall]], former chairman of the Republican Party in Bexar County.

==Personal life==

==Personal life==

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[[Category:Republican Party]]

 

[[Category:Republicans]]

[[Category:United States Representatives]]

[[Category:United States Representatives]]

[[Category:Texas]]

[[Category:Texas]]