Lamar Smith
Lamar Seeligson Smith (born November 19, 1947) is an increasingly liberal 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.
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.[1]
He is responsible for introducing the controversial SOPA bill into the House of Representatives as an attempt to curb online piracy and copyright infringement.
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.
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
Lamar Smith is married to Elizabeth Lynn Schaefer. He has two sons from his previous marriage. Smith is a Christian Scientist.