View source for Lamar Smith

{{Short description|American politician (born 1947)}}
{{About|the American politician||Lamar Smith (disambiguation)}}
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{{Infobox officeholder
|name         = Lamar Smith
|image        = Lamarsmith.jpg
|office       = Chair of the [[United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology|House Science Committee]]
|term_start   = January 3, 2013
|term_end     = January 3, 2019
|predecessor  = [[Ralph Hall]]
|successor    = [[Eddie Bernice Johnson]]
|office1      = Chair of the [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary Committee]]
|term_start1  = January 3, 2011
|term_end1    = January 3, 2013
|predecessor1 = [[John Conyers]]
|successor1   = [[Bob Goodlatte]]
|office2      = Chair of the [[United States House Committee on Ethics|House Ethics Committee]]
|term_start2  = January 3, 1999
|term_end2    = January 3, 2001
|predecessor2 = [[James V. Hansen]]
|successor2   = [[Joel Hefley]]
|state3       = [[Texas]]
|district3    = {{ushr|TX|21|21st}}
|term_start3  = January 3, 1987
|term_end3    = January 3, 2019
|predecessor3 = [[Tom Loeffler]]
|successor3   = [[Chip Roy]]
|office4      = Member of the [[Bexar County, Texas|Bexar County]] Commission<br>from the 3rd district
|term_start4  = January 1983
|term_end4    = January 1985
|predecessor4 = [[Jeff Wentworth]]
|successor4   = Walter Bielstein
|state_house5 = Texas
|district5    = 57th
|term_start5  = December 15, 1981
|term_end5    = November 15, 1982
|predecessor5 = [[James Robertson Nowlin|James Nowlin]]
|successor5   = Chock Word
|birth_name   = Lamar Seeligson Smith
|birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1947|11|19}}
|birth_place  = [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], U.S.
|death_date   = 
|death_place  = 
|party        = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|spouse       = {{marriage|Jane Shoults||1991|end=died}}<br>{{marriage|Elizabeth Schaefer|1992}}
|children     = 2
|education    = [[Yale University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Southern Methodist University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
|module       = {{Listen |pos=center |embed=yes |filename=Rep. Lamar Smith on How to Use E-Verify.ogg |title=Smith's voice |type=speech |description=Smith explaining how to use [[E-Verify]].<br>Recorded February 28, 2015}}
}}
'''Lamar Seeligson Smith''' (born November 19, 1947) is an American politician and lobbyist who served in the [[United States House of Representatives]] for {{ushr|TX|21}} for 16 terms, a district including most of the wealthier sections of [[San Antonio]] and [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], as well as some of the [[Texas Hill Country]]. He is a member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. He [[Sponsor (legislative)|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]].<ref name="LeahySmithPolitico" />

As the head of the [[United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology|House Science Committee]], Smith has been criticized for his [[Climate change denial|denial]] of, and promotion of [[Global warming conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]] about, [[Climate change in the United States|climate change]] and for receiving funding from oil and gas companies.{{refn|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Subpoenas: Rep. Lamar Smith's Favorite Climate Change Denial Tool|url=https://www.houstonpress.com/news/subpoenas-rep-lamar-smiths-favorite-climate-change-denial-tool-8551278|last=Wray|first=Dianna|date=July 11, 2016|work=[[Houston Press]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903124019/https://www.houstonpress.com/news/subpoenas-rep-lamar-smiths-favorite-climate-change-denial-tool-8551278|archive-date=September 3, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=January 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=GOP Congressman Subpoenas Those Investigating Big Oil's Climate Cover-Up|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lamar-smith-climate-change-subpoena_n_5786824be4b08608d3329690|last=D'Angelo|first=Chris|date=December 19, 2016|work=[[HuffPost]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307222024/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lamar-smith-climate-change-subpoena_n_5786824be4b08608d3329690|archive-date=March 7, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=January 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lamar Smith, unbound, lays out political strategy at climate doubters' conference|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/lamar-smith-unbound-lays-out-political-strategy-climate-doubters-conference|last=Mervis|first=Jeffrey|date=March 24, 2017|work=[[Science (journal)|Science]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113164601/https://www.science.org/content/article/lamar-smith-unbound-lays-out-political-strategy-climate-doubters-conference|archive-date=November 13, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=January 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lamar Smith claims climate scientists not following scientific method|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/03/lamar-smith-claims-climate-scientists-not-following-scientific-method/|last=Timmer|first=John|date=March 29, 2017|work=[[Ars Technica]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023030447/https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/03/lamar-smith-claims-climate-scientists-not-following-scientific-method/|archive-date=October 23, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=January 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The House Science Committee's Anti-Science Rampage|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-house-science-committees-anti-science-rampage|last=Krauss|first=Lawrence M.|date=September 14, 2016|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915173703/http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-house-science-committees-anti-science-rampage|archive-date=September 15, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=January 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Meet the House science chairman who's trying to put global warming research on ice|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/federal-eye/wp/2015/12/22/meet-the-house-science-committee-chairman-whos-trying-to-put-global-warming-research-on-ice/|last=Rein|first=Lisa|date=December 22, 2015|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111080050/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/federal-eye/wp/2015/12/22/meet-the-house-science-committee-chairman-whos-trying-to-put-global-warming-research-on-ice/|archive-date=January 11, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=January 1, 2022}}</ref>}} He is a former contributor to [[Breitbart News]], a website known for publishing dubious claims about climate change.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chair of House Science Committee Says the Journal 'Science' Is Not Objective|url=https://www.snopes.com/news/2017/03/29/smith-journal-science-not-objective/|last=Kasprak|first=Alex|date=March 29, 2017|work=[[Snopes]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105101244/https://www.snopes.com/news/2017/03/29/smith-journal-science-not-objective/|archive-date=November 5, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=January 1, 2022}}</ref>

In November 2017, Smith announced that he would retire from [[United States Congress|Congress]] at the end of his current term, and not seek re-election in [[United States House of Representatives elections in Texas, 2018|2018]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Livingston |first=Abby |date=November 2, 2017 |title=Lamar Smith retiring from Congress |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2017/11/02/lamar-smith-retiring-congress/ |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |location=Austin, Texas |access-date=November 2, 2017 }}</ref> In 2021, Smith registered as a lobbyist for the surveillance firm [[HawkEye 360]] on behalf of [[Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld]].<ref>{{cite web |title=LD-2 Disclosure Form |url=https://lda.senate.gov/filings/public/filing/17e13242-b57e-417e-b460-9fc9ba99f388/print/ |access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref> In 2022, he officially registered as a [[Foreign Agents Registration Act|foreign agent]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oprysko |first=Caitlin |title=Lamar Smith registers as a foreign agent |url=https://politi.co/3uWUqCT |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=POLITICO |date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

== Early life, education, and legal career ==
Smith attended a private high school, then called Texas Military Institute, now known as [[TMI — The Episcopal School of Texas]], and graduated in 1965.<ref name="heights">[http://www.myalamoheights.com/TMI/u-s-rep-lamar-smith-in-1964-at-tmi US Rep Lamar Smith in 1965 at TMI]. myalamoheights.com. Retrieved on 2016-01-3.</ref> He then earned a B.A. in American Studies from [[Yale University]] (1969)<ref>[https://www.science.org/content/article/even-presidential-science-advisers-can-give-boring-lectures Even Presidential Science Advisers Can Give Boring Lectures]. sciencemag.org. Retrieved on 2016-01-3.</ref> and a J.D. from [[Southern Methodist University]] (1975).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=s000583 |title=SMITH, Lamar Seeligson, (1947 - ) |work=bioguide.congress.gov |access-date=December 2, 2016}}</ref>

In 1969, Smith was hired as a management intern by the [[Small Business Administration]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="independencebio">[http://independenceave.org/congress/member/tx/21 Representative Lamar S. Smith]. Independenceave.org. Retrieved on 2012-02-15. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125080725/http://independenceave.org/congress/member/tx/21 |date=January 25, 2012 }}</ref> He was a business and financial writer for the ''[[Christian Science Monitor]]'' (1970–1972),<ref name="independencebio" /> was [[Admission to the bar in the United States|admitted]] to the Texas [[Bar (law)|bar]] in 1975, and went into private practice in San Antonio with the firm of Maebius and Duncan, Inc.<ref name="independencebio" />

== State politics ==
In 1978, he was elected chairman of the Republican Party of [[Bexar County, Texas|Bexar County]]. In 1980, Smith was elected to the [[Texas House of Representatives]] representing [[Bexar County, Texas|Bexar County]], the 57th District. He served on the Energy Resources Committee and the Fire Ants Select Committee.<ref>[http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/legeLeaders/members/memberdisplay.cfm?memberID=1878 Legislative Reference Library | Legislators and Leaders | Member profile]. Lrl.state.tx.us. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.</ref> In 1982, he was elected to the 3rd Precinct of the Bexar County Commissioners Court and served from 1983 to 1986.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/politicsinameric0000unse_d1i5 |url-access=registration |title=Politics In America 2002 |publisher=CQ |year=2002 |page=[https://archive.org/details/politicsinameric0000unse_d1i5/page/996 996] |access-date=May 9, 2018|isbn=9781568026565 }}</ref>

== U.S. House of Representatives ==
[[File:Lamar S. Smith, official Congressional photo portrait.jpg|thumb|left|Earlier portrait of Congressman Lamar Smith]]
[[File:Bush Contact Sheet P19957 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Smith greets [[President of the United States|President]] [[George H. W. Bush]] in 1991]]
[[File:Executive Order Improving Agency Disclosure of Information.jpg|thumb|right|Smith watches as [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]] signs an Executive Order in 2005]]
[[File:Transition Authorization Act Signing.jpg|thumb|right|Smith looks on as [[President of the United States|President]] [[Donald Trump]] signs the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017]]

=== Elections ===
==== 1986 ====
In 1986, four-term incumbent Republican U.S. Congressman [[Tom Loeffler]] of [[Texas's 21st congressional district]] decided to retire to run for [[governor of Texas]]. Smith led a crowded six-way primary with 31% of the vote<ref>[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=513769 TX District 21&nbsp;– R Primary Race&nbsp;– May 03, 1986]. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.</ref> and then defeated Van Archer in the run-off election 54–46%.<ref>[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=513770 TX District 21&nbsp;– R Runoff Race&nbsp;– Jun 07, 1986]. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.</ref> He won the general election with 61% of the vote.<ref>[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=38458 TX District 21 Race&nbsp;– Nov 04, 1986]. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.</ref>

==== 1988–2002 ====
During this time period, he never won re-election with less than 72% of the vote.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

==== 2004 ====
{{Main|2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 21}}

Smith's district was significantly altered in the [[2003 Texas redistricting]]. While he lost most of the Hill Country to the [[Texas's 23rd congressional district|23rd District]], he picked up a significant portion of Austin, including the area around the [[University of Texas at Austin|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.<ref>[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=4372 TX&nbsp;– District 21 Race&nbsp;– Nov 02, 2004]. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.</ref>

==== 2006 ====
{{Main|2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 21}}

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<ref name="SAEN-2-8-06">Gary Martin, [http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA020806.en.POLcourage.bush.a7b1b44.html "Courage, other veterans speak out against Bush"], ''San Antonio Express-News'', February 8, 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929100034/http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA020806.en.POLcourage.bush.a7b1b44.html |date=September 29, 2007 }}</ref> 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%.<ref name="SAEN-9-3-06">Greg Jefferson, [http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA090406.01B.congresssmith.2ccea81.html "Remap is looking good for incumbent Smith"], ''San Antonio Express-News'', September 3, 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929105717/http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA090406.01B.congresssmith.2ccea81.html |date=September 29, 2007 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=207725 TX&nbsp;– District 21 Race&nbsp;– Nov 07, 2006]. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.</ref> This was Smith's lowest winning percentage of his career.

==== 2008 ====
{{Main|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 21}}

He only faced one candidate, [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]] nominee James Arthur Strohm, and defeated him with 80% of the vote.<ref>[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=401689 TX&nbsp;– District 21 Race&nbsp;– Nov 04, 2008]. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.</ref>

==== 2010 ====
{{Main|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 21}}

He faced two candidates, Democratic nominee Lainey Melnick and Libertarian nominee James Arthur Strohm, and won with 69% of the vote.<ref>[http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=526108 TX&nbsp;– District 21 Race&nbsp;– Nov 02, 2010]. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-01-09.</ref>

==== 2012 ====
{{Main|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 21}}

Smith faced five challengers in the 2012 general election on November 6, 2012: [[Candace Duval]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|Dem]]), John-Henry Liberty ([[Libertarian Party (United States)|Lib]]), Fidel Castillo ([[Green Party of the United States|Grn]]), Bill Stout (Grn), and Carlos Pena ([[Independent (politician)|Ind]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Texas%27_21st_congressional_district_elections,_2012 |title=Texas' 21st Congressional District elections, 2012 |work=Ballotpedia |access-date=2014-08-10}}</ref> He won the race with 63% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ksat.com/news/politics/Joaquin-Castro-Lamar-Smith-Lloyd-Doggett-win-U-S-Rep-races/-/2567674/17294152/-/owkg0w/-/index.html |title=Joaquin Castro, Lamar Smith, Lloyd Doggett win U.S. Rep races |publisher=Ksat.com |access-date=2014-08-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325065149/http://www.ksat.com/news/politics/Joaquin-Castro-Lamar-Smith-Lloyd-Doggett-win-U-S-Rep-races/-/2567674/17294152/-/owkg0w/-/index.html |archive-date=2013-03-25 }}</ref>

==== 2014 ====
{{Main|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 21}}

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).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/mar04_169_state.htm?x=0&y=218&id=176 |title=Republican primary election returns, March 4, 2014 |publisher=Texas Secretary of State |access-date=March 5, 2014 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==== 2016 ====
{{Main|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 21}}

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/mar01_273_state.htm?x=0&y=3422&id=220|title=Republican primary returns|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|date=March 1, 2016|access-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306143743/https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/mar01_273_state.htm?x=0&y=3422&id=220|archive-date=March 6, 2016}}</ref>

Smith faced the Democrat Tom Wakely (born c. 1953) of San Antonio in the November 8 general election. Smith (Republican) won with 57.0%; Tom Wakely (Democratic) got 36.5%; Mark Loewe (Libertarian) got 4.1%; and Antonio Diaz (Green) got 2.4%. It was easily the closest race of Smith's career, and the closest since the GOP began its current run in the district; Loeffler won his first term in 1978 with 57 percent of the vote.

=== Tenure ===
==== Abortion ====
Smith has consistently supported [[restrictions on abortion]]. In 2009, Smith voted to prohibit federally funded [[abortion]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=28173&can_id=27097 |title=Project Vote Smart – Representative Smith on H Amdt 509 – Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services |publisher=Votesmart.org |access-date=2010-08-29 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> 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",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=11772&can_id=27097 |title=Project Vote Smart – Representative Smith on HR 6099 – Abortion Pain Bill |publisher=Votesmart.org |access-date=2010-08-29}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=7972&can_id=27097 |title=Project Vote Smart – Representative Smith on S 403 – Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act |publisher=Votesmart.org |access-date=2010-08-29}}</ref> In 2008, the [[National Right to Life Committee]], an anti-abortion 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=27097 |title=Project Vote Smart – Representative Lamar S. Smith – Interest Group Ratings |publisher=Votesmart.org |date=2010-05-14 |access-date=2010-08-29}}</ref>

==== 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".<ref>Declan McCullagh, [http://news.cnet.com/2100-1028_3-6064016.html?part=rss&tag=6064016&subj=news "Congress readies broad new digital copyright bill"], [[CNET]], April 24, 2006.</ref> The move sparked a negative response among technology enthusiasts in opposition to the [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]].

==== Marijuana ====
Smith is a strong opponent of [[marijuana legalization]]; as chairman of the [[House Committee on the Judiciary]], Lamar blocked committee consideration of the [[Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011]], a bill to repeal the federal prohibition on marijuana and allow the states to set laws on cultivation, sales, use, and taxation. Smith stated that "marijuana use and distribution&nbsp;– has a high potential for abuse" and 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."<ref name="latimes">Tony Pierce, [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2011/06/marijuana-bill-officially-introduced-to-congress-by-ron-paul-barney-frank.html "Marijuana bill officially introduced to Congress by Ron Paul, Barney Frank"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' June 23, 2011.</ref>

==== Donations ====
In 2011 Smith had received $37,250 in campaign contributions from the Beer, Wine and Liquor Lobby,<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00001811 Lamar Smith: Campaign Finance/Money&nbsp;– Summary&nbsp;– Representative 2012]. OpenSecrets. Retrieved on 2011-11-16.</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=2012&cid=N00001811] Opensecrets.org, Retrieved on 2012-22-02.</ref> Maplight.org listed the Beer, Wine, and Liquor Lobby as third among Smith's top ten campaign contributors, and Content Industry as #1.<ref>[http://maplight.org/us-congress/legislator/470-lamar-smith Lamar Smith (R-TX) U.S. House | MAPLight.org&nbsp;– Money and Politics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125063103/http://maplight.org/us-congress/legislator/470-lamar-smith |date=2011-11-25 }}. MAPLight.org. Retrieved on 2011-11-16.</ref>

==== 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.<ref name="LeahySmithPolitico">[https://www.politico.com/story/2011/11/jackson-leahy-smith-ryan-named-policymakers-of-year-069373 Jackson, Leahy, Smith and Ryan named policymakers of the year], ''[[Politico]]'', Published 2011-11-29, Accessed 2012-02-01.</ref> The bill was signed into law by [[President of the United States|President]] [[Barack Obama]] on September 16, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/16/president-obama-signs-america-invents-act-overhauling-patent-system-stim |title=President Obama Signs America Invents Act, Overhauling the Patent System to Stimulate Economic Growth, and Announces New Steps to Help Entrepreneurs Create Jobs &#124; The White House |date=2011-09-16 |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] |access-date=2014-08-10}}</ref> The law will switch U.S. rights to a patent from the present [[First to file and first to invent|first-to-invent]] system to a [[First to file and first to invent|first inventor-to-file]] system for patent applications filed on or after March 16, 2013.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2011-jul-11-la-fi-smallbiz-patents-20110711-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | first=Cyndia | last=Zwahlen | title=Patent measure causing concern among independent inventors | date=July 11, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uspto.gov/aia_implementation/index.jsp |title=Leahy–Smith America Invents Act Implementation |publisher=Uspto.gov |access-date=2014-08-10}}</ref>

==== 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.<ref name="mondayPete">{{cite news|last=Kasperowicz|first=Pete|title=Monday: Guns and fire hydrants in the House|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/scheduling/191688-monday-guns-and-fire-hydrants-in-the-house/|access-date=6 December 2013|newspaper=The Hill|date=2 December 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name="rejectEPA">{{cite news|last=Kasperowicz|first=Pete|title=Both parties reject EPA fire hydrant guidance|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/votes/191828-gop-dems-reject-epa-rule-on-fire-hydrants/|access-date=6 December 2013|newspaper=The Hill|date=2 December 2013}}</ref>

==== 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.<ref name="Callahan1">{{cite news|last1=Callahan|first1=Molly|title=House passes Rep. Esty's STEM Education Act|url=http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/5036761-129/house-passes-rep-estys-stem-education-act.html|access-date=16 July 2014|publisher=My Record Journal|date=15 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720202557/http://www.myrecordjournal.com/meriden/meridennews/5036761-129/house-passes-rep-estys-stem-education-act.html|archive-date=20 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="5031text">{{cite web|title=H.R. 5031 – Text|date=15 July 2014 |url=https://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/5031/text|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=16 July 2014}}</ref> 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."<ref name="CommitPR14">{{cite web|title=House Approves Four Committee Bills|url=http://science.house.gov/press-release/house-approves-four-committee-bills|publisher=House Committee on Science|access-date=16 July 2014|date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727071453/http://science.house.gov/press-release/house-approves-four-committee-bills|archive-date=27 July 2014}}</ref>

==== Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) ====
On October 26, 2011, Smith introduced the [[Stop Online Piracy Act]] (H.R. 3261), also known as SOPA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:h.r.03261: |title=Bill Summary & Status – 112th Congress (2011–2012) – H.R.3261 – THOMAS (Library of Congress) |publisher=Thomas.loc.gov |access-date=2014-08-10 |archive-date=2015-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102164747/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:h.r.03261: |url-status=dead }}</ref> The bill sought to expand the ability of U.S. law enforcement to fight online trafficking in copyrighted [[intellectual property]] and [[counterfeit consumer goods|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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Timothy|title=Under voter pressure, members of Congress backpedal (hard) on SOPA|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/under-voter-pressure-members-of-congress-backpedal-on-sopa.ars|access-date=2012-01-17|newspaper=[[arstechnica.com]]|date=2012-01-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Erica|title=Internet giants to protest controversial legislation with blackouts |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/multimedia/internet-giants-to-protest-controversial-legislation-with-blackouts/article_42a43110-40af-11e1-b572-0019bb30f31a.html|access-date=2012-01-17|newspaper=STLToday.com (St. Louis Today)|date=2012-01-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://ia.rediff.com/news/2000/may/26vaiko.htm |title=House introduces Internet piracy bill |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Cecilia |last=Kang |date=October 26, 2011 |access-date=February 4, 2012}}</ref>

==== 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 [[ISP]]s keep logs of customer data (such as name, [[IP address]]es, credit card numbers, and bank account numbers) for at least a year.<ref name="cnet broadened snooping">{{cite news | url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20084939-281/house-panel-approves-broadened-isp-snooping-bill/#ixzz1TRHj2GCD | title=House panel approves broadened ISP snooping bill | work=CNET | date=July 28, 2011 | access-date=February 4, 2012 | author=McCullagh, Declan}}</ref> 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.<ref name="cnet broadened snooping" /><ref name="pcworld customer records">{{cite news | first = Grant | last = Gross | title = House Panel Votes to Require ISPs to Keep Customer Records | date = July 28, 2011 | url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/236866/house_panel_votes_to_require_isps_to_keep_customer_records.html | work = PC World | access-date = 2011-10-25 | archive-date = 2012-02-04 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120204044450/http://www.pcworld.com/article/236866/house_panel_votes_to_require_isps_to_keep_customer_records.html | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==== Taxes ====
Smith is a signer of [[Taxpayer Protection Pledge|Americans for Tax Reform]]'s [[Taxpayer Protection Pledge]].<ref name="ATR">{{cite web|title=The Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers 112th Congressional List|url=http://s3.amazonaws.com/atrfiles/files/files/091411-federalpledgesigners.pdf|publisher=Americans for Tax Reform|access-date=November 30, 2011}}</ref>

==== Climate change ====
Smith has unequivocally stated that he believes the climate is changing, and that humans play a role in climate change. However, he [[Soft climate change denial|questions the extent of the impact]] and [[Global warming conspiracy theory|accuses scientists of promoting a personal agenda unsupported by evidence]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Serial No. 115-10: Climate Science: Assumptions, Policy Implications, and the Scientific Method, Hearing Before the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, March 29, 2017 | website=[[YouTube]] | date=30 March 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3_sHu34imQ |access-date=21 August 2019}}</ref> Smith has made a number of false and misleading claims about climate change.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Vanessa Schipani|url=https://www.factcheck.org/2018/03/smiths-error-filled-climate-op-ed/|title=Smith's Error-Filled Climate Op-Ed|date=March 23, 2018|work=FactCheck.org|publisher=[[Annenberg Public Policy Center]]}}</ref>

As of 2015, Smith has received more than $600,000 from the fossil fuel industry during his career in Congress.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/federal-eye/wp/2015/12/22/meet-the-house-science-committee-chairman-whos-trying-to-put-global-warming-research-on-ice/ |title=Meet the House science chairman who's trying to put global warming research on ice |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |author=Lisa Rein |date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=December 22, 2015}}</ref> In 2014, Smith got more money from fossil fuels than he did from any other industry.<ref name="abraham">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2015/nov/11/lamar-smith-climate-scientist-witch-hunter |title=Lamar Smith, climate scientist witch hunter  |work=[[The Guardian]] |author=John Abraham |date=November 11, 2015 |access-date=November 12, 2015}}</ref> Smith publicly denies global warming.<ref name="wp20151023">{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/10/23/congressional-skeptic-on-global-warming-demands-records-from-u-s-climate-scientists/?postshare=1741445691560607 | title=Congressional skeptic on global warming demands records from U.S. climate scientists | newspaper=Washington Post | date=23 October 2015 | access-date=26 October 2015 | last=Warrick | first=Joby}}</ref><ref name="thehill20150908">{{cite web | url=https://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/252989-climate-change-seven-indisputable-facts/ | title=Climate change: Seven indisputable facts | work=The Hill | date=8 September 2015 | access-date=26 October 2015 | last=Smith | first=Lamar}}</ref> Under his leadership, the House Science committee has held hearings that feature the views of [[climate change denier]]s,<ref name="dallasnewsblog20130111">{{cite web | url=http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/01/house-science-chairman-lamar-smith-puts-climate-change-assessment-on-agenda.html/ | title=House Science Chairman Lamar Smith puts climate change assessment on agenda | publisher=Dallas Morning News | work=Trail Blazer's Blog | date=11 January 2013 | access-date=26 October 2015 | last=Gillman | first=Todd J.}}</ref> subpoenaed the records and communications of scientists who published papers that Smith disapproved of,<ref name="wp20151023" /> and attempted to cut NASA's earth sciences budget.<ref name="latimes20150101">{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-gop-attack-on-climate-change-science-20150501-column.html | title=The GOP attack on climate change science takes a big step forward | work=Los Angeles Times | date=1 May 2015 | access-date=26 October 2015 | last=Hiltzik | first=Michael}}</ref> He has been criticized for conducting "witch hunts" against climate scientists.<ref name="abraham" /> 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.<ref name="abraham" /> 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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/19/opinion/when-subpoenas-threaten-climate-science.html | title=When Subpoenas Threaten Climate Science | work=New York Times | date=19 July 2016}}</ref><ref>[[Barenblatt v. United States]]</ref>

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 News]] article [[Climate change denial|denying climate change]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Raymond |first1=Laurel |title=The House Science Committee's tweets are an embarrassment to science |url=https://thinkprogress.org/the-house-science-committee-is-spreading-fake-news-bad-science-and-basically-crap-515c6c899fa0/ |work=[[ThinkProgress]] |access-date=1 January 2022 |date=1 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117204554/https://thinkprogress.org/the-house-science-committee-is-spreading-fake-news-bad-science-and-basically-crap-515c6c899fa0/ |archive-date=17 November 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=January 2022}}

==== World Health Organization ====
In February 2018, Smith criticized the World Health Organization's (WHO) cancer research program for its finding that [[glyphosate]], the active component in the herbicide Roundup, is probably [[carcinogen]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/716e2a6e6ff14f1b8920c17e61c64353/GOP-lawmakers-take-aim-at-cancer-research-group-over-Roundup|title=GOP lawmakers take aim at WHO agency over Roundup ingredient|work=Associated Press|access-date=2018-02-07|language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Travel ban executive order ====
Smith supported President [[Donald Trump]]'s 2017 [[Executive Order 13769]] to ban citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States, saying "I appreciate President Trump's effort to protect innocent Americans from those who might commit terrorist acts. We ought to take every reasonable step possible to protect the American people. Those from terrorist sponsoring countries should not be admitted until they can be properly vetted by our national security agencies."<ref name="Blake1">{{cite news|last1=Blake|first1=Aaron|title=Coffman, Gardner join Republicans against President Trump's travel ban; here's where the rest stand|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/01/29/heres-where-republicans-stand-on-president-trumps-controversial-travel-ban/|newspaper=Washington Post|date=January 29, 2017}}</ref>

=== Committee assignments ===
Smith served as chairman of the [[United States House Committee on Science, Space and Technology|Committee on Science, Space and Technology]] for the 113th Congress, having replaced [[Ralph Hall]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/lamar-smith-global-warming-house-science_n_2200408.html | work=Huffington Post | first=Amanda | last=Terkel | title=Global Warming Skeptic Set To Chair House Science Committee | date=November 27, 2012}}</ref> Smith has previously served on the [[United States House Committee on Homeland Security|Committee on Homeland Security]], [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|Committee on the Judiciary]] (Chairman), the [[Republican Study Committee]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Member List|url=https://rsc-walker.house.gov/|publisher=Republican Study Committee|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> the [[Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus]] 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]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.law360.com/health/articles/616939/rep-demands-answers-on-healthcare-gov-data-sharing|title=Rep. Demands Answers On HealthCare.gov Data Sharing - Law360|website=www.law360.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-25}}</ref>

Smith is a member of the [[Congressional Arts Caucus]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Membership|url=https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|publisher=Congressional Arts Caucus|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120195207/https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|archive-date=20 January 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[Congressional Constitution Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/about-us/membership|publisher=Congressional Constitution Caucus|access-date=8 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614044928/https://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/about-us/membership|archive-date=14 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[Congressional Western Caucus]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://westerncaucus.house.gov/about/membership.htm|publisher=Congressional Western Caucus|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
In 1992, he married Elizabeth Lynn Schaefer,<ref>{{cite web|title=Lamar Smith – Candidate for U.S. President, Republican Nomination – Election 2012|url=http://projects.wsj.com/campaign2012/candidates/view/lamar-smith--TX-H|website=Election 2012|publisher=Wall Street Journal|access-date=2020-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824114753/http://projects.wsj.com/campaign2012/candidates/view/lamar-smith--TX-H|archive-date=2018-08-24}}</ref> a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, as was his first wife, Jane Shoults, before her death in 1991.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Roper|first1=Peter|title=Family's privacy protected: Smith silent on wife's death|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/9540677/|access-date=30 September 2014|publisher=Del Rio News Herald|date=January 6, 1991}}</ref> They have two children, Nell Seeligson (born 1976) and Tobin Wells (born 1979), from his previous marriage.<ref>Official Congressional Directory. (1991). United States: U.S. Government Printing Office.</ref>

== Electoral history ==
{{s-start}}
|+ {{ushr|Texas|21|}}: Results 1986–2016<ref name="clerk">{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |title=Office of the House Clerk – Electoral Statistics |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226190314/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |archive-date=2007-12-26 }}</ref><ref name="fedelect">{{cite web|url=http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/electionresults.shtml|title=Election Results|publisher=[[Federal Election Commission]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |title=1992 – Current ELECTION HISTORY |publisher=[[Secretary of State of Texas]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |archive-date=January 9, 2014 }}</ref>
! Year
!
! Name
! Party
! Votes
! %
!
! Name
! Party
! Votes
! %
!
! Name
! Party
! Votes
! %
!
! Name
! Party
! Votes
! %
!
|-
|[[United States House election, 1986|1986]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |100,346
|{{party shading/Republican}} |61%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Pete Snelson
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |63,779
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |39%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |James Robinson
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |1,432
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |1%
|<!--Write in 10-->
|
|
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|
|-
|[[United States House election, 1988|1988]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |203,989
|{{party shading/Republican}} |93%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |James Robinson
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |14,801
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |7%
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|-
|[[United States House election, 1990|1990]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |144,570
|{{party shading/Republican}} |75%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Kirby Roberts
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |48,585
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |25%
|
|
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|
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|
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|-
|[[United States House election, 1992|1992]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |190,979
|{{party shading/Republican}} |72%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |James Gaddy
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |62,827
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |24%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |William Grisham
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |10,847
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |4%
|
|
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|
|
|
|-
|[[United States House election, 1994|1994]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |165,595
|{{party shading/Republican}} |90%
|
|{{party shading/Independent}} |Kerry Lowry
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |[[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
|{{party shading/Independent}} |18,480
|{{party shading/Independent}} |10%
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|-
|[[United States House election, 1996|1996]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |205,830
|{{party shading/Republican}} |76%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gordon Wharton
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |60,338
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |22%
|
|! style="background:#00bfff; "|Randy Rutenbeck
|! style="background:#00bfff; "|[[Natural Law Party (United States)|Natural Law]]
|! style="background:#00bfff; "|3,139
|! style="background:#00bfff; "|1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[United States House election, 1998|1998]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |165,047
|{{party shading/Republican}} |91%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Jeffrey Blunt
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |15,561
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |9%
|
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|-
|[[United States House election, 2000|2000]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |251,049
|{{party shading/Republican}} |76%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Jim Green
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |73,326
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |22%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |C.W. Steinbrecher
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |6,503
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[United States House election, 2002|2002]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |161,836
|{{party shading/Republican}} |73%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |John Courage
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |56,206
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |25%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |D.G. Roberts
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |4,051
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[United States House election, 2004|2004]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |209,774
|{{party shading/Republican}} |61%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Rhett Smith
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |121,129
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |36%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Jason Pratt
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |10,216
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[United States House election, 2006|2006]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |122,486
|{{party shading/Republican}} |60%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |John Courage
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |49,957
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |25%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Gene Kelly
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |18,355
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |9%
|
|{{party shading/Independent}} |Tommy Calvert
|{{party shading/Independent}} |[[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
|{{party shading/Independent}} |5,280
|{{party shading/Independent}} |3%
|<ref>In [[United States House of Representatives elections in Texas, 2006#District 21|2006]], three other candidates received another 3% of the vote.</ref>
|-
|[[United States House election, 2008|2008]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |243,471
|{{party shading/Republican}} |80%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |James Strohm
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |60,879
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |20%
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[United States House election, 2010|2010]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |162,924
|{{party shading/Republican}} |69%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Lainey Melnick
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |65,927
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |28%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |James Strohm
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |7,694
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[United States House election, 2012|2012]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |187,015
|{{party shading/Republican}} |61%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Candace Duval
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |109,326
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |35%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |John-Henry Liberty
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |12,524
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[United States House election, 2014|2014]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |135,660
|{{party shading/Republican}} |72%
|
|{{party shading/Green}} |Antonio Diaz
|{{party shading/Green}} |[[Green Party of the United States|Green]]
|{{party shading/Green}} |27,831
|{{party shading/Green}} |15%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Ryan Shields
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |25,505
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |13%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[United States House of Representatives elections, 2016|2016]]
||
|{{party shading/Republican}} |'''Lamar Smith'''
|{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|{{party shading/Republican}} |202,967
|{{party shading/Republican}} |57%
|
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Wakely
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |129,765
|{{party shading/Democratic}} |36%
|
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Mark Loewe
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |14,735
|{{party shading/Libertarian}} |4%
|
|{{party shading/Green}} |Antonio Diaz
|{{party shading/Green}} |[[Green Party of the United States|Green]]
|{{party shading/Green}} |8,564
|{{party shading/Green}} |2%
|
{{s-end}}

== See also ==
* [[Equal Justice for United States Military Personnel Act of 2007]]

== References ==
{{reflist|35em}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Lamar S. Smith}}
* {{C-SPAN|8884}}
* {{CongLinks | congbio=s000583 | votesmart=27097 | fec=H6TX21012 | congress=lamar-smith/1075 }}<!--
Links formerly displayed via the CongLinks template:
* [http://ballotpedia.org/Lamar_S._Smith Biography] at [[Ballotpedia]]
* [http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/400381 Congressional profile] at [[GovTrack]]
* [http://www.opencongress.org/people/show/400381 Congressional profile] at [[Participatory Politics Foundation|OpenCongress]]
* [http://www.rollcall.com/members/478.html Congressional profile] at ''[[Roll Call]]''
* [http://www.politifact.com/personalities/lamar-smith Fact-checking] at [[PolitiFact.com]]
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00001811 Financial information (federal office)] at [[Center for Responsive Politics|OpenSecrets.org]]
* [https://apps.washingtonpost.com/politics/capitol-assets/member/lamar-smith Financial investments (personal)] at ''[[The Washington Post]]''
* [http://www.legistorm.com/member/485/Rep_Lamar_Smith_TX.html Staff salaries, trips and personal finance] at LegiStorm.com
* [http://www.ontheissues.org/TX/Lamar_Smith.htm Issue positions and quotes] at [[On the Issues]]
* [http://www.c-spanvideo.org/person/8884 Appearances] on [[C-SPAN]] programs
* [http://topics.bloomberg.com/lamar-smith Collected news and commentary] at ''[[Bloomberg News]]''
* [http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/lamar_smith/index.html Collected news and commentary] at ''[[The New York Times]]''
* [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gIQA2CjGAP_topic.html Collected news and commentary] at ''[[The Washington Post]]''
* -->

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{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[United States House Committee on Science, Space and Technology|House Science Committee]]|years=2013–2019}}
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{{US House Judiciary chairs}}
{{US House Science chairs}}
{{Patriot Act}}
{{USCongRep-start |congresses=100th–115th [[United States Congress]] |state=[[United States congressional delegations from Texas|Texas]]}}
{{USCongRep/TX/100}}
{{USCongRep/TX/101}}
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{{USCongRep-end}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Lamar}}
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Texas Legislature]]
[[Category:21st-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:American conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:County commissioners in Texas]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Politicians from San Antonio]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the Texas House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Texas]]
[[Category:Southern Methodist University alumni]]
[[Category:Tea Party movement activists]]
[[Category:TMI Episcopal alumni]]
[[Category:Yale University alumni]]