(WASHINGTON) - Reform of the nation's bankruptcy laws, juvenile justice system and civil asset forfeiture laws will top the legislative agenda of the House Judiciary Committee during the first half of 1999, U.S. Rep. Henry J. Hyde (R-IL) said today.

Hyde, chairman of the Committee, also said he intends to move forward with long-awaited plans to conduct an oversight examination of the U.S. Department of Justice, provided that the necessary funds are approved by the House Oversight Committee.

"The Judiciary Committee will be busy working on issues that are close to the hearts of all Americans," Chairman Hyde said. "Our nation's bankruptcy system is one of the world's most progressive, and we must keep it that way." Hyde said the system is being undermined by a deluge of bankruptcy filings during this period of unparalleled prosperity. The economic cost of this burden is largely borne by responsible consumers who, as a result, are paying higher interest rates for borrowed funds. "Congress must confront the issue directly and curb abusive and predatory practices of those who would game the system," he added.

Hyde also said that the federal government has an important interest in helping states ease the crisis of juvenile delinquency. He said passage of juvenile justice legislation which includes block grants to states will balance the desire of the federal government to make juvenile justice reform a priority, and the need of states and local communities to determine how best to solve the growing problem. "Block grants give state and local communities much-needed flexibility to balance the difficult issues of prevention and punishment," Hyde said.

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Hyde also said that reform of our civil asset forfeiture laws is long overdue. "Right now innocent citizens face the terrifying prospect of having the government seize their home, car, business or bank account - all without indictment, hearing or trial. We must put the burden of proof back where it belongs - with the government - and protect Americans from the unfair seizure of their property without due process."

Additional topics for future consideration include: encryption legislation (to protect the personal privacy of law-abiding Americans by encouraging the widespread use of market-driven American-made encryption), anti-terrorism legislation, and drug interdiction legislation.

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Visit the Judiciary Committee web site at http://www.house.gov/judiciary/www.house.gov/judiciary for a complete oversight agenda. Journalists interested in receiving information on these and other Judiciary Committee bills please call Michael Connolly at (202) 225-2497 to be added to our fax list.

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