Ricardo Hernandez
AP Government Mod 5
March, 31, 2016
Unit 4 President

President Obama grants early release to 61 more federal drug offenders

This blog post is about justice being served for 61 Federal drug offenders! The POTUS has given clemency to 61 Federal drug offenders on Wednesday for their release. In total President Obama has granted clemency to 248 inmates in which over a third were serving life sentences for non-violent drug offense. Although there 61 inmates were given clemency, there are still 9,115 clemency petitions that are waiting to be heard from. His release of prisoners is an ongoing effort of his high-profile clemency initiative. To qualify, prisoners had to have served at least 10 years of their sentence and have no significant criminal history and no connection to gangs, cartels or organized crime. They also must have good conduct while in prison.

I believe that the president is doing a good job rewarding clemency and pardoning the sentences of many prisoners that deserve a second chance. I researched a bit more and found out that the President has pardoned more people than the past 6 presidents. Which is a great use of his inherent powers being the chief executive. This ties into what we are learning in class because as of now we are learning about the roles and powers of the president. Such as whether they are implied or inherent.

AP Gov
Mod 5
Unit 4 - Congress
March 21, 2016

Rep. Lamar Smith- 21st Texas- Republican

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He was elected into the United States congress in 1986. Before he got elected to the U.S. Congress, he was chairman of Republican Party for Bexar County, Texas House representative. Served on energy resources committee and the Fire Ants select committee. Then he ran for U.S. Congressman after four term incumbent Tom Loeffler retired. His biggest contributor for the 2014 election cycle was Smithers Merchant Builders with $17,800. He has served 15 terms. Rep. Smith fits the identity of my Republican Suburban Tech because his district is surrounded by cities like San Antonio and Austin. Also he is on the Homeland Security Committee, Judiciary Committee, and chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Lamar Smith was ranked the most effective member of the House in the 112th Congress.He co sponsored the notable Leahy-Smith America Invents Act.

Encrypt Act- I would think that being chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee Rep. Smith would vote in favor for this. But also being on Judiciary Committee could make him second guess.

Bill #2- I think that he would vote in favor because of him being on the Science, Space, and Technology. Also Republicans are very much in favor of privatization.

Bill #3- I feel like he would vote in favor because of him being on the judiciary committee.