By Joey Fox
Published May 13, 2026 at 7:14 PM

             The House unanimously passed a resolution led by Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) tonight urging President Donald Trump to prioritize the release of Chinese political prisoners, among them Hong Kong activist and media mogul Jimmy Lai, in future engagements with the Chinese government.

             Smith has made Lai, who was sentenced to 20 years in jail under Hong Kong’s 2020 national security law, a priority in Congress, even bringing Lai’s daughter to this year’s State of the Union address as his guest. The resolution that passed today also cites Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu, his wife Pang Yu, and Gulshan Abbas as Chinese political prisoners who should be freed.

             “For decades, the United States has seen that naming prisoners works,” Smith said in remarks on the House floor yesterday. “It can improve prison conditions. It can secure access to lawyers, family, and medical care. It can save lives. And yes, it can lead to releases – especially when it is done by the President.”

             All 11 present New Jersey House members voted in favor of the resolution.

Rep. Chris Smith speaks on the need to release Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai on May 12, 2026. (Photo: C-SPAN).