Chris Smith

Press Release

Xi Jinping’s assault on Hong Kong democracy activists is the latest example of the Chinese Communist Party’s cruelty and weakness
July 1, 2020

At a congressional hearing today, Rep Chris Smith (R-NJ), author of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act said “the great people of Hong Kong had a sweeping, draconian, anti-democracy policy imposed upon them yesterday—the so-called National Security Law.” Smith said, “President Xi Jinping has today massively broken his government’s solemn promise embedded in the Basic Law and in an internationally recognized treaty—the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration—to respect the human rights of th... More

Press Release

Supreme Court upholds Smith’s 2003 human trafficking amendment to HIV/AIDS initiative
June 29, 2020
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) welcomed today’s United States Supreme Court ruling in USAID v. Alliance for Open Society upholding a key amendment he wrote in 2003 to the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act that provides federal funding to foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) provided they have a policy explicitly opposing sex trafficking and prostitution. Smith said, “Today’s Supreme Court decision is a major victory in the struggle against HIV, for human ... More

Committee Hearing Opening Statements

Smith: sanctions on Chinese Communist Party officials who oppress Hong Kong are welcome
June 26, 2020

In response to Secretary Mike Pompeo actions today to impose restrictions on Chinese Communist Party officials responsible for the severe crackdown on the free people of Hong Kong, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Ranking Member of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, said the following: “I welcome Secretary Mike Pompeo’s announcement today that the Trump Administration is sanctioning Chinese Communist Party officials responsible... More

Press Release

Created by Smith’s historic trafficking law passed 20 years ago…20th annual Trafficking in Persons ‘TIP’ Report released
June 25, 2020

Rep. Chris Smith’s (R-NJ) joined Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Presidential Advisor Ivanka Trump, and U.S. anti-trafficking ambassador John Richmond today at the State Department for the release of the 20th annual “Trafficking in Persons” or TIP Report mandated by Smith’s groundbreaking human trafficking law enacted in 2000 “The TIP Report is a key component of our nation’s robust efforts to combat human trafficking which ruins childhoods, leaves victims scarred for a lifetime and enriches hu... More

Floor Speeches and Congressional Record Statements

Pass the JUSTICE Act
June 25, 2020
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) gave the following statement in the House of Representatives on June 25, 2020: Madame Speaker, the JUSTICE Act is designed to ensure greater transparency and accountability in policing in order to build safer communities. I cosponsored the JUSTICE Act because it is a serious, comprehensive and balanced reform initiative—an important step forward. I am deeply grateful to Senator Tim Scott and Congressman Pete Stauber for authoring this bicameral legislation. The killing of... More

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