In a formal congressional comment letter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) rebuked the federal agency’s proposal to impose an abortion mandate on employers as part of its implementation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA)—a bipartisan law that excludes any mention of abortion and is intended to provide critical accommodations for working mothers. Signed by a total of 61 Members of Congress, the Smith-Lankford le... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, today issued the following statement amid reports that China has forcibly repatriated North Korean defectors: “I am truly appalled and disheartened that China has reportedly forcibly repatriated a large number of North Korean refugees against their will to North Korea. Some reports estimate that at least 600—and perhaps as many as 2,600—were repatriate... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who has been pushing for the immediate evacuation of American citizens stranded in Israel, issued the following statement on the Biden Administration’s announcement that it “will plan” to facilitate “departure assistance:” “In response to the multiple requests I have made to the Biden Administration since Saturday, the State Department advised me this afternoon that it is working on ‘plans’ and will be facilitating ‘departure assistance’ over the next few days. I will c... Read more

In a closed-door briefing this morning with Biden Administration officials, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus, continued his full-court press for the immediate evacuation of American citizens in Israel who are trying to return home to the United States. “Other countries have stepped up and have mobilized their own aircraft or chartered flights to successfully evacuate thousands of their citizens who are trying to get out of harm’s way in the wake of Hamas’ absolutely... Read more

In a strongly worded letter to President Biden on Monday, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) called on the Biden Administration to “use all appropriate US resources and tools” to secure the immediate evacuation of US citizens in Israel who are desperately trying to return home. Smith’s letter comes as a follow-up to his request to State Department officials on Saturday for evacuation assistance. “The dangers these US citizens face are so grave, and the responsibility of the US Government for their safety ... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus, joins fellow Co-Chair Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) on Fox News to discuss the genocidal attacks against Israel and Hamas’ unbridled and deadly antisemitism that has led to the massive slaughter of innocent Israelis. Smith also calls on the Biden Administration to help US citizens evacuate the country and to stand in absolute solidarity with Israel: Read more

In response to the Hamas attack on Israel this morning, in which dozens of civilians were reported killed and hundreds injured, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus, issued the following statement: “I stand in absolute solidarity with Israel—with the family and friends of innocent people mercilessly slaughtered and with the entire nation under threat. And I call on President Biden to unequivocally condemn not only Hamas but its sponsor Iran—with actions as well as words... Read more

Resources for American Citizens in Israel From the U.S. State Department: The situation in Israel remains dynamic; mortar and rocket fire may take place without warning. Individuals should follow the instructions of security and emergency response officials. All U.S. citizens in Israel are urged to enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment U.S. citizens seeking to be in touch with the U.S. Embassy in Israel: · Please click this link for the State Department’s crisis inta... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) today issued the following statement on the stopgap legislation (HR 5860) passed by the House of Representatives in a vote of 335-91 to prevent a government shutdown and a funding lapse for US servicemembers, border patrol agents, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and other critical law enforcement officials, as well as essential health and humanitarian services: “The stopgap measure passed by the House today with overwhelming support will ens... Read more

In a vote late last night, the House of Representatives passed (216-212) the State Foreign Operations Appropriations bill (HR 4665) that includes strong provisions to protect unborn children and their mothers and reverses President Biden’s hijacking of PEPFAR—the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief—to promote abortion. “Regrettably, PEPFAR has been reimagined—hijacked—by the Biden Administration to empower pro-abortion international non-governmental organizations, deviating from its life... Read more