Rep. Smith provided the following statement on the American Health Care Act: Mr. SMITH of New Jersey… Mr. Speaker, while the Affordable Care Act has been in effect since 2010, it has only provided actual access to health insurance benefits through the exchange and Medicaid expansion for a little over 3 years—beginning in 2014. In that short period of time, however, serious problems and flaws have been exposed, yet in recent months the law’s systemic problems have been trivialized or ignored by m... Read more

The East African famine, a result of recent disasters both natural and man-made, has wreaked havoc across the region. Government mismanagement and conflicts in the region have only made the problem worse. To investigate the situation, Chairman Chris Smith (NJ-04) will convene a hearing entitled “East Africa’s Quiet Famine” on March 28, 2017, helping to establish what options may be available for the U.S. government to effectively address the growing hunger crisis. Testifying at the hearing will ... Read more

Following the arrest in Israel today of an American-Israeli dual national suspected of perpetrating most of the bomb threats to Jewish community institutions in the U.S. and several other countries, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), a long-time leader in the fight against anti-Semitism and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, issued the following statement: “The wave of bomb threats has afflicted Jewish communities for months. I thank the Department of Justice, FBI and law ... Read more

Levels of anti-Semitic hate have reached crisis levels in the U.S. and around the globe and perpetrators are increasingly connected to each other across borders. Today, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House panel on global human rights, held a Congressional hearing to discuss with expert witnesses what can be done to stem this tide. “The Jewish people have survived and thrived from the times of Biblical antiquity to the present day—quite a feat, when you consider all the civilizations ... Read more

During a series of meetings held over the past several days, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) expressed his deep concern with the Office of Management and Budget’s proposed 2018 Budget Blueprint to Majority Whip Steve Scalise (LA-01), who also represents a district recently ravaged by floods, and Rep. Sean Duffy (WI-07). Smith, who stressed the importance of a fully funded National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) during the meetings, said he appreciated the opportunity to come together and discuss this t... Read more

Last year, former Secretary of State Kerry declared that ISIS is committing genocide against Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities, however the Administration fell short on necessary follow through. Today, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House panel on global human rights, urged the new Trump Administration to step in and close the gap created by its predecessor. “Even after acknowledging the genocide, the previous Administration refused to support criminal investigation... Read more

With levels of anti-Semitic hate, threats and violence high in many countries, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House panel on global human rights, announced that he will convene a hearing to examine “Anti-Semitism Across Borders.” Smith authored the provisions of law that created the State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism and the Special Envoy to lead it in 2004. “Anti-Semitism is an ancient and persistent hatred that must be fought until it is defeated. We must be... Read more

This afternoon, in front of a large crowd of Ethiopian citizens concerned about repression in their homeland, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) convened a hearing to look at the appalling human rights record of the Ethiopian government and discuss what could be done to help those who are suffering at the hands of this regime. “According to the State Department’s newly released Human Rights Report on Ethiopia, security forces killed ‘hundreds’ in the context of using excessive force against protestors in ... Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), co-Chairman of the Congressional Executive Commission on China, delivered the follow remarks this afternoon at the Heritage Foundation: China’s population control policies are the longest-running and most far-reaching violations of human rights the world has ever seen. Since 1979—first through the “one-child policy” and now through a “two-child policy”—the government of China has sanctioned state-sponsored violence and massive discrimination against women and child... Read more

Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country and oldest independent state, plays a key leadership role in the region and on the continent. They are an important partner in the War on Terror, but also a source of growing concern over their human rights record. Recently, government forces have killed as many as 100 Oromo demonstrators. Thursday's hearing, announced by Chairman Chris Smith (NJ-04) and entitled “Democracy Under Threat in Ethiopia,” will allow for a discussion of the restrictions ... Read more