U.S. Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) – Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations – will travel to Ethiopia and Sudan from August 14-20. Chairman Smith hopes to address critical issues threatening peace, human rights and development in the two East African nations, as well as engage the African Union in discussions of joint projects, such as the AU peacekeeping mission in Darfur, Sudan. Read more

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics released its monthly U.S. Job Market report today. The report shows that the U.S. Economy created a stronger than expected 207,000 jobs in July, and the unemployment rate held steady at the 2-3/4-year low of 5 percent reached in June. In response to the strong report, Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) issued the following statement: Read more

U.S. Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) today pointed to encouraging developments in adult stem cell research and urged the Senate to move forward on legislation to expand treatment and research into this growing field. Smith is the author of H.R. 2520 – The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act, which was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives earlier this year and is awaiting action by the Senate. Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, urged supporters of the late Sudanese First Vice President John Garang to remain calm while the facts surrounding his death are being investigated. Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Vice Chairman of the House International Relations Committee and a leader in Congress promoting human rights, peace and justice in Northern Ireland issued the following statement today following the Irish Republican Army’s (IRA’s) declaration of an end to its campaign of violence: Read more

China – the world’s second largest consumer of oil products at 6.7 million barrels per day – is expected to double its daily consumption to 13.4 million barrels by 2025. China’s increased need for oil explains why the Beijing regime has targeted resource-rich African nations for energy-related development. Agreements on major business deals and costly projects have been an important tool in China’s efforts to strengthen ties with strategic African countries. China’s deepest and most controversial engagement in Africa is in Sudan, where the Chinese National Petroleum Company has developed an oil field in the southern part of the country. According to Human Rights Watch, China has supplied Sudan with ammunition, tanks, helicopters, fighter aircraft, anti-personnel and anti-tank mines. Analysts are concerned that China’s growing role in Africa will undercut efforts by the United States and other Western countries to promote transparency, improved governance, and democracy. Diplomatic and economic pressure to encourage reform, including sanctions, could have a reduced effect if regimes look to China as an alternative source of aid, trade, and investment. Read more

U.S. Representative Chris Smith voted in favor of the Small Business Health Fairness Act, H.R. 525, bipartisan legislation that will expand access to health care for millions of uninsured Americans and make quality health care more affordable for small businesses and their employees through the use of Association Health Plans (AHPs). Read more

U.S. Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) issued the following statement after the Department of Labor released its state-by-state jobs report for the month of June. The report shows that since June of 2004, New Jersey has added nearly 53,000 jobs. In addition, New Jersey’s unemployment has dropped dramatically since June of 2004 – when it stood at 4.8 – to 4 percent. Read more

Ten people in New Jersey were indicted today with violating the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, authored into law by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). The law focused on the most severe forms of trafficking in human beings and provided law enforcement tools to eliminate slavery, and particularly sex slavery, by a comprehensive, balanced approach of prevention, prosecution and enforcement, and victim protection. Read more

The House of Representatives today approved a comprehensive Foreign Relations Authorization bill (H.R. 2601) authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) by an overwhelming bi-partisan vote of 351-78. The bill authorizes $22.3 billion for the U.S. Department of State, U.S. International broadcasting activities, and security assistance to America’s allies. Read more