The impact of possible cuts or proposed changes on U.S. policy and programming in Africa in the FY2018 budget will be the topic of a hearing set for Wednesday which will be held by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa. “There was some real concern when the intention to make deep cuts to foreign aid and foreign operations was originally made known by the Administration,” said Chairman Smith. “Apparently, Africa was never the main target of such cuts. But what... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) released the following statement today regarding the Curbelo legislation on bump stocks: “Bump stocks, used in the mass shooting in Las Vegas, enable semi-automatic weapons to fire hundreds of rounds per minute,” Smith said. “I support the ban of these devices, and am an original cosponsor of bipartisan legislation introduced today by Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and use of these devices," he said. ### Read more

Members of a joint United States-Niger patrol were ambushed in a fatal attack Wednesday in southeastern Niger while they were responding to an assault by a jihadist group on the town of Tongo Tongo, an incident that demonstrates the need for continued international attention to the growing militant Islamist threat in Africa’s Sahel region, said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs committee and Chairman of the House panel on Africa. Three U.S soldiers were among th... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, applauded a new Health and Human Services regulation released today that provides relief to employers, such as religious organizations, schools, and family businesses, that had religious or moral objections to covering abortifacient drugs and contraception in employee health plans. This new regulation protects groups like the Little Sisters of the Poor, a women’s religious order devoted to caring for the elderly ... Read more

A bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, the Chinese democracy advocate who died of cancer this summer while serving a prison term, was introduced today by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04). Smith attended the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo at the invitation of Liu Xiaobo’s family. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award in the United States. “It is an unspeakable tragedy that Liu Xiaobo’s unjust imprisonment in 2009 became a ... Read more

Christians and Yazidis who have thus far survived the genocide in Syria and Iraq still face extinction in their homelands and need U.S. assistance to survive, according to expert witnesses who testified at a Congressional hearing held today by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House panel on global human rights. A Yazidi woman, who goes by Shireen to protect her identity, reported she had been enslaved for nine months and that people are taking flight to escape the torture and abuse.... Read more

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey... Madam Speaker, a former abortionist, Dr. Levatino testified before Congress and described how he and other abortionists actually kill helpless babies. He killed 1,200 of them. He said: ‘‘Imagine, if you can, that you are a pro-choice OB–GYN like I was. Using a Sopher 13- inch clamp with rows of ridges or teeth, grasp anything you can inside the womb. Once you grasp something inside, squeeze on the clamp, set the jaws and pull hard—really hard. You feel something let go... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) released the following statement on the events in Las Vegas: As America grieves for the victims of the horrific mass shooting in Las Vegas, my wife, Marie, and I join our prayers with those being offered across the country. We pray for those whose lives were lost, those suffering critical injuries, and for family members struggling with the sudden shocking loss or injury of loved ones. Our profound gratitude is extended to the first responders and to the brave Americans a... Read more

Republican U.S. Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey has joined a congressional bipartisan call urging President Donald Trump to do more to help hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico. “The people of Puerto Rico are suffering from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Maria and need comprehensive humanitarian aid and federal support,” Smith said Friday in a press statement. “In addition to food, water and medical assistance, communication system restoration and infrastructure rebuilding are critical parts of th... Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House panel on global human rights, joined his colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to President Trump calling for increased federal aid to Puerto Rico. “The people of Puerto Rico are suffering from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Maria and need comprehensive humanitarian aid and federal support. In addition to food, water and medical assistance, communication system restoration and infrastructure rebuilding are critical parts of the emerge... Read more