Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism and author of the legislation that created the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, today made the following comment on the appointment of Elan Carr as the next Special Envoy:

“The U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism is a significant position with a particularly important global reach. Anti-Semitism is on the rise, and appointing the Special Envoy sends a clear message that the U.S. will continue to be a leader in fighting this global menace. Thank you, President Trump.

“I wish Mr. Carr every success in the all-important work of countering a global increase of threats and acts of violence against Jews, and I look forward to working with him.”

Elan Carr, announced by the Secretary of State as the next Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, is a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves and served in Iraq.

This year, Smith’s bipartisan legislation, the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act (HR 221), passed overwhelmingly through the House of Representatives by a vote of 411-1 on January 11. It would upgrade the Special Envoy position within the State Department, raising it to the rank of ambassador and making it the primary advisor to the U.S. government on combating anti-Semitism.

Smith’s bill would also require the Ambassador to report directly to the Secretary of State and prevent the position from being “double-hatted” with duties that are irrelevant to combating anti-Semitism. Smith also introduced the legislation in the 115^th Congress as the bipartisan HR 1911, and the House passed it 393-2 last September.

“My legislation—HR 221—would give Carr and his team even more support at the State Department to monitor and fight global anti-Semitism. The Senate should pass this bill soon to ensure that he has this support,” Smith said.