– Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), a long-time champion of human rights and the unborn, announced his strong support and early cosponsorship of the Aid Accountability Act of 2025, and he applauded Congressman Warren Davidson (R-OH) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), the bicameral authors of the bill.

“U.S. laws have long prohibited the use of foreign assistance to perform abortions or to motivate or coerce anyone to practice abortion, as well as lobby for or against it,” said Congressman Smith, a senior U.S. lawmaker on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“This legislation brings long-overdue accountability to foreign aid spending and protects the integrity of U.S. law. American taxpayers should never be forced to subsidize the global abortion industry under the guise of humanitarian aid,” he said.

“Enforcement has always been alarmingly weak,” Smith noted. “A recent compliance report revealed that just over $4,000 was repaid after PEPFAR funds were misused by the Mozambican government to kill 21 unborn children—lives we will never get back. This is an outrageous and heartbreaking abuse of taxpayer dollars. And tragically, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Without real penalties, we won’t see real reform.

“The Aid Accountability Act will ensure that violations like this carry serious, lasting consequences—for federal employees and grantees alike,” the longtime congressional pro-life leader said.

The bill would:

• Require termination and financial restitution from federal employees who knowingly violate abortion-related funding restrictions;
• Bar future federal funding to grantees, contractors, or recipients who violate these laws;
• Require the Department of State to report violations to Congress within 60 days; and
• Subject findings to Congressional oversight via the Congressional Review Act.

The Aid Accountability Act is part of a broader effort by House and Senate conservatives to restore transparency and ensure compliance with congressionally-mandated protections for life in U.S. foreign policy.