Chris Smith

Part of it is out of frustration, Zoe--Ms. Lofgren--to the fact that, you know, we have had this for 10 years, we have had other existing authorities.

I think that it would be very effective because we are a prime destination for high officials in the Chinese government.

Every member here and every Member in the Congress has constituents whose livelihood have been negatively impacted by China's blatant economic espionage, predatory and protectionist and illegal activity, every single district.

The Belarus Democracy Act specifically had the family members included, as well.

Human rights abuses in the People's Republic of China remain common and widespread.

This is the worst crime of gender ever, and it is being done by people.

This is one area where we could make a huge difference.

We add additional provisions that, again, we derived from the Belarus Democracy Act.

By denying visas to certain Chinese nationals in the government who promote human rights abuses, we might as well assist Chinese patriots who work to end the lack of accountability for government officials who are part of the Chinese…

It informs human rights abusers in China that the United States does not stand by as atrocities are committed.

I want to thank our colleague from New Jersey for sponsoring this legislation.

They haven't done a thing.

Even the worst abusers of human rights in Africa, China, North Korea--maybe not so much in North Korea--even people like Joseph Kony and Bashir in Sudan don't want to be on a list, don't want to be indicted.

Congressman Chris Smith, and the late chairman of this committee, Congressman Tom Lantos--himself a Holocaust survivor--convened a hearing in 2006 in which they publicly challenged Yahoo to look behind the bottom line and consider the…

We don't have a lot of leverage outside of China, but we do have one point of leverage--soft power--that seems to be just not used and I don't understand why.

I would say that we have to be tough with the banker because the recent Wall Street financial crises have shown, that not being tough with 'the banker' will open everyone, the 99 percent of the rest of us, to the risks of corruption…

We are convening this emergency hearing to examine the plight of an extraordinarily brave man and his equally extraordinary and courageous wife.

the day for China to be free is near, and so therefore we should continue to preserve with hope and confidence.

As a nation, when we see evil and we know it is happening clearly before our eyes, will we have the courage to speak out?

We've got to be serious about human rights, and I know you three are.

Thank you again, especially for your 30 years of persistent effort to end China's cruel One-Child Policy and massive genocide.

Opening statement of Hon. Chris Smith, a U.S. Representative from New Jersey; Chairman, Congressional-Executive Commission on China.

As we speak, we can only assume that self-taught lawyer Chen Guangcheng...languishes with his wife, Yuan Weijing and six-year-old daughter.

the President would be empowered, through the Secretary of State, to deny a visa to that individual and lists would be promulgated that would contain the names of people who have been part of those crimes.

I believe this is a very important milestone bill that needs a full court press to move forward to make that happen.