Chris Smith

The seemingly esoteric concern about rule of law, which is important, is eclipsed by the potential for horrific conflict, loss of life that we are already seeing shaping up.

Talk is cheap, particularly here in Washington, and we have got to make sure it is backed up by something that is more significant, like a sanction.

I appreciate that. I would just remind, and for the record, point out that the President has this authority.

For the international community to go cheap on refugees and IDPs is a very bad bargain first and foremost for the victims.

We hold these hearings. We put in resolutions. We get bills passed. And it is not even on page 15.

We have the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. It precludes, it holds accountable those who engage in bribery and other corrupt practices.

We have to hold those people accountable.

We need to keep up a very consistent, persistent observation of the gross human rights abuses taking place in the DRC.

Why do we care whether or not a President follows his own Constitution, and whether or not he, having given commitments and being bound by that Constitution to two terms, why are we so concerned about it?

The interpretation by President Joseph Kabila of the Constitution is an apparent contradiction to other constitutional provisions requiring elections to be held on time and limiting President Kabila to two terms.

We have admonished them, urging them to stick to the schedule and hold these elections, and ensure that they are free and fair.

The Democratic Republic of Congo was supposed to conduct elections 1 year ago this month in order to achieve the required transition of political power by December 19th.

Kabila has failed miserably.

Is USAID tapping into that local expertise?

Sanctions work, but they have to be applied.

But we are going to be looking for bold and demonstrative actions. I mean, talk is cheap, particularly here in Washington.

We have got to do what is right.

Both Chairman Royce and I, Karen Bass, our ranking member, and others, have had ongoing meetings with DRC officials, including high-level people who have flown here to Washington.

I commend Ranking Member, Mr. Engel, along with Chairman Yoho, Mr. Chabot, and Mr. Sherman, for introducing H. Res. 422. I am an original cosponsor of this legislation. As the Cochair of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive…

The Iron Curtain isn't soundproof, and your idea of really ratcheting up the freedom broadcasting couldn't come at a more timely point in this terrible escalating conflict.

Clearly, a fair trading policy, right, that considers what the impacts are for us...

Certainty is critical, right? And understanding what those trade agreements say today and what they may or may not say in the future is critical.

Having that competitive advantage, both in the manufacturing and in the ability as we sell our products, is critical to our success.

We believe that the unborn child should be held harmless.

I say that because there will be obviously on-going fights on this issue. President Obama reversed the Mexico City policy when he took office. President Clinton did the same thing. Ronald Reagan initiated it. George Herbert Walker Bush…