Congressman Chris Smith Speaks on Annual State Department Reports

Congressman Chris Smith (NJ4) addressed the Foreign Affairs today on the subject of the annual State Department human rights reports. He paid special attention to the cases of China , Sudan/Darfur, and Vietnam . His comments also provided insight into the important role that Congress can play in promoting human rights through U.S. foreign policy. Congressman Smith reminds us, for example, “most of the major human rights efforts undertaken by the United States Government in recent decades . . . . were Congressional initiatives undertaken in the face of skepticism – and sometimes outright opposition – by the Executive branch.”

Read Excerpts from Congressman Christopher H. Smith’s Opening Statement.