The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus—Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ), Andy Harris (R-MD), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Kat Cammack (R-FL), and Bob Onder (R-MO)—have expressed their appreciation to President Trump for actions taken by his administration during the week marking the 53rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
In a statement, the co-chairs said, “President Trump has acted decisively to ensure that hard-earned taxpayer dollars are not used to bankroll the abortion industry domestically or internationally, or to finance the barbaric practice of using the body parts of aborted babies for research. The President has also taken steps to consider better research options than human embryonic stem cells and to protect conscience rights for health care providers and patients. We thank President Trump for his pro-life leadership and look forward to continuing to work with his Administration in the second session of the 119th Congress to provide unborn children, their mothers, and their families with the support and protection they deserve.”
Between January 21-23, 2026, several federal agencies announced policy changes related to abortion and bioethics. The Department of State reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy, which blocks U.S. foreign aid from funding organizations that promote elective abortion. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) stated it will redirect funding away from human fetal tissue research toward other studies with potential for new treatments. NIH also paused approval of new human embryonic stem cell lines while seeking input on alternative biotechnologies.
The Small Business Administration is set to review over $88 million in Planned Parenthood Paycheck Protection Program loans. The Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights sent a notice of violation to Illinois concerning a law that requires providers to counsel or refer patients for abortion despite moral or religious objections. Additional notices from HHS OCR outlined conscience protections under federal law and rescinded policies from President Biden’s administration seen as supporting abortion.
Chris Smith is currently serving in Congress representing New Jersey’s 4th district after first being elected in 1981 when he succeeded Frank Thompson. Smith was born in Rahway, New Jersey in 1953 and lives in Manchester Township. He graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975.
