Crimes Against Humanity

Reps. Chris Smith (R., N.J.) and Anna Eshoo (D., Calif.) joined together Wednesday to push for greater aid to those in the Middle East who have been victimized by the Islamic State and other groups perpetrating violence against civilians.

Smith and Eshoo spoke outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C. with the supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, Carl Anderson, the day after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 390 by voice vote.

If signed into law, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act of 2017 would "provide for emergency relief to victims of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Iraq and Syria," including Christians and Yazidis. The measure would also hold perpetrators of these crimes accountable for their actions.

Smith and Eshoo lamented the lack of action for civilians in the region while praising those who were providing aid on the ground in the Middle East, including the Knights of Columbus. The Catholic fraternal organization has donated more than $12 million in aid for Christian refugees.

Read more at The Washngton Free Beacon