News | U.S. Representative

Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ) speaks at the House Foreign Affairs Africa-Western Hemisphere Subcommittee hearing on international religious freedom on Wed., Feb. 4, 2026.

Partial List of Official Hearings, Meetings, and Markups

Tues., February 10: Rep. Chris Smith to chair Foreign Affairs hearing“Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda through President Trump’s Washington Accords – Part II”
February 6, 2026
On Tuesday, February 10th, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, will chair his fifteenth congressional hearing focused exclusively on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, including the geopolitical conflict and human rights violations occurring in the region. In wake of President Trump’s historic peace deal between Rwanda and the DRC on December 4th, 2025, this hearing will examine the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs)... More

Article

EWTN article on Smith's international religious freedom hearing'Religious leaders descend on Washington in solidarity with Africa'
February 5, 2026

By Madalaine Elhabbal Published February 5, 2026 at 12:16 PM ET Representatives from the U.S. and African bishops’ conferences convened in Washington, D.C., during a congressional hearing on Capitol Hill this week in a display of solidarity as religious freedom in Nigeria continues to come into sharper focus. Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of the Yola Diocese in northeast Nigeria concelebrated a Mass on Feb. 4 for solidarity between the bishops and faithful of the Catholic Church in the U.S. and Afri... More

Press Release

Smith secures over $23.8 million in federal funding for vital infrastructure projects and humanitarian initiatives in Ocean and Monmouth counties
February 5, 2026
Critical and comprehensive infrastructure projects and humanitarian initiatives serving Ocean and Monmouth counties were included in the recently approved consolidated budget and will receive more than $23.8 million in federal funding, thanks to earmarks submitted by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). “The nearly $24 million in federal funding, which I secured, will go towards vital projects and initiatives that will greatly improve the safety, health, and quality of life of Ocean and Monmouth County res... More

Article

TAPinto Gold Coast article on Smith's nearly $24 million in federal earmarks'Rep. Smith Secures Federal Funding for Key Infrastructure and Environmental Projects Across Monmouth County'
February 5, 2026

By Jim Lonergan Published February 5, 2026 at 6:11 PM WASHINGTON, D.C. — Several municipalities across Monmouth County will receive significant federal funding for infrastructure, environmental, and public safety improvements through earmarks secured by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) in the recently approved consolidated federal budget. Overall, the legislation includes more than $23.8 million in federal funding for infrastructure and humanitarian initiatives across Ocean and Monmouth counties, with mu... More

Article

Lakewood Alerts article on Smith's nearly $24 million in federal earmarks'Rep. Chris Smith Secures $275K for Lakewood Shomrim in $23.8M Federal Package for Ocean and Monmouth'
February 5, 2026

By Lakewood Alerts Published February 5, 2026 Rep. Chris Smith has secured more than $23.8 million in federal funding for infrastructure, public safety, environmental, and humanitarian projects across Ocean and Monmouth counties. The funding was included in the recently approved consolidated federal budget through congressional earmarks submitted by Smith. His office said the allocations are intended to address a range of local needs, from drinking water and flood control to law enforcement and ... More