Rep. Chris Smith called on his colleagues to pass "Sami's Law," a bill he named after Samantha Josephson of Robbinsville, NJ, during floor debate July 30. Sami was killed by a man posing as her Uber ride in 2019. Smith worked with Sami's parents, Seymour and Marci Josephson, to craft a bipartisan bill to improve ride-hail, sometime called ride-share, safety. The measure passed in a voice vote, and is pending in the Senate.
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Rep. Chris Smith chaired a hearing in July to focus attention on the case of missing Bishop James Su Zhimin, who has endured approximately 40 years in prison in China for exercising his universally-recognized human right of religious freedom. Said Smith, "Today, I again join many, including the Bishop’s relatives, and ask President Xi Jinping: where is Bishop Su? And why does a powerful dictatorship fear peaceful men and women of faith and virtue? "
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Rep. Chris Smith addressed Voices Against Trafficking's recent 2020 webinar, stating, "Human trafficking is a barbaric human rights abuse that thrives on greed, secrecy, a perverted sense of entitlement to exploit the vulnerable and an unimaginable disregard for the victims. Twenty years ago, the U.S. Congress approved and the President signed first-ever historic legislation that I authored—the Trafficking Victims Protections Protection Act... ."
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Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) was a guest on Fox and Friends First with anchor Rob Schmidt in July on the topic of China making good on a threat to sanction him for his human rights work regarding Muslim Uyghurs now being persecuted in labor camps with coerced sterilizations and other abuses. Smith has also spoken up for Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners and Chinese human rights advocates whom the Chinese government targets.
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Congressman Chris Smith was a guest on a June episode of "Jersey Matters" with New Jersey News Network's Larry Mendte. They discussed COVID-19 nursing home deaths in NJ, policing reform, the hard-hit Jersey Shore fishing industry and more.
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The State of New Jersey has announced a plan to ease the coronavirus restrictions the Murphy Administration placed on New Jersey residents and businesses.
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Just in time for the summer season, Gov. Murphy lifted his COVID-19 restrictions on the number of anglers permitted on charter and head boats, as long as all anglers adhere to 6’ social distancing. Smith, the Recreational Fishing Alliance and the United Boatmen of NJ pressed the State to ease restrictions on this vital part of the Shore economy.
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Bipartisan legislation to extend and enhance the Paycheck Protection Program, which is helping sustain businesses and pay workers during the economic devastation wrought by COVID-19, passed the House May 28. Rep. Chris Smith, who supported the creation of the PPP and recent legislation nearly doubling its funding, said the new Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act is needed to make the program more accessible to struggling small businesses.
Learn MoreRep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), author of the bipartisan Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act (H.R. 2435) with lead Democrat co-sponsor Adam Smith of (D-WA), hailed the passage today of the bill which will provide increased access to federal lands for the purposes of veterans’ medical therapy. “Research has increasingly shown that outdoor... READ MORE
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and ranking member of the Congressional Executive Commission on China, took to the House floor today during debate on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Below are excerpts of his remarks: “At a 2018 congressional hearing I cochaired, Mihrigul Tursun recou... READ MORE
Trenton Water Works should be lead free in 10 years, argues Congressman Chris Smith of Hamilton Township. The Republican lawmaker has introduced bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would require large public water systems like TWW to replace all lead service lines within a decade. “Congress must act on this cr... READ MORE
By Laura D.C. Kolnoski Earthmovers are clearing a 12-acre site as work commences on the Soldier On veterans residential community near Seabrook Village on Essex Road. That milestone was marked Saturday when local, county, state and federal officials gathered for a “celebration” of moving the $23 million facility closer to reality. Among ... READ MORE
“I convey my deepest condolences to the family of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on her passing after a long, arduous and brave struggle with cancer. "In the many remembrances of Justice Ginsburg, the one that I believe is most inspiring for this current time was her friendship with the late Justice Antonin Scalia which began w... READ MORE
Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), voted for and applauds Thursday’s House passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill to remove discrimination in the workplace and promote women's health and job security. “Discrimination against pregnant women anywhere—especially and including in the workforce—is despicable,” said Smith. “The ... READ MORE