News | U.S. Representative

Cpl. Leo Perlmutter is presented with his Purple Heart medal during a ceremony at Rep. Smith’s Constituent Service Center. From left to right: Rep. Smith, SSGT Anthony Francisco, Cpl. Leo Perlmutter, Kathy Hoernlein, Peter Schneider, and Maj. Daniel Dennen.

Article

Exclusive VOA interview with Rep. Smith'"Let him go": Congressman Chris Smith gave an exclusive interview to VOA, hoping that President Trump would ask Xi Jinping to release Jimmy Lai in person'
April 3, 2026

By Yihua Lee Published April 3, 2026 Capitol Hill — As the leaders of the United States and China are expected to meet in mid-May, a Republican congressman in the U.S. Congress who has long been concerned about human rights issues said that U.S.-China relations should be based on truth and the defense of human rights. The veteran Republican also called on President Donald Trump to mention the case of Hong Kong's pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai during the talks and asked for Jimmy Lai's medi... More

Statements by Congressman Smith Office

On the heels of another Palm Sunday massacreSmith urges added protections of Nigerian Christians during Holy Week and approaching Easter Sunday
April 1, 2026
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, issued the following statement in response to the recent deadly attacks perpetrated against Christian communities in Nigeria’s Plateau State: “As Christians in Nigeria observe Holy Week and approach Easter Sunday, a time of profound spiritual reflection and celebration, I urge the Government of Nigeria to take immediate and concrete steps to ensure the safety and security of all Christian communities in the coun... More

Press Release

Smith bill advancing religious freedom headed to House floorSmith’s HR 1744, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act, passed by House Foreign Affairs Committee
March 26, 2026
During today’s markup, the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously approved legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to extend and authorize annual appropriations for the State Department’s United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) through fiscal year 2028. If enacted, Smith’s United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Reauthorization Act of 2025 (HR 1744) will reauthorize the Commission, which was created through the International... More

Press Release

Wednesday, April 22nd from 5:00—6:30 PMSmith announces information night for students interested in competing for a U.S. Service Academy nomination
March 23, 2026
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today announced the date of his United States Service Academy Information Night, which will take place on Wednesday, April 22nd from 5:00—6:30 PM at the Ocean County Resource Center (1005 Hooper Ave., Toms River, NJ 08753). “Over the years, I’ve had the honor and privilege of nominating many outstanding young men and women for acceptance into our Nation’s Service Academies,” said Smith. “Many, if not all, of the students I nominated attended one of the Service Academy in... More

Article

APP article on Smith's district medal presentation'Lakewood vet gets Bronze Star, Purple Heart that took 58 years to arrive'
March 18, 2026

By Jerry Carino Published March 18, 2026 at 5:15 AM ET Leo Perlmutter was a corporal in the U.S. Marines, fighting in the bloody Tet Offensive in 1968, when a mortar round exploded near his head. “I didn’t even know I had gotten hit,” he said. A Navy corpsman — a medical specialist — noticed his forehead was bleeding. “I said, ‘Eh, it’s just a pimple,” Perlmutter recalled. “He said, ‘That ain’t no pimple. You got some metal in your head.’” Leo Perlmutter during his service in Vietnam. Provided B... More