Chris Smith

Congressman Chris Smith welcomes Jar of Hope founders Jim and Karen Raffone of Manalapan, parents of Jamesy, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a terminal disease, at the completion of their October 2020 “Walk for Their Lives” 263-mile walk from Washington, D.C. to Old Bridge to benefit children with Duchenne. Smith has worked with the family since 2014 for better public awareness, federal policy and research funding.

Article

APP article on Monmouth parents of child w Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Smith trying to assist'Manalapan charity wants to raffle car online; state says no'
November 20, 2020

By Jerry Carino, Asbury Park Press staff, USA TODAY NETWORK – Jim and Karen Raffone thought they had the perfect fundraiser for their charity, which sponsors major research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy: All American Ford in Old Bridge donated a 2020 Ford Mustang convertible for them to raffle off. “We thought we could raise $100,000,” Jim Raffone said. “We raised approximately $25,000 before we had to stop.” Then the office of New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal informed them they were ... More

Floor Speeches and Congressional Record Statements

Smith statement on the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act being debated by the House
November 17, 2020

The following are excerpts of remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) in the House of Representatives for debate on H.R. 8438, The Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020 on November 18, 2020: Madam Speaker, I urge swift enactment into law of the bipartisan Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act of 2020 which I introduced. And here’s why this legislation is absolutely needed now. Belarus was perhaps the nation most mired in its Soviet past, with an inefficient econom... More

Press Release

Statement on Chinese Gov't removal of four elected pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmakers
November 12, 2020
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), author of the House-passed Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act,” said: “the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) forced removal of four duly elected pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong’s Legislative Council is outrageous, unjustified and absolutely dishonorable and tells the world that human rights and the rule of law are a cruel joke under the dictatorship of Xi Jinping.” Smith continued, “Today’s mass resignation of all the remaining pro-democracy lawmakers to prote... More

Press Release

On Veterans Day, Smith’s 15th veterans law goes to White House… VFW, Sierra Club praise Smith billSmith’s outdoor therapy vets bill clears Senate
November 11, 2020
On the eve of the Veterans’ Day holiday, legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to help veterans heal through outdoor recreational therapy cleared the Senate and was on its way to the President’s desk for signing and implementation. Smith’s bipartisan Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act (H.R. 2435), which was endorsed by more than 120 veteran service organizations, outdoor recreation groups and conservation organizations, will provide increased access to federal lands for the p... More

Article

The Monitor of Trenton'As trafficking law turns 20, Rep. Smith fears pandemic fosters child exploitation'
November 1, 2020

By Julie Asher, Catholic News Service As the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 marked its 20th year Oct. 28, the Catholic congressman who wrote it -- and four other anti-trafficking laws in the intervening years – celebrated the historic legislation that holds every nation on the globe "to account on human trafficking matters." But in celebrating the law's anniversary, Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, and member of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, also expressed serious co... More