Chris Smith

Press Release

Smith on China’s Crackdown on Hong Kong & the HK Human Rights & Democracy Act
May 25, 2020
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the author of the House-passed Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, released the following statement condemning the Chinese government’s latest assault on Hong Kong freedoms. “I unequivocally condemn Beijing’s efforts to destroy Hong Kong as we know it—with its freedoms of press, speech and assembly, which are now imperiled—and I stand with the people of Hong Kong during this dark period,” Smith said. “We are witnessing the death knell of the ‘high degree of autonom... More

Press Release

Statement on the trial of Lithuanian Judge Neringa Venckiene
May 25, 2020
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-Chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and senior member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the U.S. House of Representatives, made the following statement regarding the trial of former judge and parliamentarian Neringa Venckiene, which commenced today in Lithuania. “I appeal to the Lithuanian government to end the prosecution and persecution of Judge Neringa Venckiene, who exposed a human trafficking ring and corruption in her country. Judge Venckien... More

Press Release

Ready to go early Saturday morning at dockChris Smith, local fishermen, and for-hire boat captains celebrate reopening of delayed fishing season
May 23, 2020

After working through the week to win a safe easing of the COVID-19 restrictions on the for-hire fishing boats, Rep. Chris Smith met with captains and customers early this morning as they boarded local vessels and kicked-off the 2020 fluke fishing season. “Today’s partial reopening is a good start,” Smith said. “The weather could be better, but people are here to go fishing and the eased restrictions mean more people can participate and our local businesses can start making money again. After sp... More

Press Release

Announcement comes on the first day of fluke fishing seasonRep Smith: Up to 25 people now allowed on party boats, and we’re pushing for more
May 22, 2020
Rep. Chris Smith released the following statement regarding the loosening of restrictions allowing up to 25 people on for-hire party fishing boats in New Jersey. “Like so many businesses in New Jersey, the party fishing boats—or ‘head boats,’ as they are known locally—have taken a financial beating because of COVID-19 restrictions. Working with Ray Bogan, the effective legal counsel for the United Boatmen and Recreational Fishing Alliance, I have been urging Governor Murphy to reopen the fishing... More

Press Release

Bipartisan legislation introduced in House & SenateSmith, Suozzi unveil bill to promote journalism and freedom of the press
May 22, 2020
U.S. Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY) today introduced the World Press Freedom Protection and Reciprocity Act, legislation to protect journalist around the world who are too often censored, jailed, tortured or killed for exercising the freedom of expression and to ensure that U.S. media personnel overseas are given the same access and protections granted to foreign journalists in the U.S. “Freedom of the press and freedom of speech are enshrined in the Bill of Rights in t... More

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