News | U.S. Representative

Rep. Smith asks Finucane family members questions at a congressional hearing he chaired of the Lantos Commission on Nov. 19, 2024 about the murder of Patrick Finucane.

Press Release

Rep. Smith statement in support of Israel
June 13, 2025
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus, issued the following statement in support of Israel: “I join President Trump in making it absolutely clear that the United States stands with Israel—today and every day. “I believe that there is no higher priority than protecting Americans in the region including our service members and a significant number of my constituents who are in Israel today. “The Iranian governme... More

Press Release

Smith urges independence, transparency and access for the family.British announce chair and members of long-waited Patrick Finucane Inquiry
June 13, 2025

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chair of a well-respected human rights commission in the U.S. Congress, today welcomed the formal announcement by the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, MP, in which he appointed a chair and two assessors for the long-awaited inquiry into the 1989 murder of human rights attorney Patrick Finucane. “Today’s announcement of a chair and two assessors to lead the Patrick Finucane Inquiry is an important step forward,” Smith said. “As the d... More

Article

Two River Times article on fight against offshore wind'Grassroots Lawsuit Seeks to Stop Wind Farm Off Long Branch'
June 12, 2025

By Stephen Appezzato – A coalition of environmental groups and fishing cooperatives has filed a federal lawsuit to block the construction of Empire Wind 1, the offshore wind farm that will be located about 19 miles east of Long Branch. The groups, Clean Ocean Action (COA), Protect Our Coast New Jersey (POCNJ) and ACK for Whales, along with a list of fisheries, seafood co-ops, whale watch operators and civic leaders are asking the U.S. District Court to reinstate a stopwork order issued in April... More

Press Release

Rep Smith leads bipartisan push for Sudan Envoy amid genocide, displacement crisis
June 10, 2025
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, has introduced a bipartisan House Resolution calling for the immediate appointment of a U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan as the country descends further into genocidal violence, mass displacement, and humanitarian collapse. “HRes 479 is an instrument of strength that will provide the President and Secretary of State with the tools and information needed to end the war, deliver aid, and protect American nationa... More

Statements at events and press conferences

Smith's statement at Lantos Commission hearing...Rep. Smith chairs Congressional hearing on human rights abuses in Turkey
June 10, 2025
Co-Chairman Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) held a hearing today of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in Washington, D.C. focused on widespread human rights abuses by the government of Turkey against its own citizens. The following are excerpts of his remarks: The hearing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission—Human Rights in Turkey today—will come to order. We are here to expose and explore ways to mitigate and hopefully end massive violations of human rights by the government of Prime Minister... More