The following are excerpts of opening remarks by Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ) at a House hearing entitled “Conflict and Persecution in Nigeria: The Case for a CPC Designation," held in Washington, DC on March 12, 2025. 'One of our distinguished witnesses—Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria— will testify today that” Militant Fulani herdsman are terrorists. They steal and vandalize, they kill and boast about it, they kidnap and rape, and they enjoy total impunity from the elect... Read more

– U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, will chair a congressional hearing on the ongoing religious freedom violations in Nigeria, and whether Africa’s most populous nation should be officially designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the U.S. State Department. WHAT: Congressional hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee: “Conflict and Persecution in Nigeria: The Case for a CPC Designation” WHO: Smith, members of the Subcommi... Read more

– Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), today expressed serious concerns regarding the election of Suriname's Foreign Minister, Albert Ramdin, as the new Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS). “Suriname Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin’s record regarding democratic governance, as well as his close ties to foreign actors, particularly the People’s Republic ... Read more

Historic number of stomach cancer advocates unite on Capitol Hill to push for increased research funding amid growing concerns over federal science budget cuts. Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF) successfully wrapped up its 13th Annual Stomach Cancer Capitol Hill Advocacy Day, where nearly 200 patients, caregivers, and supporters met with members of Congress to advocate for increased federal funding for stomach cancer research. As part of this year's efforts, DDF honored Con... Read more

March 7, 2025 at 2:10 p.m. From OSV News and Staff Reports At their 20th anniversary event, the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast organizers recognized Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., with its Christifideles Laici Award, named for St. John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation for the laity. In his acceptance speech, the longtime Catholic Congressman hailing from the Diocese of Trenton and human rights advocate pointed to religious persecution in places like Nigeria, Nicaragua and China as issues that shou... Read more

By Jim Lonergan Published March 9, 2025 at 2:46 PM – Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) was recently recognized for his dedication to stomach cancer research, receiving the Congressional Steward of the Dream Award from Debbie’s Dream Foundation at a Capitol Hill event on February 26. The award, presented by Melani Vincelli, leader of the foundation’s New Jersey South Chapter and a 16-year stomach cancer survivor, highlights Smith’s unwavering efforts to advance research and secure critical funding... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) recently received the Congressional Steward of the Dream Award for his leadership and outstanding commitment to stomach cancer research. “I cannot thank you enough for your years of advocacy for stomach cancer research,” said Melani Vincelli, the New Jersey South Chapter leader of the nationwide Debbie’s Dream Foundation, which presented the award to Smith on Feb. 26 at a Capitol Hill event. Melani Vincelli (right) a resident of the Fourth Congressional District and Debb... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ-), along with Vice President JD Vance, today addressed the 20th Annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC, and the following are excerpts of his remarks: I would like to recognize my dear wife Marie who I met more than fifty years ago in the pro-life movement. She has been—and continues to be—a powerful, talented and incredibly wise, faith-filled pro-life leader, especially in the battle to defend human life around the world serving on Holy See del... Read more

– Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the Africa Subcommittee and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, has introduced legislation (HR 1744) to reauthorize the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) through September 2028. Smith’s bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Henry Cuellar (D-TX). “The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is the U.S. government’s most effective, unbiased, and respected voic... Read more

Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, and co-chair of the Uyghur Caucus, released the following statement on Thailand’s refoulement of Uyghur refugees to China: “The government of Thailand forcibly repatriated 45 Uyghur refugees to Communist China in violation of its obligations under the Convention against Torture. Culpability for this lies directly with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shin... Read more