Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) gave the following remarks at a congressional hearing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission entitled "Human Rights in Russia on the 5th Anniversary of the Nemtsov Assassination," on Feb. 27, 2020: Good morning. Today’s Hearing marks five years since the assassination of Boris Nemtsov, a true advocate for democracy and freedom of speech in Russia. It is tragic that it sometimes takes a death to put a problem into focus, but his death was not the end of his movem... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the Ranking Member of the House global health subcommittee, said today that the growing threat of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, requires Congress to immediately and adequately provide emergency funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal agencies already working to protect US citizens. “This week, the Trump administration is requesting at least $2.5 billion in additional funding to combat the coronavirus,” said Smith. “The Presiden... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, issued the following statement calling upon parties in Lebanon to work expeditiously to resolve significant differences and proactively address the deteriorating financial crisis threatening the stability of the country: “Lebanon is on the verge of financial collapse, and with Hezbollah threatening to scuttle a proposed bailout from the International Monetary Fun... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and Ranking Member of the House global human rights subcommittee, released the following statement on the death of Vietnamese human rights leader Thich Quang Do: “I am deeply saddened to hear that the Most Venerable Thich Quang Do passed away over the weekend at age 91,” said Smith, who has chaired 11 hearings on human rights in Vietnam. “He was a courageous champion for human rights in Vietnam and one of the world’s... Read more

By TAPINTO HAMILTON/ROBBINSVILLE STAFF February 19, 2020 at 12:40 PM Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced legislation on Friday, Valentine Day to recognize February as American Heart Month nationwide. Approximately 647,000 Americans who die from some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD) each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). “Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans, and more women die from heart disease than all cancers combined,” said Smith, who serves as c... Read more

By Allison Schuster An estimated 40 million people are trafficked around the world each year, says the leader of a group training health care providers to help identify and rescue victims. One research study of survivors in 2014 found that “88% of victims seek medical care and treatment while being trafficked,” said Deb O’Hara-Rusckowski, a critical care nurse who co-founded Global Strategic Operatives, an organization that combats human trafficking. PHOTO: With proper training, advocates for vi... Read more

Bipartisan legislation recognizing February as American Heart Month was introduced in the House of Representatives today. Congressman Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Heart & Stroke Coalition, along with fellow Co-Chair Joyce Beatty (D-OH), authored the resolution, HRes. 860, in honor of the approximately 647,000 Americans who die from some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD) each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). “Heart disease is the leading killer of Americ... Read more

By TAPINTO HAMILTON/ROBBINSVILLE STAFF Robbinsville Robotics students put their skills on display on Monday and their compassion for fellow students. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4) and Robbinsville Councilman Dan Schuberth met with First Lego League Robotics Team "Minds of Steel" -- one of five teams that competed in the recent FLL State Championship. The team shared their conceptual plan for an "all-inclusive" playground, specifically tailored to support children with autism. “With this project... Read more

Legislation written by Rep. Chris Smith to protect student athletes across America took a major step toward becoming law after the influential Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA)—who has prime jurisdiction over the issue—voiced his willingness to support and help steer the bill through the full House. Last week, Smith arranged for key congressional leaders to meet with Joanne Atkins-Ingram of Neptune, N.J., mother of Braeden Bradforth, a student who died ... Read more

By Jonathan D. Salant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com NJ Transit is going to teach its conductors and other employees to look for signs of human trafficking on its trains and buses. The announcement came as the White House celebrated the 20-year anniversary of the landmark law designed to put the federal government behind efforts to fight sex and labor trafficking. “This landmark piece of legislation changes the landscape of the conversation around human trafficking and elevated the U.S. governme... Read more