By Jerry Carino the Asbury Park Press USA Today Network - New Jersey It’s called the “Tick Act,” and it would fuel the fight against Lyme disease and other tick- and vectorborne diseases to the tune of $180 million over six years. But will this bill make it through Congress, despite bipartisan sponsorship in both houses? “We have very strong advocates in Congress who will be fighting to get these monies through,” said Wall resident Pat Smith, a leading advocate for Lyme patients and member of th... Read more

Following a newly released report on disaster response from the nonpartisan Government and Accountability Office (GAO), and after a spate of destructive tornadoes in the Midwest and the start of the 2019 hurricane season, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Susan Collins (R-ME), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, introduced legislation to help Americans before, during and after natural disasters strike. U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin (D-RI-2) and Chris Smith (R-NJ-4... Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) commended a dozen students from the Fourth Congressional District who will soon be leaving to attend the nation’s prestigious military academies. A reception Saturday afternoon was hosted for the future cadets and midshipmen, and their families, as they prepare for four years of college at the military service academies. “It was hard work that got you here, it will take persistence, commitment, courage and devotion to God and our country to succeed,” Smith said to th... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) issued the following statement in response to the new information provided by the AP, who reviewed emails showing chaos before Braeden Bradforth’s death: “The documents obtained by Roxana Hegeman underscore again the need for a completely independent and transparent investigation of the death of Braeden Bradforth. Reading about how Braeden suffered in his last and, likely, his most excruciating hour of life demands a comprehensive examination that will go wherever the fac... Read more

The MISSION Act strengthens VA’s ability to deliver trusted, easy to access, high quality care at VA facilities, virtually through telehealth, and in your community. That means you get the care and services you need, where and when you need them. Beginning June 6, 2019, under the MISSION Act, you’ll have more ways to access health care. This includes within VA’s network and through approved non-VA medical providers in your community, called “community care providers.”Depending on your situation... Read more

Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) have introduced new legislation to create a new national strategy to aggressively fight Lyme disease and target an additional $180 million to boost funding for research, prevention and treatment programs. The new bipartisan bill, dubbed the TICK Act (Ticks: Identify, Control, Knockout Act) (HR 3073) is a companion to identical legislation introduced in the Senate and inspired by legislation Smith and Peterson introduced earlier this year (HR 22... Read more

Below are excerpts of remarks of Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Cochair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and Ranking Member on the Congressional -Executive Commission on China, at a joint hearing of the commissions on Tuesday on the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre: This joint hearing of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and the Lantos Human Rights Commission—with lead witness Speaker Pelosi—underscores the importance we attach to remembering the infamous Tianan... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) was honored by the Anti-Defamation League on Tuesday with the America’s Democratic Legacy Award—the organization’s highest honor—for his bipartisan leadership in Congress in fighting anti-Semitism around the world. “It is a distinct honor to be here with such great members of Congress who care deeply. Bipartisanship is not dead, as you can see,” said Smith, a founding co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism who was recognized with t... Read more

The following are excerpts of remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Global Health, at a June 4 hearing of the Subcommittee on “Eradicating Ebola: Lessons Learned and Medical Advancements”: I would like to thank Chairwoman Bass for convening this very important and timely hearing. As she knows, and as some of you may remember, this subcommittee was heavily engaged in the summer of 2014 in addressing Ebola, when we were in the midst of an E... Read more

After years of effort, Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th District) told News12 New Jersey that he has no plans on giving-up the fight to get chronic Lyme disease recognized both federally and within even the medical community. Congressman Smith spoke with News12 New Jersey reporter Nadia Ramdass outside News12 New Jersey's Edison, NJ studio to discuss the fight against Lyme disease and efforts to help those suffering with the disease. Smith held a congressional town meeting last week in Monmouth County wi... Read more