“The policy of separating families at the U.S. border is wrong and needs to be immediately reversed. Next week we will be voting on legislation to end this practice as part of a larger reform package that will include other provisions such as a legislative solution for the Dreamers, giving them certainty and the ability to go to school and work, and pursue a pathway to legalization.” Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) applauded House passage of multiple bills this week to boost the federal response to the opioid crisis, and called on the Senate to move swiftly to ensure that support reaches victims and service providers as soon as possible. “As the opioid epidemic continues to proliferate, our efforts to treat and prevent this disease at the federal level must be redoubled,” Smith said. “This crisis requires a more aggressive and comprehensive response to the problem, which is e... Read more

By APP Columnist Steve Frank - The Dad stood on the jetty holding his 3-year-old daughter. He, smiling and waving. She, learning to wave. Out on the water, cruising in was the fishing head boat Jamaica, its rail lined with scruffy, tired men returning with their day’s catch. Exhausted? Maybe. But not so much that they couldn’t smile and wave back. The fishermen on the rocks, thinking they were being waved at, re-waved. The three couples heading out for cocktails on their cabin cruiser returned t... Read more

On the House Floor on Thursday, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) congratulated four students at Point Pleasant Borough High School—Luke Boylan, Theresa Cardone, Jaspreet Kaur, and Adrian Wittmann—and their teacher Nick Gattuso, for their app “Lunch Buddy” which won first place in the 2017 Congressional App Competition. The app connected special needs students at their school with fellow students to sit with them at lunchtime, fostering friendship and inclusion. Below are excerpts of his remarks “Lunch Bu... Read more

Today, U.S. Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Norma J. Torres (D-CA), members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced a bipartisan resolution expressing solidarity and support for the people of Guatemala after the eruption of the Fuego Volcano earlier this month. The resolution also recognizes the efforts of first responders and citizen volunteers, and the donations made by U.S. citizens, companies, and charities to relief and reconstruction efforts. Additionally, it urges the United S... Read more

“Human Rights Concerns in Sri Lanka” was the title of a hearing chaired by Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, on Wednesday, June 20. Testifying at Smith’s hearing were: J.S. Tissainayagam, journalist and human rights advocate, Michael Jerryson, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Youngstown State University, David M. Crane, Principal at Justice Consultancy ... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) walked with thousands of marchers in the opening ceremony of the 2018 Special Olympics New Jersey Summer Games held the weekend of June 8-10 at the College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in Ewing Township, NJ. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics, in which 2,500 athletes will compete in summer Olympic sporting events. Smith, an alumnus of TCNJ, formerly known as Trenton State College, also attended a Special Olympics reception where he met with TCNJ ... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who visited Vietnamese human rights defender Nguyen Van Dai in 2005 in his Hanoi law office, welcomed today his release from prison, along with the release of his law firm colleague, Le Thu Ha. “I am overjoyed that Nguyen Van Dai and his wife, along with Ms. Le Thu Ha, are now finally safe and free to speak and worship as they see fit,” Rep. Smith stated. “But I am saddened that the Vietnamese government choses to torture, jail, and exile some of its best and brightest c... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, released the following statement after Ethiopia lifted its state of emergency and accepted the terms of a peace agreement with Eritrea: “I welcome news of Ethiopia’s acceptance of the 2000 peace agreement with Eritrea as well as parliament’s approval of a bill to end the State of Emergency. I remain cautiously optimistic that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will continue along the direction of peace and respect for hum... Read more

As a result of the quick action taken by two elected officials, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has agreed to perform emergency dredging of the Manasquan Inlet to maintain safe navigation for boat traffic, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) announced today in Point Pleasant Beach, where he was at the invitation of Mayor Steve Reid to inspect areas of the inlet first-hand. (Pictured left to right): Point Pleasant Beach Borough Councilman Andy Cortes, Mayor Steve Reid, Councilman Bob Santanello, Rep... Read more