The House of Representatives passed comprehensive legislation today authorizing more than half a billion dollars over four years to fight sex and labor trafficking in the United States and globally. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the author of the bill, said it is named in honor of the, “incomparable Frederick Douglass—a former slave who dedicated his life to abolishing slavery—on the eve of his 200th birthday. Human trafficking is modern day slavery.” Click Here to read the bill. According to Smith, ... Read more

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey… Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairman ED ROYCE for yielding. I thank him for his leadership on trafficking, for this bill in particular, for the markup, and for all of the assistance he provided. I also thank ELIOT ENGEL, our ranking member. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I want to thank KAREN BASS, the lead Democrat on the bill, for her exceptional leadership and her collaboration on this legislation. I want to thank Speaker RYAN and Majority Leade... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House panel on global human rights, will be holding a hearing, entitled “The Tragic Case of Liu Xiaobo,” to examine the works of the great Chinese human rights leader, Liu Xiaobo, and bring light to his current plight. Last month, Liu’s cancer diagnosis was made public, however the Chinese government has refused to allow Liu to travel and seek care outside the country. “The world owes Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo a debt of gratitude because he demonstrates, ... Read more

An international parliamentary assembly of leading lawmakers from 56 countries today adopted a comprehensive resolution, sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, to increase efforts to prevent child sex exploitation and prosecute the perpetrators. Smith, who authored America’s landmark law to combat sex and labor trafficking (the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000), is attending the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCEPA) along with 11 othe... Read more

At an annual parliamentary assembly held this week in Minsk, Belarus, North American and European lawmakers overwhelmingly adopted an amendment, authored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), to increase coordination and enhance international efforts to combat anti-Semitism. Smith is the Co-Chair of the US Helsinki Commission, which leads American participation in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE-PA), which tackles a wide range of international issu... Read more

In a letter sent today, authored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) and signed by most of the New Jersey Delegation, to Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, New Jersey lawmakers expressed the need to delay any 2017 restrictions placed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) on the New Jersey fishing industry. The letter highlighted the overwhelmingly negative impact the new regulations would have on New Jersey shore communities. “A reduction of this magnitude wi... Read more

Human trafficking resolution and anti-Semitism amendment to be debated by 56-country assembly this week Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), the author of America’s landmark law to combat sex and labor trafficking (the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000), is at a conference of European and North American lawmakers today to advance the global fight against human trafficking and to step up efforts to combat anti-Semitism. More than 300 members of parliaments from 56 countries—including eleven members... Read more

Mr. Watson was born on Aug. 10, 1920 in Wildwood, to Jack and Anna Watson. He played football for Lakewood High School and was recently inducted into its football hall of fame. In 1942, just weeks after high school, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. He was sent to Tuskegee to help form the 332nd Fighter Group and the 96th Air Service Group, where he served as a supply sergeant and support personnel. In a talk at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst two years ago, Tech Sgt. Watson said he joined ... Read more

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H. Con. Res. 67, calling on the People’s Republic of China to unconditionally release Liu Xiaobo and, with his wife Liu Xia, allow them to freely meet with family and seek medical treatment overseas if necessary. Liu Xiaobo, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010, was in the midst of serving an 11 year sentence when he was diagnosed with liver cancer that had metastasized throughout his body. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04),... Read more

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey... Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my very good friend from California for his graciousness in yielding me this time and for his wonderful work as a Member of Congress on human rights and pro-life issues. I thank him for that leadership. Mr. Speaker, tonight, I rise and note to my colleagues that the news of Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo’s diagnosis of terminal liver cancer was a jarring shock to everyone who admires this champion of freedom and democracy. Tonight, the... Read more