By Lakewood Alerts Published August 25, 2026 Rep. Chris Smith is joining Ocean County and Manchester Township officials in opposing the development of AI data centers in the area, citing concerns over their potential impact on local resources, the environment and residents. Smith met Thursday, August 20, with Manchester Township Mayor Joseph Hankins, Public Works Director Al Yodakis and Ocean County Commissioner Rob Arace to discuss their shared opposition to data center development in Mancheste... Read more

From left to right: Ocean County Commissioner Rob Arace, Manchester Twp. Director of Public Works Al Yodakis, Manchester Twp. Mayor Joseph Hankins, and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith. On Thursday, August 20th, Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) met with Manchester Twp. Mayor Joseph Hankins, Director of Public Works Al Yodakis, and Ocean County Commissioner Rob Arace to discuss their mutual opposition to the development of AI data centers in the Township—and Ocean County overall. “AI data centers pose criti... Read more

By Jasmyn Jordan Published August 24, 2026 New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) responded to a group of House Republicans seeking answers over approximately 6,600 noncitizens who were registered to vote through the state’s motor-vehicle system, but her three-page reply did not directly identify which elections were affected, explain how people who identified themselves as noncitizens were validated as eligible voters, or say who would be held accountable. Nineteen House Republicans, led by Republi... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, today condemned two deadly attacks in Nigeria that reportedly killed more than 30 people on Sunday and at least 23-25 people on Tuesday. As reports of the attacks and casualty figures continue to emerge, Smith called upon the Nigerian government to take immediate action to protect vulnerable Christian communities and bring the perpetrators to justice. “Despite denials by Nigerian government actors, Christians... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), today condemned an alarming report that Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials allegedly pressured the U.S.-China Catholic Association to remove a Purdue University professor and prominent religious freedom scholar from its conference because of his criticism of the CCP’s persecution of Christians. “If these reports are accurate, this is yet another outrageous example of the Chinese Communist Party ... Read more

By Joe Strupp Published August 19, 2026, 5:16 a.m. ET JACKSON – Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet will keep this town from wanting not one but two post offices. Claiming one post office in town is not enough to serve a growing population, township officials and several state legislators are urging the federal government to add a second postal site to the community. Calling the current situation “a crisis," a letter to the U.S. Postmaster went out calling for the addition. “This urgent request co... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Caucus, applauded Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s announcement today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a variety of new initiatives to improve patient care, enable earlier diagnoses, and accelerate research for Lyme disease. “Under President Trump and Secretary Kennedy’s bold leadership, the HHS is taking important steps towards addressing and mitigating th... Read more

By Lakewood Alerts Published August 12, 2026 Jackson Township officials are pressing the United States Postal Service for action over longstanding concerns at the Jackson Post Office on Bennetts Mills Road, including overcrowding, lengthy wait times, inadequate parking, staffing shortages and growing traffic and safety issues. Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about vehicles backing onto Bennetts Mills Road, traffic extending beyond the post office property and difficulties safely enteri... Read more

By Phil Stilton Published August 12, 2026 Jackson, NJ – Anyone who has ever been to the Jackson Township U.S. Post Office on Bennetts Mills Road knows the place is a nightmare, especially after the federal agency closed the town’s other post office many years ago. With the rise in population in Jackson, people often cite their visit to the Jackson post office as not-so-pleasant experience…and it’s getting worse. Now, a coalition of elected officials is urging the U.S. Postal Service to take imme... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, issued the following response to statements by McKenna West that she was pressured to abort a baby she was carrying as a surrogate after a 20-week ultrasound diagnosed a serious but treatable heart condition, and that she is currently engaged in a legal battle that will decide whether the baby receives lifesaving care when he is born: “Ms. West has demonstrated heroic courage and love for this baby. According to reports, de... Read more