The fragile and deteriorating state of affairs between the nations of Sudan and South Sudan was the focus of a hearing Thursday held by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees international human rights and African issues. Testifying were senior officials from the U.S. State Department. “As we meet here today, the two countries move ever closer to all-out war, and some strategy to avert this eventuality must be devised soon if it is not created al... Read more

Congressman Christopher Smith, of Robbinsville, N.J., recently met with students from the Bais Tova and Bais Rochel schools from Lakewood Township, Ocean County, N.J. Following a tour of the Capitol Building and House complex, Smith spoke to the groups on the steps of the Capitol Building. They discussed current events, including national and international issues. Smith, a senior member of Congress, represents large parts of Ocean County, as well as large areas of Mercer, Burlington and Monmouth... Read more

“The Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act”—new legislation to support U.S. jobs by growing U.S. exports to Africa—was the focus of federal and policy expert witnesses at a hearing held Tuesday by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees African issues. Joining U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson and U.S. Assistant Trade Representative for Africa Florizelle Liser was Isaiah Washington, advocate and former star ... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith today presented World War II veteran Technical Sgt. Harry Havens, 88, with the National Prisoner of War medal. The honor was created by Congress in the 1980s to honor servicemen and women held captive during war. Havens also holds the Distinguished Service Cross, the country's second highest military honor. Click here to read News12 post and watch video. Read more

Autism is more prevalent among children in New Jersey than previously thought, according to a new study, but the apparent increase is due largely to better screening and diagnosis, officials say. One in 49 children in the state have been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder, compared to one in 88 children nationwide, according to a study released Thursday by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., called the results of the study “shocking,” ... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The growing influence of China across Africa was the topic of federal and policy expert witnesses at a hearing held Thursday by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees international human rights and African issues. “Assessing China’s Role and Influence in Africa,” is the title of the hearing of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights featuring the U.S. State Department and other witnesses. “China has be... Read more

With David Goldman and other left behind parents from around the country at a congressional mark-up Tuesday, a bill designed to empower the U.S. State Department with more tools to achieve the return of children abducted from the U.S. and to enforce the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction was approved by Members of the House panel that oversees human rights. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the House congressional human rights subcommittee, saw his ... Read more

Promoting online freedom in repressive countries is at the core of the Global Online Freedom Act (GOFA) passed today by the House panel that oversees international human rights and chaired by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04). At the markup of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights, Chairman Smith described the deteriorating state of freedom of political and religious speech online and the growing danger for dissidents who use the Internet. “The threat to human rights is ... Read more

The National PACE Association (NPA) today presented Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) with the NPA Public Service Award at its Spring Policy Forum in Washington. He received the award for his leadership in helping protect PACE—Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly—as an option for New Jersey seniors as the State works to reform its long-term care delivery system. Smith helped launch the first Medicare-sponsored PACE in New Jersey, and the NPA selected him in recognition of his support of P... Read more

A bill to address the wave of internet censorship being engaged in by repressive regimes around the world—the Global Online Freedom Act (GOFA)—will be taken up at a congressional hearing Tuesday to be held by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), chair of the House panel that oversees human rights. The legislation would prevent U.S. information technology companies from collaborating with foreign dictators in their efforts to censor the Internet and spy on their own citizens. The bill is in response ... Read more