By A.M. Dickey Published February 5, 2026 More than $23.8 million in federal funding has been allocated to infrastructure and humanitarian projects in Ocean and Monmouth counties, following the approval of a consolidated budget. The funding comes from congressional earmarks submitted by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who represents New Jersey’s 4th district in the U.S. Congress. “The nearly $24 million in federal funding, which I secured, will go towards vital projects and initiatives that will greatl... Read more

By Emily Hallas Published February 4, 2026 at 9:22 am The Pentagon revealed on Tuesday that a team of U.S. military forces is in Nigeria to combat terrorism in the African country. The development comes after President Donald Trump authorized strikes last December against ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria, amid concerns that the group, and other radicalized Islamist militias such as Boko Haram, are killing thousands of Christians. General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, head of the U.S. military’s Afri... Read more

Attacks on religious groups continue to rise in the United States and around the world, prompting renewed efforts to raise public awareness and strengthen the international religious freedom movement. As lawmakers and groups take action to raise awareness, a hearing was held by Congressman Chris Smith, a longtime religious freedom advocate. Capitol Hill correspondent Erik Rosales reports. The full interview can be viewed by clicking here. ### Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, sat down with Tony Perkins on Washington Watch with Tony Perkins to discuss his recent congressional hearing, entitled “Defending Religious Freedom Around the World,” the U.S. deployment of troops to Nigeria, and addressing Christian persecution in Nigeria and China. The full interview can be viewed by clicking here. ### Read more

By Elise Winland Published February 4, 2026 U.S. Rep Chris Smith, R-N.J., warned Feb. 4 that religious persecution worldwide is a “festering and exploding” crisis that demands strong U.S. leadership. Smith, a Catholic who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, made the remarks during a congressional hearing titled “Defending Religious Freedom Around the World.” The hearing examined religious freedom violations in countries, including China, North Korea, Nigeria, and Tanzania, w... Read more

By Julian Pecquet Published January 28, 2026 at 12:00 pm (GMT +1) Washington is turning up the pressure on Rwanda as US President Donald Trump’s peace deal for the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo struggles to take hold on the ground. Six weeks after the Congolese and Rwandan presidents put their mutual animus on hold for a brief moment to sign the Washington Accords, US lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are threatening sanctions as they grow increasingly frustrated about the ongoing viol... Read more

By Sean Salai Published Tuesday, January 27, 2026 Hi, this is Sean Salai, culture reporter at The Washington Times. We are out at the 53rd National March for Life, where we are interviewing pro-life leaders. I’m joined by Congressman Chris Smith, Republican from New Jersey, who just stepped off the stage. [SALAI] You mentioned how the abortion pill is baby poison. And a lot of marchers we’ve been talking to today, they’re kind of happy with a lot that the Trump administration has done. They’re p... Read more

By Victoria Silva Published January 26, 2026 Chris Smith, a Republican representative from New Jersey, has been vocal in his support for a pro-mom, pro-life bill that aims to provide assistance to mothers and families. This legislation, which has recently advanced in the House, is designed to address the needs of parents, particularly those who may be facing challenges during pregnancy and early parenthood. Smith emphasizes that the bill is not only about protecting the unborn but also about sup... Read more

By Lizzy Masinga & Mariam Mjahid Published January 23, 2026 A Texas congressman has said that integrating the M23 rebels into government security forces, along with neighboring countries collaborating to benefit from Congo's mineral resources, would be a solution to the long-running war in northeastern Congo. Congressman Ronny Jackson, a former US Army doctor, made the statement Thursday as the US House Foreign Affairs Committee questioned government representatives about progress in implementin... Read more

By Dan Hart Published January 23, 2026 As the annual March for Life descended on the nation’s capital Friday, two pro-life pieces of legislation were passed by the House of Representatives, one safeguarding federal funding for pregnancy resource centers and another ensuring that pregnant college students are fully informed of their rights to give birth and take care of their babies while receiving an education. On Wednesday, the House passed the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Famili... Read more