The Gordons Corner Fire Company in Manalapan Township will receive a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) federal grant to help recruit and retain volunteers, said Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) today. “Gordons Corner Fire Company is an all-volunteer firehouse that very much depends on keeping its current firefighters to protect the community, as well as attracting a new generation of volunteers,” Smith said. “This $48,876 grant comes from the SAFER grant program, which Congress ... Read more

Robbinsville firefighters will receive a federal grant to purchase thermal imaging cameras that protect first responders and help them protect the public, said Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) today. “This $22,805 grant will help pay for two thermal imaging cameras that can provide life-saving information in a smoke and fire-filled environment,” Smith said. “The funding comes from the Operations and Safety grant program, which Congress created to help communities equip their firefighters and EMS. “Our f... Read more

Legislation to provide a $25 billion emergency appropriation to the U.S. Postal Service “will help stabilize the post office and restore critical operations and services,” said Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) who voted for the legislation and has been a consistent advocate for postal workers and customers, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. “The men and women of the postal service have been working on the frontlines during COVID-19 delivering mail, food supplies, medicines, checks and other cri... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) released the attached statement following Governor Murphy’s announcement of CARES Act federal funding to additional New Jersey counties. “The federal CARES Act grants and support provided through the State to our counties today, including at least $4 million to Mercer County in my district, is critical to fighting the ongoing coronavirus threat and pushing for full recovery. I have introduced legislation which will enable government entities of less than 500,000 people, ... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who has been pushing for more assistance for United States Postal Service (USPS) workers since April to address the myriad of COVID-19 challenges they face, welcomed today’s announcement by the USPS Postmaster General to reverse his proposed changes that could have negatively impacted postal operations. “I am grateful that the Postmaster General has reversed course on the proposed changes. And while I am glad for the postponement, we still need and I continue to support ... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith, an early and strong advocate of increased appropriations and enhanced safety protocols at the United States Postal Service (USPS), said he will continue to speak out for funding reforms that will “help stabilize the post office and ensure it can properly process the surge of ballots anticipated this fall.” Smith noted that in New Jersey, the general election will be conducted primarily through the vote-by-mail process (VBM)—similar to the primary—even though county clerks, cou... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) tossed out the traditional first pitch at the Babe Ruth State Championship doubleheader featuring Hamilton/Northern Burlington squaring off against Atlantic Shore in the 2020 Southern NJ 15-year-old State Tournament Aug. 12. “It was good to get on the field with the Hamilton/Northern Burlington team and toss that first pitch,” said Smith, who for a number of years played in the annual Congressional Baseball Game. “Last night’s game one was a come-from-behind thriller, bu... Read more

The House of Representatives passed an amendment authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to boost Lyme disease research funding at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just before the end of the July session. “My amendment adds $4 million, for a total of $20 million, for Lyme disease research at the CDC for FY 2021. Just three years ago CDC’s Lyme budget was only $11.7 million,” said Smith, a longtime leader on Lyme as co-chair of the bipartisan Lyme Disease Caucus in Congress with ... Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), in conjunction with the Veterans Administration (VA), will host a VA Telephone Claims Clinic for vets, military retirees and their family members, and active duty service members on August 18 and 19, 2020. “It’s vitally important that veterans, active duty military, military retirees and their dependents have access to their VA services during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Smith said. “Health needs don’t take a hiatus, not for COVID-19 or anything else. This ‘telephone ... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), who has been working to help alleviate the threat of lead in drinking water systems in his district and other areas of New Jersey, has partnered with Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX) to introduce the Get the Lead Out Act (HR 7918) which would authorize $14 billion over two years and require every utility in America to develop a plan to identify and remove lead pipes that threaten residents, especially children, from the dangers of lead. “For every family and ever... Read more