Twenty-seven members of the House of Representatives and five Senators today call on Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar and U.S. Attorney General William Barr to expeditiously issue guidance to states to protect Americans with disabilities from discrimination during the coronavirus outbreak. A letter, written by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and led in the House by Smith and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI), cites stories by major media outlets reporting insufficient heal... Read more

With thousands of Americans stranded overseas, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee who has been working to get Americans currently stuck in Peru, teamed up as the lead Republican sponsor on legislation written by Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), HR 6376, that would waive fees for travelers who require evacuation assistance from the U.S. Department of State. “This legislation would provide important relief for American citizens stranded abroad due to the... Read more

In an urgent phone conversation Saturday, March 21st with U.S. Ambassador to Peru, Krishna Urs, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, urged the Ambassador to reach out to U.S. citizens and reassure those spread-out across Peru that they have not been forgotten nor abandoned. “There are reportedly 5,000 Americans trapped in Peru needing the immediate assistance of the U.S. government in order to get home,” said Smith, who has been contacted by more than ... Read more

By Dana Kennedy At least two more members of the tragic New Jersey family ravaged by coronavirus have tested positive for the disease that’s already killed four of their kin and sickened eight others. Elizabeth Fusco, the youngest of 11 children in a large, close-knit family, lost her mother and three siblings over the next few days, has herself tested positive. Even worse, her daughter, who has a preexisting health condition, has tested positive, too. Enlarge Image The Fusco familyFacebook Jus... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ4) has asked The White House to approve treating suspected COVID-19 patients with approved “compassionate use” drug therapies prior to the COVID-19 test results being confirmed. Rep. Smith shared an email he sent to Ambassador Deborah Birx, MD, the Coordinator of The White House Coronavirus Task Force, exclusively with MMM: Dear Dr. Birx: I urgently write to ask whether new guidance can be issued to permit a physician to administer remdesivir without confirmation of... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) is pressing the White House to approve treating suspected COVID-19 patients with approved “compassionate use” drug therapies prior to their COVID-19 test results being confirmed. Smith asked Ambassador Dr. Deborah Birx, MD, the Coordinator of The White House Coronavirus Task Force, and Joe Grogan, White House Domestic Policy Council Director, whether new guidance can be issued to permit a physician to administer remdesivir without confirmation of infection by a test. “Tra... Read more

Monmouth County Freeholders Sue Kiley and Nick DiRocco, joined by County Administrator Teri O’Connor, briefed Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) on the work being done in Monmouth to stop the spread of the novel Coronavirus, as well as to help County residents deal with the stressors the pandemic may bring. Smith said that though the County is limiting visitors to all offices, all golf courses, parks and open spaces remain open and may offer needed respite. The Freeholders also discuss the testing, screeni... Read more

At the recommendation of federal public health officials and the attending physician of the House of Representatives, the full U.S Capitol complex—the House of Representatives, the Senate and all office buildings—are now closed to visitors and non-essential personnel as part of the national effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Out of an abundance of caution and in keeping with the tenor of public health officials’ social distancing recommendations, I am joining with other governme... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) continues reaching out to public health officials in his district including Dan Regenye, Ocean County Public Health Coordinator to offer “absolutely any advocacy and assistance necessary on the federal level” to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Smith said Regenye briefed him on the “mutually reinforcing aggressive steps” Ocean County has undertaken including the push to identify and test at-risk people, school closing and need for students during closures to adhere to “so... Read more

As the House on Saturday passed its second comprehensive bipartisan bill to combat the coronavirus (COVID 19), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) said that “containing the outbreak, finding a cure and a safe and effective vaccine must be our highest priority—no matter the cost.” “We must contain the coronavirus pandemic and protect all people, especially those most vulnerable to the disease such as the elderly and those with serious chronic medical conditions,” said Smith, who strongly supported and voted ... Read more