DAVID P. WILLIS, ASBURY PARK PRESS - Handing a victory to residents who fought it for years, state regulators on Friday turned off Jersey Central Power & Light's bid to build an $111 million high voltage line between Aberdeen and Red Bank. The state Board of Public Utilities voted against JCP&L's request at its public meeting, more than three months after an administrative law judge recommended the board reject it. "My primary sense is relief," said Rachael Kanapka, co-president of Residents Aga... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), who represents much of Monmouth County, applauded Friday’s ruling by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities rejecting the proposal of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) to construct a high-voltage power line between Red Bank and Aberdeen. “Today’s decision is a vindication for local residents who fought long and hard to oppose these power lines, especially Rachel Kanapka and her committed group Residents Against Giant Electric (RAGE),” said Smith, who visited ... Read more

There is nothing more important than protecting vulnerable children from physical and psychological harm. The policy of forcibly separating children from their parent or parents at the U.S. border is seriously wrong, hurts families, and needs to immediately end. The Departments of Justice and Homeland Security must halt the practice of family separations, except in the cases of criminal felonies by an adult including rape, murder, sexual assault on a minor, or human trafficking. Without delay, C... Read more

“I am deeply concerned for the victims of today’s senseless gun violence at Trenton’s Art All Night event and pray for the survivors’ quick recovery. Special thanks to the Trenton police for courageously acting to protect as many people as possible from harm. This is another tragedy that compels policy makers at all levels including Congress to do more to end the escalating violence, including universal background checks to keep guns away from dangerous people. I’ve spoken with Mercer County Pro... Read more

On Saturday, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) commended ten students from the Fourth Congressional District whom he nominated for acceptance to military service academies and who will soon be leaving to attend the academies. The reception was hosted for the future cadets and midshipmen, and their families, as they prepare for four years of school. “It was hard work that got you here, it will take persistence, commitment, courage and devotion to God and our country to succeed,” Smith said to the nominees ... Read more

“The policy of separating families at the U.S. border is wrong and needs to be immediately reversed. Next week we will be voting on legislation to end this practice as part of a larger reform package that will include other provisions such as a legislative solution for the Dreamers, giving them certainty and the ability to go to school and work, and pursue a pathway to legalization.” Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) applauded House passage of multiple bills this week to boost the federal response to the opioid crisis, and called on the Senate to move swiftly to ensure that support reaches victims and service providers as soon as possible. “As the opioid epidemic continues to proliferate, our efforts to treat and prevent this disease at the federal level must be redoubled,” Smith said. “This crisis requires a more aggressive and comprehensive response to the problem, which is e... Read more

By APP Columnist Steve Frank - The Dad stood on the jetty holding his 3-year-old daughter. He, smiling and waving. She, learning to wave. Out on the water, cruising in was the fishing head boat Jamaica, its rail lined with scruffy, tired men returning with their day’s catch. Exhausted? Maybe. But not so much that they couldn’t smile and wave back. The fishermen on the rocks, thinking they were being waved at, re-waved. The three couples heading out for cocktails on their cabin cruiser returned t... Read more

On the House Floor on Thursday, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) congratulated four students at Point Pleasant Borough High School—Luke Boylan, Theresa Cardone, Jaspreet Kaur, and Adrian Wittmann—and their teacher Nick Gattuso, for their app “Lunch Buddy” which won first place in the 2017 Congressional App Competition. The app connected special needs students at their school with fellow students to sit with them at lunchtime, fostering friendship and inclusion. Below are excerpts of his remarks “Lunch Bu... Read more

Today, U.S. Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Norma J. Torres (D-CA), members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced a bipartisan resolution expressing solidarity and support for the people of Guatemala after the eruption of the Fuego Volcano earlier this month. The resolution also recognizes the efforts of first responders and citizen volunteers, and the donations made by U.S. citizens, companies, and charities to relief and reconstruction efforts. Additionally, it urges the United S... Read more