Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) on Thursday testified before members of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, urging them to advance his legislation (HR 1427) to fight human trafficking in the hotel industry. “Many hotels partner with law enforcement and advocacy groups and have spent considerable resources to be effective in the fight against human trafficking,” Smith said in his testimony before the Committee. “This bill aims to reward these hotels by prioritizing them for government-sponsored ... Read more

By L.A. Parker, Trentonian Columnist - The past caught up to Adam Pietras finally as memories tethered with blood and courage, stitches and heroism, fear and familial devotion resurfaced. Pietras, a Boy Scout enjoying life in Hamilton Township in the Fourth Congressional District represented by Chris Smith (R-NJ), gained recognition as a hero brother who saved his sister from a dog attack. Rep. Smith made his young constituent part of the Congressional Record on March 14. Two days later, Pietras... Read more

Stephen Edelson, Asbury Park Press - Kansas officials have already rejected a plea from one New Jersey state lawmaker to take action in the wake of last summer’s heatstroke death of former Neptune football player Braeden Bradforth. Now a federal lawmaker from New Jersey is seeking answers. U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, has written to Garden City Community College president Ryan Ruda requesting an independent investigation into the events of Aug. 1, at the junior college in Garden City, Ka... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today announced that a behavioral health agency based in his district has received a $95,000 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for its “PROUD to be Well” project. The grant recipient, Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey, Inc. (CSPNJ), is a peer-led behavioral health agency with centers throughout New Jersey. “I am pleased to announce this federal grant which will help strengthen crucial mental health and recovery programs in our state,”... Read more

A New Jersey congressman sends a two-page letter to leaders at Garden City Community College, seeking answers into the death of a GCCC football player in August 2018. The family of that player, Braeden Bradforth, says they still have many unanswered questions surrounding the 19-year-old's death. The Garden City Telegram reported a teammate found Bradforth in his dorm on the night of Aug. 1 in medical distress. Bradforth, a New Jersey native, was transported to St. Catherine Hospital where he di... Read more

High school and college students from the Fourth Congressional District who are interested in attending a United States Service Academy are invited to Congressman Chris Smith’s Service Academy Information Night, to be held Thursday, April 18, 2019. The event will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Naval Weapons Station Earle, 201 Highway 34 in Colts Neck, NJ. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Students, as well as parents, counselors and educators, who wish to learn about competing for a nomination to one o... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Ranking Member of the global human rights subcommittee, issued the following statement today on an effort by European states to help serious human rights abusers in Iran evade U.S. sanctions: “I am very concerned by recent reports that Iran, together with some of our European allies, plan to have a non-U.S. dollar currency mechanism—known as ‘INSTEX’, or ‘Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges’—up and running soon. It would allow European companies to do business with ... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) announced on Tuesday that critical construction projects at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst are to be awarded soon, adding to the base’s prestige and strategic importance. “I am happy to say that the Joint Base will tomorrow be awarded a new $10.37 million aircraft apron taxiway and support facility, and this is just the beginning of an exciting time of growth at the base,” Smith said. “I’ve already been told the Joint Base is likely to be awarded a $72 million hangar at... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Global Human Rights and International Organizations, reintroduced legislation (HR 1811) on Monday to counter malign political operations in the U.S. conducted by the Chinese government. “Beijing’s influence operations are sophisticated and threatening. They include efforts to coerce and corrupt U.S. interests, institutions and individuals, while fostering attitudes and outcomes favorable to the Chinese Communist Party,” Smith s... Read more

Boy Scout Adam Pietras was only 10 when he fought off a loose Bullmastiff that got into his family’s backyard and charged his younger sister, age 7. He pushed her out of harm’s way, but the dog latched onto him instead, causing severe injuries but buying enough time for his younger brother to run for help. Adam suffered the loss of a great deal of blood and was hospitalized with more than 200 stitches. Following therapy and plastic surgery, Adam made a strong recovery. On Saturday, March 16, U.S... Read more