As the United States, and the world, review the brutal legacy of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) said that with honest negotiations the past need not be prologue with the Communist regime, now headed by Raúl Castro, so long as we all remain mindful of history when assessing future relations with the island nation. Smith noted that there will no doubt be those counseling the incoming President to continue the Obama Administration’s policy of concessions to the Castro brother... Read more

By Alex Napoliello of the Star Ledger/NJ.com Nov. 27, 2016 - When the 73-acre Wreck Pond overflows, a decades-long problem, its surge prompts frequent beach closures and carries devastating impacts to the coastal environment and nearby homes. With the completion of a concrete culvert that is part of Gov. Chris Christie administration's $7.4 million lake restoration project, officials are a step closer to improving the health of the pond and the surrounding community. Nearly 16 months after the l... Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who has worked for years securing federal support through multiple initiatives aimed at mitigating the flood and pollution problems associated with Wreck Pond, today joined N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin and other state, county and local officials to mark completion of a key component in the restoration of the pond, a state-of-the-art flood-control culvert. “Beginning in 2003, when Wreck Pond became part of the fourth congr... Read more

By Jonathan Salant of the Star Ledger/NJ.com The U.S. Senate has cleared legislation to add Gold Star families to the Library of Congress veterans history project, enabling them to tell stories of their loved ones killed while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), would have the Library of Congress, which now collects interviews with veterans, also seek stories from family members of those killed or missing in action. The bill passed the Senate Mo... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Vietnam, denounced the passage today of a revised Law on Religion and Belief, saying the law was fundamentally flawed, violating Vietnam’s international obligations to protect human rights and increasing the government’s control over religious life in Vietnam. “This law is not a step forward. People of faith will continue to suffer under a Communist Party that wants to restrict religious liberty rather than protect a fundamental h... Read more

Today, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) announced that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released the first in a series of reports examining actions that can be taken to address the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as they transition to adulthood. Smith along with leaders from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, commissioned the reports to supplement requirements in Smith’s law, the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act (Publ... Read more

The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday approved legislation (H. Res. 780), authored by Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, which urges Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila to respect the people’s constitution and allow a peaceful, democratic transition of power—or face targeted sanctions. “The constitution, which prevents Kabila from running for a third term, will be completely discredited if he manages to extend his rule,” said ... Read more

Today, Rep. Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on International Organizations and Human Rights, delivered the following speech denouncing funding to Iran to the U.S. House of Representatives: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5711, the No U.S. Financing for Iran Act, introduced by my good friend BILL HUIZENGA. This bill also includes the outstanding work of my good friend PETER ROSKAM, who introduced H.R. 5715, the No Ex-Im Assistance for Terrorism Ac... Read more

After unanimous House passage in September, the Senate voted today to send the Gold Star Families Voices Act (HR 4511) to the President for his signature. The legislation, authored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), will allow immediate family members of servicemembers who are killed or missing in action or have died as a result of their service to participate in the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project. “Today’s vote honors the men and women who gave ‘the last full measure of devotion’ ... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations spoke on the floor in support of H.R. 6297, the Iran Sanctions Extension Act: Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chair for his sponsorship of the Iran Sanctions Extension Act, H.R. 6297. This is a must-pass measure that would extend for 10 years the Iran Sanctions Act, a critical set of sanctions targeting Iran’s energy sector that would otherwise expire... Read more