By James Lynch Published September 9, 2025 at 2:04 PM The son of Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong businessman and democracy advocate currently imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party, is worried about his father dying in prison if something is not done soon to secure his freedom. One of the world’s most prominent anti-authoritarian dissidents, Lai has been in solitary confinement for the better part of five years on dubious charges brought by the CCP during its crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kon... Read more

New legislation to authorize more than $280 million over five years for national cord blood and bone marrow transplant programs was introduced in the House of Representatives Thursday with significant bipartisan support, building momentum for its likely passage this Congress. H.R. 5160, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2025, authored by Rep. Chris Smith with lead co-sponsor Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA), as well as Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Clau... Read more

By Karen Wall, Patch Staff Published Monday, September 8, 2025 at 1:11 PM ET TOMS RIVER, NJ — An effort to get the new Veterans Affairs community-based clinic in Toms River named for a war hero from Ocean County has finally paid off as a bill for the naming has been signed by President Donald Trump. Trump on Friday signed the bill to name the Community Based Outpatient Clinic for Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, the World War II hero from Ocean County, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith announced. It followed months... Read more

On Friday—just in time for Charlotte Ewart Lomell’s 104th birthday—President Donald Trump signed a new law naming the Veterans’ Clinic in Toms River after her late husband, celebrated local WWII hero Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell. “One of the most decorated Army Rangers of World War II, Bud Lomell served our nation and its veterans with enduring courage and selflessness, and is exceedingly deserving of this posthumous honor,” said Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the former Chairman of the House Veterans Aff... Read more

By Phil Stilton Published September 6, 2025 WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump has signed legislation officially naming the Veterans Affairs Clinic in Toms River after World War II hero Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell, in a move timed just days before the 104th birthday of his widow, Charlotte Ewart Lomell. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who authored the bill, called the tribute fitting recognition for one of the most decorated Army Rangers of the war. “Bud Lomell served our nation and its veterans wit... Read more

By Jersey Shore Online Published September 6, 2025 TOMS RIVER – Just ahead of his widow’s 104th birthday, President Donald Trump signed legislation naming the new Veterans Affairs clinic in Toms River after one of Ocean County’s most revered war heroes, Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell. The bill, authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), honors Lomell, a U.S. Army Ranger credited with helping secure the success of the D-Day invasion during World War II. The new VA Clinic is located on Hooper Avenue in Toms Ri... Read more

By Daniel Nee Published September 5, 2025 A bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4) that would provide $50 million in dedicated funds for a new shallow draft dredging vessel, which Smith specifically sought to address dangerous shoaling issues at the Manasquan Inlet and other locations, has passed the House of Representatives. The funding was included in the Energy & Water Appropriations Act (HR 4553). The USACE dredge boat Murden clears a channel through Manasquan Inlet, Feb. 6, 2023. (Ph... Read more

In recent years, an increasing number of countries have passed laws to require transparency or otherwise put limitations on foreign funding of NGOs. Some human rights organizations have characterized such laws as a tool of authoritarian control over society, as stigmatizing and targeting civil society and activists, and limiting freedom of expression and association. This hearing will examine trends in the application of foreign NGO laws, the relevance of international human rights standards, a... Read more

Last week, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the House Pro-Life Caucus, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), and 30 other members of the House and Senate joined together to file an amicus brief in support of pro-life pregnancy centers that have been unjustly targeted by the state of New Jersey. Earlier this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to address this issue in the case of First Choice Women’s Resource Centers v. Platkin, with oral arguments expected in December. Rep. Smith, Dean of New J... Read more

By Eva Fu Published September 4, 2025 The hot mic moment of China and Russia’s top leaders musing about immortality through organ transplants speaks to more than their mutual desire to stay in power. It touches on a sensitive topic for the regime—forced organ harvesting—the very mention of which Beijing has striven to erase even in the West. In a country with longstanding concerns about the abuse, the off-the-cuff exchange—and the casual way organ transplants came up—was unsettling to Rep. Chris... Read more