The growing risks to European Jewish communities and the actions that countries should take to address the threats faced by their Jewish citizens was the focus of a hearing held today by a congressional panel that promotes human rights in the 57 countries of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and chaired by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04). “The recent terrorist attacks in Brussels were reminders that Europeans of all religions and ethnicities are at risk from ISIS,” said Smit... Read more

A Service Academy Information Night will be held Thursday, April 21, 2016, from 5:30 to 7:30 in the lower level of the Wall Township Municipal Building, 2700 Allaire Road, Wall NJ, announced Congressman Christopher H. Smith (NJ-04). The event is for any high school or college student (and their parents, counselors or educators) residing in the Fourth Congressional District who is interested in learning about competing for a nomination to one of the United States Service Academies. Each instituti... Read more

In the wake of the recent terrorist bombings in Brussels and threats of violence to European Jewish communities from ISIS , what needs to be done by law enforcement agencies to anticipate and prevent future attacks will be the focus of a congressional hearing planned for Tuesday, April 19 by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CECE). “Anticipating and Preventing Deadly Attacks on European Jewish Communities,” is the title of a hearing... Read more

U.S. Representative Chris Smith, Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, gave the following statement as he opened the hearing “China’s Pervasive Use of Torture” on April 14, 2016: Gao Zhisheng’s account of the torture he experienced is shocking, offensive, and inhumane. From the time he was first arrested in 2006 until his provisional release in 2014, Gao was regularly hooded and beaten, shocked with electric batons, had toothpicks inserted in his genitals, was sleep depriv... Read more

Torture victims and experts on China’s legal and political system came to testify before the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), chaired by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), at a hearing today entitled China’s Pervasive Use of Torture. The hearing was held to shine a light on the pervasive use of torture in the Chinese criminal justice system, often targeting political dissidents, ethnic minorities, and human rights lawyers, and to urge the U.S. government to make endin... Read more

Two United Nations whistleblowers once inside the organization were among the witnesses who testified today before a House panel taking a closer look at the latest shocking allegations about sexual exploitation and abuse committed by UN peacekeepers and the breakdown in accountability at the United Nations. “The UN has laudable, and to be fair, difficult goals, but we must be steadfast in holding the UN accountable for its action and to weigh the results—good and bad—of UN work,” said U.S. Rep. ... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) late yesterday introduced Kevin and Avonte’s Law (H.R. 4919) to help protect children with developmental disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and seniors with Alzheimer’s, who are prone to wandering. This legislation will make grants available to law enforcement agencies and non-profits to provide training to prevent wandering and implement lifesaving technology programs to find individuals who have wandered. “We all empathize with a parent who le... Read more

BY JONATHAN SALANT, STAR LEDGER/NJ.COM STAFF WRITER - The U.S. women's soccer team's fight for equal pay has the backing of just one House Republican — and that lawmaker is from New Jersey. U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) on Tuesday joined more than 100 House Democrats in asking the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to quickly rule on a complaint filed by the women's national soccer team, which has charged that they are being paid less than male players, despite earning more reven... Read more

A bipartisan bill to take on global hunger and help the world’s most impoverished countries develop better agricultural practices passed the House last night. Sponsored by Congressman Chris Smith (R-N.J.), chairman of the House panel that oversees global health initiatives, and cosponsored by lead Democrat, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), the Global Food Security Act (GFSA) of 2016 (H.R. 1567), is designed to help prevent starvation and famine, and reduce hunger and malnutrition by enabl... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, took to the House floor in support of his legislation H.R. 1567, the Global Food Security Act: Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Global Food Security Act, H.R. 1567, authorizes a comprehensive, strategic approach for U.S. foreign assistance to developing countries to reduce poverty and hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, promote inclusive, sustainable, a... Read more