Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, will chair a hearing on the ongoing repression of political opposition by the government of Pakistan. Accounts and evidence will be heard about the government persecuting political figures of the opposition and journalists, and controlling media communications and preventing free and fair elections in Pakistan. In its Freedom in the World 2024 report, the human rights watchdog group Freedom House noted that in... Read more

By Dan Radel - Asbury Park Press staff The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will install new fencing around the entire perimeter of the Point Pleasant Canal at a cost of $3 million, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith announced. The fencing there now is inadequate and falling into disrepair, Smith, R-N.J., said. “I alerted the Army Corps to the deteriorating conditions of the fence after hearing from residents and elected officials in Point Pleasant,” Smith said. “Safety is everyone’s number one concern, so I rea... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) announced today that after a series of meetings and discussions with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leadership that spanned more than two years, the Philadelphia District of the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will be repairing or replacing old, inadequate safety fencing along the entire perimeter of the Point Pleasant Canal in Point Pleasant Borough. “I alerted the Army Corps to the deteriorating conditions of the fence after hearing from residents and elected offi... Read more

By Ross O'Keefe Hours after Republican lawmakers sent a letter to National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya asking him to end dog and cat testing, two top officials at the agency said they are “phasing out” testing on the animals. Bhattacharya and NIH Deputy Director Nicole Kleinstreuer spoke with each other on an NIH video, in which the former asked the latter what they should do about dog and cat testing. “I don’t think we should do research on dogs or cats,” she said. “Absolutel... Read more

This week on Capitol Hill, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) and member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, gave the keynote address at the “Ten Years After the 709 Crackdown” symposium, marking the CCP’s brutal campaign targeting human rights defenders and lawyers and calling for justice for Gao Zhisheng and all other persecuted defenders. Click here for Smith’s full remarks. The event, sponsored by ChinaAid and IPK Media, bro... Read more

By Vernonica Fleisher Patch Staff A recent Lacey Township High School graduate got to be celebrated by Rep. Chris Smith before she heads off to become a future U.S. military leader. Katrina Conti, who will be attending the United States Air Force Academy, was one of eight teens in the Fourth Congressional District who were nominated by Smith and selected to attend one of the nation's prestigious military academies. Conti and the other students will join the ranks of the Class of 2029 to eventua... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith with House Speaker Mike Johnson at the House enrollment ceremony where the Speaker signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1) after its passage in the House but prior to it being sent to President Trump for his final signature and enactment. Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), issued the following statement following the passage of HR 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: “Today, I voted for and the House passed legislation to secure our economy, the border, and the future for all Am... Read more

Jerry Carino Asbury Park Press In September 1943, shortly after he graduated from Point Pleasant Beach High School and turned 18 years old, John Wardell was drafted into the U.S. Army and volunteered for the Rangers — elite troops whose heroism in World War II's European Theater became the stuff of legend. On June 26, Wardell’s courage was recognized on in Washington, D.C., with one of America’s highest civilian honors. The 99-year-old, who lives in Point Pleasant Borough, received the Congressi... Read more

By Jeanne Wall Published June 28, 2025 at 3:18 AM — New Jersey resident and World War II Army Ranger veteran John Wardell was among the heroes honored Thursday during a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in the U.S. Capitol, recognizing the legendary United States Army Rangers of World War II for their extraordinary service. “John Wardell and his fellow Army Rangers fought with unmatched courage and tenacity under the most difficult conditions, meeting the enemy head-on and overcoming ferocious ... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith meets with Senior Advisor Boulos on DRC-Rwanda peace agreement and critical minerals deal Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, today introduced legislation, HRes 586 Recognizing and applauding President Trump for brokering a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and supporting diplomatic and economic efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region—a region plagued by nearly three decade... Read more