Earlier today, the Senate passed the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2013 (HR 3370), by a 72-22 vote. In response, Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), a cosponsor of HR 3370 who represents severely damaged areas in southern Monmouth and northern Ocean Counties, issued the following statement: “The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act—which now moves to the President’s desk—provides critical and necessary relief from rate hikes by phasing in rate changes for current policy hold... Read more

At a hearing today on Capitol Hill, former US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, Ambassador Richard Haass, Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman, Baroness Nuala O’Loan, along with victims of Northern Ireland’s violent history said that mechanisms in place to help deal with the recent past are “inadequate” jeopardizing confidence in government systems and possibly undermining lasting peace. “The challenge for Northern Ireland is to find a way to deal with the past so as to enable the present and the ... Read more

The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (H.R. 3370) and its importance to thousands of New Jersey homeowners facing steep flood insurance premium hikes was the focus of a press conference today in Ocean City, N.J. where Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) joined Congressman Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02) to discuss the importance that the bill becomes law. The legislation, which passed in the House of Representatives March 4 by a 306-91 vote, makes a number of reforms to the National Flood Insurance... Read more

The search for peace and justice in Northern Ireland will be the topic of a joint congressional hearing to be held March 11 by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the House human rights subcommittee. “The Northern Ireland Peace Process Today: Attempting to Deal with the Past,” is the titled of a hearing that will feature a briefing about Northern Ireland issues, and witnesses detailing their experiences, and their disappointments and hopes for progress: Who: Congressman Smith, Chairman ... Read more

The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, former VA Secretary Tony Principi and the heads of the America Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other Members of Congress and veterans leaders headlined a bipartisan event last night unveiling the official portrait of U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), recognizing his years working for veterans and his term as Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. “I am forever grateful to have had ... Read more

The House of Representatives voted last night to provide relief to hundreds of thousands of homeowners facing huge flood insurance premium rate increases, including many still recovering from the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), who represents severely damaged areas in southern Monmouth and northern Ocean Counties, praised the vote. “The bill makes targeted and necessary reforms and will prevent massive premium increases from hitting homeowners who simply ... Read more

The official portrait of Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House Veterans Committee from 2001-2004 in the 107th and 108th Congresses, is set to be unveiled Tuesday, March 4, at a ceremony attended by Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Chairman Miller, and Reps. Corrine Brown, Frank Wolf and Rodney Frelinghuysen, former VA Secretary Anthony Principi, and friends and family. Read more

The need for a more broad, unified and proactive U.S. government policy that can advance the long-term goals of peace and sovereignty for the peoples of Sudan and South Sudan are facing was the topic of a hearing held Wednesday by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees U.S. policy in Africa. “South Sudan continues to be engaged in a conflict that began last December, despite a cessation of hostilities agreement,” Smith said. “Thousands have been ... Read more

The need for a more broad, unified and proactive U.S. government policy that can advance the challenges of the long-term goals of peace and sovereignty that the peoples of Sudan and South Sudan are facing will be the topic of a hearing to be held Wednesday by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees U.S. policy in Africa. “While the U.S. government has been very involved in setting and carrying out policy toward Sudan and South Sudan for the past ... Read more

Responding to reports of an agreement between Ukrainian President Yanukovych and opposition leaders, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House panel that legislates on international human rights, released the following statement: “The agreement deserves our full support. Its main elements – return to the 2004 constitution, national unity government, and early presidential elections – are all just. They provide a framework in which the deep conflicts in Ukrainian government and society... Read more