Highlighting provisions that create a new risk-based formula and mandate 100% cargo screening for our nation’s ports, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) said final approval of comprehensive legislation to strengthen federal homeland security laws could increase New Jersey’s share of federal homeland security funds and will help local officials as they work to keep our residents safe. Read more

In response to the EPA Region II announcement of a new water quality test which would reduce the current twenty-four hour testing period down to just three hours to yield results, Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) stated, “The concerted effort by the EPA to achieve better, faster, quality testing of ocean waters is a step in the right direction to ensure the health and safety of not just the ocean, but also the people who live in and visit the Jersey Shore area.” Read more

Chairman Akaka, Senator Craig, Members of the Committee, It is a rare privilege to testify before the Committee today on the compelling need to reform VA health care funding. As former House Chairman, I deeply appreciate and respect all the work that this Committee has done and is doing to ensure that our men and women who have served in uniform have all of the benefits and services they need and have earned. No one on earth has done more to protect and preserve freedom, democracy, and fundament... Read more

Warning lawmakers in the upper body of an impending crisis in veterans’ medical care, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)—former Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee—recommended a complete overhaul of the funding mechanism for veterans’ health care during his testimony before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee today. Read more

The House of Representatives passed funding for the Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex (MOM) Passenger Rail Line late last night, said Congressmen Chris Smith (NJ-04) and Jim Saxton (NJ-03) today. Read more

AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR. SMITH OF NEW JERSEY Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment. The Clerk read as follows: Amendment offered by Mr. Smith of New Jersey: At the end of title I, insert the following: Sec. 192. Out of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available under this Act to the SurfaceTransportation Board of the Department of Transportation, when considering cases, matters, or declaratory orders before the Board involving a railroad, or an entity claiming or... Read more

Mindful that an arcane House procedural rule would get in his way, Rep. Chris Smith plowed on and offered an amendment to strip the Surface Transportation Board (STB) of its authority to approve waste transfer stations along rail lines. Read more

U.S. Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Artur Davis (D-AL) successfully amended a federal spending bill to add millions of dollars for the national program that promotes ethical, life-saving stem cell research and treatment. Read more

Bipartisan legislation (HR 3097) introduced today by Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04)—and co-sponsored by Reps. Jim Saxton (NJ-03), Rush Holt (NJ-12) and Frank Pallone (NJ-06)—would, if enacted, prohibit any funding for the transfer of personnel and missions from Ft. Monmouth until the Army, as directed by the BRAC Commission, reports they can accomplish the move “without disruption” to the Global War on Terror” and can “ensure maximum retention of critical workforce.” Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and the Mayors of Freehold Borough and Freehold Township today called for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to conduct an environmental study and hold public hearings concerning the proposed waste transfer station in Freehold Township.In a letter to Secretary Vernon A. Williams, Rep. Smith and Mayors Dorothy Avallone and Michael Wilson requested a full environmental reveiw to be undertaken by the STB's Section of Environmental Analysis and a public hearing in M... Read more