U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) again has stood firm against special interests by voting against H.R. 3824, the "Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act," (TERSA). The legislation would eliminate important requirements in the current Endangered Species Act (ESA) that currently protect the critical habitat of America’s endangered wildlife – an issue of great concern in New Jersey. While the bill was approved in the House of Representatives by a 229-193 vote, it still needs to be approved in the Senate. Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the Committee on Global Human Rights, Vice Chairman of the International Relations Committee and Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe issued the following statement in response to the de Chastelain weapons inspection commission report: Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) and a delegation from Mercer County’s Polish-American community joined former Polish President Lech Walesa, former Secretary of State Alexander Haig and former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the Solidarity Trade Union on Monday, September 26. Smith, who serves as Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, was the main host of the event which was sponsored by the Polish Embassy. Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) has invited a delegation from Mercer County’s Polish-American community to join him in welcoming former Polish President Lech Walesa to a luncheon commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the Solidarity Trade Union on Monday, September 26. Smith, as Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, is the main host of the event sponsored by the Polish Embassy and the Helsinki Commission. Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), today expressed disappointment with President Bush’s decision to waive or reduce sanctions against some countries that are known to be among the worst offenders in human trafficking. Smith is the author two landmark laws to combat human trafficking and aid the victims of this horrible crime and introduced H.R. 972 – the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 – in February 2005. Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today praised President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice for their commitment to women and children following their announcement that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) had again failed to meet the human rights conditions necessary to receive $34 million funding. Read more

The Microenterprise Results and Accountability Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-484) was authored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and became law in 2004. The law reformed the loan structure within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), ensuring that American dollars aimed at helping those most in need would be targeted directly to organizations most able to directly help them. The law created a microenterprise office within USAID to improve oversight and establish new methods of accountability – including an annual report to Congress. The bill also required a new monitoring system to ensure that performance goals are met. Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) issued the following statement today after President Bush endorsed the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) recommendations: Read more

U.S. Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ), issued the following statement after U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton in Sacramento ruled that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is unconstitutional because of the phrase “under God”: Read more

The “Children’s Safety Act of 2005,” co-sponsored by Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) was approved by the House of Representatives today by a vote of 371-52. The bill enhances child protection from sex offenders by improving notification programs and strengthening criminal penalties. Read more