“President Bush’s declaration of a ‘major disaster’ for our area ensures that New Jersey citizens will receive critical federal funds and other assistance we need to rebuild and recover from the torrential flooding that we experienced last week. It also means that State government and certain private nonprofit organizations will receive reimbursements for emergency work and assistance they provided in response to the devastation,” said Rep. Chris Smith, dean of the New Jersey delegation who represents parts of Mercer County which was hit hard by the storm. Read more

Safe blood for millions of sick and injured patients in Africa is becoming increasingly available — but still denied to millions — on the subcontinent, according to Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) who chaired a hearing this week that probed this often ignored and crucial issue. Read more

As the World Cup soccer championship advances to the quarterfinal round this week, a powerful congressional committee in Washington took a decisive step of its own and approved legislation urging the Government of Germany, host of the games, to do more to combat sexual trafficking of women in connection with the influx of athletes and fans in Germany for the soccer tournament. Read more

A comprehensive bill authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to promote human rights and democracy in Ethiopia was approved today by the International Relations Committee. Read more

A bill to combat Internet abuse of democracy advocates and religious believers by repressive regimes cleared its first major hurdle to becoming law late this week when it was passed unanimously by a House foreign policy panel that oversees human rights. Read more

For the second time in just over a week, Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) convened a hearing on U.S. and global efforts to combat human trafficking. Smith, Chairman of House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, teamed with Rep. John McHugh (R-NY), Chairman of House Subcommittee on Military Personnel, in a rare joint hearing to examine trafficking of women in areas where U.S. military is stationed. “Our need to examine this problem of human trafficking in the... Read more

At a comprehensive briefing with Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) federal officials provided a timely progress report on the on-going investigation into the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) handling of asbestos contamination and cleanup at the W.R. Grace & Co./Zonolite plant in Hamilton, New Jersey and at least 10 other sites around the country. They also said additional information is being sought from Hamilton Township officials to complete the report. Read more

Military families touched by autism spectrum disorders could for the first time benefit from a new $7.5 million autism research program created in the 2007 defense appropriations bill (HR 5631) expected to pass the House today. Read more

June 16, 2006MR. SMITH of New Jersey: Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 861. The Hyde resolution honors--and profoundly thanks--all those American, Iraqi, Afghan, and coalition forces who have so courageously fought the war on terror, especially those who have lost their lives in the defense of freedom. Our war dead--and wounded-- define anew what it means to be brave and honorable and good. And our condolences and prayers go to the families of the fallen. The overwhelming majority of U... Read more

At a standing room only hearing on Capitol Hill today, expert witnesses and lawmakers promised to "turn up the heat" on the thugs and pimps that profit off the horrific $9 billion international trafficking in persons industry. Read more