A resolution authored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) that calls on Russian President Vladimir Putin to step-up efforts to investigate a decade-long string of mysterious murders of journalists in Russia was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday and became a focal point of discussion during a U.S. Helsinki Commission hearing today. Read more

Citing Ocean County’s proximity to a number of potential terror targets and the interest to reaffirm vigilance in light of the recent Fort Dix plot, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Ocean County Freeholders John P. Kelly and James F. Lacey yesterday met with the head of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) to enhance coordination with the agency’s anti-terror program headquartered in Newark. The trio also met with Mr. Wayne Arny, US Navy Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installa... Read more

“The United States must take the lead on promoting an international response to the threat of global warming,” said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today during committee consideration of comprehensive legislation he cosponsored with U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) that aims to increase U.S. involvement in the effort to reach a global agreement on climate change. Read more

U.S. Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN-08)—chairman of the powerful House Committee that oversees federal support for local flood control and ecosystem restoration projects—was in NJ today to meet with Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ-04) and local leaders who are working to mitigate the flood and pollution problems associated with Wreck Pond. "This is an extraordinary meeting, it’s not everyday that the Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee travels all the way from Washington to hear from u... Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) today commended U.S Attorney Chris Christie and law enforcement officials for the arrest of six men who were plotting a “commando-style” raid on Fort Dix with the intention of “killing as many soldiers as possible,” while strongly reiterating his concerns that Navy housing plans at Earle leave that base open to such an attack. Read more

Last year, 244 anti-Semitic incidents were reported in New Jersey — more than in any state other than New York. This made for a slight decline since 2005, but any act of anti-Semitism is unacceptable. Read more

A Catholic priest who has already spent over 13 years in prison is rearrested and sentenced to eight more years for serving as an advisor to a democracy movement and a new political party. A woman, whose husband had recently been released from jail after serving time for spreading pro-democracy material, is hit by a car -- believed to be driven and occupied by plainclothes police officers -- in an effort to intimidate her and prevent her from meeting with the U.S. Ambassador. A lawyer who travels to the U.S. to serve as a Fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy is arrested within a week of his return home, and charged with engaging in activities aimed at overthrowing the government. Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chairman of the Bipartisan Pro- Life Caucus, made the following statement today regarding President George W. Bush’s letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi pledging to veto any legislation that weakens current federal pro-life policy: Read more

In response to a recent, well-orchestrated campaign of political suppression and intimidation by the Government of Vietnam, the U.S. House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed a resolution authored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) that calls for an immediate release of all political prisoners and substantial human rights reforms in Vietnam. Read more

May 1, 2007 Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Mr. Pitts of Pennsylvania, for authoring this important resolution recognizing the abolishment of the inhumane, grossly immoral and ubiquitous British slave trade 200 years ago, and the highly principled member of the House of Commons, William Wilberforce, who poured his life into that noble cause. One man can--and did--make a difference. H. Res. 158 also links the abolition issue to today's modern-day slave trade, human ... Read more