The investigative arm of Congress would be required to produce a comprehensive study of the ride-sharing industry under legislation spurred by the murder of a New Jersey woman that passed the U.S. House on Wednesday. Under the bill, the Government Accountability Office would study the incidence of assault and abuse of both ride-sharing passengers and drivers, the quality of the background checks of drivers and of the state and local laws requiring such examinations. It also would look at the saf... Read more

Emily Rogers - Zero Out Toxics, Advocate, PIRG This fall, Benton Harbor, Michigan, became the latest community to experience the national media’s glare for persistent lead contamination of its drinking water. Yet lead threats to our kids’ health are much more widespread than the few communities the public hears about. More than half of one million kids recently tested had lead in their blood. Fortunately, after years of inaction, the bipartisan infrastructure bill just approved by Congress will... Read more

By Eric Scott of NJ101.5 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending the COVID-19 vaccine be added to the list of shots required before kids can attend school. State and local districts have the ultimate say on what is required on the list of immunizations. New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith (R, NJ-04) is pushing back hard on the CDC's recommendation, and demands President Joe Biden's administration disclose all clinical data the CDC used in making its recommendation. Read M... Read more

By David Wildstein - NJ Globe A senior House Republican today charged the Biden Administration with failing to disclose clinical data and trials to justify a Center for Disease Control recommendation to include COVID vaccines Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Manchester) says that recommended changes to the 2023 school immunization schedule could lead to mandatory COVID vaccines for school entry. “With the health and well-being of their children at stake, parents deserve the absolute truth and total tra... Read more

By Bob Vosseller Motorcycle groups come from various areas of Ocean County and throughout New Jersey to escort the Wounded Warriors. (Photo by Bob Vosseller) – A parade and a full day of honor was held for veterans as they were thanked for their service. The Wounded Warrior Parade involved veterans being escorted from the Jackson Justice Complex to the Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club. The parade had transport vehicles, an honor guard, and public officials. Spectators waved flags and held ba... Read more

I would like to thank Manasquan Mayor Edward Donovan and Councilwoman Lori Triggiano for attending the presentation of my Bronze Star Award by Congressman Chris Smith at the Manasquan VFW Post 1838 on Oct. 8. This award was submitted back in June of 1967 while I was in Vietnam but as I was part of a small detachment with limited administration it was lost and not recognized until my 1st sergeant contacted me in 2007 to congratulate me. After contacting the only surviving officer in my chain of c... Read more

Pat McDaniel,Patch Staff Posted Sun, Oct 9, 2022 at 12:06 am ET| At age 77, former Army Specialist 5 George Bednarski of Wall reflected on his service more than 55 years ago during the Vietnam War. “I supported all the people, especially those on the front line, who had constant contact with the enemy forces,” Bednarski said. His comments were made Saturday when he was at last presented the Bronze Star - an honor he was recommended for in 1967 but which the confusion of war, then years of red t... Read more

By TAPINTO STAFF REPORT Published October 11, 2022 at 12:33 AM Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4) is seeking to stop deadly drugs from coming into America by cosponsoring the Homeland Security Fentanyl Enforcement Act (HR 9093) that would expand the Department of Homeland Security’s authority to help combat the deadly synthetic opioid. Smith says the new legislation comes as US drug enforcement officials discover an emerging trend across the country in the trafficking of brightly-colored fentanyl, k... Read more

Asbury Park Press Staff - In the wee hours of Dec. 4, 1966, the Viet Cong launched an attack on American soldiers at Tan Son Nhut Air Base near the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon. Mortars began pouring in, detonating an ammo dump. Just as quickly, U.S. counter-mortar radar detected the incoming volley and returned the favor, silencing enemy fire. Less than an hour later, forces defending the base overran the Viet Cong’s mortar position. The battle was over, the assault rebuffed. The speciali... Read more

BY PHIL STILTON TOMS RIVER, NJ – Congressman Chris Smith recognized U.S. Navy veteran and Toms River resident Roman W. Charkowsi on Sunday in advance of his 100th birthday on Monday. Mr. Charkowski, a World War II veteran spent Sunday with his family, Congressman Chris Smith and Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill at the Rose Garden Nursing and Rehabilitation on Old Freehold Road. An American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., in honor of the 100-year-old veteran was pr... Read more