{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"NJ\" and year = 2024 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413475", "A Christmas miracle Smith\u2019s $1.95 billion Autism CARES Act signed into law", "2024-12-24", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Comprehensive legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to provide robust funding and enhanced support for Americans with autism was signed into law this week.\n\nSmith\u2019s Autism CARES Act of 2024 will provide more than $1.95 billion over five years for programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).\n\n\u201cAt CDC, the funding will support ongoing developmental disability surveillance and research; at HRSA, the funding will cover education, early detection and intervention services; at NIH, the funding will drive research as well as the coordination of autism-related activities, including the Inter Agency Coordinating Committee (IACC),\u201d Smith said during debate on the House Floor on December 16th.\n\n\u201cAs the prime author of the Autism Cares Act of 2024 and previous iterations of the law in 2011, 2014, and 2019, I know this legislation will help make a huge difference in the lives of the millions of Americans with autism by providing robust funding for durable remedies as well as effective early detection and intervention services to allow them the highest quality of life possible,\u201d Smith said.\n\n\u201cAccording to the CDC, 1 in 36 children in the United States\u2014including 1 in 35 children in my home state of New Jersey\u2014are on the autism spectrum,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cMy legislation pursues critical research goals and focuses on responsive and effective interventions for the estimated 6.8 million individuals with autism\u2014over 1.8 million, which is 27 percent, of whom are profoundly autistic,\u201d Smith said.\n\nSmith\u2019s bill included Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) as the Democrat lead along with 61 other bipartisan cosponsors.\n\n\u201cThis bipartisan bill will provide vital funding to expand research and care for Americans with autism,\u201d said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. \u201cThrough this bill, we continue important work in understanding the causes of autism, the best ways to treat autism, and incorporate the voices of those previously missed by research.\u201d\n\nSmith\u2019s legislation has received strong support from the nation\u2019s leading autism advocacy groups, including Autism New Jersey, Autism Speaks, the Autism Society, the Profound Autism Alliance, and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.\n\nThe Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2024 will:\n\n\u00b7 Direct the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to research issues encountered by individuals and caregivers as they age, mental health concerns, issues related to aging, as well as co-occurring conditions and needs for supports and services, such as care necessary for physical safety and the prevention of self-injurious behavior;\n\n\u00b7 Increase the number of NIH Centers of Excellence to seven and ensure research reflects the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and is designed to address the full range of needs faced by individuals, including to ensure the physical safety and to promote the well-being of all Americans with autism;\n\n\u00b7 Include, for the first time, a professional bypass budget to provide the autism community with a comprehensive budget highlighting priority research areas and resources needed to advance quality of life improvements for all individuals with autism; and\n\n\u00b7 Promote the adoption of assistive communication technologies to improve communications outcomes for those with communication assistance needs.\n\nSmith, who has been a steadfast champion for the autism community for decades, said \u201cit all started in September 1997 with Bobbie and Billy Gallagher from Brick Township and their indomitable commitment to help their two children\u2014Austin and Alanna\u2014and everyone else with autism.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe met several times and invited the CDC to Brick only to realize that federal autism programs were woefully inadequate\u2014almost nonexistent,\u201d said Smith, who noted he continues to plan and strategize with the couple to this day.\n\nAt Smith\u2019s invitation, federal agencies came to Ocean County for an investigation and found that autism prevalence rates were high not only in Brick, but in nearby communities as well. In response, Smith authored the Autism Statistics, Surveillance, Research and Epidemiology Act, which was incorporated as Title I of the Children\u2019s Health Act of 2000, authorizing grants and contracts for the collection, analysis and reporting of data on autism and pervasive developmental disabilities.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413471", "In response to request from Monmouth and Ocean County sheriffs Smith introduces legislation to empower highly trained state law enforcement units to detect and stop drones involved in unlawful activities", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today introduced legislation that would empower highly trained state law enforcement units to detect and stop any drones involved in unlawful activities. Smith\u2019s bill\u2014the Law Against Nefarious Drones, Enforcement, Deconfliction (LANDED) Act\u2014comes in response to a request from Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden and Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy for more authorities to respond to potential threats posed by illegal drone activity amid the ongoing unusual drone sightings across New Jersey.\n\n\u201cAs swarms of unidentified drones have violated our airspace over the past month, our state law enforcement leaders have been precluded by law from taking more decisive action, leaving our highly trained officers\u2014who are on the ground and situationally aware\u2014almost completely hamstrung,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cMy legislation is critically needed given the huge gaps that exist in our ability to counter unlawful drones which have been exposed by the unusual activity occurring across our state,\u201d said Smith, who announced he was drafting the new bill at a news conference he held in Seaside Heights last Saturday.\n\n\u201cWe need to ensure that law enforcement has the authorities, training, and capabilities to take quick action if needed to keep local residents safe, especially as drones continue to advance technologically and have the potential to be increasingly lethal,\u201d Smith said.\n\nSmith said the Biden Administration\u2019s frustrating lack of response to the month-long unusual drone activity in New Jersey underscores the urgent need to empower state law enforcement to address any potential immediate threats to local communities.\n\n\u201cRegrettably, the Biden Administration not only has refused to take decisive action but also has been denying and downplaying the situation that has caused so many New Jersey residents to be understandably concerned and alarmed,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cNew Jersey residents should not have to live in fear while unidentified drones continue to fly over our critical infrastructure, sensitive military bases, and homes and communities,\u201d said Smith. \u201cEnough is enough.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413472", "Smith announces winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for local middle and high school students", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) today announced the winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for the Fourth District of New Jersey.\n\nThe annual competition hosted by Smith is aimed at promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills among middle and high school students.\n\n\u201cCongratulations to Katrina Migliore, Ahren Gaikwad, and Cameron Mock from Communications High School in Wall Township for winning this year\u2019s competition with their app \u201cEco-Scan,\u201d said Smith.\n\nThe winning team was selected by a panel of judges that evaluated the app submissions from high schools across the Fourth Congressional District.\n\n\u201cAs the panel of judges noted, their innovative app combines convenience with education to help inform and encourage users to recycle,\u201d Smith said. \u201cBy simply scanning a barcode or searching in the app, users instantly have access to a ton of information about how to properly dispose of a particular item to help them make informed decisions when discarding products.\u201d\n\nMigliore, Gaikwad, and Mock shared that their inspiration behind developing the app stemmed from their experience with improper product disposal when trying to perform environmentally healthy tasks at home. The three Communications High School seniors pointed out that recycling contaminated products can exacerbate the problem by adding more infected recycling batches to landfills.\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge\u2014simultaneously held in multiple congressional districts across the United States\u2014is intended for students to showcase their software app-developing skills as part of a nationwide competition administered by Members of Congress. Established in 2014, the challenge has become the largest student computer science competition in the world.\n\nMiddle and high school students from the Fourth Congressional District who are interested in participating in next year\u2019s contest should contact Congressman Smith\u2019s Toms River Office at 732-504-0567 or Middletown Office at 732-780-3035.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413469", "Kirby intentionally misleading? Smith: Biden White House needs to stop changing their story and instead be honest and frank on the drone activity in New Jersey", "2024-12-18", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today issued the following statement in response to recent comments made by White House National Security spokesman John Kirby regarding the Coast Guard\u2019s reported encounter with drones off the coast of New Jersey:\n\n\u201cJohn Kirby is either profoundly uninformed or intentionally misleading when he asserts that highly trained Coast Guard personnel mistook drones following one of their 47-foot lifeboats for airplanes flying into JFK.\n\nThe Biden White House needs to stop changing their story and instead be honest and frank with the American people\u2014who deserve the truth and absolute transparency. We tolerate no coverups here.\n\nOn Sunday, December 8th, I was briefed by a Coast Guard Commanding Officer in Sheriff Mastronardy\u2019s mobile command center for monitoring drone activity on Island Beach State Park. One of my senior aides who was with me took contemporaneous notes during my meeting with the Coast Guard Commanding Officer,\u201d Smith said.\n\nAccording to the officer who briefed me, several drones\u2014between 13 and 30 of them\u2014followed the Coast Guard boat as it travelled along the coast. He told me that the drones were an estimated 100 feet from the vessel and were keeping up with the boat at an estimated cruising speed of 20 knots (or approximately 23 mph),\u201d Smith said.\n\nThe officer reported that the boat turned to return, and the drones followed. At one point, the drones were flashing their headlights at the boat. He told me that the drones were between four and eight feet in wingspan and appeared between 9-11pm.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413470", "Smith secured $30.2 million from federal infrastructure bill Beach replenishment from Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet to begin in January", "2024-12-18", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Critical beach replenishment work for Jersey Shore towns in the Fourth Congressional District is scheduled to begin next month, announced Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester).\n\n\u201cI am pleased that after several contracting delays, this long-awaited project to restore our beaches that have suffered considerable erosion over the past years is finally moving forward,\u201d said Smith, who secured $30.2 million in federal funding for the project.\n\n\u201cWe have never let up on securing this long-overdue, unjustly delayed project,\u201d said Smith. \u201cThat we have at last received a schedule with real target dates on it gives us great confidence that the desperately needed beach replenishment will finally take place and better protect our beach towns.\n\n\u201cOur shore communities will benefit greatly from the federal assistance and partnership to address significant safety concerns from beach erosion and help blunt damaging effects of major storms,\u201d he said.\n\nThe tentative schedule, which could vary slightly based on weather and sea conditions, entails the following six-to-seven-month construction estimate:\n\n\u00b7 Seaside Heights with taper into Seaside Park: work is estimated to take place in January and February and include 241,000 cubic yards of sand;\n\n\u00b7 Toms River (South): work is estimated to take place in February/March and include 426,000 cubic yards of sand;\n\n\u00b7 Lavallette: work is estimated to take place in March and include 184,000 cubic yards of sand;\n\n\u00b7 Bay Head with taper into Point Pleasant Beach: work is estimated to take place in Spring and include 495,000 cubic yards of sand;\n\n\u00b7 Mantoloking: work is estimated to take place in Spring and include 392,000 cubic yards of sand;\n\n\u00b7 Brick Township: work is estimated to take place in early Summer and include 227,000 cubic yards of sand; and\n\n\u00b7 Toms River (North): work is estimated to take place in Summer and include 135,000 cubic yards of sand.\n\nThe project, which has faced several setbacks, had been in serious jeopardy before Smith intervened in January 2022 and secured the entire federal share\u2014or approximately half of the $73.5 million total cost\u2014from the federal infrastructure bill passed by Congress. The Army Corps of Engineers awarded the contract in October to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company of Houston, TX.\n\nIn total, the contract calls for dredging and placing 2.1 million cubic yards of sand onto Ocean County beaches. Sand will be dredged from three separate approved borrow areas located offshore of the project area in the Atlantic Ocean. The sand will then be pumped onto the beach and graded into an engineered template, which is designed to reduce damage from coastal storm events.\n\nMost of the base contract work involves widening the beach in eroded areas. In some areas, dunes, beach access paths/crossovers, and sand fencing will be repaired. Dune grass will be planted in areas that undergo repairs.\n\n\u201cI am grateful for the expertise of the Army Corps of Engineers\u2014our nation\u2019s premier builders\u2014for getting this project to the finish line,\u201d said Smith, \u201cas well as to their partners at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Ocean County and the municipalities.\u201d\n\nThe beach fill project was initially constructed between 2017-2019 and requires periodic \u201crenourishment\u201d to bring it back to its originally constructed specifications.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413462", "U.S. Congressman Chris Smith voices concern over reports of U.S. involvement with pro-abortion bill in Sierra Leone", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the House Global Health and Global Human Rights Subcommittee, today issued the following statement regarding reports of U.S. involvement with efforts to expand abortion in Sierra Leone:\n\n\u201cIt is deeply disturbing, but not terribly surprising, that we are hearing reports that the Biden Administration is threatening to withhold foreign assistance to Sierra Leone unless legislators there pass the deceptively named \u2018Safe Motherhood Act\u2019 legislation that would legalize abortion in Sierra Leone, a country that currently protects unborn life.\n\nLet me be clear, abortion is not health care, nor is it an internationally recognized human \u2018right.\u2019\n\nThe Biden Administration\u2019s pro-abortion bullying tactics and raw attempt at ideological colonialism is unacceptable. Abortion always ends the life of the unborn baby and harms the mother.\n\nPro-life countries should be celebrated and respected for protecting unborn children and their mothers\u2014not penalized by a pro-abortion lame duck Biden Administration.\n\nI will work with the incoming Trump Administration to conduct a thorough review of actions by all U.S. agencies, from USAID to the Millennium Challenge Corporation, to determine whether U.S. laws were violated by U.S. government staff through misallocation\u2014or threat of misallocation\u2014of U.S. funding in order to pressure countries to change their prolife laws.\n\nForcing a pro-abortion and woke agenda on financially vulnerable and democratic sovereign nations harms both the U.S. and our allies and is bad diplomacy. It must end.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413467", "House votes overwhelming in favor Smith\u2019s $1.95 billion Autism CARES Act heads to President\u2019s desk to be signed into law", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Comprehensive legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to provide robust funding and enhanced support for Americans with autism is now headed to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law after winning overwhelming support in a vote (374-15) on the House Floor today.\n\nSmith\u2019s Autism CARES Act of 2024\u2014which was approved by the Senate in late November\u2014will provide more than $1.95 billion over five years for programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).\n\n\u201cAt CDC, the funding will support ongoing developmental disability surveillance and research; at HRSA, the funding will cover education, early detection and intervention services; at NIH, the funding will drive research as well as the coordination of autism-related activities, including the Inter Agency Coordinating Committee (IACC),\u201d Smith said during debate on the House Floor.\n\n\u201cAs the prime author of the Autism Cares Act of 2024 and previous iterations of the law in 2011, 2014, and 2019, I know this legislation will help make a huge difference in the lives of the millions of Americans with autism by providing robust funding for durable remedies as well as effective early detection and intervention services to allow them the highest quality of life possible,\u201d Smith said.\n\n\u201cAccording to the CDC, 1 in 36 children in the United States\u2014including 1 in 35 children in my home state of New Jersey\u2014are on the autism spectrum,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cMy legislation pursues critical research goals and focuses on responsive and effective interventions for the estimated 6.8 million individuals with autism\u201427 percent of whom, or over 1.8 million, are profoundly autistic,\u201d Smith said.\n\nSmith\u2019s bill\u2014with Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) as the Democrat lead and 61 other bipartisan cosponsors\u2014is expected to become law before the end of the year.\n\n\u201cI am pleased to help pass this bipartisan legislation, a bill I championed alongside Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4), and send it to the President's desk. This bipartisan bill will provide vital funding to expand research and care for Americans with autism,\u201d said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. \u201cThrough this bill, we continue important work in understanding the causes of autism, the best ways to treat autism, and incorporate the voices of those previously missed by research.\u201d\n\nSmith\u2019s legislation has received strong support from the nation\u2019s leading autism advocacy groups, including Autism New Jersey, Autism Speaks, the Autism Society, the Profound Autism Alliance, and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.\n\nThe Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2024 will:\n\n\u00b7 Direct the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to research issues encountered by individuals and caregivers as they age, mental health concerns, issues related to aging, as well as co-occurring conditions and needs for supports and services, such as care necessary for physical safety and the prevention of self-injurious behavior;\n\n\u00b7 Increase the number of NIH Centers of Excellence to seven and ensure research reflects the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and is designed to address the full range of needs faced by individuals, including to ensure the physical safety and to promote the well-being of all Americans with autism;\n\n\u00b7 Include, for the first time, a professional bypass budget to provide the autism community with a comprehensive budget highlighting priority research areas and resources needed to advance quality of life improvements for all individuals with autism; and\n\n\u00b7 Promote the adoption of assistive communication technologies to improve communications outcomes for those with communication assistance needs.\n\nSmith, who has been a steadfast champion for the autism community for decades, said \u201cit all started in September 1997 with Bobbie and Billy Gallagher from Brick Township and their indomitable commitment to help their two children\u2014Austin and Alanna\u2014and everyone else with autism.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe met several times and invited the CDC to Brick only to realize that federal autism programs were woefully inadequate\u2014almost nonexistent,\u201d said Smith, who noted he continues to plan and strategize with the couple to this day.\n\nAt Smith\u2019s invitation, federal agencies came to Ocean County for an investigation and found that autism prevalence rates were high not only in Brick, but in nearby communities as well. In response, Smith authored the Autism Statistics, Surveillance, Research and Epidemiology Act, which was incorporated as Title I of the Children\u2019s Health Act of 2000, authorizing grants and contracts for the collection, analysis and reporting of data on autism and pervasive developmental disabilities.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-names-jonah-park-and-arnav-jain-winners-congressional-app-challenge", "Kean Names Jonah Park and Arnav Jain, Winners of the Congressional App Challenge", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(December 16, 2024) BERNARDSVILLE, NJ \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced the NJ-07 winners of the Congressional App Challenge. The top winner of the competition is the team of Jonah Park of Westfield and Arnav Jain of Short Hills, who both attend The Pingry School. The Congressional App Challenge, which received more 3,800 applications nationwide, has become the most prestigious prize in computer science for students and stands as the largest competition of its kind in the country.\n\nPark and Jain\u2019s winning entry, Root, \u201cis an educational app focused on teaching kids about the science behind the environment and how change is possible. Kids from third to eighth grade follow a proprietary curriculum through articles, videos, and quizzes. The Explore page is the heart of the Root community and allows kids to apply their knowledge to create real impact.\"\n\nThe team will receive the following as the NJ-07 winner:\n\nAn Invitation to the #HouseOfCode celebration in DC in April 2025\n\nWinning App eligible to be featured in the Capitol Building and put on House.gov (10 million visitors per year)\n\nWaived copyright registration application fees through the ARTS Act\n\nSamantha Billig and Vincent Panico, professionals in the technology field, served as judges for this year\u2019s App Challenge. The judges also selected five entries for Honorable Mention recognition:\n\nTestify, submitted by Shrenik Rakshit of Annandale who attends Voorhees High School.\n\nNourishNest, submitted by Jonathan Chang of Berkeley Heights who attends the Union County Magnet High School.\n\nSustainable Strides, submitted by a team from Warren: Clara Risso and Rebecca Lubeck, who attend Watchung Hills Regional High School and Kayla Peng who attends the Kent Place School.\n\nFastLingo, submitted by Dheirya Tyagi of Bernardsville who attends Bernards High School.\n\nBillology, submitted by Shiven Das of Bridgewater who attends Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School.\n\n\u201cI am continually inspired by the creativity and innovation demonstrated by our students,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cJonah and Arnav\u2019s winning entry, Root, is a prime example of how our future leaders are using technology to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time. Root\u2019s focus on educating kids about the science behind the environment and empowering them to create real impact is exactly the kind of initiative we need. It is an incredible tool that will help the next generation become informed, engaged, and ready to make a difference. The Congressional App Challenge is an essential platform for encouraging this kind of innovation, and I am proud to see so many young minds leading the way.\"\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge (CAC) was created because Congress recognized that STEM and computer-based skills are essential for economic growth and innovation and that the U.S. has been falling behind on these fronts. By some estimates, the U.S. may be short by as many as 1 million programmers by 2021. To maintain American competitiveness, it\u2019s crucial that the United States invests in the youth now and help them acquire these valuable skills. The CAC encourages students to pursue those skills and recognizes them for their efforts.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413459", "Smith holds news conference in Seaside Heights on unidentified drone activity in New Jersey", "2024-12-14", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "The following are excerpts of remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) at his news conference today in Seaside Heights, NJ, on the ongoing unidentified drone activity across the state:\n\n\"On the large number of drones flying throughout New Jersey and elsewhere that have so far evaded identification, origin, mission or potential threat to Americans, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas shockingly said this week: \u2018We haven\u2019t seen anything unusual. We know of no threat.\u2019\n\nWhat? The massive invasion of drones observed and recorded by many of our citizens including law enforcement and military personnel\u2014many in this room\u2014isn\u2019t unusual?\n\nIs he kidding?\n\nHow does Secretary Mayorkas who infamously told us for years that our southern border was secure and closed\u2014when it was and is not\u2014now insult our intelligence that \u2018we haven\u2019t seen anything unusual\u2019?\n\nThis is usual?\n\nAnd how can he\u2014and others like national security spokesman Admiral John Kirby\u2014say we know of no threat?\n\nHow can anyone speculate or issue assurances to the thousands of Americans who have witnessed the drones that there is no threat?\n\nFor weeks, we\u2019ve asked for the truth and action to mitigate any and all threats to people and property.\n\nNow we are demanding it.\n\nAs the sightings increase including by servicemembers at Naval Weapons Station Earle\u2014where several have been seen or by the Coast Guard which had one of its 47-foot rescue boats followed in very close proximity off its stern by numerous drones\u2014why can\u2019t we bag at least one drone and get to the bottom of this?\n\nWhy can\u2019t we even track a suspect drone to its origin?\n\nHave we so little control over our airspace?\n\nRemember the feckless response to the Chinese Communist Party Spy balloon?\n\nThe elusive maneuvering of these drones suggests a major military power sophistication that begs the question whether they have been deployed to test our defense capabilities\u2014or worse\u2014by violent dictatorships including Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea.\n\nThe Pentagon has already said the drones are not ours.\n\nI\u2019ve written Defense Secretary Llyod Austin asking the Pentagon to authorize the use of force to down one or more of these unmanned threats to uncover the mystery of the drones.\n\nKnowing how drone warfare has radically changed warfighting in Ukraine and Russia, the Middle East and elsewhere, this is not the time to trivialize or dismiss the threat.\n\nSpecial thanks to both Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy and Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden for doing all within their power and authority to aggressively investigate and track drone appearances.\n\nThey are doing an amazing job.\n\nAs many of you know, state and local law enforcement is precluded by law from taking more decisive action\u2014which again is why DOD must act now and Congress and the President need to move quickly to expand state and local authorities.\n\nSheriff Golden wrote me a few days ago requesting legislation to empower the state police to seriously protect at risk persons and infrastructure, and if necessary, bring down a dangerous drone or drones.\n\nI am drafting that bill now and will introduce it soon.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413461", "Fox News segment on Rep. Smith's call for answers on drones:'New Jersey lawmaker urges the Pentagon to address drone sightings'", "2024-12-14", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ , Dec 14, 2024\n\nFox News Channel\n\nCongressman Chris Smith led a press conference with local officials on growing public concerns about unidentified drones reported across his district and other New Jersey areas.\n\nCongressman Smith was joined by State, County and Municipal officials, including law enforcement, who all have heard from their own constituents regarding similar concerns. The event was held Dec. 14, 2024 just off the dunes in the Borough of Seaside Heights, in Ocean County, N.J..\n\nThe event was carried live by various media, including Fox News Channel. Click here or on image below to watch:\n\nCongressman Chris Smith led a press conference with local officials about concern over drones on Dec. 14, 2024.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413463", "MSNBC News article on Smith's, other officials' concerns:'New Jersey officials call out federal government over response to drone sightings'", "2024-12-14", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "1005 Hooper Avenue\n\nToms River, NJ 08753\n\nPhone: (732) 504-0567\n\n*Please call for an appointment.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413455", "Smith: Americans want real answers on swarm of drones in N.J. not doublespeak from top Biden officials", "2024-12-13", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today issued the following statement in response to the Biden Administration\u2019s recent comments made by White House National Security spokesman John Kirby and in a DHS/FBI joint statement on the unidentified drone activity across New Jersey:\n\n\u201cThe Biden Administration continues to be dismissive of New Jersey residents who have witnessed these drones in swarms, including coming from the ocean, following a Coast Guard lifeboat, and flying over extremely sensitive military bases like Naval Weapons Station Earle in my congressional district. Some press reports\u2014including one from the Daily Mail\u2014cite intelligence experts who suggest Russia could be responsible.\n\nThe American people and our trained local law enforcement officials have rightfully asked for real answers\u2014not doublespeak from top Biden officials who still admit they do not know the origin or intent behind this unidentified drone activity.\n\nThe Biden Administration has an obligation to the American people to figure out and tell us what is going on immediately. Their lack of decisive action and empty reassurances will only cause increased speculation and continue to escalate the valid concerns that so many people have.\n\nTomorrow, I will be holding a press conference in Seaside Heights, New Jersey with local law enforcement officers, mayors, and state representatives to share updates with the public and lay out our next steps in Congress to demand answers and further address this issue.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413458", "Press conference in Seaside Heights on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 1:30pm Smith, law enforcement officers, mayors and state officials will provide updates on the unidentified drone activity in New Jersey", "2024-12-13", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) will be holding a press conference in Seaside Heights, New Jersey on Saturday, December 14th to provide updates to the public on the unidentified drone activity in New Jersey and unveil new federal legislation he will be introducing in Congress to help address the ongoing issue. The news conference will be located at the new standup Command Center established by the Ocean County Sheriff\u2019s Office to bolster local law enforcement\u2019s capabilities to monitor drones. Both Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy and Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden will be in attendance.\n\nWHO:\n\n\u00b7 Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ)\n\n\u00b7 Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy\n\n\u00b7 Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden\n\n\u00b7 Local mayors and state representatives\n\nWHEN: Saturday, December 14th at 1:30pm\n\nWHERE: Ocean County Sheriff\u2019s new standup Command Center to monitor drone activity\n\n50 Hiering Avenue, Seaside Heights, NJ\n\nRSVP: To attend, please RSVP to Michael Finan at Michael.Finan@mail.house.gov\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-selected-serve-energy-and-commerce-committee-119th-congress", "Kean Selected to Serve on Energy and Commerce Committee for the 119th Congress", "2024-12-13", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(December 13, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) was appointed to serve on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce for the 119th Congress. The Energy and Commerce Committee is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\n\u201cI am honored to be selected to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee, where I look forward to working with my colleagues to address the critical issues facing our nation's energy future, research and development, and economy,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cOur work will shape the path forward for innovation, sustainability, and opportunity for New Jerseyans and people across our nation.\u201d\n\nThe committee has responsibility for matters including telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health and research, environmental quality, energy policy, and interstate and foreign commerce, among others.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-statement-house-passage-2025-national-defense-authorization-act-0", "Kean Statement on the House Passage of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act", "2024-12-13", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(December 13, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) released the following statement after the passage of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 in the House of Representatives:\n\n\u201cI commend the passage of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation's passage will significantly improve our servicemember\u2019s quality of life while continuing to reinforce the superiority of our nation\u2019s military. This bipartisan legislation continues to invest in our nation\u2019s defense industrial base, support our allies and partners abroad, and, most of all, the American warfighter. The legislation contains increases to the basic allowance for housing, a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted personnel, improvements to military housing, and support initiatives for military families. For New Jersey, the bill continues to support the critical research and development work at Picatinny Arsenal and aims to better foster workforce development in the defense space. It also supports the Submarine Industrial Base, which many New Jersey companies are a part of, supporting both the Virginia and Columbia Class Programs.\u201d - Congressman Tom Kean, Jr.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413454", "AP / ABC News article on Smith, other officials' concerns:'What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?'", "2024-12-12", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "By BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI -Associated Press-\n\n-- A large number of mysterious drones have been reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks, sparking speculation and concern over who sent them and why.\n\nU.S. Rep. Chris Smith said a Coast Guard commanding officer told him a dozen drones closely followed a Coast Guard lifeboat near Barnegat Light and Island Beach State Park in Ocean County over the weekend.\n\nNew Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and law enforcement officials have stressed that the drones don\u2019t appear to be a threat to public safety, but many state and municipal lawmakers have nonetheless called for stricter rules about who can fly the unmanned aircraft.\n\nGov. Murphy has said the aircraft do not pose a threat, but has not provided any details to support this.\n\nThe FBI is among several agencies investigating, and it has asked residents to share videos, photos and other information they may have about the drones.\n\nDozens of witnesses have reported seeing drones in New Jersey starting in November.\n\nAt first, the drones were spotted flying along the scenic Raritan River, a waterway that feeds the Round Valley Reservoir, the state's largest aquifer, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of New York City.\n\nThe aircraft have also recently been spotted in coastal areas.\n\nAssemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who was briefed by the Department of Homeland Security, said the reported drones have been up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in diameter and sometimes travel with their lights switched off. This is much larger than those typically flown by drone hobbyists and she said they appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio.\n\nOfficials and experts say some witnesses may actually be seeing planes or helicopters rather than drones, or perhaps are confused about the size of the devices they're seeing.\n\n\u201cThere are certainly big drones, such as a agricultural drones, but typically they are not the type you see flying around in urban or suburban spaces,\u201d John Duesler, president of the Pennsylvania Drone Association, said Thursday. The organization with about 350 members, is headquartered in Pittston, Pennsylvania.\n\n\u201cI wonder a little bit if it\u2019s sort of a type of fish story, as in \u2018I caught a fish this big!\u2019 type of a thing,\u201d Deusler added. \u201cAt night, it\u2019s hard to see how big the drones are, especially because they can be either closer or further away from you. To get that perspective of how big they are is really difficult.\u201d\n\nAuthorities say they do not know who is behind the drones.\n\nThe FBI, Homeland Security and state police are investigating the sightings. Authorities say they don\u2019t know if it is one drone that has been spotted many times or if there are multiple aircraft being flown in a coordinated effort.\n\nTwo Republican Jersey Shore-area congressmen, Smith and U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, have called on the military to shoot down the drones, citing safety concerns.\n\nThe Pentagon insists the drones do not represent a threat from abroad.\n\nPentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Thursday that the military\u2019s initial assessment after consulting with the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Council \u2014 that the drones are not of foreign origin \u2014 remains unchanged.\n\nPentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Wednesday that the aircraft are not U.S. military drones.\n\nOperators must be FAA certified.\n\nSightings also have been reported in neighboring New York and Pennsylvania.\n\nDrones were also spotted last month in the U.K. The U.S. Air Force said several small unmanned aircraft were detected near four military bases in England that are used by American forces.\n\n___\n\nAssociated Press reporters Tara Copp in Washington, D.C., and Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed.\n\nThe above excerpted text was contained in an article published on Dec. 12. 2024, and from which was removed advertising graphics and links . It can be found in its original order and form at:\n\nWhat do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey? - ABC News\n\nhttps://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/mysterious-drones-reported-flying-new-jersey-116727996", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413456", "NJ.com news article:'More than a dozen drones spotted off Jersey Shore following Coast Guard boat, lawmaker says'", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "OCEAN COUNTY, NJ , Dec 11, 2024\n\nNJ. com Everything New Jersey - Powered by Star Ledger\n\nBy Tina Kelley | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com -\n\nPublished: Dec. 11, 2024, 12:59 p.m.\n\nBetween 12 and 30 drones were spotted following a Coast Guard lifeboat off the Jersey Shore Sunday night, a Republican lawmaker said during a Congressional hearing Tuesday on mysterious drone sightings over the last month.\n\nA Coast Guard commander in Barnegat Light said during a briefing earlier this week that the drones were spotted following the 47-foot vessel, according to U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., who spoke during a joint U.S. House of Representatives committee on possible security threats posed by drones.\n\nSmith also said an Ocean County Sheriff\u2019s officer saw 50 drones moving over land from the ocean at Island Beach State Park over the weekend.\n\n\u201cMaybe it\u2019s China,\u201d Smith told the committee. \u201cXi Jinping is a monster. Look at what Putin is doing. They\u2019re all capable of doing horrible things to our people.\u201d\n\nThe Coast Guard did not immediately respond to requests for additional information. The FBI also did not immediately respond to a request to comment.\n\nThe FBI is continuing to investigate thousands of nighttime drone sightings reported in New Jersey in recent weeks, though it is unclear how many of the reports were really unexplained drones and not airplanes or other objects in the night sky. The agency has asked for the public\u2019s help in collecting video and photo evidence of sightings.\n\nGov. Phil Murphy and some local law enforcement officials have said the drones pose no known threat to the public. Other county and local officials have said the sightings, including some over the state\u2019s largest reservoir, are \u201cconcerning.\u201d\n\nOcean County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy told NJ Advance Media Wednesday he is \u201cconcerned\u201d about the drone sightings. Asked if he considered them a public safety issue he said, \u201cof course.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019d like to identify who the people are, or have somebody identify them,\u201d he said. \u201cIronically, no one has seen them land or take off yet.\u201d\n\nDuring the hearing, Smith asked for the military to use its authority to intercept a drone to investigate its origins.\n\n\u201cJust send that capability out to the ocean or to the beach, because they\u2019re coming in every day. Figure out which one it is and bring it down and retrieve it and find out what is going on,\u201d Smith said.\n\nIn a Tuesday letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Smith referred to \u201cnumerous instances of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flying over New Jersey, including in close proximity to sensitive sites and critical infrastructure, to include military installations.\u201d\n\nSmith said Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey is able \u201cto identify and take down unauthorized unmanned aerial systems and have utilized this capability to address overflights of the installation.\u201d\n\nThe U.S. Secretary of Defense had not replied to Smith\u2019s letter as of Wednesday, a spokesman for the congressman said.\n\nOfficials at the Department of Defense and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst did not immediately respond to requests to comment.\n\nPresident Joe Biden has been briefed on the drone reports, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Tuesday.\n\n\u201cWe are closely tracking the activity and coordinating closely with relevant agencies,\u201d she said, referring to the FBI and Department of Homeland Security.\n\nWhen asked about frustrations expressed by New Jersey officials and the public about the lack of answers about the sightings Jean-Pierre said: \u201cObviously we hear them, and we understand that we are closely tracking this.\u201d\n\nStories by Tina Kelley\n\nFBI, Homeland Security cast doubt on N.J. drone reports, echoing White House statements\n\nWhat are the mystery drones hovering above N.J.? Here\u2019s what 3 experts say.\n\nBan drone flights and declare state of emergency, N.J. lawmaker says\n\nThis article was published on Dec. 11, 20124 and can be found at:\n\nMore than a dozen drones spotted off Jersey Shore following Coast Guard boat, lawmaker says - nj.com\n\nhttps://www.nj.com/ocean/2024/12/more-than-a-dozen-drones-spotted-off-jersey-shore-following-coast-guard-boat-lawmaker-says.html", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-urges-ai-companies-tackle-security-risks-amid-rising-threats", "Kean Urges AI Companies to Tackle Security Risks Amid Rising Threats", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(December 11, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) sent several letters to the CEOs of major U.S. artificial intelligence companies to follow up on the voluntary commitments they\u2019ve made, expressing deep concerns over a series of significant security lapses that threaten the safety and security of advanced AI technology.\n\nCongressman Kean\u2019s letter calls for immediate Congressional oversight and urges the AI companies to provide a detailed overview of their efforts to prevent security breaches and safeguard AI technologies. Additionally, Congressman Kean seeks clarity on how these companies are fulfilling their commitments to the White House and fostering a culture of security within the industry as a whole.\n\nThe letter addresses troubling incidents, including allegations of a Google employee leaking sensitive trade secrets to Chinese companies, a hacker gaining unauthorized access to OpenAI\u2019s systems, and Meta\u2019s open-source AI models being used by Chinese firms to advance their own AI capabilities. Congressman Kean emphasized that these breaches could potentially expose U.S. technological breakthroughs to theft by foreign adversaries, particularly the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), amid growing concerns over Chinese espionage efforts on an \u201cunprecedented scale.\u201d\n\nCongressman Kean requested a response from each of the companies, detailing the steps they plan to take to increase the security of their products and prioritize transparency.\n\nText of each of the letters can be found HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413447", "On Fox News  Smith demands answers on unidentified drone activity and calls on Defense Secretary to provide all available capabilities in response to possible threats", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) today joined Martha MacCallum on Fox News to discuss his ongoing efforts to get answers about the unidentified drone activity storming New Jersey skies and his call for U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to provide all available capabilities to law enforcement officials to respond to the possible threats:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413449", "Coast Guard lifeboat followed by swarm of drones in close pursuit Smith urges Defense Secretary to immediately deploy all capabilities to identify and address widespread drone activity across New Jersey", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "In a letter today, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) urged U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to immediately provide all capabilities at his disposal to identify and address the widespread drone activity across New Jersey as serious concerns continue to mount over potential threats to the homeland.\n\nSmith\u2019s letter comes after he was briefed by a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Commanding Officer stationed in Barnegat Light that more than a dozen drones followed a USCG motor lifeboat in close pursuit over the weekend.\n\n\u201cAs you no doubt are also aware, there have been numerous instances of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flying over New Jersey, including in close proximity to sensitive sites and critical infrastructure, to include military installations located in my district,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cAs you know, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) possess capabilities to identify and take down unauthorized unmanned aerial systems and have utilized this capability to address overflights of the installation,\u201d Smith said.\n\n\u201cI urgently request all capabilities possessed by the Department of Defense, especially those in use by JBMDL to be immediately deployed to identify and address the potential threats posed by UAS over the state of New Jersey,\u201d said Smith.\n\nSmith, who spent hours with Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy on Monday evening monitoring the New Jersey sky in the Sheriff\u2019s Mobile Command Center, said he is deeply concerned by the potential threats posed by the drones.\n\n\u201cThe serious concerns of New Jersey residents need to be put to rest with answers\u2014not empty reassurances,\u201d said Smith. \u201cThe time to act is now.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413450", "Washington Times article on Smith, other fed officials' concerns:'New Jersey drones stump FBI; lawmakers furious at federal inaction'", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "By Stephen Dinan and Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times - Tuesday, December 10, 2024\n\nU.S. officials are not sure what to make of the swarms of drones flying over New Jersey in recent weeks, sparking outrage from lawmakers who said it makes the government look incompetent.\n\nThose lawmakers decried the lack of answers \u2014 and lack of action.\n\n\u201cWe can bring one down tomorrow,\u201d said Rep. Christopher Smith, New Jersey Republican.\n\nRobert Wheeler Jr., who runs the FBI\u2019s critical incident response group, said no evidence suggests nefarious motives, but he hasn\u2019t ruled that out.\n\n\u201cIt is concerning,\u201d he told the House Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday.\n\nHe said the public has provided more than 3,000 tips, and reports are everywhere.\n\nSome drones have been fixed-wing aircraft, and others are rotary. Some are larger than the typical commercially available size.\n\nNew Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, called the drones \u201csophisticated\u201d and said they \u201cgo dark\u201d once detected.\n\nThe drones were spotted in the general area of Picatinny Arsenal, an Army research complex, and President-elect Donald Trump\u2019s home at Bedminster.\n\n\u201cWhy are we not taking action?\u201d Rep. August Pfluger, the Texas Republican who convened Tuesday\u2019s hearing on drone dangers, demanded of FBI and Justice Department officials.\n\nMr. Wheeler offered a bureaucratically intricate response. He said \u201cauthority exists to mitigate\u201d a drone while in flight, but he didn\u2019t explain why it hasn\u2019t happened.\n\nAt the White House, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Biden knew of the New Jersey drones, but she would not comment further.\n\nRep. Anthony D\u2019Esposito, New York Republican, said the lack of answers has become an embarrassment.\n\n\u201cThe fact that we continue to say we don\u2019t know what they are, we don\u2019t know what they\u2019re doing \u2014 the American people are looking at us and think we\u2019re lying to them because they think, \u2018How could you not have answers to drones flying over some of the most critical airspace in the country?\u2019\u201d he said.\n\nMr. Smith said he was visiting authorities on Monday. One sheriff said a deputy spotted 50 drones flying over the shore on a recent night. A Coast Guard officer said one of his boats was followed by \u201cbetween 12 and 30 of these drones.\u201d\n\nPaul Schwennesen, co-director of the Global Strategy Decisions Group, said he thinks authorities are \u201cfrozen with fear\u201d of the ramifications from collateral damage of taking down a drone, such as debris hitting a house.\n\n\u201cPeople are acting out of a sense of self-restraint here, which is being promoted by our policy environment,\u201d he told lawmakers.\n\nExperts noted threats elsewhere.\n\nHe said the risk is \u201cincreasingly rapidly.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re already seeing drug cartels in Mexico use drones to attack the military, police and their rivals,\u201d Mr. Jones said.\n\nHe said those are potential dangers to the U.S. but the more current threats are smuggling operations that use drones as surveillance platforms. They track U.S. assets and spot holes in defenses so they know when to send high-risk contraband across the border.\n\nDrone flights have disrupted operations at U.S. airports and sporting events.\n\nLawmakers seemed comfortable with the federal government\u2019s existing powers to track and destroy drones, though they said that authority must be extended and enhanced.\n\nThey said the bigger policy holes are at the state and local levels, where most drone incidents are handled.\n\nThis article was published on Dec. 10, 2024 and can be found online at:\n\nNew Jersey drones stump FBI; lawmakers furious at federal inaction - Washington Times\n\nhttps://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/dec/10/new-jersey-drones-stump-fbi-lawmakers-furious-fede/?utm_source=Boomtrain&utm_medium=manual&utm_term=newsletter&utm_content=standard&utm_campaign=morning&bt_ee=w58vP0aUx6OyCxpx2%2BeQ73OR39%2Fu%2By%2FD6nYxshD5rxV4LfKKlwH1CBve8pEBe2uw&bt_ts=1733922620821", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413451", "Asbury Park Press 'Rep. Smith: 50 drones came in from ocean; At least a dozen trailed Coast Guard ship'", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Jenna Caldero\u0301n and Lisa Robyn Kruse\n\n- Asbury Park Press\n\nMore than a dozen drones followed a 47-foot Coast Guard boat Sunday night, while law enforcement tracked another 50 drones coming onto land from the ocean at Island State Park, Rep. Chris Smith said.\n\nMeanwhile, an FBI assistant director admitted that the agency doesn\u2019t know who is behind the unidentified drones that are flying over New Jersey.\n\nAuthorities did confirm that the drones are not coming from local military bases.\n\nThe mystery of the unidentified drones deepened Tuesday, as federal officials admitted during a congressional hearing that despite repeated assurances from Gov. Murphy and other public officials, they can\u2019t say definitively whether the drones pose a threat.\n\nMORE: Ocean County sheriff on hunt for mystery drones; Monmouth releases drone map\n\nNJ drones: Here are the post-9/11 rules on how government fights airspace intruders\n\n\u201cThere is nothing known that would lead me to say that but we just don\u2019t know and that\u2019s the concerning part,\u201d Robert Wheeler, assistant FBI director, said during the congressional hearing.\n\nRep. Christopher Smith said during the hearing, and in an interview on Fox News, that he went drone-hunting at Island Beach State Park on Monday with Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy. He said they went to that beach because the night before, a law enforcement officer had counted 50 drones coming in from the ocean onto land.\n\nIn addition, he said that he was told by a Coast Guard official that one of their 47-foot ships in the ocean was trailed by 12 to 30 drones.\n\n\u201cI think this is a very serious threat,\u201d Smith said.\n\nHe added that when he asked officials at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst why they couldn\u2019t shoot down the drones, he was told they don\u2019t have the authority to do so. Smith urged officials at the hearing to grant military authorization to shoot down the drones so that their identity and capability could be ascertained.\n\nDuring the congressional hearing, Wheeler said that the FBI doesn\u2019t know the people responsible for the drones that have blanketed New Jersey in recent weeks.\n\nWheeler said that based on verified eyewitness reports, some of the drones are larger than commercial drones, and are both rotary and fixed-wing craft.\n\nDrones are not military\n\nPicatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle said they are not responsible for the recent scattering of devices in the sky, continuing confusion surrounding the mysterious objects.\n\nJoint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst did not immediately respond for comment.\n\nSince receiving initial reports of the sightings a few weeks ago, Picatinny Arsenal officials immediately began investigating and increased outreach and coordination with several local, state and federal partner organizations to obtain more information, Lt. Col. Craig A. Bonham II, Picatinny Arsenal Garrison Commander, said.\n\n\"While the source and cause of these aircraft operating in our area remain unknown, we can confirm that they are not the result of any Picatinny Arsenal-related activities,\u201d Bonham said.\n\nMORE: Mystery drones sighted in Monmouth, Ocean counties: Cops\n\nNew Jersey has witnessed a startling number of drones since mid-to-late November. The unidentified drone sightings have also been reported in Bergen, Esssex, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Somerset, and Warren counties. Some eyewitnesses have reported seeing \u201ccar-sized\u201d objects that appear to rise in the sky as the sun sets. They have been hovering over reservoirs, military installations and critical infrastructure.\n\nIn a joint statement on Dec. 3, the FBI, State Police and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness said authorities were asking the public to report any information related to the recent sightings of possible drones flying in several areas along the Raritan River\n\nAccording to the Federal Aviation Administration, there are security restrictions over Bedminster from December 6 to 20, as well as over Picatinny Arsenal since November 25.\n\nThis article was originally published in the Asbury Park Press on Dec. 10, 2024 and can be found online at:\n\nhttps://www.app.com/story/news/local/2024/12/10/50-nj-drones-came-in-from-ocean-12-trailed-coast-guard-ship-congressman-fbi-admits-dont-know-origin/76893631007/", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413452", "Patch article on Smith concerns re: unidentified drones'Drones Coming From Ocean, Tailed Coast Guard Vessel At Jersey Shore, NJ Rep Says'", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Karen Wall,Patch Staff\n\nPosted Wed, Dec 11, 2024 at 10:53 am ET|Updated Wed, Dec 11, 2024 at 11:43 am ET\n\n\u2014 U.S. Rep. Chris Smith is urging the federal Defense Department to take action to identify and address the \"potential threat\" posed by drone activity over New Jersey after being told a U.S. Coast Guard vessel was followed by drones and that dozens of drones were seen flying onshore from the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend.\n\nSmith made the demands in a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after conversations he had Monday night where he was told about a large number of drones coming onshore from the Atlantic Ocean and about drones following a U.S. Coast Guard boat off Ocean County.\n\nSmith told Austin he is very concerned about the proximity of unidentified drone flights over the last several weeks to sensitive sites and critical infrastructure across New Jersey, including Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The base is part of New Jersey's 4th District, which Smith represents.\n\nHe told Fox News host Martha MacCallum on Tuesday that he had been with Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy and the sheriff's office unit that is chronicling drone activity when a U.S. Coast Guard officer told him about the drones following the Coast Guard motor lifeboat.\n\n\"One of their 47-foot boats was trailed very closely by more than a dozen of these drones\" off Barnegat Light, Smith said in the interview Tuesday. The drones were very large and close to the stern of the boat, Smith said he was told.\n\nIn addition, Smith said a member of the sheriff's office told him of seeing 50 drones flying onshore from a boat on Sunday night.\n\nMessages left for the sheriff's office and the Coast Guard seeking additional details were not immediately returned Wednesday morning.\n\nSmith said he spoke with officials at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and was told the defense department has \"the capability to ascertain who they are and take them down,\" but that the defense department has not been given the authority to shoot one down.\n\nSmith, who spent hours with Mastronardy on Monday at the Sheriff\u2019s Mobile Command Center while it was at Island Beach State Park, said he is deeply concerned by the potential threats posed by the drones.\n\n\"This is very, not just suspicious, but provocative,\" Smith said in the Fox interview. \"This could be a foreign power whether it be Putin, Xi Jinping or (a country in) the Middle East.\"\n\nSmith, in his letter to Austin, said he is very concerned about the proximity of flights to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, along with other sensitive sites and critical infrastructure across New Jersey over the last several weeks.\n\n\"As you know, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) possess capabilities to identify and take down unauthorized unmanned aerial systems and have utilized this capability to address overflights of the installation,\" Smith said. \"I urgently request all capabilities possessed by the Department of Defense, especially those in use by JBMDL to be immediately deployed to identify and address the potential threats posed by UAS over the state of New Jersey.\"\n\nSmith, in a news release Tuesday morning, described the response so far by state and federal agencies as \"tepid\" and called it \"totally unacceptable.\"\n\n\"As we saw with the Chinese spy balloon last year, our fiercest adversaries will stop at nothing to surveil our homeland and threaten our national security,\" he said.\n\n\"The serious concerns of New Jersey residents need to be put to rest with answers\u2014not empty reassurances,\" Smith said. \"The time to act is now.\"\n\nThis article was published on Dec. 11, 2024 and can be found online at:\n\nhttps://patch.com/new-jersey/marlboro-coltsneck/s/j23gv/drones-coming-from-ocean-tailed-coast-guard-at-jersey-shore-nj-rep?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert&user_email=666b17f44f8702d8ab956b9ede12ba559d62bda1a72487c264dbb04d026cda7a", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413446", "Smith on Island Beach State Park tonight with Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy as part of ongoing efforts to address the unidentified drone activity", "2024-12-09", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) tonight is on Island Beach State Park with Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy, who has led efforts to determine the source and possible risks related to the drone activity that has been reported in Ocean County over the last few days. Rep. Smith issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cI have been speaking with Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, and national security officials located in the area to discuss the widespread reports of unidentified drone activity across my central New Jersey congressional district and across our state.\n\nUnderstandably, New Jersey residents are very alarmed at this significant and reoccurring phenomenon\u2014and the tepid response from our state and federal agencies so far is totally unacceptable. As we saw with the Chinese spy balloon last year, our fiercest adversaries will stop at nothing to surveil our homeland and threaten our national security.\n\nWhile the source of this drone activity is still to be determined, it is clear that the communication channels and proper authorities among local law enforcement and federal partners must be drastically improved in order to work quickly through deconfliction and security challenges as unmanned aerial systems become more prevalent.\n\nThe people of New Jersey deserve swift and bold action on the part of our state and federal agencies to investigate, assess, and address the situation immediately and to alleviate the growing concerns of our community.\n\nI have already made inquiries to various federal agencies regarding their response to these sightings after being briefed by the Governor, the State Police, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and U.S. military personnel over the past week. I will continue working around the clock to ensure law enforcement has all the tools and authorities necessary to identify these unmanned aerial systems and until New Jersey residents have the comprehensive answers they deserve.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-calls-federal-action-address-unexplained-drone-activity", "Kean Calls for Federal Action to Address Unexplained Drone Activity", "2024-12-09", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(December 9, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) issued a statement urging immediate federal action to address the growing concern over unexplained drone activity in New Jersey:\n\n\u201cI join thousands of New Jersey residents in deep frustration regarding the growing concerns over drones operating in our skies. The safety and privacy of our residents must be a top priority, and right now, both are being put at risk. I am calling for the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration, and other appropriate federal agencies to deploy greater resources to investigate and address this escalating issue. Additionally, an in-depth public briefing from authorities should take place immediately. The people of New Jersey deserve answers, and I will continue to demand accountability to ensure their rights and security are fully protected.\u201d - Congressman Tom Kean, Jr.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413438", "Rep. Smith's statement on President Biden's pardon of Hunter Biden", "2024-12-02", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) issued the following statement in response to President Biden\u2019s decision to pardon Hunter Biden:\n\n\"President Biden\u2019s 'full and unconditional' pardon of his son Hunter makes an absolute mockery of our justice system.\n\nWhile other Americans are serving time for committing the very same felonies, Hunter Biden will never be held accountable for his crimes\u2014simply because of his last name.\n\nTime and time again President Biden said that he would not pardon his son. He also said he never discussed these crimes and activities with Hunter. President Biden has been caught in many lies throughout his political career\u2014which begs the question what else has he said as President and Vice President\u2014and even as a U.S. Senator\u2014that was not true?\n\nPresident Biden has degraded the rule of law.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413399", "Smith cosponsor of legislation House overwhelmingly passes Social Security Fairness Act to remove unjust provisions that penalize police officers, firefighters and teachers", "2024-11-12", "2024", "2024-11", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "With the strong support and vote of Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester), the House of Representatives today passed (327-75) the Social Security Fairness Act (HR 82) to repeal two unjust provisions known as the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) that penalize police officers, firefighters, teachers and other public servants by unfairly reducing their Social Security benefits.\n\n\u201cIt is egregiously unfair that our fellow Americans who have spent substantial portions of their careers serving their communities are punished by having their benefits cut in this way,\u201d said Smith, a cosponsor of the bill. \u201cThis critical legislation will help restore fairness to the retirement program for the millions of Americans who deserve their hard-earned benefits.\u201d\n\nCurrently, the WEP and GPO reduce the benefits of nearly 3 million Americans who also receive a public pension from a job not covered by Social Security or who have a spouse employed by federal, state, or local government in a job that is not covered by Social Security.\n\nIn September, Smith signed a discharge petition to advance the bill directly to the House Floor for a vote after the bill stalled in the House Ways and Means Committee despite its overwhelming bipartisan support. The petition, which received the required number of 218 signatories, enabled the bill to move to the House Floor without needing further committee action.\n\n\u201cThe urgent need to repeal the WEP and GPO completely is why I have been a proud cosponsor of the Social Security Fairness Act since it was first introduced last January and why I signed the discharge petition to ensure it received its well-deserved consideration by the House of Representatives,\u201d Smith said.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:07:06Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413397", "New BOEM-DOD offshore wind agreement heightens concerns over whether approved projects have been properly vetted by U.S. military", "2024-10-30", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today slammed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to collaborate on offshore wind development, saying the haphazard move \u201cheightens serious concerns over whether projects that have already been approved were thoroughly and properly vetted by the U.S. military for adverse impacts on national security and military readiness.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is extremely disconcerting that BOEM is only now deciding to define roles and duties with the Defense Department for offshore wind leasing and project review after 10 projects have already been fully approved by the Biden-Harris Administration with more lined up,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cBOEM\u2019s own analysis for the Atlantic Shores South project acknowledges that the offshore wind turbines would specifically interfere with federal and military radar systems, even mentioning Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst by name,\u201d said Smith. \u201cAnd yet shockingly, BOEM has already issued full federal approval for construction to move forward\u2014even before reaching this new agreement to work with the Defense Department.\u201d\n\nAccording to BOEM, the memorandum of understanding includes calls for BOEM and DOD to:\n\n\u00b7 \u201cCollaborate as early as possible in the offshore wind leasing process\u201d;\n\n\u00b7 \u201cRegularly communicate and exchange information at the staff and leadership levels\u201d; and\n\n\u00b7 \u201cDetermine what areas should be deferred from leasing to enable the performance of DOD activities.\u201d\n\n\u201cAnyone who has been paying close attention to the shoddy and reckless approval process for these offshore wind projects will not be fooled by this after-the-fact proposal\u2014which is far too little and far too late,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cFor years, we have been pointing out the lack of serious scrutiny and proper vetting for these projects\u2014especially and including the likely dire impacts on national security and military readiness\u2014but the Biden-Harris Administration has ignored our concerns,\u201d Smith said.\n\n\u201cIn fact, the implementation of this agreement so late in the process begs the question of what national security threats have been downplayed or neglected by BOEM over the past few years during its reckless, fast-track approval process,\u201d said Smith.\n\nIn Congress, Smith has been leading efforts to raise the alarm over the serious threats that rapid offshore wind industrialization poses to U.S. national security in addition to other wide-ranging adverse impacts.\n\nLast year, Smith introduced legislation\u2014which was passed by the House of Representatives in July 2023\u2014that would require presidential certification that offshore wind projects would not \u201cweaken, degrade, interfere with, or nullify the capability of radar relied upon by the Federal Aviation Administration or the Armed Forces.\u201d\n\nSmith\u2019s legislative effort came shortly after BOEM Director Liz Klein failed to offer specific details when pressed by Smith at a congressional hearing on whether offshore wind projects would make military vessel navigation less safe. Their exchange occurred just one week after Bloomberg reported that the Pentagon had deemed several areas off the East Coast as \u201chighly problematic\u201d for offshore wind development due to proximity to military operations.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-highlights-over-11-million-dollars-new-fema-safer-and-afg-grants-local", "Kean Highlights Over $1.1 Million Dollars in New FEMA,\u00a0SAFER and AFG Grants for Local Fire Departments", "2024-10-29", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(October 29, 2024) BERNARDSVILLE, NJ \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded over $1.1 million dollars for local fire departments in New Jersey\u2019s 7th Congressional District through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program.\n\nIn February of this year, Congressman Kean hosted a FEMA AFG Webinar also wrote letters of support for fire departments to receive a FEMA grant in the 7th Congressional District that requested assistance. Congressman Kean\u2019s Fire Grants and Safety Act was signed into law in July which provided the necessary federal resources through the AFG and SAFER programs.\n\n\u201cEvery day, firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our communities,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cIt is essential that we provide our first responders with the resources they need, and I am grateful to see this funding coming back to the district. Investing in our local fire departments means we are investing in the safety and well-being of our families and neighbors.\u201d\n\n\"Our agency is incredibly grateful to be chosen for a 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase new portable radios,\u201d said Matthew Hoffman, Chief of Readington Volunteer Fire Company. \u201cRadio communications are a vital part of our everyday operations and safety of our firefighters as they operate on incidents. These funds will help to take the financial burden off our agency and township in the upgrade process. We appreciate the letter of support from Congressman Kean and his office that was submitted with the application.\u201d\n\n\u201cQuakertown Fire Company is thrilled to be receiving a $577,000 FEMA SAFER grant for recruitment and retention,\u201d said Bradley Patkochis, Chief of Quakertown Fire Company. \u201cThe importance of AFG and SAFER cannot be understated, particularly the ability for local fire companies to complete critical projects without putting it on the backs of New Jersey taxpayers. Thank you to Congressman Kean for supporting FEMA AFG and SAFER programs through the Fire Grants and Safety Act.\u201d\n\n$1,171,231 in total going back to New Jersey\u2019s local fire departments, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) were distributed as follows:\n\n$60,909 for City of Linden\n\n$44,788 for Tri-County Fire Co No 1 of Stephensburg (Hackettstown)\n\n$53,705 for Alpha Volunteer Fire Co (Phillipsburg)\n\n$189,735 for Readington Volunteer Fire Company\n\n$244,761 for Chester Township\n\n$577,333 for Quakertown Fire Company (Franklin, Hunterdon Co.)\n\nCongressman Kean\u2019s Fire Grants and Safety Act authorizes up to $750 million in funding from fiscal years 2024 through 2028, extending the sunset date of these programs to September 30, 2030. Additionally, it increases funding levels for the U.S. Fire Administration to $95 million in order to support initiatives such as the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413396", "Smith measure required report in response to death of Kyle Mullen IG report notes some improvements but admonishes Navy to reassess medical capabilities at Hell Week", "2024-10-28", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "In a new report mandated by legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General (IG) noted improvements made following Kyle Mullen\u2019s death but admonished the Navy to \u201creassess\u201d the \u201cmedical capabilities\u201d at the Navy SEALs Hell Week training, raising serious questions over whether their medical and communications equipment can \u201cprovide the appropriate standard of care\u201d and if their medical staffing requirements \u201cmeet clinical demand.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe new policies following Kyle\u2019s death are welcomed, yet they underscore the grave unnecessary risks that SEAL candidates faced before the critical changes were implemented,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cSignificantly, the IG report reinforces the findings of the Navy\u2019s May 2023 command investigation into Kyle\u2019s death, which cited \u2018failures across multiple systems that led to a number of candidates being at high risk of serious injury,\u2019 including \u2018wholly inadequate\u2019 medical monitoring and care during and after Hell Week,\u201d said Smith. \u201cThe IG report shows that unnecessary health and safety risks existed and notes that some\u2014but not all\u2014of these failures have been addressed in the wake of the Mullen tragedy.\u201d\n\nProactive Pneumonia Safety Measure. Acute pneumonia was determined to be the cause of Kyle\u2019s death in February 2022. According to the IG, one new policy implemented by the Navy following Kyle\u2019s death was that they now administer prophylactic antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections including cellulitis and pneumonia. Also, one or two medical personnel are now required to be on-site for all Hell Week evolutions.\n\nAdditionally, the IG reports that \u201cone of the biggest improvements for SEAL candidates\u201d is the Recovery Observation Center (ROC), which it says was established in August 2023 \u201cto provide closer medical oversight of candidates during Hell Week and when Hell Week is complete.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is clear as day that there were significant medical shortfalls and lapses when Kyle Mullen and others were training during Hell Week in 2022, and the change is good,\u201d Smith said. \u201cBut now, almost three years after Kyle\u2019s death, the IG is still raising significant questions about appropriate standard of care and the Navy\u2019s ability to meet the clinical needs for the brave men who enter this rigorous training program.\u201d\n\nThe Navy now has 90 days to respond to the proposed recommendations made by the Inspector General following their evaluation.\n\nNamed the \u201cKyle Mullen Naval Safety Enhancements,\u201d Smith\u2019s measure was passed by the House of Representatives in July 2022 and incorporated as Section 745 of the final National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263). The revised provisions directed the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General to conduct a comprehensive review and report its recommendations for improved medical care and oversight of Navy SEAL training.\n\nSmith said the IG report and the continued push for further improvements would not be possible without Kyle\u2019s mother Regina\u2014a registered nurse\u2014and her dedication to ensuring that no other parent must endure her pain.\n\n\u201cRegina\u2019s courageous and relentless advocacy in the face of untold suffering has resulted in direct improvements for those who are training for some of our Nation\u2019s most critical missions,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cThe incredibly tough, brave young men who step up to serve our great Nation deserve the best medical care and attention we can provide,\u201d Smith said. \u201cRegina\u2019s heroic work will no doubt save other young men from injury and even death.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-fighting-restore-memorial-pond-mount-arlington", "Kean Fighting to Restore Memorial Pond in Mount Arlington", "2024-10-25", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(October 25, 2024) BOROUGH OF MOUNT ARLINGTON, NJ \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) toured Memorial Pond to gain insight into the critical need for renovations ahead of the FY25 appropriations discussion. Congressman Kean is advocating for $560,000 in the FY25 appropriation process to benefit the Borough of Mount Arlington. The funding will be used for data collection and analysis of the sediment, surveying, engineering, regulatory requirements, and dredging of Memorial Pond. The dredging involves pumping the sediment through a pipeline into geotubes. This funding has passed the House Appropriations Committee.\n\n\"In our ongoing efforts to both protect and enhance our community\u2019s natural resources, I am advocating for $560,000 in the FY25 appropriations to support vital renovations at Memorial Pond,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cMy recent tour and conversations with local stakeholders and leaders reinforced the importance this funding. These resources will be used for data collection, engineering assessments, and the dredging process itself. This project is not just about maintaining a beautiful space; it's about ensuring the ecological health of our environment for future generations. By investing in Memorial Pond, we are making a commitment to the well-being of the Borough of Mount Arlington and fostering a sustainable community.\"\n\n\u201cThis is a fantastic project that will have a positive impact on the quality of the water, not only in Memorial Pond and at our town beach, but in Lake Hopatcong as a whole,\u201d said Michael Stanzilis, Mayor of Mount Arlington Borough. \u201cCongressman Kean has worked hard to protect the environment and the quality of water both in and around Lake Hopatcong and Mount Arlington.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are incredibly grateful to Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. for visiting Lake Hopatcong and for his support of projects meant to improve the water quality of our lake, including the vital dredging of Memorial Pond in Mount Arlington,\u201d said Kyle Richter, Executive Director of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation. \u201cHis commitment to protecting and preserving our natural resources ensures a healthier future for our community and the generations to come.\u201d\n\nCongressman Kean requested 15 projects in this year\u2019s appropriation process. To view the full list, click HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413395", "Patch News article on Rep. Smith bill:'New VA Clinic To Be Named For Toms River World War 2 Hero Lomell'", "2024-10-22", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Reps. Chris Smith and Andy Kim promised local officials including then-mayor Maurice Hill to see to it that Lomell was honored with the clinic naming. Smith introduced HR 9997 to do just that. The legislation is cosponsored by Kim, Rep. Jeff Van Drew of the 2nd District, and Rep. Donald Norcross of the 1st District.\n\n\"A decorated war hero and upstanding citizen, Bud Lomell sacrificed so much for our country and courageously led his platoon during the D-Day invasion of Normandy,\" Smith said in announcing the legislation \"It is only fitting that the new modern health care facility in Toms River that will serve so many of our Nation\u2019s heroes living in our community be named after one of our very own heroes from Ocean County.\"\n\nSmith had represented Toms River and Brick for years until a redistricting moved those towns out of the 4th District. He led the fight to build the James J. Howard VA outpatient clinic in Brick in the 1980s.\n\nKim, who represents the 3rd District, had helped fight for the new clinic in Toms River since he was elected in 2018. Toms River and Brick were in the 3rd District until 2023, following the 2022 election when redistricting shifted the two towns (and others) back to Smith's district.\n\nLomell was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his valor and leadership while scaling the cliffs of Pointe Du Hoc in a critical and highly difficult mission to disable an installment of German heavy guns. He later earned a Silver Star for his actions to capture and secure Hill 400 in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, during which he led the Rangers in defending the hilltop against a German counterattack, even after being severely wounded.\n\nAfter serving our nation overseas, Lomell returned home to Ocean County and became President of the Ocean County Bar Association, a director of the First National Bank of Toms River, and a member of the then Dover Township Board of Education. He died of natural causes in 2011 at his Toms River home.\n\nThe new Toms River clinic is a 68,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility located on Hooper Avenue. It replaces the Howard clinic, which opened in 1990 but can no longer accommodate the large number of veterans in the area.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-advocates-over-16-million-funding-bernards-township-police", "Kean Advocates for Over $1.6 Million in Funding for Bernards Township Police", "2024-10-22", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(October 22, 2024) BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, NJ \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) toured the Bernards Township Police Department ahead of the FY25 appropriations discussion to gain insight into local law enforcement needs and priorities. Congressman Kean is advocating for $1,626,100 in the FY25 appropriation process to benefit Bernards Township. This funding would be used for improving the communications capabilities of the Bernards Police Department and partner emergency response agencies within the Township.\n\n\u201cI will continue to advocate for the return of as many federal funds as possible to the Bernards Township Police Department,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cThis funding for Bernards Township has already passed the House Appropriations Committee. With these resources, local police officers will be able to upgrade their radio communication system, significantly enhancing their ability to communicate and coordinate deployments. This investment is crucial for ensuring the safety and security of this community.\u201d\n\n\u201cBernards Township is grateful to Congressman Kean's support of our community, especially regarding public safety,\u201d said Jennifer Asay, Mayor of Bernards Township. \u201cIn February, he hosted a Crime Roundtable webinar where I was a panelist and learned from my fellow panelists and the Congressman collective concerns and where to partner to develop solutions to protect residents. Additionally, we are honored to be one of the Congressman's 15 submissions for Community Project Funding FY2025. If awarded, this $1.6M grant will upgrade the communications capabilities of the Bernards Township Police Department and partner emergency response agencies within the Township, resulting in enhanced resident safety.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Bernards Township Police Department appreciated meeting and speaking with Congressman Tom Kean, Junior,\u201d said Jon Burger, Chief of Bernards Township Police Department. \u201cWe appreciate the support he provides the community and law enforcement.\u201d\n\nCongressman Kean requested 15 projects in this year\u2019s appropriation process. To view the full list, click HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413394", "Azerbaijani dissident murdered in France in run-up to UN climate change conference in Baku Smith urges Biden-Harris Administration to establish increased protection for Azerbaijanis in the U.S. threatened by escalating transnational repression", "2024-10-21", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "In the wake of the reported murder of outspoken Azerbaijani dissident Vidadi Isgandarli who was brutally beaten and stabbed to death in his house in France, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) is urging the Biden-Harris Administration to \u201cestablish a U.S. Government effort to provide increased protection to Azerbaijanis living in the United States who may be in danger of escalating transnational repression in the run-up to next month\u2019s COP29 Climate Change Conference in Baku.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis shocking crime perpetrated against a leading critic of Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliyev is extremely concerning and has placed Azerbaijanis in the United States on high alert\u2014especially those who are bravely exposing Aliyev\u2019s cruel regime and its egregious human rights violations and large-scale corruption,\u201d said Smith, senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.\n\n\u201cThe Biden-Harris Administration needs to directly address Aliyev\u2019s horrific and heightening transnational repression before it\u2019s too late,\u201d said Smith, the author of the Transnational Repression Policy Act (HR 3654) that would comprehensively enhance the U.S government\u2019s response to foreign governments who target and persecute individuals living in the United States.\n\n\u201cIf top Biden-Harris officials pretend this murder was not intended to intimidate other outspoken Azerbaijanis, they will be responsible for emboldening the perpetrators and increasing the threat to other Azerbaijanis,\u201d said Smith, who has chaired numerous congressional hearings and has visited Azerbaijan on several human rights trips as part of his longtime efforts to advocate for victims of Azerbaijan\u2019s human rights abuses, including ethnic Azerbaijanis and Armenians.\n\nThe murder of Isgandarli follows numerous reports detailing Azerbaijani dissidents who have been targeted and attacked in recent years around the world, including in the U.S., France, Germany and Georgia. In 2020, the Institute for Peace and Democracy noted it had been informed of \u201cconfidential information from Baku about the plans to neutralize the most active critics of the regime living in the West\u201d and a list of individuals that Azerbaijan planned on targeting.\n\nDespite continuing to have one of the most repressive governments in the world, Azerbaijan is slated to host the United Nations\u2019s COP29 Climate Change Conference in November.\n\n\u201cIt is outrageous that the Biden-Harris Administration is giving credence to Azerbaijan\u2019s propaganda that it is a \u2018peacemaker\u2019 and sending a high-level delegation to its COP29 conference while Azerbaijani dissidents in the United States and around the world are being persecuted and even killed for standing up for human rights and democracy,\u201d said Smith, who authored the Azerbaijan Democracy Act in 2015 to promote the rule of law and respect for human rights in the country.\n\n\u201cIn addition to securing the safety of Azerbaijanis here at home, the Biden-Harris Administration should immediately retract its destructive statements about valuing the dictator\u2019s \u2018leadership\u2019 and foolishly saying our countries have \u2018aligned our priorities,\u2019\u201d said Smith, referring to comments made earlier this month by John Podesta, Senior Advisor to President Biden for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-advocates-nearly-2-million-funding-readington-police", "Kean Advocates for Nearly $2 Million in Funding for Readington Police", "2024-10-19", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(October 19, 2024) READINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ \u2013 On Thursday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) toured the Readington Township Police Department ahead of the FY25 appropriations discussion to gain insight into local law enforcement needs and priorities. Congressman Kean is advocating for $1.9 million in the FY25 appropriation process to benefit Readington Township. This funding would be used to enhance the operational capacity, efficiency, and community engagement of the department through strategic upgrades and expansion efforts.\n\n\"As we continue with the FY25 appropriations process, I remain committed to advocating for the $1.9 million in funding that has already passed the House Appropriations Committee,\" said Congressman Kean. \"This critical investment will help modernize infrastructure, upgrade technology, and expand resources, ensuring that our officers have the tools they need to effectively serve and protect the residents of Readington Township.\"\n\n\u201cAs mayor of Readington Township, I am deeply grateful for Congressman Tom Kean\u2019s partnership in securing millions of dollars through the House Appropriations Committee\u2019s community project funding grant,\u201d said Adam Mueller, Mayor of the Readington Township. \u201cThis crucial funding will be used for the expansion and modernization of our police department, ensuring they have the resources to serve our community effectively. Congressman Kean has been a devout supporter of our first responders, and his commitment to their safety and success is truly commendable.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Readington Township Police Department is grateful for Congressman Kean\u2019s continued support for law enforcement, and his commitment to secure funding that ensures our police officers have the tools they need to deliver the highest quality police service to the residents of Readington Township,\u201d said Jim Curry, Director of Public Safety for the Readington Township Police Department.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413392", "Ahead of Tuesday\u2019s opening Smith introduces legislation to name new Toms River veterans clinic after highly-decorated local war hero Bud Lomell", "2024-10-18", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester), the author of more than a dozen laws to help our nation\u2019s veterans and their families, today introduced legislation (HR 9997) to name the new veterans clinic in Toms River after World War II hero and longtime Toms River resident, Second Lieutenant Leonard G. \u201cBud\u201d Lomell. Smith\u2019s bill, which notes that Lomell is \u201cexceedingly deserving of the posthumous honor,\u201d is already cosponsored by Reps. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ).\n\n\u201cA decorated war hero and upstanding citizen, Bud Lomell sacrificed so much for our country and courageously led his platoon during the D-Day invasion of Normandy,\u201d said Smith, who served two terms as Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. \u201cFor his incredible leadership and remarkable bravery, Bud Lomell received a Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is only fitting that the new modern health care facility in Toms River that will serve so many of our Nation\u2019s heroes living in our community be named after one of our very own heroes from Ocean County,\u201d Smith said.\n\nSmith\u2019s legislation has received the strong support of the entire Lomell Family\u2014including Bud\u2019s surviving wife, Charlotte Ewart Lomell, who was married to Bud for 63 years.\n\nAfter citing Lomell\u2019s extraordinary heroism, HR 9997 concludes: \u201cAs a decorated war hero, model citizen, and dedicated husband and father, Second Lieutenant Lomell is exceedingly deserving of the posthumous honor of having a new and long-awaited Toms River-based Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic named in his honor.\u201d\n\nLomell, who served as a U.S. Army Ranger in World War II through multiple engagements including the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, was recognized by famed historian Stephen Ambrose as \u201cthe single individual\u2014other than Dwight Eisenhower\u2014as most responsible for the Allied successes on D-Day.\u201d\n\nLomell was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his valor and leadership while scaling the cliffs of Pointe Du Hoc in a critical and highly difficult mission to disable an installment of German heavy guns. He later earned a Silver Star for his actions to capture and secure Hill 400 in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, during which he led the Rangers in defending the hilltop against a German counterattack, even after being severely wounded.\n\nAfter serving our nation overseas, Lomell returned home to Ocean County, where he was appointed to serve as the first director of the newly organized Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau to assist veterans with their transition to civilian life. He went on to study law on the GI Bill and also served as President of the Ocean County Bar Association, a director of the First National Bank of Toms River, and a member of the then Dover Township Board of Education. He died of natural causes in 2011 at his Toms River home.\n\nThe new Toms River clinic\u2014a 68,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility located on Hooper Ave\u2014will replace Ocean County\u2019s Brick clinic that Smith secured in 1991 but can no longer accommodate the large veterans population in the area. As part of his push to establish that clinic, Smith had authored three amendments passed by the House of Representatives to bring a Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinic, for the first time, to Ocean County.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413391", "Smith secured $30.2 million from federal infrastructure bill Beach replenishment from Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet ready to move forward with new contract awarded", "2024-10-17", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Critical beach replenishment for Jersey Shore towns in the Fourth Congressional District is primed to begin after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officially awarded a contract for the project to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, announced Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester).\n\n\u201cAfter several contracting delays, this long-awaited project to restore our beaches that have suffered considerable erosion over the past years is finally ready to move forward,\u201d said Smith, who secured $30.2 million in federal funding for the project.\n\nThe project, which has faced several setbacks, had been in serious jeopardy before Smith intervened in January 2022 and secured the entire federal share\u2014or approximately half of the $73.5 million total cost\u2014from the federal infrastructure bill passed by Congress.\n\n\u201cWe have never let up on securing this long-overdue, unjustly delayed project,\u201d said Smith. \u201cOur shore communities will benefit greatly from the federal assistance and partnership to address significant safety concerns from beach erosion and help blunt damaging effects of major storms.\u201d\n\nSmith said that while the work schedule is yet to be finalized, the project will likely be completed over the winter months\u2014or possibly sooner.\n\n\u201cI am confident that the Army Corps will work closely with the contract awardee to help see that this important operation, now finally awarded, is not derailed again,\u201d said Smith.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413390", "Lufthansa fined $4 million for discriminating against Jewish passengers in antisemitic incident", "2024-10-15", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester), Co-Chair of the House Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, said the $4 million fine levied against Lufthansa today for discriminating against Jewish passengers\u2014including some from Smith\u2019s congressional district\u2014\u201csends a strong message that discrimination and antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society and will not be tolerated.\u201d\n\nThe record fine comes in response to a May 2022 incident when 128 members of the Orthodox Jewish community were denied boarding on a connecting flight in Germany based on the actions of only some of the passengers, even though many did not know each other and were traveling separately.\n\nIn the wake of the incident, Smith wrote a letter to Lufthansa Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carsten Spohr expressing his \u201cutter disgust\u201d for the way in which the travelers were treated and requested a meeting with the German airline\u2019s top brass to address \u201cseveral vexing questions.\u201d\n\nAt Smith\u2019s request, the Lufthansa CEO met with him and a constituent in Smith\u2019s DC office to hear directly from a victim of the discrimination just two weeks after the antisemitic incident. Lufthansa conducted an investigation, changed policies and continued negotiations with many of the passengers.\n\n\u201cThe rising tide of antisemitism worldwide cannot be overlooked,\u201d said Smith. \u201cTragically, Jewish men, women and children continue to suffer bias, cruelty, hate and violence simply because they are Jewish.\u201d\n\n\u201cSilence is not an option\u2014nor is inaction,\u201d said Smith. \u201cIf our fight against this pernicious form of hatred is to succeed, we must be absolutely clear and bold in word, deed, policies and treatment.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-honors-local-law-enforcement-hometown-heroes-event", "Kean Honors Local Law Enforcement at Hometown Heroes Event", "2024-10-15", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(October 15, 2024) BERNARDSVILLE, NJ \u2013 Last Friday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) hosted his inaugural Law Enforcement Hometown Heroes event at the Bernardsville Library to recognize and honor outstanding law enforcement officers in the community. In attendance were Bernardsville Council President Al Ribeiro, Bernards Township Mayor Jennifer Asay, the Hometown Heroes, along with their families, friends, and supervisors.\n\nCongressman Kean honored 22 Hometown Heroes, who represent all six counties in New Jersey\u2019s 7th Congressional District. Each Hometown Hero was nominated by their chiefs and supervisors for the outstanding work they do every day.\n\n\u201cFirst responders and law enforcement are the backbone of our communities' safety,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cI am fortunate to represent a district filled with some of the most selfless and hard-working people, including those we recognized as Law Enforcement Hometown Heroes. I am grateful to play a small role in recognizing their efforts as a token of appreciation for the difficult responsibilities these men and women have keeping our communities safe.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful to Congressman Kean for choosing to recognize our law enforcement professionals,\u201d said Sergeant Daniel Kern, 2024 Law Enforcement Hometown Hero. \u201cLaw enforcement officers are some of the most misunderstood professionals. The vast majority of officers sacrifice a great deal for their communities and do so without the expectation or desire of any recognition. My department is full of officers that could easily be here in my place.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am grateful to have been nominated and recognized as part of Congressman Kean\u2019s Hometown Heroes Initiative,\u201d said Sergeant Tracy Baldassare, 2024 Law Enforcement Hometown Hero. \u201cI am proud to represent and serve alongside all of the honorable women and men of the Bernards Township Police Department. Being able to do so in my hometown has been an added privilege, for which I will always be thankful.\u201d\n\nPhotos of the event can be found HERE.\n\nThe Honorees are:\n\nHonorees That Attended:\n\nCaptain Miguel Acabou - Clark Police Department\n\nSergeant Tracy Baldassare-Bernards Township Police Department\n\nLieutenant Douglas Baylor- Phillipsburg Police Department\n\nOfficer Alyse Brown- Sparta Township Police Department\n\nStaff Sargeant Brent Hawkswell \u2013 NJ State Police\n\nSergeant Daniel Kern-Hopatcong Police Department\n\nCaptain Michael Jackson- Mountainside Police Department\n\nCorporal Gretchen L. Malone -Hunterdon County Sheriff\u2019s Office\n\nOfficer Jarren Mann -Hunterdon County Sheriff\u2019s Office\n\nLieutenant Thomas Polito- Bedminster Township Police Department\n\nDetective Elizabeth Savnik \u2013 Westfield Police Department\n\nOfficer John M. Simonetti Jr.- Mount Olive Police Department\n\nLieutenant Donald Sretenovic -New Providence Police Department\n\nPatrolman Peter Zabita-Hopatcong Police Department\n\nHonorees That Did Not Attend:\n\nOfficer Vincent Conti- Scotch Plains Police Department\n\nOfficer Jessica Gutsick- High Bridge Police Department\n\nCorporal Ryan Kamieniecki- Far Hills Police Department\n\nCaptain Jonathan Rachel \u2013 Springfield Police Department\n\nCaptain Scott Rayack - Rahway Police Department\n\nSergeant Timothy Richard-Bernardsville Police Department\n\nOfficer Connor Strohm- Readington Township Police Department\n\nOfficer Nicholas J. Villa- Raritan Township Police Department\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-kean-accepting-applications-spring-2025-internships", "Congressman Kean Accepting Applications for Spring 2025 Internships", "2024-10-10", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(October 10, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced that his office is now accepting applications for the Spring 2025 Internship Program. This valuable opportunity provides college students with a unique chance to gain hands-on experience in the fast-paced world of public service and legislative affairs.\n\nAs an integral part of the congressional office, interns will have the chance to work closely with dedicated staff members and contribute to the development and implementation of legislative initiatives. This immersive experience will provide valuable insights into the inner workings of the U.S. Congress and the day-to-day responsibilities of a congressional office.\n\n\"We are excited to offer this internship program to students who are passionate about public service,\" said Congressman Kean. \"Our interns play a vital role in supporting our work on behalf of the constituents we serve, and I am proud to provide them with a valuable learning experience.\"\n\nTo apply for the Spring Internship Program for both the DC and the NJ District offices, interested individuals should visit https://kean.house.gov/services/internships and complete the online application. The deadline for applications is Friday, November 15, 2024. Internships are for currently enrolled college students.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413388", "In bicameral letter Members of Congress put federal agency on notice for violating the law by allowing congressional health plans to subsidize abortion", "2024-10-09", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "In a bicameral letter to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) today, more than two dozen Members of Congress\u2014led by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)\u2014admonished the human resources agency for violating federal law that prohibits congressional health plans from subsidizing elective abortion.\n\n\u201cIt is a clear violation of the Smith Amendment for health plans available to Members and staff to offer elective abortion,\u201d wrote the 22 House Members and 4 Senators, who noted the provision\u2014which was first authored by Rep. Chris Smith\u2014has been renewed annually for nearly 30 years.\n\nThe letter comes on the heels of reports that Aetna\u2014currently the sole provider of congressional-eligible plans that comply with the Smith Amendment by excluding coverage of elective abortion\u2014will stop offering health plans on Washington, DC\u2019s Affordable Care Act exchange known as DC Health Link. Congressional Members and staff have been advised that only two plans that do not cover elective abortion will be made available for the upcoming plan year.\n\n\u201cUnder the Smith Amendment, OPM is prohibited from engaging in administrative activity in connection with any plan that subsidizes elective abortion, let alone almost all of them,\u201d the lawmakers continued.\n\n\u201cThe severity of OPM\u2019s specious implementation of\u2014or perhaps malicious disregard for\u2014the law must be finally and permanently remedied and brought into compliance with congressional intent,\u201d the lawmakers wrote.\n\nAs a result of Aetna\u2019s withdrawal from the exchange, Members of Congress and staff enrolled in Aetna plans will be forced to select new health plans during their upcoming \u201copen season,\u201d which is scheduled for November 11 through December 9, 2024.\n\n\u201cIn Plan Year 2024, Aetna offered eight health plans that did not subsidize elective abortion,\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \u201cThe situation has now deteriorated to the point that Members of Congress and their designated staff have only two plans available to them in 2025.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis outcome is a tragic result of OPM\u2019s illegal policies,\u201d the lawmakers continued. \u201cThe fact that plans available to congressional personnel have not properly excluded abortion coverage has been an ongoing well-documented violation of federal law by the Office of Personnel Management.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe call on you to cease the administration of government contributions for Congressional health insurance plans that illegally cover elective abortion; instead direct the D.C. Health Link and its participating insurers to provide compliant health insurance plans to Members of Congress and their staff,\u201d the lawmakers urged OPM Acting Director Shriver.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-visits-fy25-community-project-funding-site-warren-county", "Kean Visits FY25 Community Project Funding Site in Warren County", "2024-10-09", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(October 9, 2024) WARREN COUNTY, NJ \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) met with Dr. William Austin, Warren Community College President, along with students, faculty, and deans, ahead of the FY25 appropriations discussion to gain insight into the critical need for funding to enhance the Agricultural Education and Training Center\u2019s facilities. Congressman Kean requested $978,625 for Warren Community College in this year\u2019s appropriation process. The funding would be used for improvements to the existing Agricultural Education and Training Center\u2019s facilities to serve as a location for training students on vocational agriculture and culinary studies.\n\n\u201cHands-on experience bridges the gap between classroom learning and practical application, providing opportunities that can be transformed into valuable real-world skills,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cThis funding would provide students with the necessary resources and training in vocational agriculture and culinary studies, helping to foster skill development and workforce readiness in these fields. I thank President Austin and his team for taking the time to show me the site today and look forward to getting this funding across the finish line.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are honored to welcome Congressman Kean to our Robotics research facility, where we reviewed our past work in precision agriculture and discussed our plans to automate food processing,\u201d said Dr. William Austin, President of Warren Community College. \u201cBy collaborating with local farmers and the Congressman, we aim to develop a cutting-edge food science innovation center for Northwest New Jersey.\u201d\n\nCongressman Kean requested 15 projects in this year\u2019s appropriation process. To view the full list, click HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413385", "Patch News article:'500 Rally In Sea Girt Against Offshore Wind Turbines'", "2024-10-08", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Carly Baldwin,Patch Staff\n\nPosted Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 10:56 am ET|Updated Tue, Oct 8, 2024 at 8:57 am ET\n\n\u2014 Nearly 500 people rallied in Sea Girt Sunday morning to protest the planned installation of wind turbines off the Jersey Shore.\n\nGov. Phil Murphy drove by the crowd as he entered the National Guard Training Center, located in Sea Girt, where he had to attend an annual military review. Organizers say they planned the protest specifically because they knew Murphy would be in the area. Murphy did not speak to the crowd.\n\n\"We wanted him to see us and he did see us, and snuck past us when (NJ Republican governor candidate Jack) Ciattarelli was speaking,\" said one of the organizers, Lynette Viviani of Stop the High-Risk Power Cables.org, a group of Jersey Shore residents that are trying to prevent plans to bring the wind energy ashore in Sea Girt, Manasquan and Wall.\n\n'The rush to install these expensive and expansive offshore wind farms \u2014 with industrial cables tearing up towns like Sea Girt, Manasquan, Wall and Howell \u2014 is a catastrophe in the making... Gov. Murphy\u2019s blatant disregard for the concerns of local residents, the dangers presented by these projects, and the reckless spending in pursuit of them makes no sense whatsoever.'\n\n- Congressman Chris Smith (R- Manchester)\n\nThe wind farm that is currently progressing off the Jersey Shore is Atlantic Shores, which is actually composed of three wind farms, according to the company website, Atlantic Shores Wind:\n\nAtlantic Shores North: A wind farm about 9-10 miles off Barnegat Light\n\nAtlantic Shores South: 195 turbines 8.7 miles off Atlantic City at its closest point to land\n\nAtlantic Shores Bight: A third lease area much farther out to sea, located in an area known as the Atlantic Bight.\n\nAtlanticShoresWind.com is a private subsidiary owned by Shell Oil and EDF Renewables. They currently hold the leasing rights to three areas of the Atlantic Ocean on which they plan to build turbines.\n\nEnergy from Atlantic Shores will be brought ashore in Monmouth County: Underground cables will be built under the ocean floor and make first landfall in Sea Girt. Offshore wind energy will be brought onshore at the Sea Girt military beach and the cables will run underground to the Larrabee Collector Station in Howell, according to this map of the project from the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Management.\n\nThe high-voltage electric cables will be buried 3.5 to 8 feet underground and run within 35 feet of homes, schools, businesses and recreation areas; they will be buried within 10-15 yards of homes, recreational facilities, schools and underneath the Coast to Capital Bike Trail. The cables will carry up to 6,400 megawatts of power.\n\n\"That\u2019s nearly 10x the power of the recently closed Oyster Creek nuclear plant,\" said Viviani. \"Based on the evidence presented by the BPU, no project of this magnitude has been tested or implemented.\"\n\nAccording to Viviani, the NJ Board of Public Utilities is expected to award contracts to begin building on-shore infrastructure for the transmission lines at the end of 2024.\n\n\"And then the towns and hopefully Monmouth County will have the opportunity to file lawsuits,\" she said. \"That's what we've been told. But they can't file litigation until contracts are awarded. There are still a lot of people in Wall, Manasquan and Sea Girt who don't know these underground power lines are being planned.\"\n\nIf all goes as planned, Atlantic Shores South expects to begin laying cable to connect to land in the first quarter of 2025.\n\nViviani says the transmission lines will be run directly under Sea Girt Avenue, on which she lives.\n\n\"The cables will be 30 feet from my living room,\" she said. \"Our whole message is that high-powered cables should not be put anywhere close to residential areas.\"\n\nOn Sept. 24, Howell Mayor Theresa Berger, Sea Girt Mayor Donald Fetzer, Manasquan Mayor Michael Mangan and Wall Twp. Mayor Kevin Orender sent a letter to the NJ Board of Public Utilities, asking the BPU to delay awarding any contracts until environmental and safety reviews can be done.\n\n\"Our communities are along the likely route of the project and we and our residents have grave concerns regarding the safety and health hazards of routing up to 6400 MW of high-voltage cables through our neighborhoods,\" read the letter, signed by the four mayors. \"We call upon the BPU to indefinitely defer any award of contracts for this work until the economic, safety, environmental and other issues are resolved and can clearly support moving forward.\"\n\nThe federal government says Atlantic Shores South will generate 2,800 megawatts of electricity, enough to power close to one million homes. President Biden said he has a goal of creating 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030, an ambition back by Gov. Murphy.\n\nAssemblyman Paul Kanitra (R-10) joined Ciattarelli at the protest Sunday.\n\n\"As Governor Murphy has relentlessly escalated his offshore wind goals \u2014 from 3,500 megawatts in 2018 to a staggering 11,000 megawatts by 2040 \u2014 this radical push prioritizes ideology over public health and safety,\" said Kanitra. \"The high-risk power cables proposed for Sea Girt and Manasquan could be placed within 35 feet of homes ... We must stand united to end the industrialization of our beautiful Shore, starting with electing leaders in 2025 who will put a stop to this madness.\"\n\n\u201cThe rush to install these expensive and expansive offshore wind farms \u2014 with industrial cables tearing up towns like Sea Girt, Manasquan, Wall and Howell \u2014 is a catastrophe in the making,\u201d said Congressman Chris Smith (R- Manchester), who was not able to attend Sunday's rally.\n\n\"Governor Murphy\u2019s blatant disregard for the concerns of local residents, the dangers presented by these projects, and the reckless spending in pursuit of them makes no sense whatsoever. It\u2019s long past time Governor Murphy tune in and listen to the great residents of our state.\"\n\nPrior on this topic: Sea Girt Residents Fight Plans To Bring Wind Energy Ashore In Town (August 2024)\n\nEnergy From Latest Approved NJ Wind Farm Brought Ashore In Sea Girt (July 2024)\n\nThis article was posted on Oct. 8, 2024 on the Manasquan Patch website and can be found at:\n\nhttps://patch.com/new-jersey/manasquan/500-rally-sea-girt-against-offshore-wind-turbines", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413381", "October 7th Commemorating the innocent victims of Hamas\u2019 barbaric terrorist attack and ongoing war of hatred against Israel", "2024-10-07", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus, today issued the following statement marking one year since Hamas\u2019 barbaric terrorist attack on Israel:\n\n\u201cToday, we remember with deep sadness the more than 1,200 innocent men, women and children who were mercilessly slaughtered by Hamas terrorists in the most fatal incident of antisemitic violence since the Holocaust. We also continue to grieve with the families of the hostages who were subsequently tortured and killed and those who remain captive and suffering the cruelty of Hamas every day.\n\nThe United States and the international community cannot let up in the slightest until each and every single hostage is returned home and Israel has all the tools and support it needs to defend itself against Hamas\u2019 ongoing war of hatred\u2014which is fueled and exacerbated by Iran and its other terrorist proxies in the region.\n\nAdditionally, the deep roots of the terrorists\u2019 support network at the United Nations and other international organizations who perpetuate antisemitic hate for Israel must be completely torn out.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413384", "Smith calls for robust sanctions on \u2018the twin butchers of Darfur\u2019 after Sudanese warlord allowed entry into the United States and received by UN Secretary-General", "2024-10-07", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "In response to Sudanese warlord Abdel Fattah al-Burhan\u2019s recent meeting in New York with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today called on the Biden-Harris Administration to sanction the leaders of both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for their gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.\n\n\u201cBurhan has blood on his hands and should never have been let into the United States\u2014let alone received by the UN Secretary-General in New York,\u201d said Smith, the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs human rights subcommittee and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.\n\n\u201cThe United States must exert maximum pressure and place robust sanctions not only on Burhan but also on Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo\u2014known to the world as \u2018Hemeti\u2019\u2014for their extensive criminal records and their failure to allow humanitarian aid into Sudan and let civilians evacuate combat zones,\u201d said Smith, who has chaired 15 congressional hearings and markups on Sudan and South Sudan alone.\n\nSmith, who noted that more than 18,000 civilians have been killed (though estimates rise as high as 150,000) and over 10 million have been displaced since 2023 alone, said \u201cthere will never be peace in Sudan until there is accountability for the atrocities committed by these twin butchers of Darfur.\u201d\n\n\u201cTogether, these two warlords have ravaged Sudan with utter impunity and brutality, and their bloody records are littered not just with war but with arbitrary killings, detentions, abductions, rapes, repression of fundamental human rights, illicit gold mining, and recruitment of child soldiers,\u201d said Smith, who cited a recent UN report that found the SAF and RSF have committed \u201can appalling range of harrowing human rights violations and international crimes.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe U.S. also needs to stem the flow of illicit Sudanese gold\u2014which the RSF smuggles through the United Arab Emirates into global markets\u2014by working with our partners to ensure gold is traced to its source and declared clean before entering the market,\u201d added Smith. \u201cOtherwise, illicit gold mining will continue to fund Hemeti\u2019s atrocities against civilians and perpetuate this bloody conflict.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413386", "TAPInto News article:'Communities Stand Together: Rally Against Offshore Transmission Lines and Wind Energy'", "2024-10-07", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "'Sea Girt, Manasquan, Wall Twp, Howell Residents Rally Against Offshore Transmission Lines and Wind Energy Projects'\n\nMONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ , Oct 7, 2024\n\nTAPinto\n\nBy Jim Lonergan\n\nSEA GIRT, NJ \u2013 On Sunday morning, around 500 residents from Sea Girt, Manasquan, Wall Township, and Howell gathered to protest the offshore wind projects and high-risk power cables slated to run through their towns. Organized by the nonprofit group Stop The High-Risk Power Cables, the rally aimed to raise awareness about the impact these transmission lines could have on local communities and draw the attention of Governor Phil Murphy.\n\nProtesters assembled outside the New Jersey National Guard training center, where Governor Murphy was attending an annual military review. For two hours, they held signs and voiced their demands, though they didn\u2019t get to speak directly with the governor. However, many believe their message was seen and heard as his caravan passed by\u2014a message that's been growing louder over the past few months.\n\nSea Girt resident Alex Fatenko shared her concerns: \"I live where the line is set to go, just eight feet from my front door. It\u2019s emitting so much energy, and no one has ever had something like this installed so close to a home. It\u2019s outrageous. I want to be here 50 years from now, free from cancer or other health risks it could cause. My home is my biggest investment, and this was pushed through with no regard for the people it impacts.\"\n\n'The rush to install these costly offshore wind farms, with industrial cables ripping through towns like Sea Girt, Manasquan, Wall, and Howell, is a disaster waiting to happen'\n\n- Congressman Smith\n\nPhoto Credit: Jim Lonergan\n\nPhoto Credit: Jim Lonergan\n\n2025 Governor candidate Jack Ciattarelli speaking with residentsPhoto Credit: Jim Lonergan\n\nPhoto Credit: Jim Lonergan\n\nPhoto Credit: Jim Lonergan\n\nPhoto Credit: Jim Lonergan\n\nNJ Assemblyman Paul Kinitra, a vocal opponent of the plan, also attended the rally. He criticized the Murphy administration, saying, \"The Murphy Administration and DEP don\u2019t care about Sea Girt, Manasquan, or the 10th legislative district. They don\u2019t care how hard you work to live here or how hard your elected officials fight to protect these communities. They see you as elitists and want to take you down a peg.\"\n\nKinitra added, \"We recently held a hearing on energy rates in NJ, and they're rising because the NJBPU hasn\u2019t invested in traditional energy infrastructure. Instead, they\u2019re focused on pushing a subsidized industry, ignoring our current energy needs. Just 10 years ago, NJ was a net exporter of energy\u2014now we\u2019re a net importer, mainly from Pennsylvania, with pollution coming from PA. plants, where state boundaries don\u2019t matter.\"\n\nHe also warned about the power cables: \"These cables, with unprecedented energy levels, will run just feet from your homes. We can\u2019t stop them unless we stop the entire project. Over 50% of NJ residents don\u2019t support this, and more than 75% of those living along the Jersey Shore oppose offshore wind.\" For more insight on transmission line risk, click HERE\n\n\"The data shows that this project will never make economic sense, will be a financial burden to rate payers, and it appears that the BPU forgot to do basic planning by not considering the fact that they would be running the cables through an active Superfund site here in Sea Girt and Manasquan,\u201d said Madeliene McCarthy, Manasquan resident. For more on financial impact on tax and rate payers, click HERE\n\nKimberly Patterson, the spokesperson and co-founder of Stop The High-Risk Power Cables organization shared \u201cwe have been at this for 5 months. In the end, we have to ask - where do candidates stand? So we are fortunate today to have someone who is running for Governor, who reached out to us and wanted to let you know where he stands.\"\n\nJack Cittarelli, running again for Governor of New Jersey in 2025 said, \u201cI'm down on Long Beach Island, and like you, we're fighting down there. Let's make one thing clear, we are going to stop this project. For those who are here today, you're here on behalf of millions, a majority of New Jersey residents, young or old, male or female, Republican or Democrat, we are going to put a stop to it. I don't know how it is you achieve energy independence when you give a billion dollars of our money to foreign companies to put wind turbines off our Jersey Shore.\u201d\n\n\"The rush to install these costly offshore wind farms, with industrial cables ripping through towns like Sea Girt, Manasquan, Wall, and Howell, is a disaster waiting to happen,\" said U.S. Congressman Smith. \"Governor Murphy\u2019s disregard for local concerns, the dangers posed by these projects, and the reckless spending behind them is senseless. It's time for him to listen to the great people of our state, including the hundreds at the Make Our Voices Heard Rally, and put an end to this slow-motion train wreck.\"\n\nThis article was published on Oct. 7, 2024 and can be fund at:\n\nhttps://www.tapinto.net/towns/gold-coast/sections/government/articles/communities-stand-together-rally-against-offshore-transmission-lines-and-wind-energy", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413379", "News 12 New Jersey reports on Smith's legislation to give local communities more say in planned telecom projects'Spring Lake residents fight Verizon plan to place 5G towers along shoreline'", "2024-10-04", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Spring Lake, Oct 4, 2024\n\nBy Jim Murdoch, News 12 New Jersey.\n\nAs Verizon makes 5G upgrades along the Jersey Shore, the message is clear in Spring Lake - stay off Ocean Avenue.\n\n\u201cVerizon is a big company. They have a lot of money, a lot of power. I feel like they are bullying their way into our town,\u201d says Laura Demeo, a longtime resident of Spring Lake.\n\nDemeo is one of more than 150 residents who are fighting Verizon\u2019s plans for a half-dozen 5G poles next to the 2-mile boardwalk after the company submitted an application back in January.\n\nRepublican Rep. Chris Smith introduced legislation in April to give more power to people like Demeo and towns like Spring Lake to fight big communication companies and come up with alternatives and compromises.\n\n\u201cThey need to say, \u2018Hey, we serve you. You don\u2019t serve us.\u2019 And again, government has to be the same way. They are just rolling over the local population, and that\u2019s a bad neighbor policy,\u201d says Smith.\n\nIn Spring Lake, there\u2019s already a local ordinance banning such towers along the immediate beachfront. An antenna in Sea Girt already utilizes an existing telephone pole.\n\nSpring Lake Borough Manager Bryan Dempsey says Verizon can add its 5G equipment to poles inland.\n\n\u201cWe made the ordinance that way because of how pristine the beachfront is, knowing there are other areas in town that have telephone poles they could utilize,\u201d says Dempsey. Spring Lake\u2019s mayor and council must now answer Verizon\u2019s application within the next two weeks.\n\nIn a statement to News 12, a Verizon spokesperson says, \u201cVerizon's network improvements provide crucial connectivity for customers and emergency service providers in the community. With consumers and businesses using increasing amounts of data each year, we continually enhance our network to meet the needs of homeowners, first responders and as vacationers in beach communities. Verizon has installed and now operates similar cell sites in adjacent communities with no negative impact on residents or wildlife. Our Company continually works to ensure we maintain compliance with all relevant and applicable Federal, State and local laws and procedures. That's been the case from the beginning and that process continues today.\u201d\n\nThis article, which was published online on October 2, 2024, can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-visits-fy25-community-project-funding-site-mountainside", "Kean Visits FY25 Community Project Funding Site in Mountainside", "2024-10-04", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(October 4, 2024) MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ \u2013 On Wednesday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) met with Mountainside Mayor Paul Mirabelli ahead of the FY25 appropriations discussion to gain insight into local law enforcement needs and priorities. Congressman Kean requested $63,250 for Mountainside Borough Hall in this year\u2019s appropriation process. This funding will allow the Borough to purchase and install new security cameras at the Borough Hall and the fire department, as well as a computerized badged locking system.\n\n\u201cWith the uptick of crime in our neighborhoods, it is crucial that public safety buildings are updated with modern technology to enhance security measures, improve surveillance capabilities, and ensure the safety of residents, visitors, and staff alike,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cBorough Hall contains the police department, senior center, recreation center, building and construction office, tax office, clerk\u2019s office, and municipal court. I will continue to advocate on behalf of Mountainside to get this community the funding they deserve.\u201d\n\nCongressman Kean requested 15 projects in this year\u2019s appropriation process. To view the full list, click HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413375", "Smith, Jordan, Salazar introduce legislation to stop U.S. taxpayer funds from supporting Brazil\u2019s crackdown on free speech", "2024-10-01", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "On the heels of a recent report documenting Biden-Harris Administration support for censorship in Brazil, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the Chair of the House Global Human Rights Subcommittee, has introduced legislation to stop U.S. taxpayer funds from flowing to progressive non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are promoting Brazil\u2019s escalating crackdown on free speech.\n\n\u201cThe Biden-Harris Administration has weaponized U.S. foreign assistance programs and other means to promote censorship in Brazil and crack down on free speech that would be protected under our U.S. Constitution here at home,\u201d said Rep. Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who chaired a congressional hearing in May examining Brazil\u2019s extensive human rights abuses.\n\n\u201cFree speech is fundamental to democracy,\u201d said Smith, an international human rights leader. \u201cIt is unconscionable that the United States is using taxpayer dollars to promote this type of censorship which completely contradicts our entire American constitutional tradition.\u201d\n\nCosponsored by Reps. Jim Jordan and Maria Salazar, Smith\u2019s legislation\u2014the No Funding or Enforcement of Censorship Abroad Act (HR 9850)\u2014would cut off U.S. foreign assistance to any entities that promote censorship and prohibit U.S. law enforcement agencies from cooperating with foreign countries to promote censorship against speech that would otherwise be protected if the speaker was located in the United States.\n\n\u201cThe House Judiciary Committee and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government have uncovered how the FBI under the Biden-Harris Administration facilitated a foreign government\u2019s censorship requests against Americans,\u201d said Rep. Jordan. \u201cThis bill is critical in stopping foreign government censors from using the DOJ or the FBI to silence disfavored views.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe United States must defend Elon Musk from the attacks of Alexandre de Moraes and the other forces of socialism in Brazil,\u201d said Rep. Salazar. \u201cThe United States needs to uphold the principles of its constitution and stand by its citizens whenever they face censorship abroad.\u201d\n\nAmong its provisions, the No Funding or Enforcement of Censorship Abroad Act would:\n\n\u00b7 Prohibit foreign assistance to entities that promote censorship of speech that would be protected speech in the United States;\n\n\u00b7 Prohibit foreign assistance to entities that back the Brazilian government\u2019s censorship directives to U.S. internet companies;\n\n\u00b7 Prohibit U.S. law enforcement cooperation with foreign countries to \u201ccause, facilitate, or promote online censorship\u201d of political speech; and\n\n\u00b7 Prohibit U.S. law enforcement cooperation with Brazilian government censorship directives against internet companies headquartered in the United States.\n\nSmith\u2019s bill\u2014which was informed in part by testimony at the congressional hearing he chaired in May\u2014has already received support from some of the many victims of Brazil\u2019s censorship regime.\n\n\u201cFreedom of speech is not a partisan issue; it is the cornerstone of a free and open democratic society,\u201d said Rumble Chairman and CEO Chris Pavlovski. \u201cUnfortunately, free speech is under attack globally. I know that personally because Rumble, which is headquartered in Florida, pulled its services from Brazil following censorship demands from the Brazilian courts. People around the world look to America to protect free speech, and this bill is a step in the right direction.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe fact that Brazil\u2019s U.S. government-funded censorship has affected Americans directly is itself reason to be alarmed, particularly since Brazil risks being a test case for what censorship advocates want to do globally,\u201d said Michael Shellenberger, the CBR Chair of Politics, Censorship, and Free Speech at the University of Austin and founder and president of Civilization Works. \u201cPerhaps most alarming of all is that the Brazilian government is not just censoring constitutionally-permitted speech, it\u2019s trying to ban independent journalists and politicians from all major social media platforms, which constitutes election interference.\u201d\n\nEarlier this year, Smith hosted a news conference on Capitol Hill where Brazilians who had been de-platformed from social media by order of Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes shared personal testimonies of government persecution. Smith said he asked de Moraes about those allegations\u2014and additional ones raised during his May hearing\u2014in a letter dated June 21, 2024, but has yet to hear back from the Supreme Court Justice.\n\nSmith, a longtime outspoken advocate in Congress for victims of human rights violations, has long had grave concerns about human rights in Brazil under President Lula\u2019s rule. In 2009, Smith traveled to Brazil to successfully fight for the return of a New Jersey child who had been abducted and held there for five years. As part of that effort, Smith authored the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act, the landmark law that provides the U.S. State Department with a variety of tools to pressure foreign governments and bring home American children abducted overseas.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413376", "Jersey Shore under threat Biden-Harris Administration greenlights catastrophe in the making by approving construction plan for Atlantic Shores South offshore wind project", "2024-10-01", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today issued the following statement in response to the Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s approval of the construction and operations plan for the Atlantic Shores South offshore wind proposal:\n\n\u201cThe Biden-Harris Administration has foolishly greenlighted a catastrophe in the making by approving the construction and operations plan for the Atlantic Shores South offshore wind project.\n\nAllowing this project to move forward with construction when other projects have been blatantly unsafe and unviable makes no sense whatsoever.\n\nDuring this past summer, several beaches in Massachusetts were littered with large, sharp fiberglass shards when a blade from a Vineyard Wind turbine failed disastrously. Just last week, the manufacturer of these blades announced they would be laying off as many as 900 workers citing industrywide challenges for offshore wind.\n\nHere in New Jersey, another offshore wind project was forced to pause its project at least through December\u2014and potentially longer\u2014because the company in charge of the project could not secure a viable turbine blade manufacturer.\n\nTo add insult to injury, the approval of each new offshore wind project means higher electricity costs for New Jersey ratepayers.\n\nIt\u2019s long past time the Biden-Harris Administration and Governor Murphy come to their senses and stop propelling this train wreck in slow motion.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413377", "U.S. must stand in absolute solidarity with Israel in the face of Iran\u2019s massive ballistic missile attack", "2024-10-01", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus, issued the following statement in response to the Iranian missile attack launched against Israel:\n\n\u201cMake no mistake, the adversaries of Israel are the adversaries of the United States.\n\nNow more than ever, we must stand in absolute solidarity with our great U.S. ally\u2014and the only true, stable democracy in the Middle East.\n\nAll efforts must be made to extend the strongest support possible to the people of Israel\u2014including both defensive weapons systems like Iron Dome, Arrow systems, and David\u2019s Sling and all necessary offensive military capabilities\u2014for as long as it takes to defeat Iran, Hezbollah, and other proxies bent on carrying out radical Islamists\u2019 aggression.\n\nIt is critical that the United States immediately push for the resumption of sanctions on Iran\u2019s nuclear program, take further efforts to deny sanctuary to Iranian terrorist proxies, and ensure the Tehran regime is unable to use international governing bodies\u2014such as the United Nations and UNRWA\u2014to fund and support its export of antisemitism and terrorism around the globe.\n\nFurthermore, the Federal Government must immediately investigate all Iranian-directed campaigns of influence within the United States and provide Congress with a full accounting of all Iranian efforts to influence federal policy as well as their attempts to sow discord through the funding of pro-terrorist protests since October 7th.\n\nIt is well past time that this threat is addressed in a serious manner. The United States must make explicitly clear that it will no longer tolerate a campaign of destruction against our closest ally in the region, nor will it allow the Iranian regime to hold the world hostage through acts of violence.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413374", "Stop kidding yourself Smith: This is who UNRWA is", "2024-09-30", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "\u201cThis is who UNRWA is,\u201d said Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in response to confirmed reports that Hamas\u2019 top leader in Lebanon, Fateh al-Sharif\u2014who was killed in an airstrike on Monday\u2014was also employed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).\n\n\u201cIf you were surprised that Hamas\u2019s top leader in Lebanon was also employed by UNRWA, stop kidding yourself,\u201d said Smith, the Chair of the congressional global human rights and international organizations subcommittee.\n\n\u201cUNRWA\u2019s deep ties to terrorism\u2014including its employment of hundreds of staffers with terrorist affiliations\u2014have been vastly documented, including by expert witnesses at four congressional hearings I\u2019ve chaired over the past 18 months on UNRWA\u2019s decades-long complicity in the most vicious forms of antisemitic hate,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cIn an April report, the UN even admitted that it does not vet UNRWA employees for connections or sympathies with Hamas or Islamic Jihad,\u201d Smith said.\n\n\u201cUNRWA is an incubator of hatred and a child-soldier factory whose textbooks, curricula, summer camps, and official media all exist to perpetuate conflict,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cThe United States and all those who are committed to combating terrorism cannot resume any funding for UNRWA and instead should provide humanitarian assistance to an agency that does not promote, espouse, or affiliate with those that support violence, terrorism or antisemitism,\u201d said Smith, the author of legislation that would permanently prohibit any U.S. funding for UNRWA.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-constituent-services-return-over-10-million-nj-07-residents", "Kean Constituent Services Return Over $10 Million to NJ-07 Residents", "2024-09-26", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(September 26, 2024) BERNARDSVILLE, NJ \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced that his casework team has returned more than $10,012,316 to constituents.\n\nSince the office opened in January of 2023, Congressman Kean and his team have closed over 2,730 constituent cases, representing over $10,012,316 dollars returned back to New Jerseyans in the 7th Congressional District. From the beginning of Congressman Kean\u2019s term in office, Team Kean has helped constituents save money and obtain benefits from the VA, IRS, Social Security Administration, and other federal agencies. The top three groups of people served are seniors, veterans, and families.\n\n\u201c$10,000,000 back to constituents is an incredible milestone that demonstrates the positive impact of the work we do to help our fellow New Jerseyans,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cI am committed to serving my district to ensure every constituent receives the benefits and assistance to which they are entitled.\"\n\nBelow are testaments from constituents who have received assistance from Team Kean with their federal agencies.\n\n\u201cThe staff was very helpful through the process and they were reassuring. I appreciate the great assistance!!\u201d -Payal from Flemington\n\n\u201cThank you to the Congressman Kean's office for your help with expediting my EAD! It was expedited so quickly and truly appreciate your help. I was also very pleasantly surprised by the customer service on the phone. It was great there were no automated phone systems and I was able to reach a rep right away and they were very courteous. Overall a very positive experience.\u201d -Aparajitha from Somerville\n\n\u201cCongressman Keans staff was highly responsive and helpful in resolving my issue. They reached out numerous times and even when the problem was resolved they followed up to ensure all was well. Thank you for all of your help.\u201d -Antonio from Ledgewood\n\n\u201cI emailed the office late in the evening after business hours and they responded around 9am the next morning. By 4:00pm that day, the social security worker called me and gave me her direct extension, apologized, and said she would process the application immediately. Congressman Kean's office went above and beyond my expectations and I am truly grateful. It gives me great faith that he will do what he says he will do.\u201d -Amber from Washington\n\nTeam Kean is always here to help. If you or someone you know needs help with a federal agency, please do not hesitate to contact the office. You can find more information here: https://kean.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency or call (908) 547-3307. Team Kean also hosts frequent Satellite Office Hours, the first week of every month. Make sure to follow Congressman Kean for updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @CongressmanKean.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413370", "Arrives in midst of hurricane season Smith secures over $1.2 million in federal funds for major technology upgrades to Monmouth County emergency operations center", "2024-09-25", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operated by the Monmouth County Sheriff\u2019s Office was awarded $1,241,250 in federal funding for major technology and communications equipment upgrades, announced Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester), who personally secured the funds through a congressional earmark.\n\n\u201cMonmouth County\u2014under the great leadership of Sheriff Shaun Golden\u2014has provided top-notch and cost-effective emergency services for local residents through this critical law enforcement and first responder unit,\u201d said Rep. Smith.\n\n\u201cThis significant investment will go a long way to enhance the lifesaving mission of the center, which comprehensively evaluates and works to mitigate the damage of natural disasters, extreme weather, environmental emergencies, and other catastrophic events\u2014before, during and after tragedy strikes,\u201d Smith said.\n\nMonmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden welcomed the funds secured by Smith, which will be supplemented by a local match of $413,750 to cover the project\u2019s total cost of $1,655,000.\n\n\u201cThe Monmouth County Sheriff's Office - Office of Emergency Management is extremely grateful to Congressman Chris Smith for his ongoing support of emergency operations,\u201d said Sheriff Golden.\n\n\u201cEmergency Operations Centers are critical when coordinating, facilitating, and directing during crises situations, and this valuable grant will enable us to remain in the forefront of emergency response,\u201d Golden continued. \u201cIt will be utilized to significantly upgrade technology and enhance our ability to respond swiftly and effectively, with the very best resources to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities and residents.\u201d\n\nAmong the upgrades needed at the EOC are the replacement of an aging video wall; radio communications system upgrades; the replacement of outdated desktop computers and monitors; the purchase of laptops to conduct field assessments; the purchase of tablets to allow for real-time tracking and status of evacuations; seating upgrades to better suit 24/7 operations; and replacement of the EOC\u2019s end of life phone systems.\n\n\u201cThis state-of-the-art technology is needed to assure the best collection of actionable information and real-time coordination between key officials in multiple departments, agencies, organizations and different municipalities,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cThese significant enhancements will ensure that leaders from the local, state, and federal levels can make the most informed and timely decisions on how to deploy and manage resources amid such difficult circumstances,\u201d Smith said.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413371", "Federal prosecutors use Chris Smith\u2019s landmark law to bring sex trafficking and forced labor charges against Sean \u2018Diddy\u2019 Combs", "2024-09-25", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "In the recent high-profile indictment and arrest of Sean \u201cDiddy\u201d Combs, federal prosecutors used a landmark law authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) to bring sex trafficking and forced labor charges against the rapper and music mogul. Among other crimes, Combs is accused of leading a criminal enterprise to facilitate his abuse and exploitation of women, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct for over a decade.\n\nPursuant to Smith\u2019s Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-386), Combs could now face a maximum sentence of life in prison\u2014and a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison\u2014for sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.\n\nAt a press conference announcing the charges, Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, credited the severe penalties provided by Smith\u2019s law, specifically noting that \u201cthe sex trafficking conduct carries some significant penalties, and we are gratified that we were able to bring that charge.\u201d\n\nSmith, who has authored five laws to combat human trafficking to date, said \u201cmy Trafficking Victims Protection Act created a new whole-of-government domestic and international strategy to combat sex and labor trafficking and established numerous new programs to protect victims, prosecute traffickers, and to the extent possible, prevent it in the first place.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe legislation had its naysayers at the time, but the law has proven critical in locking up criminals that abuse and traffic in women and children,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cThousands of human traffickers have been and continue to be prosecuted and jailed pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, including several charges brought against Sean \u2018Diddy\u2019 Combs, all of the charges brought against Jeffrey Epstein, and the infamous convictions involving the \u2018Smallville\u2019 actress Allison Mack,\u201d said Smith.\n\nSmith noted that the reforms included in his Trafficking Victims Protection Act represented a \u201csea change\u201d to the criminal code\u2014portions of which are cited by federal prosecutors in their indictment, such as Title 18, United States Code, Section 1591.\n\nAccording to the unsealed indictment, Combs \u201cknowingly recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, advertised, maintained, patronized, and solicited by any means a person, knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that means of force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion, as described in Title 18, United States Code, Section 1591(e)(2), and any combination of such means, would be used to cause the person to engage in a commercial sex act\u201d (paragraph 16).\n\n\u201cOne of the reforms established by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act included treating as a victim\u2014and not a perpetrator of a crime\u2014anyone exploited by a commercial sex act who had not attained the age of 18 and anyone older where there was an element of force, fraud or coercion,\u201d Smith said.\n\n\u201cAdditionally, my law radically reformed the U.S. criminal code to authorize asset confiscation and jail sentences of up to life imprisonment,\u201d said Smith, who noted that federal prosecutors included the forfeiture of Combs\u2019 property used to commit or facilitate sex trafficking in their indictment (paragraph 19).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-keans-bill-expedite-flight-training-veterans", "House Passes Kean\u2019s Bill to Expedite Flight Training for Veterans", "2024-09-25", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(September 25, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7323 \u2013 Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2024.\n\nIncluded in this package is the Veterans Flight Training Responsibility Act of 2024, a bipartisan bill led by Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) that would expedite the flight training process for veterans by removing the one-year requirement for accessing their GI Bill benefits. Under the current GI Bill, students can access a maximum of $26,000 per academic year for their flight training. Once these funds are exhausted, they must wait until the following academic year to continue their training.\n\nWatch Congressman Kean speak on the House floor in support of the bill HERE.\n\nThis bill was introduced by Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) and is co-led by Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03).\n\n\u201cVeterans should be able to pursue their aviation careers \u2013 or any career \u2013 without excessive financial burdens and unnecessary delays,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cThe current GI bill system needs to be improved and I\u2019m thankful for my House colleagues for passing today\u2019s revised legislation, which included my bill, the Veterans Flight Training Responsibility Act, so veteran students can expedite the flight training process.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery veteran should be able to use their education benefits however they see fit\u2014and we should be making it easier for them to do so,\u201d said Congressman McGarvey. \u201cOur bill would give veterans the flexibility to use their benefits for flight school without breaking the bank, and I\u2019m thrilled to see it pass through the House of Representatives.\u201d\n\nMore specifically, this bill would:\n\nCap the flight training fees and tuition to approximately $115,000 for public flight training institutions.\n\nAllow student veterans to use their GI Bill throughout the whole year, instead of taking time off or paying out of pocket.\n\nRead more about the bill HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-keans-bill-expand-satellite-data-sharing", "House Passes Kean\u2019s Bill to Expand Satellite Data Sharing", "2024-09-23", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(September 23, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6219, the Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act (ASCEND Act), legislation to permanently authorize the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition program within NASA.\n\nIntroduced by Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), this bipartisan bill provides statutory authority for the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) established the program as a pilot program in 2017 to acquire commercial small-satellite data in support of NASA's earth science research.\n\nCongressman Kean spoke on the House floor in support of his bill, watch HERE.\n\n\"Passing the ASCEND Act demonstrates our strong commitment to NASA's commercial operators and public-private partnerships,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cThese efforts are essential for advancing human exploration and ensuring America\u2019s leadership in space innovation. The ASCEND Act will provide access to data sets and imagery from the commercial space sector, supporting critical scientific research and paving the way for a sustainable future for generations to come. I thank my House colleagues for supporting my bill and look forward to seeing this on the Senate floor soon.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe bipartisan ASCEND Act is a commonsense solution to help researchers benefit from the vast, high-quality data available from commercial satellites to better understand climate change, natural disasters, and earth sciences,\u201d said Congresswoman Bonamici. \u201cI\u2019m grateful that the House passed this legislation and I will continue advocating with Rep. Kean for the Senate to schedule a vote on the bill.\u201d\n\nThe ASCEND Act would:\n\nEstablish CSDA as a permanent program within NASA\u2019s Earth Science Division.\n\nDirect NASA to expand procurement licenses to provide federal agencies access to high quality Earth remote sensing datasets and imagery.\n\nPromote the acquisition of new datasets for scientific and non-scientific applications.\n\nRequire an annual report to Congress on the uses and impact of commercial data products and licensing agreements.\n\nRead more about the bill HERE.\n\nCongressman Kean serves on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413361", "Smith chairs congressional hearing on the first anniversary of the fall of Nagorno-Karabakh", "2024-09-19", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC), today chaired a congressional hearing highlighting the continued plight of ethnic Armenians on the first anniversary of the fall of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan.\n\n\u201cAzerbaijan\u2019s genocidal blockade and ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh last year was a monstrous injustice,\u201d said Smith, who noted that despite its egregious human rights violations, Azerbaijan is slated to host the United Nations international climate change summit COP29 in November.\n\n\u201cEthnic Armenians continue to have a right to live in peace and freedom in Nagorno-Karabakh according to their faith and traditions,\u201d said Smith, who chaired two congressional hearings last year in June and early September as the human rights crisis escalated.\n\n\u201cWe must defend the human rights of the ethnic Armenians who are now political prisoners or prisoners of war in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as the cultural heritage of Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh,\u201d said Smith, who personally met with Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliyev in 2015 to press him on his human rights record and noted that many ethnic Azerbaijanis are also suffering under his regime.\n\nSmith\u2019s TLHRC hearing\u2014entitled \u201cHuman Rights in Azerbaijan Since the Fall of Nagorno-Karabakh\u201d\u2014featured a panel of human rights experts, including Gegham Stepanyan, Human Rights Defender for the Republic of Artsakh; Professor Adam T. Smith, Co-Director of Caucasus Heritage Watch at Cornell University; Kate Watters, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Crude Accountability; and Sharmagh Mardi, Supervising Lawyer at the Center for Truth & Justice; Van Krikorian, Co-Chair of the Armenian Assembly of America; and Andrea J. Prasow, Executive Director of Freedom Now.\n\n\u201cThe realization that you are leaving your home for good is an inexplicable feeling,\u201d said Stepanyan. \u201cWhen you realize that you need to leave behind everything that makes up your identity and head towards the unknown, where no one is even waiting for you and you don't know what will happen next\u2014this is the greatest human tragedy. People left their homes, graves, and the Homeland, where they had a happy life, just to save their physical existence.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe U.S. government and international community have yet to respond to Azerbaijan\u2019s policy of cultural erasure which began in 1997 in the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan,\u201d said Cornell Professor Adam Smith, who noted his academic research group has documented the near complete erasure\u201498 percent\u2014of the region\u2019s Armenian cultural heritage.\n\n\u201cChurches and cemeteries across Nagorno-Karabakh have borne the brunt of cultural heritage abuses since 2020,\u201d Professor Smith said. \u201cIn Spring 2024 alone, we documented three newly destroyed sites and nine more under immediate threat. The impacts to Armenian cultural heritage continue to arise out of large-scale earth moving conducted as part of regional redevelopment and roadbuilding schemes.\u201d\n\n\u201cAzerbaijani social media channels openly issued threats of abuse against civilians, ranging from bounties placed on missing children to the dissemination of images and reports of massacres targeting residents who refused to evacuate their homes, resulting in frantic civilian efforts to flee before the arrival of Azerbaijani military forces,\u201d said Mardi.\n\n\u201cAzerbaijan has accelerated its repression as we draw closer to its hosting of the UN climate conference known as COP29 in November,\u201d said Prasow.\n\n\u201cAt a time when the world\u2019s eyes are on Azerbaijan, and one might imagine the regime has every incentive to present itself as a government that respects the rule of law, democracy, and environmental protection, the Aliyev regime has doubled down on repression,\u201d said Watters. \u201cIts absolute lack of respect for civil society, for independent media, for the rule of law is stunning. Yet, the Azerbaijani government continues to enjoy a place in the international community, hosting COP 29, engaging in trade with Europe, including in natural gas, and participating in international events and meetings.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413367", "HOTEL Act of 2024 Smith, Krishnamoorthi introduce bipartisan legislation aimed at combating human trafficking in hotels", "2024-09-19", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today introduced the HOTEL Act of 2024 (HR 9681)\u2014bipartisan legislation aimed at bolstering federal efforts to combat human trafficking in hotels.\n\n\u201cHotels are hotspots for identifying and responding to sex and labor trafficking,\u201d said Congressman Smith, the author of five major laws to combat human trafficking.\n\n\u201cThis critical legislation will help empower hotels to train their staff using free online trainings and resources, adopt procedures to regularly educate and report violations, and provide information and resources to potential victims,\u201d Smith said. \u201cWe also want to protect employees who report these crimes from any retaliation and ensure proper coordination with local and federal authorities.\u201d\n\n\u201cHotel employees are uniquely positioned to help report and stop human trafficking, but only if they have the knowledge and ability to recognize it,\u201d Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. \u201cBy creating a federal employee travel preference for accommodations that voluntarily train their staff to identify human trafficking, the HOTEL Act will help ensure many more hotel staff members are equipped to stop exploitation and help survivors.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Halting of Trafficking and Exploitation in Lodging (HOTEL) Act would ensure that the U.S. Government\u2019s \u201cpreferred places of accommodation for hotel and lodging\u201d\u2014where federal agencies host conferences and federal employees stay when they travel\u2014are committed to training staff on how to recognize, prevent, and respond to human trafficking.\n\nThe HOTEL Act has already received support from some of the nation\u2019s leading anti-trafficking organizations and lodging associations, including the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), PACT (Protecting All Children from Trafficking), and Hope for Justice.\n\n\u201cThe HOTEL Act recognizes the crucial role hotels play in the fight against human trafficking, and we are proud to support this important legislation,\u201d said AHLA Interim President and CEO Kevin Carey. \u201cWe look forward to working with Reps. Smith and Krishnamoorthi and lawmakers across the House and Senate to pass this legislation.\n\n\u201cThe HOTEL Act will help to ensure that hotel staff are equipped to identify and safely report suspected human trafficking cases,\u201d said Yvonne Chen, Director of Private Sector Engagement at PACT. \u201cProtect All Children from Trafficking (PACT) stands behind Rep. Smith and Rep. Krishnamoorthi\u2019s bipartisan efforts to provide hotel staff with the proper resources and training that have been informed by survivors and lived-experience experts.\u201d\n\n\u201cHotels are among the most common places where human trafficking takes place and where victims are exploited,\u201d said Tim Nelson, CEO at Hope for Justice. \u201cEmployees are also uniquely well-placed to spot the signs of suspicious activity, report it and stop it\u2014but only if they have the training and knowledge in the first place. Parts of the industry have pioneered on this and are making sure this training is available, but it would be transformational for the response to trafficking in hotels for the federal government to make such training a condition of winning government contracts. We strongly endorse the bill, and we thank Rep. Smith and Rep. Krishnamoorthi for all their hard work on this and driving it forward.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413352", "Autism CARES Act of 2024 House overwhelmingly passes Smith\u2019s new legislation to provide robust funding and enhanced support for Americans with autism", "2024-09-18", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "The House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed (402-13) new comprehensive legislation (HR 7213) authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to provide more than $1.95 billion to reauthorize and strengthen the United States\u2019 whole-of-government autism spectrum disorder (ASD) initiative through 2029. Smith\u2019s bill\u2014with Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) as the Democrat lead and 61 other bipartisan cosponsors\u2014now heads to the Senate.\n\nSmith, who has authored four major autism laws to date, said his new legislation \u201cwill help make a huge difference in the lives of the millions of Americans with autism by providing robust funding for durable remedies as well as effective early detection and intervention services to allow them the highest quality of life possible.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith substantive input from advocates in the autism community, my legislation will also help advance key research priorities and ensure enhanced collaboration between federal agencies and families and individuals with autism,\u201d Smith said.\n\n\u201cThis bipartisan bill will provide vital funding to expand research and care for Americans with autism,\u201d said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. \u201cThrough this bill, we continue important work in understanding the causes of autism, the best ways to treat autism, and incorporate the voices of those previously missed by research. I would like to thank Representative Chris Smith for his leadership on this important legislation.\u201d\n\nSmith\u2019s legislation\u2014which received unanimous approval from the House Energy and Commerce Committee in a vote (42-0) to send the bill to the House Floor earlier this year\u2014has received strong support from the nation\u2019s leading autism advocacy groups, including Autism Speaks, the Autism Society, the Autism Science Foundation, the Arc of the United States, the Profound Autism Alliance, and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.\n\nSpecifically, the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2024 would:\n\n\u00b7 Authorize $1.95 billion\u2014including $306 million in annual funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH); $28.1 million in annual funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and $56.3 million in annual funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA);\n\n\u00b7 Direct the NIH to ensure research reflects the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including the full range of cognitive, communicative, behavioral, and adaptive functioning, as well as co-occurring conditions and needs for supports and services, including and especially care necessary for physical safety;\n\n\u00b7 Increase the number of NIH Centers of Excellence and ensure research reflects the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and is designed to address the full range of needs faced by individuals, including to ensure the physical safety and to promote the well being of all Americans with autism;\n\n\u00b7 Include, for the first time, a professional bypass budget to provide the autism community with a comprehensive budget highlighting priority research areas and resources needed to advance quality of life improvements for all individuals with autism;\n\n\u00b7 Promote the adoption of assistive communication technologies to improve communications outcomes for those with communication assistance needs; and\n\n\u00b7 Require a report on youth aging out of school-aged services, as well as recommendations to improve mental health outcomes and address related disparities in mental health care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including prevention, care coordination, and community-based services.\n\nSmith, who has been a steadfast champion for the autism community for decades, stepped up his involvement on autism in 1997 when Bobbie and Billy Gallagher\u2014parents of two small children with autism\u2014from Brick walked into his Ocean County office looking for help, believing their town had a disproportionate number of students with autism.\n\nIn response, Smith brought federal agencies to Ocean County for an investigation\u2014which found that autism prevalence rates were high not only in Brick, but in nearby communities as well\u2014and authored the Autism Statistics, Surveillance, Research and Epidemiology Act, which was incorporated as Title I of the Children\u2019s Health Act of 2000, authorizing grants and contracts for the collection, analysis and reporting of data on autism and pervasive developmental disabilities.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413341", "APP news article; Rep Smith addresses Navy Secretary, vets, 5,000+ attendees at Earle Navy base'The USS New Jersey sub joins the US Navy\u2019s fleet'", "2024-09-17", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Juan Carlos Castillo\n\nAsbury Park Press USA TODAY NETWORK \u2013 NEW JERSEY\n\nNew Jersey\u2019s Sandy Hook Bay witnessed the commissioning of the most complex warfare machine ever built in the country \u2014 the USS New Jersey, now dubbed as the fastest submarine in the U.S. fleet and the first to be designed with gender inclusion in mind.\n\nThe commissioning ceremony took place Saturday at the Naval Weapon Station Earle in Middletown, where close to 4,000 attendees including veterans, sailor\u2019s family members, and Navy and government officials.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s an absolute honor to be here with all of you today in this beautiful state, the birthplace, yes, the birthplace of the United States Submarine Force,\u201d said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro.\n\nGov. Phil Murphy was present at the event and said he was proud to witness the launch of this Virginia-class submarine, now nicknamed the \u201cJersey Girl.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis ceremony is a proud and joyous occasion, but it is also one that marks the beginning of a journey that will take the officers and crew of the USS New Jersey far from home,\u201d Murphy said.\n\n\u201cOn behalf of your nine-and-a-half million- member New Jersey family, let me say thank you for your service and thank you for your commitment to maintaining peace and freedom in our fragile world,\u201d he added.\n\nAnd the submarine is very Jersey. Besides the nickname given to the vessel by Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin, its interior spaces were decorated with all things Jersey.\n\n'The deterrence that this USS New Jersey\n\nhelps to procure, makes us safer. Of course,\n\nyou never want a war, but the way you prevent\n\na war is by having a credible defense and\n\ndeterrence.'\n\n- Rep. Smith\n\nThe walls of this nuclear-powered, fast-attack submarine feature posters from Rutgers University, New Jersey Devils memorabilia, a guitar gifted by Jon Bon Jovi and more. Members of the crew said they are even considering making the communal eating area look like a New Jersey diner.\n\nThis is the third naval vessel named after the Garden State. The first two, code-named BB-16 and BB-62, were battleships that contributed to the Navy\u2019s efforts during World War I and World War II respectively. Vessel BB 62, which also participated in the Korean, Vietnam and Persian conflicts, is one of the most decorated ships in the Navy\u2019s history.\n\nThe new USS New Jersey is prepared to continue the legacy of the ships with the same name that preceded it, being now the most complex warfare machine ever built in the U.S. said the vessel\u2019s commander Steven Halle. Code named SSN 796, this submarine counts with enhanced stealth, special warfare enhancements, and sophisticated surveillance capabilities that can even detect sound waves from sea animals far away.\n\n\u201cThe deterrence that this USS New Jersey helps to procure, makes us safer,\u201d said Chris Smith, U.S. Congressman for New Jersey\u2019s 4th district.\n\n\u201cOf course, you never want a war, but the way you prevent a war is by having a credible defense and deterrence,\u201d Smith added.\n\nWhat is a gender-inclusive submarine?\n\nIt wasn\u2019t until 2010 when the Navy started allowing women to serve aboard submarines. Since then, some submarines have been modified to accommodate women aboard, however, the USS New Jersey embraced a gender-inclusive design from its inception.\n\nThat means that bathrooms come with longer stalls, more privacy in shower rooms, and secluded berths for sleeping.\n\n\u201cSo before, the older submarines, they didn\u2019t have, like, as much privacy. The bathrooms would have spaces in the stalls, and there wasn\u2019t a specific berthing set aside that could be closed off completely,\u201d said Claudia Casillas a sailor on the USS New Jersey. She has trained inside the vessel for about one year.\n\nThe USS New Jersey has a 131-member crew, 29 of them women, according to the roster of the USS New Jersey.\n\n\u201cI think it\u2019s about time. The whole year I\u2019ve been here, it\u2019s been pretty obvious that U.S. females are just capable of just as much, sometimes even more, than the males on this boat,\u201d she said.\n\nAt the ship, the crew decided to assign some berth rooms for women only, while keeping some co-ed berths, but specifying which beds are exclusively reserved for women.\n\n\u201cI think with everything that comes brand new, there\u2019s gonna be struggles. There\u2019s going to be some confusion, some problems, but I think the Jersey has been able to overcome every problem she has had.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413340", "U.S. Naval Weapons Station Earle Smith delivers remarks at ceremony to commission new submarine named after New Jersey", "2024-09-14", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) joined high-ranking Navy officers and sailors today at U.S. Naval Weapons Station Earle in Middletown to commission the USS New Jersey\u2014the branch\u2019s newest submarine and the third naval vessel named after the state of New Jersey.\n\n\u201cToday is a special day for the United States Navy and our country,\u201d said Smith, who has represented three Navy installations during his tenure in Congress\u2014including Naval Weapons Station Earle, Naval Air Warfare Center Trenton and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst (now part of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst).\n\n\u201cOnce again, a vessel named after the great state of New Jersey will take to sea flying the flag of the United States, venturing to the darkest depths of the ocean to protect the homeland, deter aggression, and safeguard the American way of life,\u201d Smith, the Dean of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation, said delivered remarks at the ceremony.\n\nA highly advanced and lethal fast attack submarine, the USS New Jersey measures 377 feet long, weighs 7,800 tons, and can remain submerged under water for up to three months.\n\nSmith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, noted that threats to U.S. national security are ubiquitous and said, \u201cthe importance of this submarine\u2019s capability and decisiveness in battle cannot be overstated in a world with escalated existential threats from Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un and Iran.\u201d\n\n\u201cDeployment of the USS New Jersey and other submarines\u2014especially this Virginia class of nuclear-powered, cruise missile, fast-attack sub\u2014provide the extra level of deterrence and long-range capability to dissuade our enemies,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s not lost on us that this ceremony is taking place in the shadow of the Freedom Tower where 23 years ago this week, terrorists unleashed a deadly, coordinated attack on our country and everything we hold dear,\u201d Smith said.\n\nSmith\u2014who recognized the significant contributions of Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, the submarine\u2019s sponsor Dr. Susan DiMarco, and members of the Commissioning Committee who organized the special occasion\u2014especially thanked the submarine\u2019s skipper, Commander Steven Halle, and the crew who would serve in the years to come on the newly commissioned USS New Jersey.\n\n\u201cTo the \u2018Devils of the Deep,\u2019 the USS New Jersey\u2019s dedicated crew of plankowners\u2014you represent the best America has to offer,\u201d said Smith. \u201cYou have answered the nation\u2019s call to serve at a time of distinct and present threat to the U.S. and our allies.\u201d\n\n\u201cKnow that the people of New Jersey and all Americans are grateful for your tenacity, courage and commitment to our nation, and your commitment to this vessel and its mission,\u201d Smith added.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-hosts-annual-seniors-distinction-event", "Kean Hosts Annual Seniors of Distinction Event", "2024-09-13", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(September 13, 2024) BRIDGEWATER, NJ \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) hosted his second annual Seniors of Distinction event at the Bridgewater Township Senior Center, to honor outstanding seniors in the community.\n\nCongressman Kean honored 29 seniors, who represent all six counties in New Jersey\u2019s 7th Congressional District. Each senior was nominated by their friends, families, and neighbors and recognized at the event.\n\nThe seniors who were selected were chosen for their long history of giving back to their community and for continuing to lend their expertise, experience and many talents to helping and supporting others today. Every honoree has a long list of achievements but more important, a long list of professional, philanthropic, charitable, and spiritual activities to which they devote their time and energy to every day.\n\n\u201cAll the seniors honored dedicate their talents, passions and experience toward enriching the well-being of New Jersey communities,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cTheir impressive achievements and extensive involvement in both professional and volunteer activities reflect their dedication and hard work. I extend my warmest congratulations to all the seniors recognized today and thank them for their tireless efforts to uplift our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat I find particularly moving and positive is that an event like this highlight good community efforts at a time where the world needs that kind of motivation,\u201d said Elisa Sananman of Westfield, 2024 Senior of Distinction Honoree. \u201cIt is very affirming to all the work that we are doing. Very personally and professionally motivating. With appreciation that it was originated.\u201d\n\n\u201cI knew nothing about this award until I received a letter from the Congressman Kean in the mail,\u201d said Edna Deacon of Mine Hill, 2024 Senior of Distinction Honoree. \u201cI was very impressed. I would like to thank the Congressman for the invitation and Bill Koroski for nominating me.\u201d\n\nThe honorees are:\n\nHonorees That Attended:\n\nEleanor Annis of Mountainside\n\nIda Brown of Hopatcong\n\nBrad Chananie of Westfield\n\nEdna Deacon of Mine Hill\n\nRobert English of Gillette\n\nJulie Flynn of Berkley Heights\n\nDavid Gardner of Mount Arlington\n\nDr. D. Michael Hart of Westfield\n\nMartin Kane of Mountain Lakes\n\nNorma Kania of Clinton\n\nSandra Masklee of Budd Lake\n\nDonna Moser of Hopatcong\n\nThe Hon. Howard Norgalis of Bridgewater\n\nKathleen Piedici of Basking Ridge\n\nAnita Rogers of Belvidere\n\nRobert Rossi of Landing\n\nDennis Ryan of Berkley Heights\n\nElisa Sananman of Westfield\n\nJames Smythe of Belvidere\n\nThe Hon. Victor Sordillo of Warren\n\nSharon Still of Netcong\n\nThe Hon. Elmer Still of Netcong\n\nHarold Willard of Somerville\n\nHonorees That Did Not Attend:\n\nHarvey Kessler of Budd Lake\n\nThe Hon. Allen Kurdyla of Bridgewater\n\nThe Hon. Colleen Labow of Budd Lake\n\nRichard Mason of Gillette\n\nThe Hon. Kenneth Short of Long Valley\n\nRobert Wolff of Hardwick\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413336", "Smith calls on Brazil\u2019s government to reverse course and to restore free speech and democracy", "2024-09-11", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today called on Brazil\u2019s government to reverse its recent decision to block access to X (formerly known as Twitter) and ban its citizens from accessing the popular social media platform.\n\n\u201cThe government of Brazil has both raised the stakes and hit a new low\u2014it has expanded from persecuting political opposition by removing them from social media to banning one of the biggest social news networks in the world and making it illegal for Brazilians to access it,\u201d said Smith, the Chair of the House Global Human Rights Subcommittee.\n\n\u201cBrazil must immediately reverse course,\u201d said Smith. \u201cThreats to free speech are threats to free elections and to democracy itself.\u201d\n\nSmith, who has long been an outspoken advocate in Congress for victims of human rights violations, chaired a congressional hearing in May examining Brazil\u2019s extensive human rights abuses. In advance of his hearing, Smith also requested information from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on allegations against the government of Brazil.\n\nEarlier this year, Smith also hosted a news conference on Capitol Hill where Brazilians who had been de-platformed from social media by order of Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes shared personal testimonies of government persecution.\n\nSmith said he asked de Moraes about the allegations in a letter, but has yet to hear back from the Supreme Court Justice.\n\n\u201cOn June 21, I sent a letter to Minister Alexandre de Moraes asking for information about allegations regarding de Moraes\u2019s role in widespread human rights violations committed,\u201d said Smith. \u201cMinister de Moraes did not reply\u2014nor did I hear from the Presidents of the Federal Senate and Chamber of Deputies, who also received my letter to de Moraes.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn order to respond to the crisis de Moraes has created in Brazil, I am now working with colleagues on legislation about the matter,\u201d said Smith, who thanked all the Brazilian patriots who are fighting for freedom and democratic government.\n\nSmith, an international human rights leader, has long had grave concerns about human rights in Brazil under President Lula\u2019s rule. In 2009, Smith traveled to Brazil to successfully fight for the return of a New Jersey child who had been abducted and held there for five years.\n\nAs part of that effort, Smith authored the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act, the landmark law that provides the U.S. State Department with a variety of tools to pressure foreign governments and bring home American children abducted overseas.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413337", "Smith cosponsor of important bill to protect U.S. sovereignty House passes legislation to prevent the Biden-Harris Administration from approving the WHO pandemic treaty without Senate ratification", "2024-09-11", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "With the strong support and vote of Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester), the House today passed (219-199) legislation that would prevent the Biden-Harris Administration from signing the World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic treaty without prior Senate ratification.\n\n\u201cThe World Health Organization\u2019s pandemic treaty\u2014which has been drafted through backroom negotiations with no transparency\u2014is an absolute power grab by a troubled U.N. agency that is in the pocket of China\u2019s Communist dictator Xi Jinping,\u201d said Smith, a cosponsor of the No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act (HR 1425).\n\n\u201cFrom the very start, we have been pressing the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure that our U.S. sovereignty is protected from the unelected bureaucrats at the WHO, but so far, our demands have not been heeded,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cThis important legislation will help ensure that there is extensive and rigorous review by the American people\u2014who would be forced to foot the bill for any treaty commitments\u2014and sufficient public debate by members of the Senate before any agreement can be made by the Biden-Harris Administration,\u201d Smith said.\n\nSpecifically, HR 1425 would ensure that any international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response agreed to by the World Health Assembly is deemed a treaty and thereby sent to the Senate for advice and consent.\n\nSmith, who has been leading the charge in Congress raising a slew of questions and significant issues surrounding the proposed treaty, also hosted a news conference on Capitol Hill in February featuring a panel of experts from a wide-range of backgrounds.\n\n\u201cUnder no circumstances should our critical health authorities be handed over to WHO bureaucrats,\u201d said Smith. \u201cThey cannot be empowered to dictate policies to U.S. medical professionals and U.S. taxpayers when it comes to vaccines, therapeutics and the like.\u201d\n\n\u201cUsing potential pandemics as a pretext to violate the principles of good governance only serves to erode trust and further undermines international cooperation,\u201d Smith said.\n\n\u201cAnd we most certainly won\u2019t be signing a blank check,\u201d added Smith, who noted that the current WHO proposal that the Biden Administration is working on includes undetermined financial commitments. \u201cThe American taxpayer should not be fleeced like this.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/keans-bill-improve-artificial-intelligence-literacy-k-12-passes-committee", "Kean's Bill to Improve Artificial Intelligence Literacy for K-12 Passes Committee", "2024-09-11", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(September 11, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, the Science, Space and Technology Committee passed H.R. 9211, the Literacy in Future Technologies (LIFT) Artificial Intelligence Act, a bill to improve artificial intelligence literacy for K-12. This bill was introduced by Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) and is co-led by Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01).\n\n\u201cEarly childhood understanding of AI will have positive spillover impacts in our everyday life, work productivity, and social circles,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cProficient understanding of AI will mitigate negative impacts of this technology, specifically in the AI generated content space. To ensure our children succeed in the field of artificial intelligence, we need to start preparing them early in the classroom. I thank my colleagues on the Science, Space and Technology Committee for supporting my bill and look forward to seeing this on the House Floor.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe bipartisan LIFT AI Act is about helping the next generation of students be prepared by making sure that they have skills to use artificial intelligence responsibly and effectively, regardless of the career they decide to pursue,\u201d said Congressman Gabe Amo. \u201cI thank Congressman Kean for his leadership and my colleagues on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology who voted to advance this legislation today. I look forward to pushing together for it to be passed in the full House of Representatives.\u201d\n\n\"Supporting the bipartisan LIFT AI Act is critical to ensuring that every student in America has the opportunity to understand and shape the future. By prioritizing the teaching of computer science and artificial intelligence in K-12 schools, we not only equip students with essential skills for tomorrow's workforce but also empower them to be ethical creators and informed citizens in an AI-driven world.\" \u2014 Pat Yongpradit, Chief Academic Officer of Code.org.\n\nThe LIFT AI Act would:\n\nSupport a grant program within NSF for research and development of AI literacy curriculum and evaluation methods for K-12, ensuring that educational materials are learner-centered, project based, and adaptable.\n\nSupport professional learning opportunities for educators, principals, and school leaders to enhance their AI literacy and proficiency through courses, mentoring, and best practice development.\n\nPromote the creation of hands-on learning tools, the integration of AI literacy into existing curriculums, and the development of evaluation tools to assess AI literacy proficiency.\n\nCongressman Kean currently serves on the Science, Space and Technology Committee.\n\nCongressman spoke in support of his bill at today\u2019s full committee markup, watch HERE.\n\nFull text of the bill can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413328", "China Week House overwhelmingly passes Smith\u2019s bill to rescind the immunities and privileges of Hong Kong diplomatic outposts that do the bidding of the Chinese Communist Party within the U.S.", "2024-09-10", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "As part of its \u201cChina Week\u201d push to counter the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s (CCP) economic aggression and espionage in America, the House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed (413-3) legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) aimed at rescinding the diplomatic immunities and privileges of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) that do the bidding of the CCP within the United States.\n\nSmith\u2019s legislation\u2014the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act (HR 1103)\u2014would empower the President to effectively terminate the operations of Hong Kong\u2019s official representative offices in Washington, New York, and San Francisco since the U.S. no longer recognizes Hong Kong as autonomous following the CCP\u2019s imposition of its National Security Law on the people of Hong Kong.\n\n\u201cMy HKETO Certification Act is a necessary next step in tangibly demonstrating our solidarity with the persecuted citizens of Hong Kong,\u201d said Smith, who is also the prime author of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which he first introduced in 2014 to provide strong sanctions and other ramifications in response to the crackdown on democracy activists and egregious human rights abuses in Hong Kong.\n\n\u201cTragically, by the time the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act was passed by Congress and signed into law in 2019, it was a day late and a dollar short,\u201d Smith said.\n\nSmith, who noted the HKETOs were originally granted diplomatic privileges and immunities under the expectation that Hong Kong would remain free from CCP rule, said the United States must deal with a new reality.\n\n\u201cAt one time, the HKETOs represented a city whose prosperity was based on its protection of the fundamental human rights and freedom of the Hong Kong people,\u201d Smith said.\n\n\u201cBut the Hong Kong all of us knew and respected is gone,\u201d said Smith, who noted that Hong Kong unjustly detains political prisoners at a rate only surpassed by a handful of authoritarian countries such as Belarus and Burma. \u201cThe city is now governed by Chinese Communist Party puppets who have become as repressive as their masters in Beijing.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe United States should not be granting diplomatic privileges and immunities to a network of communist spies and propagandists,\u201d said Smith, the Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, who has chaired over 100 congressional hearings exposing the CCP\u2019s horrific human rights abuses.\n\nThe House passage of Smith\u2019s bill comes on the heels of the jarring arrest of Linda Sun\u2014the former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and former Governor Andrew Cuomo who was charged with acting as an agent of the Chinese Communist regime.\n\n\u201cWe have all been reminded recently of the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s efforts to corrupt and co-opt American leaders and silence dissenting voices in the United States,\u201d Smith said. \u201cThere is absolutely no reason why we should allow China\u2019s Communist regime to have official representative offices in our country.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413332", "Tenth anniversary of Smith\u2019s law to combat international child abduction New Jersey adult survivor of international child abduction testifies at Smith\u2019s hearing", "2024-09-10", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "A New Jersey adult survivor of international child abduction shared heartbreaking testimony of her immense tribulations growing up in a foreign land and her long and difficult journey to return to the United States at a congressional hearing chaired by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today.\n\nBorn in Newark, Nafeesah Ali Ismail was only seven years old when she was abducted by her father to a small village in Northern Egypt, where everything was foreign to her.\n\n\u201cI was only seven, and I didn\u2019t really understand that when I left New Jersey, I was leaving my family, my language, and all that I had known in my young life,\u201d Ali Ismail testified.\n\n\u201cMy expectation as a child was that everything was going to be okay because I was with my dad,\u201d she continued. \u201cBut it was not okay, at all. I was a seven-year-old American in an Egyptian village surrounded by people who did not want to understand me; people who saw and treated me as \u2018less than\u2019 simply because I did not have the same skin color and hair texture.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen I wasn\u2019t in school, I mainly stayed in my room\u2014imagining someone from the United States government would knock on the door and ask for me,\u201d she shared. \u201cI know other survivors like me also had this silly dream. I became depressed, lost hope that I would return to the United States, and attempted suicide multiple times.\u201d\n\nBack home, Nafeesah\u2019s mother appealed to the U.S. State Department to bring her back, but to no avail.\n\n\u201cThe heartbreaking reality is that hundreds of American children are still abducted every year\u2014illegally kidnapped by one of their parents to a foreign land,\u201d said Rep. Smith. \u201cThey are subjected to what amounts to a form of child abuse\u2014with devastating psychological and even physical consequences for them and their families left behind.\u201d\n\nSmith\u2019s hearing, which marked the 10-year anniversary of his Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Act, examined the U.S. State Department\u2019s implementation of the groundbreaking law since its enactment in 2014. It featured testimony from top officials at the State Department, including Michelle Bernier-Toth, the Special Advisor for Children\u2019s Issues; and Robert Koepcke, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Japan, Korea, and Mongolia.\n\n\u201cThe Goldman Act empowers the State Department to use the full range of diplomatic tools to seek the return of abducted American children\u2014from a demarche or public condemnation to delay or cancellation of a bilateral visits or an extradition request,\u201d Smith said. \u201cAnnual appropriations language also authorizes the Department to withhold bilateral assistance funds for the governments of countries that are not taking appropriate steps to comply on child abduction issues.\u201d\n\n\u201cYet the State Department consistently fails to apply these Goldman tools,\u201d said Smith. \u201cIn 10 years, it has only ever used an action that exceeded a demarche once\u2014even as many countries still do not comply with their treaty obligations under the Hague Convention.\u201d\n\nAlso testifying at Smith\u2019s hearing was Jeffery Morehouse, the founder of Bring Abducted Children Home, who shared his own experience as a left-behind parent: \u201cOver the past 14 years of advocacy for others and in my own personal efforts to locate and reunite with my kidnapped son, \u2018Mochi\u2019 Atomu Imoto Morehouse, I have been told when our children are adults, they will be free to contact their seeking parent. I understand those in the general public and government are trying to offer kind words of support. These are naive words that dismiss the opportunity to engage and do more for the 30,000 U.S. children kidnapped to a foreign country since 1994.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe can and must do more to work to bring our abducted children home,\u201d said Smith, who introduced new legislation earlier this year to strengthen key aspects of the Goldman Act by requiring additional data and increased transparency from the State Department and providing critical funding for research into the lifelong trauma caused by international parental abduction.\n\n\u201cIn a sense, I rescued myself from abduction, with the help of others,\u201d said Ali Ismail, who finally returned home three years ago with the help of advocates like Dr. Noelle Hunter from the iStand Survivor Network. \u201cNow, I want to help rescue other abducted children and help them have the soft landing and long-term reunification support that they need when they come home.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413327", "Smith leads the House of Representatives in a moment of silence honoring the late Bill Pascrell Jr.", "2024-09-09", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "The following are excerpts of remarks delivered on the House Floor by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the Dean of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation, while leading the House of Representatives in a moment of silence to honor the late Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ):\n\n\u201cMr. Speaker, my colleagues and I rise to convey our deepest sorrow on the passing of our longtime friend and 14-term New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. of the 9th District in New Jersey.\n\nWe offer our prayers and heartfelt condolences to his wife Elsie and his three sons Bill III, David and Glenn.\n\nBill\u2019s life was marked by exemplary service, having served in the U.S. Army and as a high school history teacher and adjunct professor before becoming a state assemblyman, mayor, and congressman.\n\nHe was dedicated to New Jersey families and an outspoken advocate for our law enforcement community, our firefighters, and our Nation\u2019s veterans.\n\nHis Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act created the groundbreaking Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, which provides funding for protective equipment, emergency vehicles, training and other crucial support to aid firefighters in their lifesaving mission. Since its creation in 2001, this incredible program has awarded over $10 billion to fire departments across the country\u2014including more than $198 million to those in New Jersey.\n\nAs co-chair and founder of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, Bill also helped lead the charge to advance brain health.\n\nHis bipartisan Traumatic Brain Injury Reauthorization Act of 2018 provided critical funding to help patients with brain injuries and their families, enhance breakthrough research, and for the first time ever, create a national concussion surveillance system to improve prevention, care and recovery efforts for traumatic brain injuries.\n\nBill was also devoted to preserving New Jersey\u2019s beautiful natural resources and led efforts to designate Paterson Great Falls\u2014the stunning 77-foot-tall waterfall on the Passaic River\u2014as a national historic park.\n\nBill served five terms in the New Jersey General Assembly and two terms as mayor of Paterson.\n\nHe will be missed.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413380", "'My good friend and a trailblazer for Lyme Disease patients' Pat Smith's transformational, extraordinary work", "2024-09-06", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "The following are remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) submitted in the Congressional Record in honor of his good friend and remarkable Lyme disease advocate, Pat Smith of Wall, New Jersey, who passed away peacefully on August 17, 2024:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413342", "Asbury Park Press article on project psuhed by Smith'Manasquan Inlet shoal dug away'", "2024-09-05", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "POINT PLEASANT BEACH - The dangerous shoal is all but gone. In the end, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dug enough sand out of Manasquan Inlet to fill 13\u00bd Olympic-size swimming pools.\n\nThere is still some mop-up work to be done later this month, but the Corps finished the great majority of the job on Aug. 25, roughly 2\u00bd weeks after it started dredging the inlet to rid the shoal which formed on the Point Pleasant Beach side of the inlet. The final tally was approximately 45,000 cubic yards, Army Corps' Philadelphia District spokesman Stephen Rochette told the Asbury Park Press.\n\nAn Olympic pool is 50 meters long by 25 meters wide, or roughly 164 feet by 82 feet, and usually three meters deep, or just shy of 10 feet. In terms of the weight in wet sand, that figure equals about 121.5 million pounds.\n\nThe Army Corps received several calls at the start of August for help from stakeholders, including U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., after the shoaling in the Manasquan Inlet returned to the Point Pleasant Beach side of the inlet for the second time in three years. The last time was 2022.\n\nFishing boat captains, who use the inlet daily to enter the Atlantic Ocean, said the shoal was larger this time. Capt. William Egerter Jr. of the Dauntless party fishing boat compared it to a \"beach\" in the inlet; one that drew body boarders, surfers and beachgoers despite the warnings from public officials to stay off it.\n\nHow it was going halfway through:Over 60 million pounds of sand dug from Manasquan Inlet shoal\n\nThe Corps used the Murden, a 156-foot split hull hopper dredge with a capacity of 500 cubic yards, to vacuum up the sand. The vessel was redeployed to the Shark River on Aug. 26, but will return to the Manasquan Inlet later this month to finish the final small piece.\n\nView of the bay taken away by sand: JakeaBob's in Union Beach needs NJ, federal help to get it back\n\nThe likely cause of the shoal were the persistent south wind and swells this summer, which pushes the sand in, according to the Army Corps. It was the same dynamic that likely caused the shoaling in 2022, the Corps said.\n\nRochette previously told the Asbury Park Press that in \"time periods with persistent southerlies, the sand can move quickly into the inlet.\"\n\nWhat's taking so long?Ortley Beach, other Ocean County towns badly need new beach sand\n\nCritics of beach replenishment say those projects have resulted in excess sand drifting north. The Corps last completed beach replenishment south of Manasquan Inlet in 2019, according to the Corps. That project ended one mile south of Manasquan Inlet, Rochette previously told the Asbury Park Press. He said the majority of the sand was placed south of what the Corps called the \"nodal zone,\" where the dominant transport of sand shifts.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-introduces-bill-provide-extended-care-services-spouses-veterans", "Kean Introduces Bill to Provide Extended Care Services to Spouses of Veterans", "2024-09-03", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(September 3, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) has introduced the Home Health Aides for Veterans\u2019 Spouses Act, a bill that would allow veterans who are over the age of 75 to defer their home health aide benefits to their spouses in extenuating circumstances.\n\nThis legislation was inspired by a 92-year-old Berkeley Heights veteran, Mr. John O\u2019Connor, who requested that a VA home health aide assist his wife. The VA would not permit this and rejected this veteran\u2019s appeal numerous times despite his pleas. Spouses of veterans can only obtain VA home health aide benefits upon the passing of their veteran spouse. This issue leaves some with limited to no access to home health aide services.\n\n\u201cJust as veterans have given so much in service to our country, their spouses have given just as much in support and sacrifice,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cThis commonsense legislation was a direct response to Mr. O\u2019Connor\u2019s concern. He was informed by the VA that the only way he would be able to pass these benefits on to his wife were to pass away himself. The VA should have the leeway to share these benefits with veterans\u2019 spouses if the need arises. I appreciate Mr. O\u2019Connor reaching out to my office and sharing his story.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am interested in other veterans who are faced with the same issues I have and are really in difficult situation,\u201d said Mr. John O\u2019Connor. \u201cThey are unable to adequately take care of their spouse, either financially or socially. No one is the VA was going to fight for us. Only Congressman Kean made that effort. We both appreciate it.\u201d\n\nOther key efforts Congressman Kean has taken to support veterans:\n\nSponsored H.R.4171 - Driving Veterans Success Act, which requires that at least 10% of the funds under specified infrastructure programs are expended through Veteran owned small businesses.\n\nSponsored H.R.7613 - Veterans Flight Training Responsibility Act of 2024 to provide for a limitation on the amount of entitlement to educational assistance payable for flight training under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.\n\nCo-Sponsored Rep. Levin's H.R.984 - Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act, which authorizes the Department of Veteran's Affairs to provide grants to states to implement programs that improve outreach and assistance to veterans and their families. Focusing first on areas with high rates of suicide among veterans, and high rates of referrals to the Veterans Crisis Line.\n\nCo-Sponsored Rep. Mast's H.R.562 - Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2023, which creates new ways for Veterans to access their Congressional Representatives to most effectively receive the assistance they deserve.\n\nCo-Sponsored Rep. Sherrill's H.R.733 - Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act of 2023 which sets a minimum number of Vet Centers in each state, ensuring Veterans and their families access to any social or psychological service they may need.\n\nFull text of the bill can be found HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-constituent-services-return-over-8-million-nj-07-residents", "Kean Constituent Services Return Over $8 Million to NJ-07 Residents", "2024-08-30", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(August 30, 2024) BERNARDSVILLE, NJ \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced that his casework team has returned more than $8,652,279 to constituents.\n\nSince the office opened in January of 2023, Congressman Kean and his team have closed over 2,641 constituent cases, representing over $8,652,279 dollars returned back to New Jerseyans in the 7th District. From the beginning of Congressman Kean\u2019s term in office, Team Kean has helped constituents save money and obtain benefits from the VA, IRS, Social Security Administration, and other federal agencies. The top three groups of people served are seniors, veterans, and families.\u201cI am excited to share that our constituent service team has returned over $8 million dollars back to constituents through our casework services,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cThis achievement underscores our commitment to serving New Jerseyans and ensuring they receive the benefits and assistance they\u2019re entitled to. This is a testament to the hard work of my team and our unwavering commitment to addressing the needs of every individual we represent.\u201d\n\nIn a recent case that conveys the impact of dedicated constituent services, a Clark resident and her husband faced a challenging situation regarding their Medicare Part B enrollment. The couple, who had private insurance through the husband\u2019s union, sought to enroll in Medicare Part B under the Special Enrollment Period due to the impending termination of their private coverage.\n\nDespite their eligibility for special enrollment, they were initially advised by a Social Security representative that they could not enroll until the next open enrollment period and would face a late enrollment penalty. Undeterred, the constituent reached out to our office for assistance. With proof of their private health coverage in hand, our office took immediate action, contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide the necessary documentation. This intervention ensured that the couple was enrolled in Medicare Part B without incurring any late enrollment penalties.\n\nIn expressing their gratitude, the Clark resident wrote, \u201cAlleluia! Praise the Lord! Burden lifted!! From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your intervention in this situation.\u201d\n\nThis casework highlights the vital role of constituent services in addressing and resolving issues affecting local residents, ensuring they receive the benefits and support they are entitled to.\n\nTeam Kean is always here to help. If you or someone you know needs help with a federal agency, please do not hesitate to contact the office. You can find more information here: https://kean.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency or call (908) 547-3307. Team Kean also hosts frequent Satellite Office Hours, the first week of every month. Make sure to follow Congressman Kean for updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @CongressmanKean.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413325", "TAPInto news article on Smith, community efforts:'Jersey Shore: Over 1,000 Residents Rally Against Offshore Wind Project, Unite to Expose Hidden Risks'", "2024-08-28", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Hughes continued \"as it relates to the questions raised by many - levels of radiation and what are known as Extremely Low Frequency Electric Magnetic Fields (ELF/EMF) - there's been a number of reports out there about the impact of radiation, but most reports are around cell phones which put out 5 watts of energy. As a comparison, the scale of this transmission line we're talking about is 5,720 MW which is actually 5.7 billion watts. The bottom line on the studies and the safety - first of all, this has never been done before, so that would challenge any study, so you will not find a study giving you an answer and nor has the NJBPU.\"\n\n\"The offshore wind energy project, with so many risks, is not a partisan issue, said Hughes.\" There are over 200 homes along the power cable route. Many of the homes are 10-15 yards away, some less than 10. It will run adjacent to 3 schools, a daycare center, playgrounds, an athletic field, and it will run through superfund site right on Sea Girt Ave.\"\n\n3. Highly unified group to fight the industrialization of the Ocean\n\nMayor Mangan of Manasquan said \"Manasquan's position is we are against the industrialization of the ocean, and as a town dependent on the ocean for tourism and our healthy fishing industry. Mayor Mangan thanked the citizens group and Assemblyman Kanitra \"who has been a true partner\" and Congressman Chris Smith who has supported us at the Federal level.\"\n\nMayor Fetzer of Sea Girt challenged 40-CFR35 (state and local environmental protection) with 3 key facts: \"For a project to get the blessing of the EPA it needs to be cost-effective; environmentally sound; Implementable. I dare anyone in this room to point to any of those 3 things and how this is satisfied by this project. The subsidies can't possibly cover the cost of this project. In fact, I think you are going to see the cost/benefit ratio less than one. The project is not economically feasible.\"\n\nOcean expert Cindy Zepf of Clean Ocean Action, a key player in restoring our ocean from its days as a dumping ground, emphasized the renewed fight against the massive push to industrialize the ocean. \"While our organization isn\u2019t opposed to offshore wind, the scope, scale, and magnitude of this project are beyond reckless. In my experience, no industrialization has ever benefited the environment.\"\n\nWhen asked how she viewed the event, organizer and founding member Kimberly Patterson of StopTheHighRiskPowerCables.org responded \"Our goal was to end the secrecy and shed a light on what is planned for our community. We believe that residents and businesses have a right to understand the risks and rewards of a major infrastructure project that runs through our neighborhoods and will significantly impact our community. The meeting was beyond our wildest expectations with more than 1,000 participants and people actually hosting Zoom \u201cwatch parties.\u201d The level of interest shown during the prime vacation weeks of summer tells you how passionate people are about stopping this project. Our efforts are just beginning.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413440", "APP news article:'5G poles coming down in Point Pleasant Beach after settlement'", "2024-08-28", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Mike Davis\n\nAsbury Park Press\n\nThe 5G wireless poles under construction across the borough will be removed under the terms of a settlement announced Tuesday.\n\nIn a Facebook post, Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Doug Vitale said the borough would pay \"limited compensation\" to developer Munisite Networks, who began construction on 5G wireless poles earlier this year. The poles were approved as part of a 2021 agreement with the borough, which allowed Munisite to construct wireless poles at as many as 74 locations across the borough. (Vitale has maintained that it was unlikely all 74 sites would be used.)\n\nIn April, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., introduced a bill\n\nin Congress that would nullify the effects of those\n\nregulations on municipalities. The bill was referred to the\n\nHouse Energy and Commerce Committee but has yet to\n\nreceive a hearing.\n\nThat agreement was terminated as part of the settlement, Vitale said.\n\nThe financial terms of the settlement were not immediately available, but are expected to be prepared for approval by the Point Pleasant Beach Borough Council at its Sept. 3 meeting.\n\nNegotiations between Munisite and Point Pleasant Beach had been ongoing for most of the summer. Construction was halted, at the borough's request, after neighbors complained about the aesthetic designs and potential health impacts of the wireless poles. The borough's special counsel demanded the poles be removed in a July 8 letter.\n\nThe settlement between Point Pleasant Beach and Munisite doesn't mean 5G wireless poles aren't coming to the borough. Instead, they will simply be subject to more stringent regulation by borough officials.\n\nOn Aug. 20, the council adopted an ordinance that requires the developer of any \"small wireless facilities\" in the public right-of-way lawn to go before the planning board, which will hold a public hearing, and reach a right-of-way agreement with the borough council, which will also be voted on in public.\n\nIn 2018, the Federal Communications Commission ruled that municipalities can regulate certain standards involving 5G poles but cannot outright ban them or dictate their location.\n\nIn April, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., introduced a bill in Congress that would nullify the effects of those regulations on municipalities. The bill was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee but has yet to receive a hearing.\n\nMike Davis has spent the last decade covering New Jersey local news, marijuana legalization, transportation and a little bit of everything else. He's won a few awards that make his parents very proud. Contact him at mdavis@gannettnj.com or @byMikeDavis on Twitter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-and-scholten-introduce-bill-ban-members-congress-profiting-american", "Kean and Scholten Introduce Bill to Ban Members of Congress from Profiting Off American Adversaries", "2024-08-27", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(August 27, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Last Friday, Representatives Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) and Hillary Scholten (MI-03) introduced the Foreign Adversary Investment Prohibition Act, a bill to prohibit Members of Congress from conducting financial transactions involving certain foreign adversaries of the United States. This bipartisan bill would mandate that any disclosed financial transaction, directly or indirectly, that benefits a foreign adversary (or company that is designated by the US State Department as a foreign entity and adverse to the US) by a Member of Congress or Senator is accompanied by a fine to the affect of $5,000 for the first offense, $10,000 for the second offense, and $15,000 for subsequent offenses.\n\n\u201cThe public servants who represent our country should not be profiting off other countries who wish to do us harm,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cWe cannot tolerate politicians who prioritize personal gain over what is best for the American people. Republicans and Democrats need to come together to ensure honesty and transparency in government.\u201d\n\n\"Effective leadership starts with ethical leadership; and we cannot count on elected officials to act in America's best interest if their finances are tied up in an adversarial nation\u2019s economy,\u201d said Congresswoman Scholten. \u201cToday, I am proud to co-lead the Foreign Adversary Investment Prohibition Act to hold our nation's leaders to a higher ethical standard ensuring we always put America first.\"\n\nFull text of the bill can be found HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413323", "Coast Star article on Smith, community opposition'Opponents call ocean wind plan \u2018ill thought out\u2019'", "2024-08-23", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "After gaining traction in the local community since the group\u2019s formation, the group held the meeting before a virtual audience of over 1,000 attendees about a proposed turbine plan off the East Coast. The meeting was attended by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, Assemblyman Paul Kanitra and six other panel members, including an environmentalist, local mayors and citizen advocates who shared their opinions and called for project transparency.\n\n\u201cOur goal was to end the secrecy and shed a light on what is planned for our communities. We believe that residents and businesses have a right to understand the risks and rewards of a major infrastructure project that runs through our neighborhoods and will significantly impact our quality of life,\u201d said Kimberly Paterson, one of the organizers of the meeting.\n\nShe continued, \u201cThe meeting was beyond our wildest expectations with more than 1,000 participants and people actually hosting Zoom watch parties. The level of interest shown during prime vacation weeks of summer tells you how passionate people are about stopping this project. Our efforts are just beginning.\u201d\n\nStop The High-Risk Power Cables describes itself as a bipartisan, grassroots, self-funded group of residents who oppose the underground cable that would be part of the Atlantic Shores Offshore Winds South Project.\n\nAssemblyman Kanitra said his office invited the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), which is the government agency overseeing offshore wind development. However, according to Kanitra, the BPU declined to attend.\n\nWhile the meeting featured a panel of politicians, environmentalists and advocates who oppose the proposed turbine projects, several other environmental coalitions have been at the forefront supporting Gov. Murphy\u2019s push for renewable energy, including the National Wildlife Federation, New Jersey Sustainable Business Council and the New Jersey Audubon Society, to name a few.\n\nIn a May 28 BPU press release, Gov. Murphy said, \u201cOffshore wind development remains a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will result in significant economic and environmental benefits throughout the Garden State. At this pivotal inflection point for the industry both in New Jersey and across the nation, it\u2019s critical that we remain committed to delivering on the promise of thousands of family-sustaining, union jobs and cleaner air for generations to come.\u201d\n\nThe proposed plan by Atlantic Shores LLC would result in the construction of hundreds of wind turbines off the coast of Atlantic City. The project would include a 40-mile-long cable export corridor carrying a minimum of 5,720 megawatts that would make landfall at the New Jersey National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, according to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).\n\nAfter making landfall at the federal property, the proposed power cables would travel under residential streets in Sea Girt, Manasquan, Wall Township and ultimately end at the Larrabee Substation in Howell Township, according to the BPU.\n\nGroup formed to oppose power cable\n\nAccording to organizers Lynette Viviani and Paterson, Stop the High-Risk Power Cables organized the meeting as an effort to inform their neighbors about what is proposed to go on in their front yards.\n\n\u201cWe can\u2019t find an example anywhere in the world where this much power is landing on a beach and running within 15 to 20 yards of homes, schools and recreation areas,\u201d said Paterson.\n\nAfter publicizing the meeting for just over two weeks, the group found the response slightly more than they anticipated. The meeting was originally scheduled to be held at the Manasquan Community Senior Center; however, after registration numbers continued to climb, the group was forced to relocate the meeting. Viviani and Paterson settled on the Spring Lake Manor in Spring Lake Heights, until yet again they were forced to relocate due to the exceeding number of attendees. Ultimately, the group decided to host a panel in person at the Community Senior Center and stream the meeting over Zoom for the more than 1,000 registered attendees.\n\nThe meeting was moderated by Sea Girt resident Fred Marziano, who provided a brief introduction for all eight members of the panel before they spoke to the audience about the proposed turbine plan.\n\nTo open the night, Marziano stated \u201cWe demand a halt to this project until the risks are objectively evaluated and health, well-being and safety can be assured.\u201d\n\nFirst panel speaker of the evening, Mayor Mike Mangan said, \u201cManasquan stands staunchly opposed to the issue overall, in particular with regards to the transmission. We are urging the BPU to host a public education meeting and to provide a clear method of feedback so that those members of the public could have their questions answered and their opinions heard.\u201d\n\nU.S. REP. CHRIS SMITH\n\nU.S. Rep. Smith represents the 4th Congressional District, which includes Wall Township, Sea Girt, Manasquan and Howell Township.\n\nRep. Smith said, \u201cUnfortunately, many of the people have closed their eyes and blocked their ears from hearing the very, very inconvenient truth that this whole push for ocean wind has been very ill thought out.\u201d\n\nRep. Smith has opposed the proposed offshore wind projects in the House of Representatives. He said he has led the effort for offshore wind project transparency on the federal level; however has found trouble with several amendments regarding radar implications that were blocked in the Senate.\n\n\u201cSo far, I have passed three policy amendments, after vigorous debates on the House floor. One of them is for the GAO report\u2026 to say look, don\u2019t play games. We want to know exact answers to the best of your ability to these pertinent questions about the proposed projects.\u201d\n\nRep. Smith said he spearheaded an effort that resulted in an independent investigation from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine the proposed wind turbine projects and their impact on the environment, commercial and recreational fishing, tourism, national security and radar navigation, as well as the impact hurricanes and severe weather patterns will have on the turbines. According to Rep. Smith, the investigation is ongoing and is expected to be completed this fall.\n\n\u201cI have never seen anything in 44 years in Congress so ill thought out, and then the idea that nobody wants to answer the questions. Where is the governor? He should be holding forums, meeting with all the mayors and the elected people and above all meeting with the people, who pay the taxes. We are a country that thrives on consent of the governed. Is that happening here? Not at all, and I think that\u2019s a catastrophe and I think it\u2019s appalling.\u201d\n\nRep. Smith\u2019s office displayed a chunk of debris from Vineyard Wind\u2019s broken turbine that washed up on the beaches of Nantucket, Massachusetts, after a blade failure on July 13. The recent blade failure that came from a single turbine was repeatedly mentioned by panel speakers, resulting in the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement issuing a suspension order halting Vineyard Winds power production operations or new construction activity.\n\nRep. Smith stated, \u201cI\u2019m not going to quit until we win this and you\u2019re not going to quit\u2026 We fight with facts. We do not engage in hyperbole. We want real answers and again, I\u2019m sick and tired of being shown the door and being told you need not apply for those answers.\u201d\n\nSEA GIRT MAYOR DON FETZER\n\nAlso on the panel was Sea Girt Mayor Don Fetzer, who described a lack of communication between the BPU and the borough he represents.\n\nAccording to Fetzer, the BPU held discussions with National Guard Training Center officials; however, the borough was not involved or invited to participate in that conversation.\n\nIn addition, Mayor Fetzer discussed his views on the proposed power cables that would be constructed under the streets of Sea Girt. Mayor Fetzer stated the battle against the industrialization of the borough started long before that.\n\n\u201cSea Girt has been following these events for the last 15 years. It\u2019s hard to believe, but the Army Camp has always been in play\u2026first, they were going to sell it for real estate, then they were going to build their own 400-foot turbine. There was a little bit of a lull, and now here we are, being a landing point for this massive cable,\u201d he said.\n\nMayor Fetzer, who has decades of experience as a civil and environmental engineer, made it clear that Sea Girt opposes the power cables that would be constructed 15 to 20 feet from houses, schools and a day care center in Sea Girt. Additionally, among other project factors Mayor Fetzer described 40% tax credits provided to project purveyors, a lack of fair and open method of procurement by state and federal officials and argued that the proposed project doesn\u2019t satisfy the three key facts of Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) Clean Water Act for project blessings; cost effectiveness, environmentally sound, and implementation and maintenance plan.\n\nASSEMBLYMAN PAUL KANITRA\n\nWhen Assemblyman Paul Kanitra of District 10 arrived at the podium, he first addressed the over 1,000 people who watched the educational meeting remotely, giving kudos to the citizens he said showed up and cared to learn about the proposed wind turbine projects. Additionally, he spoke to others he said may have been watching the meeting, including staff from the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), Department of Environmental Protection and the Governor\u2019s Office.\n\nKanitra said, \u201cI want to mention to you all that we are going to stop this no matter what it takes.\u201d\n\nHe then stated \u201cmoney always drives an issue. This whole project stinks because of money, and you need to follow the money. The reason that it\u2019s getting fast tracked, just go look at the campaign donations. Look at who the governors got campaign donations from, look at who in the majority that has been supporting this all along who they have gotten campaign donations from.\u201d\n\nKanitra recalled his time as mayor of Point Pleasant Beach and how initiatives and actions against turbine projects began when whales began washing up on beaches across the East Coast.\n\nKanitra said, \u201cWhat you see with the whale is so directly related to what\u2019s happening to us humans. The burden shouldn\u2019t be on us to prove that there are no detrimental effects to something. The whales shouldn\u2019t have to prove that they are running into boats because their sonar is getting messed up and what you see from the government is just dismissal without any kind of facts whatsoever. They just say \u2018oh no that\u2019s absurd\u2019 when we\u2019ve seen a massive uptick in what\u2019s happening with the whales in the grounds and the beaching and the boat strikes.\u201d\n\nENVIRONMENTALIST CINDY ZIPF\n\nCindy Zipf, founder and executive director of Clean Ocean Action (COA) provided her analysis of the proposed project and the impact it would have on the marine ecosystems on the East Coast.\n\nWhile Zipf\u2019s organization doesn\u2019t oppose offshore wind. However, of the proposed projects she stated \u201cthe scope, scale and magnitude is beyond reckless.\u201d\n\nSince founding COA in 1984, Zipf has spent the last 40 years protecting the coast of New York and New Jersey. She warned that the \u201calarm bell should be going off in everyone\u2019s mind\u201d with the proposed industrialization of the East Coast.\n\n\u201cThe scale scope of what we are doing to the environment, both offshore and onshore, is unbelievable\u2026 What few studies that have been done are insufficient and they don\u2019t even begin to understand the consequences to the marine ecosystem,\u201d Zipf stated.\n\nZipf stated that both state and federal agencies are using strategies to push offshore wind development, including Fast 41 a program that expedites federal permitting.\n\n\u201cAll of these processes that should be carefully reviewed are being streamlined. In short, there\u2019s a general lack of good governance in all stages of approval. It\u2019s clear that ocean wind is getting a pass and that\u2019s unacceptable.\u201d\n\nAdditionally, Zipf highlighted COA\u2019s full-time policy attorney on staff and the trouble the nonprofit runs into attempting to follow project descriptions, further stating \u201cYou can be a full time at Clean Ocean Action and still have a heck of a time working your way through the system and the public really doesn\u2019t stand a chance.\u201d\n\nCITIZEN ADVOCATES\n\nThree citizen advocates representing separate groups concerned over the proposed projects sat on the panel and shared insight into their findings and experiences.\n\nMike Dean, representing Save the East Coast, a nonprofit ocean environmental advocacy group, described the scope of the projects currently slated to line the East Coast from New England down to North Carolina.\n\nDean provided numbers into the coastal industrialization that he referred to as the \u201cthe largest attempt at transforming our coastal ecosystem ever.\u201d\n\nWhile Dean spoke, the presentation displayed an aerial graphic of the East Coast, lined with proposed wind turbine projects at various permitting, surveying and construction phases that would result in the industrialization of the coast.\n\nDean stated, \u201cThere are 27 active lease areas right now that we are monitoring. There\u2019s upwards of 37 projects that are active from Southern New England down to North Carolina.\u201d\n\nHe grouped the coastal waters into three water sections; Southern New England, New York and New Jersey and the remaining area from south of Cape May to North Carolina.\n\nHe provided insight into the status of the proposed projects and the five major stages that are required to complete a project, which vary in different circumstances. The stages include lease assignments, construction and operation plans, federal environmental permitting process, obtaining a power contract and lastly the construction of the project.\n\n\u201cWe are getting close, status wise here in New Jersey. The BPU and DEP have granted permits to Atlantic Shores South and federal agencies have as well, so that project is fully permitted and is the furthest one along,\u201d Dean stated.\n\nAfter Dean provided insight into the many proposed projects off the East Coast, Keith Moore who represented Defend Our Beaches New Jersey, said he has had success in the past fighting wind turbines and provided insight in his experiences.\n\nPreviously, Moore fought against Orsted in 2022 in its proposed offshore wind off the coast of Brigantine Beach. He serves as the director of government affairs and external relations at Defend Our Beaches New Jersey. According to Moore, his organization has appealed to Gov. Murphy, testified in Trenton at the state Senate and Assembly and has held peaceful protests and continues to work opposing offshore wind.\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve been asked to talk about how we won the battle against offshore wind. I\u2019d like to think we won the battle against Orsted\u2026 but now it\u2019s time to win the war.\u201d\n\nMoore provided a three-prong approach to \u201cwinning the war\u201d against offshore wind. The first prong mentioned by Moore is that elected officials in local municipalities and coastal counties work collectively to oppose offshore wind through resolutions and citizen involvement. Next, Moore stated to \u201cstop the bailout\u201d by pursuing litigation against corporations attempting to industrialize the coast. The final prong Moore referred to was challenging state and federal officials on the violations of environmental laws that protect the ocean.\n\nGlenn Hughes, a Sea Girt resident and a founding member of Stop The High-Risk Cables, spoke about what he said was the magnitude and potential dangers of power cables that are proposed to travel under residential streets in Sea Girt, Manasquan and Wall Township.\n\nAccording to Hughes, of the two proposed routes, over 200 residential homes would lie within 10 to 15 yards to where the power line will go, and the power line will travel adjacent to three schools, a day care center, athletic fields and playgrounds.\n\nHe stated the proposed power that would travel through Sea Girt and out to Howell would at a minimum carry 5,720 megawatts of power, which Hughes compared to the disaster at Three Mile Island, which carried 800 megawatts of power.\n\nPaterson concluded the meeting by calling upon residents to continue to fight against the proposed offshore wind plan and to not lose faith in the process.\n\n\u201cCan we stop this? The answer is yes we can. My question of you is, are you going to stop it? Because we can\u2019t do it alone, we need lots of people engaged in this process\u2026 The only way they can get away with what they are doing is if we sit back and let them.\u201d stated Paterson.\n\nThe meeting in its entirety could be found on YouTube, youtube.com/live/8qWGHwJnXRI?si=oBExKLxM-dGGYuxp.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413324", "Brick Times article on Smith efforts to get dangerous Manasquan Inlet sand dredged'Dredging Begins On Manasquan Inlet To Remove Built-Up Sand'", "2024-08-22", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "The two-mile-long manmade channel is located within the boundaries of Point Pleasant Borough and became navigable in 1926. The waterway connects the Manasquan River and the Barnegat Bay.\n\nCrews from the Corps started dredging the waterway on August 6, with a goal to remove the sand built-up on the Point Pleasant Beach side of the inlet, Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th).\n\nSmith had sent a letter to Lt. Col. Jeffrey Beeman, Commander, urging them to take immediate action as the inlet has become a hazard to vessels.\n\n\u201cThe build-up of sand on the Point Pleasant side of the inlet against the jetty has reached unprecedented proportions. As you know, this is not only a grounding hazard to vessels, but the waves created inside the inlet as a result of this shoaling are enough to capsize boats that regularly traverse the channel,\u201d Smith said.\n\nPoint Pleasant Beach Mayor Doug Vitale was also in contact with the Corps and addressed the safety concerns of the dangerous shoaling.\n\n\u201cI am aware of the sand shoaling on the south side of the inside of the Manasquan Inlet due in large part to the southerly wind we\u2019ve been having. I trust the U.S. Coast Guard is monitoring and will ensure safety of the Inlet,\u201d Vitale said. \u201cI am monitoring the situation as well and understand the gravity of the situation: safety, navigability, and the blockage it causes for our fishing industry.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am aware that Manasquan Inlet is categorized as a dynamic inlet with constantly shifting sands created by the currents, but this inlet beach is highly dangerous to navigation during the busiest boating time of the year on the Jersey Shore,\u201d Smith added.\n\nOn August 6, the Dredge Murden conducted two dredging cycles at Manasquan Inlet, the Corps said. They also noted that they will return soon for more dredging.\n\nDuring this time, residents and beachgoers are asked to remain off the sand bar at all times while work is being performed.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s important to note that the Manasquan inlet is dynamic and conditions within the inlet can rapidly change. Significant shoaling has frequently occurred within the Inlet and often dissipates due to changing wind/wave conditions,\u201d the Corps said in a statement. \u201cMariners should heed all warnings from the U.S. Coast Guard and proceed with caution. Additionally, people should avoid walking/recreating on the shoal given the dynamic nature of the inlet and sea conditions.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-hosts-annual-eagle-scout-award-event", "Kean Hosts Annual Eagle Scout Award Event", "2024-08-22", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(August 22, 2024) BERNARDSVILLE, NJ \u2013 Last Friday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) held his second annual Eagle Scout Award Event ceremony. Scouts from New Jersey's 7th Congressional District who have achieved or will achieve the rank of Eagle Scout between July 2023 and the end of 2024 were invited to attend. Additionally, parents, Scoutmasters and other adult scout leaders from across the district were also welcomed to join the celebration with their Scouts.\n\nAn Eagle Scout title is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America organization. To become an Eagle Scout, one must earn a total of 21 merit badges and demonstrate Scout spirit, service, and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that scouts plan, organize, lead, and manage.\n\n\u201cI am incredibly impressed by the talent and dedication of the Eagle Scouts in our district,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cEarning the title of Eagle Scout is no easy feat, and these young adults have every reason to be proud of their achievement. They are natural leaders with bright futures ahead of them. Congratulations to all the Eagle Scouts!\u201d\n\n\u201cThis is a really nice event,\u201d said Lily Harness of Summit. \u201cIt\u2019s great to see others in the community and meet other scouts. Thank you, Congressman Kean, for hosting this event.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis is a great way for all Eagle Scouts and upcoming Eagle Scouts to come together as a family and join together for one cause,\u201d said Akash Gopal of Budd Lake. \u201cIt was great how Congressman Kean acknowledged my Eagle project and all the other Eagle Scouts.\u201d\n\nThe event honored 17 Eagle Scouts who represented all six counties in New Jersey\u2019s 7th Congressional District. More than 50 people attended this event, including parents, grandparents, siblings, and adult scout leaders.\n\nTo view pictures from this event, click HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413321", "Meals on Wheels in Ocean and Monmouth deliver 600,000 meals to local seniors each year Smith urges robust federal funding for critical nutritional service programs like Meals on Wheels that help millions of American seniors in need", "2024-08-21", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "In a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) strongly advocated for robust federal funding for programs that provide critical nutritional services for seniors, including Meals on Wheels of Ocean and Monmouth Counties and other effective community-based initiatives that deliver hot meals to seniors in need.\n\n\u201cWith the appropriations process underway, I urge you to ensure that sufficient funding is provided for the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III-C Nutrition Services program\u2014a program that serves as an essential lifeline for millions of our nation\u2019s seniors, including many of my constituents,\u201d Smith wrote in his letter to Cole.\n\n\u201cAcross the nation, this critical funding allows over 260 million meals to be delivered to nearly 2.2 million seniors annually\u2014tens of thousands of whom live in New Jersey,\u201d said Smith. \u201cIn Ocean and Monmouth counties alone, Meals on Wheels delivers 600,000 meals each year to local seniors.\u201d\n\n\u201cNot only has the program delivered proven results in boosting seniors\u2019 nutritional and health outcomes, but it also offers significant support to those who wish to remain safe in their own homes as they continue to age,\u201d Smith said, noting that isolation can often be an issue for older Americans. \u201cThe need for these services is so great that, for many seniors, the meals they receive through this program constitute much of their daily food intake while also offering added socialization.\u201d\n\nSmith noted the effectiveness of the program, citing a recent survey conducted by Meals on Wheels of Ocean County, which delivers over 250,000 meals each year to local seniors. According to the study:\n\n\u00b7 99 percent of program participants feel more confident living independently receiving home delivered meals;\n\n\u00b7 97 percent are satisfied with the quality and variety of the food; and\n\n\u00b7 95 percent say receiving daily home delivered meals makes them feel less lonely.\n\n\u201cThese results speak to the clear impact of this program in helping our nation\u2019s seniors thrive,\u201d said Smith. \u201cStrengthened funding will allow this effective community-based program to continue making a difference for senior health, safety, and relational well-being.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413322", "On the passing of Bill Pascrell", "2024-08-21", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester), the Dean of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation, today issued the following statement on the passing of Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. of Paterson:\n\n\u201cBill\u2019s life was marked by steadfast public service to the people of his beloved state and country, having served in the U.S. Army and as a high school history teacher and adjunct professor before becoming a state assemblyman, mayor, and congressman.\n\nHe was dedicated to New Jersey families and an outspoken advocate especially for our law enforcement community, our firefighters, and our Nation\u2019s veterans.\n\nAs co-chair and founder of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, Bill also helped lead the charge to advance brain health. Earlier this year, I was proud to be the lead cosponsor of his resolution to designate a National Huntington\u2019s Disease Awareness Month to raise public awareness and support for those who suffer from this terrible degenerative brain disorder.\n\nMy wife Marie and I offer our prayers and condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-statement-passing-congressman-bill-pascrell-jr", "Kean Statement on the Passing of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.", "2024-08-21", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(August 21, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) released the following statement following the passing of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.\n\n\"Today, we mourn the loss of a great friend and colleague, Congressman Bill Pascrell. Bill was a dedicated public servant, a tireless advocate for his constituents, and a passionate supporter of firefighters. We worked closely together on many issues. My deepest condolences go out to his family during this difficult time. Bill will be dearly missed.\" - Congressman Tom Kean, Jr.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413326", "Manasquan-Belmar Patch news article:'Sea Girt Residents Fight Plans To Bring Wind Energy Ashore In Town'", "2024-08-20", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "\"The transmission cables that will be buried beneath community streets will carry 6,400 megawatts of power \u2014 10 times the electrical output of the recently closed Oyster Creek nuclear plant,\" wrote the group here on their website. \"Based on our research, no project of this magnitude has been tested and proven safe anywhere in the world.\"\n\nThe high-voltage electric cables will run within 10-15 yards of homes and recreational facilities, by three schools and underneath the Coast to Capital Bike Trail, the residents say.\n\nThe group says not enough people in Monmouth County know this is being proposed. Monday night's meeting was originally planned to be in person, but the group said they had to move it online due to the crowd size.\n\nMonday night's meeting was attended by Congressman, Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester), who has been vocal in trying to stop wind farms off the Jersey Shore. The meeting was also attended by Manasquan Mayor Michael Mangan, Sea Girt Mayor Donald Fetzer, Monmouth/Ocean county Assemblyman Paul Kanitra, Mike Dean from Save the East Coast, Cindy Zipf from Clean Ocean Action and Keith Moore from Defend Brigantine Beach.\n\n\u201cWe know that without a change in plans, the communities of Sea Girt, Wall, Howell and Manasquan \u2014 who are being forced to host the huge cables coming off the wind turbines \u2014 will be the next victims,\u201d said Smith. \u201cThe work needed on these projects \u2014 which could last for years and will inevitably require ongoing maintenance \u2014 will indefinitely turn neighborhoods into hazardous construction zones.\"\n\n\u201cWe can\u2019t find an example anywhere in the world where this much power is landing on a beach and running within 15-20 yards of homes, schools and recreation areas,\u201d said Kimberly Paterson, one of the founding members of StopTheHighRiskPowerCables.org. \u201cResidents should not be expected to be guinea pigs in New Jersey\u2019s high-risk experiment.\u201d\n\nConstruction of the onshore infrastructure in Monmouth County is scheduled to begin in 2025, and a contractor is expected to chosen this September.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413316", "More than 500 residents tune in to community meeting Local experts and public officials inform residents about the dangers of high-powered transmission cables that will disrupt Sea Girt and other Jersey Shore towns", "2024-08-19", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "At a community education meeting today in Manasquan, Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) and a host of experts and public officials informed local residents about the dangers of high-powered transmission cables that are slated to make landfall in Sea Girt and continue through Manasquan, Wall, and Howell as part of the planned Atlantic Shores South offshore wind project.\n\n\u201cThe reckless push by the Biden and Murphy Administrations to stand-up expensive and expansive industrial wind farms in size and scope never seen before\u2014without real review, examination, or most importantly, local input\u2014is appalling,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cWe know that without a change in plans, the communities of Sea Girt, Wall, Howell and Manasquan\u2014who are being forced to host the huge cables coming off the wind turbines\u2014will be the next victims,\u201d said Smith, who noted the cables would transmit energy from 195 offshore wind turbines off Atlantic City.\n\nThe event was organized by Stop the High-Risk Power Cables, a local group of residents working to raise awareness about the dangerous cables. Although originally planned to be an in-person meeting, the event had to be moved largely online after drawing overwhelming interest from members of the local community, far exceeding venue capacity.\n\n\u201cWe can\u2019t find an example anywhere in the world where this much power is landing on a beach and running within 15-20 yards of homes, schools and recreation areas,\u201d said Kimberly Paterson, one of the founding members of StopTheHighRiskPowerCables.org. \u201cThe regulatory agencies\u2019 and developers\u2019 documents acknowledge there is a risk but they are charging ahead anyway. Residents should not be expected to be guinea pigs in New Jersey\u2019s high-risk experiment.\u201d\n\nIn addition to Smith, a wide-range of experts and local officials also presented at the meeting, including Manasquan Mayor Michael Mangan; Sea Girt Mayor Donald Fetzer; Assemblyman Paul Kanitra; Mike Dean from Save the East Coast; Cindy Zipf from Clean Ocean Action; and Keith Moore from Defend Brigantine Beach.\n\n\u201cThe work needed on these projects\u2014which could last for years and will inevitably require ongoing maintenance\u2014will indefinitely turn neighborhoods into hazardous construction zones,\u201d said Smith, who noted that residential roads would have to be torn up to place trenches for the powerlines, running past schools, homes, small businesses and parks.\n\n\u201cThe impact on local landscapes\u2014personal, public and commercial properties\u2014is simply unknown,\u201d said Smith, citing a study by Dr. Jochen Fricke on a similar project in Germany that found these cables can carry so much excess heat they can dry out the earth\u2019s soil.\n\nIn Congress, Smith has been leading the fight to hold the federal agencies overseeing the massive, unprecedented offshore wind projects accountable and demanding total transparency from top federal officials over the disastrous risks posed by the projects.\n\nLast year, Smith\u2019s legislation to require the Federal Aviation Administration to certify the impact of offshore wind on radar for commercial and defense aircraft was passed by the House.\n\nAdditionally, Smith secured an independent investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) into the impacts that the wind turbines will have on the environment, fishing industry, military operations, radar, navigational safety and more. The ongoing audit by the congressional watchdog is expected to be completed this fall.\n\n\u201cThese potential problems with the high-powered cables are just the latest concerns highlighted by local residents that big government and big corporate interests are kicking to the side to push through potentially unsafe, untested systems\u2014push through with unimaginable speed and disregard for the caution signs along the way and putting human and sea life at grave risk,\u201d Smith said.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-introduces-presidential-security-bill-bridge-crucial-gaps-funding", "Kean Introduces Presidential Security Bill to Bridge Crucial Gaps in Funding", "2024-08-19", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(August 19, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) has introduced the Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024, a bill to authorize Secret Service to reimburse State and local governments for the use of services, personnel, equipment and facilities.\n\nFollowing the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump on July 13, 2024, the Secret Service has requested enhanced protections for past presidents and presidential candidates during travel, as well as increased security measures for major public events, to ensure the safety of all involved and prevent further threats. Currently, when Secret Service utilizes local resources for additional security, the funding comes out of the local government\u2019s budget, a cost that is not always accounted for or reimbursed, which strains local funds and resources.\n\nThe Trump National Bedminster is located in the 7th Congressional District of New Jersey.\n\n\u201cThe Secret Service can fully accomplish their mission when they have robust partnerships with local law enforcement agencies,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cCurrently, a significant amount of that partnership is funded by small-town taxpayers and local budgets. I wrote this commonsense legislation to ensure that adequate resources are readily available to supplement each and every security plan. The Secret Service protects Americans leaders and must execute that function flawlessly every day.\"\n\n\u201cI recently called Congressman Kean when the Secret Service made a request of our township for additional law enforcement resources to supplement the protection around Trump National Golf Club and to dedicate township fire and first aid resources to the property,\u201d said Larry Jacobs, Mayor of Bedminster. \u201cBedminster has always been willing to step up and answer the call to keep every resident in our town safe, and that includes the former President. We fully appreciate the Secret Service\u2019s request, especially in light of the July 13th assassination attempt. However, this request could easily run into six figures and is simply too much for our small town to foot. The Congressman\u2019s \u2018Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024\u2019 is the exact solution to bridge the gap that my town, and I am sure towns across our country are experiencing in these unique circumstances. I thank Congressman Kean for leading to get this fixed.\u201d\n\n\u201cSomerset County is always ready to support the Secret Service when needed to protect a President or other dignitary, and understands the vital role local law enforcement and first responders play,\u201d said Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Robinson. \u201cMobilizing at the levels required, however, often comes at significant fiscal cost to local governments and we are fully on board with this legislation to authorize reimbursements to local law enforcement for their patriotic services.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe cannot allow government bureaucracy to play politics with the safety of high-profile leaders,\u201d said State Senator Doug Steinhardt. \u201cThe near-assassination former President Trump was an awful wakeup call that security measures and partnerships need to be fortified. I will be working hard to make sure all levels of government are working in lock step to keep President Trump safe at Bedminster.\u201d\n\nFull text of the bill can be found HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413319", "TAPInto article on wind farm risks'The High Cost of Offshore Wind: What NJ Residents & Businesses Need to Know ''", "2024-08-18", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "By Jim Lonergan - Editor\n\nAt a recent field hearing in Brigantine, Congressmen Jeff Van Drew (D-2) and Chris Smith (D4) led a discussion on the implications of the proposed offshore wind programs. They were joined by PA Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10) and a panel of experts to provide their viewpoints to New Jersey residents about the potential impact of these initiatives. This article, part of the TAPinto Gold Coast offshore wind energy series, is focused on the possible financial effects offshore wind energy may have on households and businesses statewide.\n\nTo clarify the funding basis and the New Jersey Board of Public Utility's (NJBPU) role in offshore wind development, former NJBPU President and Commissioner Joanne Solomon explained: \"The NJBPU is tasked with ensuring safe, reliable utility service at reasonable rates. Essentially, the Board functions as an economic regulator. While they don\u2019t set policy on energy sources, they are required to implement legislative directives. The legislation authorizing offshore wind development mandates that there must be a net benefit to ratepayers\u2014encompassing reliability, safety, environmental attributes, and economic development. In short, the benefits must outweigh the costs. However, the proposals received for offshore wind are significantly more expensive than conventional energy resources.\"\n\nConcerns about the economic viability of offshore wind projects came to the forefront when Orsted, the developer, canceled the first two New Jersey offshore wind projects citing a \"lack of economic viability,\" according to Orsted's CEO (click HERE for related article).\n\nFinancial Impact to NJ Taxpayers\n\nIndependent energy expert Ed O'Donnell of Whitestrand Consulting LLC who has studied, written, and testified about Offshore Wind Energy told TAPinto Gold Coast \"Offshore Wind is not economically viable without major subsidies in the form of Federal Tax credits and guaranteed above market utility prices for power generated.\" There are four main components of costs: 1) NJ Electric Power generated (i.e. rate payers) 2) NJ transmission ratepayers 3) Federal subsidies, (i.e. US taxpayers throughout the country 4) and as O'Donnell said \"a major element that has not been factored into NJ's cost/benefits analysis - the massive rebuild of the power grid, which in its current state is not built to handle this new power.\"\n\nPower generation costs: O'Donnell's analysis shows that the gap between subsidized offshore wind power prices and market prices is expected to grow from $42/MWh (4.2 cents/kWh) in 2030 to $144/MWh (14.4 cents/kWh) by 2047\u2014a 243% increase as more offshore wind energy is added to the grid. The NJBPU has been instructed to award above-market Offshore Renewable Energy Credits (ORECs) to attract offshore wind producers. The NJ Rate Counsel, an independent state agency, has also raised concerns about the rising costs of offshore wind and its impact on ratepayers, urging lawmakers to reconsider or slow down the expansion as \"ratepayers simply cannot afford drastically higher electric bills.\u2019\u2019 (click HERE for more detail). In speaking with Director Lipman, he added, \"Rate Counsel is closely watching the ongoing offshore wind proceedings and remains concerned about the cost of offshore wind, as well as all the other costs faced by ratepayers,\"\n\nAccording to Whitestrand Consulting LLC, the chart below depicts the projected market price of energy (PJM)- a power pool of energy between NJ, PA, and MD - vs offshore wind pricing (OREC) with the above market subsidies factored in from 2030 (the initial projected start time of offshore wind going online) - through 2047. The gap between market rates and the new wind rates is $141/MWH or almost 3X the market expense.\n\nTransmission Costs: Below is a visual of the impact on energy rates without offshore wind and with offshore wind in the mix based on the analysis done by O'Donnell, according to Whitestrand Consulting LLC. As the chart shows, the added offshore wind costs progressively increase.\n\nIn 2022, the average New Jersey residential customer paid 16.4 cents/kwh for electricity, the 9th highest in the US and 20% higher than the national average according to the US Energy Information Administration. O'Donnell projects these rates to rise to 32 cents/kwh by 2047, or 2X current rates or over $1,000/yr to the average residential customer. According to Whitestrand Consulting LLC, the graph below depicts the doubling of annual charges the average New Jersey residential customer will face.\n\nWhitestrand Consulting LLC says that for commercial ratepayers, their rates will increase to almost $8,300 per year by 2047, or $95,000 over the period 2028-2047. For industrial companies, it is estimated their rates will see an annual increase of over $70,000 and pay $796,000 for the period of 2028 to 2047. Here is a visual of the cost impact of conventional energy vs Wind Energy to all customer types:\n\nFederal Subsidies: Currently, New Jersey utility ratepayers cover their own energy costs through usage-based power generation, transmission rates, and maintenance of the electric infrastructure. However, federal subsidies are now being used to attract offshore wind companies, many of which are large global oil corporations. As O'Donnell and the Biden and Murphy Administrations have pointed out, these subsidies are crucial because, without them, offshore wind projects would not be viable. This result of federal subsidies is that all U.S. taxpayers would essentially be funding the electric utility expenses of a few coastal states, including New Jersey.\n\nSolomon noted, \"One developer has already withdrawn their bid because the state wouldn't provide enough subsidies to ensure a profit. Despite this, the current NJBPU board continues to push forward with additional solicitations, further driving up the cost of offshore wind with each new round.\" O'Donnell added, \"It's absurd that the NJBPU keeps soliciting more bids because developers can't make enough money with the terms they've already accepted. They just keep coming back to NJBPU and other states until they reach a profitable level they're happy with.\" TAPinto Gold Coast provided NJBPU with the opportunity to comment but did not receive a response by press time. TAPinto Gold Coast will update the story should a response be received.\n\nO'Donnell explains, that what hasn\u2019t been factored into these cost estimates is the required rebuild of New Jersey's electric grid. O'Donnell said, \"The existing transmission network in NJ is incompatible with the Governor\u2019s offshore wind plan. The current grid isn\u2019t designed to handle the energy influx at its easternmost edge from a significant amount of offshore wind power. The state's Energy Master Plan (EMP) acknowledges that the grid will need major investments to upgrade and expand the network to support renewable energy and offshore wind programs. The NJBPU has been tasked with overseeing the planning for this and has begun the planning expansion by conducting periodic solicitations for transmission system upgrades and additions.\"\n\nIn May, energy policy expert Mark Mills, Director of the National Center for Energy Analytics, teamed up with the Garden State Initiative (GSI) on a research report that analyzed the goals and challenges of New Jersey's Energy Master Plan (EMP). According to the report, \"the plan is purely aspirational, and the report painstakingly proves that. The unrealistic nature of implementing this plan doesn't even take into account the price tag - which we estimate at $40 billion, and would drive even more people and jobs out of the state\" said Audrey Lane of GSI.\n\nCongressman Van Drew remarked, \"The current administration in New Jersey is determined to push forward with offshore wind development, regardless of the cost. By subsidizing an industry\u2014wind energy\u2014that is largely controlled by foreign companies, we risk becoming dependent on these nations for our energy needs. This means that not only will your federal tax dollars be used to subsidize their projects, but your utility rates will also be influenced by these companies.\"\n\nThis article was originally published on August 18, 2024 by TAPInto Gold Coast, which serves Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Sea Girt, Manasquan and Brielle and can be found online at https://www.tapinto.net/towns/gold-coast/sections/government/articles/the-high-cost-of-offshore-wind-what-nj-residents-businesses-need-to-know.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413318", "'Over 60 million pounds of sand dug from Manasquan Inlet shoal; here's where it's going'", "2024-08-15", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' dredge boat Murden has vacuumed up about 20,000 cubic yards of sand out of the Manasquan Inlet so far as it works to dig out the dangerous shoal that formed this summer.\n\nThat converts to about 64 million pounds of wet sand removed from the inlet since the work began in earnest this past weekend. The job is not complete, so the final total figures to be higher once the shoal is completely removed.\n\nThe Murden, which is a 156-foot split hull hopper dredge, has a capacity of 500 cubic yards, said Army Corps' Philadelphia District spokesperson Stephen Rochette. However, for ease of transport, they're only filling it up with 400 cubic yards of sand per cycle.\n\nThe Army Corps received several calls for help from stakeholders, including U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., after the shoaling in the Manasquan Inlet returned to the Point Pleasant Beach side of the inlet for the second time in three years. The last time was 2022.\n\nFishing boat captains who use the inlet daily to leave the Manasquan River and enter the Atlantic Ocean said the shoal was the worst it has ever been.\n\nCapt. William Egeter Jr. of the Dauntless party boat described the shoal as a \"beach\" that reached out to about one third of the mouth of the inlet, presenting a navigational hazard to boaters.\n\nThe Army Corps and locally elected leaders are also warning people to stay off the shoal.\n\nThe sand is being deposited just offshore of Manasquan's Riddle Way beach, which is four beaches north of the inlet. Rochette said they chose that spot because it\u2019s relatively close to the inlet for quick transport, and secondly because the sand drifts north from there, so it supports Manasquan beaches without going back into the inlet. Lastly, it is within the \u2018depth of closure,\u2019 meaning it\u2019s within the zone that will eventually migrate toward the beach.\n\nHow we got here:Army Corps will stay and complete dredging Manasquan Inlet's dangerous shoal\n\nRochette said if they place the sand outside the 'depth of closure,\" it basically won't reach the beach.\n\nWhat's taking so long?Ortley Beach, other Ocean County towns badly need new beach sand\n\nThe likely cause of the shoal has been the persistent south wind and swells this summer, which pushes the sand in, according to the Army Corps. It was the same dynamic that likely caused the shoaling in 2022, the Army Corps said.\n\n\"(In) time periods with persistent southerlies, the sand can move quickly into the inlet,\" Rochette told the press in a previous story.\n\nCritics of beach replenishment say those projects have resulted in excess sand drifting north. The Army Corps last completed beach replenishment south of Manasquan Inlet on the Barnegat Peninsula in 2019, according to Rochette. That project ended one mile south of Manasquan Inlet, Rochette said. He said the majority of the sand was placed south of what the Corps called the \"nodal zone,\" where the dominant transport of sand shifts.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413311", "Asbury Park Press news article on Rep. Smith efforts to press Army Corps of Engineers to make important NJ waterway safer'Army Corps to stay, dredge Manasquan Inlet shoal'", "2024-08-12", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Dan Radel\n\nAsbury Park Press/USA TODAY NETWORK JERSEY -\n\nThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineer\u2019s 56-foot split-hull hopper dredge Murden will stay put and resume pumping the sand that has built up on the Point Pleasant Beach side of the Manasquan Inlet.\n\nArmy Corps\u2019 Philadelphia District spokesperson Stephen Rochette said the Murden will resume dredging operations possibly this weekend, depending on sea conditions, and remain for one to two weeks. The Shore was facing the effects of Tropical Storm Debby on Friday, which brought gusty winds and strong seas to area on Friday.\n\nIn response to rapid shoaling on the inside of the inlet\u2019s south jetty, the Army Corps completed hydrographic surveys on Aug. 6. The Army Corps said the surveys have been shared with the U.S. Coast Guard and are available to mariners on the Army Corps\u2019 website.\n\nAdditionally, the Murden did complete two cycles of dredging on Aug. 6, but work was stopped due to a coastal storm.\n\nThe Murden, which is owned and operated by the Army Corps\u2019 Wilmington District, was already stationed on the Manasquan Inlet but was doing work on the Shark River. It has now been diverted to the Manasquan Inlet.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful to the USACE Wilmington, New England and New York Districts for their flexibility and rearranging dredging operations at other locations to enable this work to move forward this weekend as opposed to later in the month when it was originally scheduled,\u201d said Army Corps\u2019 Philadelphia District Commander Lt. Col. Jeffrey Beeman. \u201cI also want to thank our survey crews and the Murden crew for their efforts.\u201d\n\nThe Army Corps received several calls for help from stakeholders, including U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., after the shoaling in the Manasquan Inlet returned for the second time in three years. Fishing boat captains who use the inlet daily to leave the Manasquan River and enter the Atlantic Ocean said the shoal was the worst it has ever been.\n\nCapt. William Egeter Jr. of the Dauntless party boat described it as a \u201cbeach\u201d that reached out to about one third of the mouth of the inlet, presenting a navigational hazard to boaters.\n\nAs far as the cause of the shoaling, the Army Corps said Manasquan Inlet is dynamic and conditions within the inlet can rapidly change. Significant shoaling has frequently occurred within the Inlet and often dissipates due to changing wind and wave conditions. The conditions this summer were similar to 2022, the last time the shoal formed, with persistent south wind and swells.\n\nSome critics of beach replenishment say those projects have resulted in excess sand drifting north. The Army Corps last completed beach replenishment south of Manasquan Inlet on the Barnegat Peninsula in 2019, according to Rochette. That project ended one mile south of Manasquan Inlet, Rochette said. He said the majority of the sand was placed south of what the Corps called the \u201cnodal zone,\u201d where the dominant transport of sand shifts.\n\n\u201cThe fact is the fillet \u2014 the area south of the jetty \u2014 along the south jetty in Point Pleasant Beach has historically been full prior to and after the beachfill, and in time periods with persistent southerlies, the sand can move quickly into the inlet,\u201d Rochette said.\n\nIn the 1920s, the natural inlet completely sanded in after the Point Pleasant Canal was dug, forcing the Corps to stabilize the waterway and construct the present inlet.\n\nThe above article was published in the Aug. 12, 2024 print edition of the Asbury Park Press on page 3, and can be found online at:\n\nhttps://www.app.com/story/news/local/land-environment/2024/08/09/manasquan-inlet-shoal-us-army-corps-of-engineers-murden/74738065007/\n\nWebsite manager's Note:\n\nThe Army Corps\u2019 action comes after Smith initiated conversations with Army Corps officials and local boat captains over the Aug. 3-4 weekend as the shoaling began to develop. In a follow-up letter to Army Corps Commander Lt. Col. Jeffrey Beeman on Monday, Aug. 5, Smith urged the Corps to take immediate action to mitigate the growing navigational hazard. As a result, the Corps performed a survey of the inlet floor earlier today and immediately began removing the build-up of sand.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-introduces-bill-help-expand-access-ivf-treatments", "Kean Introduces Bill to Help Expand Access to IVF Treatments", "2024-08-09", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(August 9, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) introduced the IVF for Families Act, a bill to provide an income tax credit for the costs of certain fertility treatment. A recent study revealed that a single IVF cycle\u2014defined as ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval and embryo transfer\u2014can range from $15,000 to $30,000, depending on the center and the patient\u2019s individual medication needs. Medications can account for up to 35% of those charges.\n\n\u201cEveryone knows a neighbor, colleague, or friend who has struggled when trying to grow their family and benefited from IVF,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cI have heard firsthand from constituents of the many emotional and financial struggles that they face throughout this process. Making this remarkable technology more accessible can and will change countless lives for the better. I will continue to support a woman\u2019s right to choose and am proud to introduce this bill to provide greater support to those who need help growing their family.\u201d\n\nCongressman Kean is a cosponsor of H.Res.1037, a resolution to support protection of IVF treatments led by Congresswoman Chavez-Deremer and a cosponsor of H.R.9141, a bill to help families more effectively plan and manage medical expenses, including IVF, led by Congresswoman Cammack.\n\nFull text of the bill can be found HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-visits-fy25-community-project-funding-site-washington-township", "Kean Visits FY25 Community Project Funding Site in Washington Township", "2024-08-09", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(August 9, 2024) WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) toured the Washington Township Police Department in Morris County ahead of the FY25 appropriations discussion to gain insight into local law enforcement needs and priorities. Congressman Kean requested $560,000 for Washington Township in this year\u2019s FY25 appropriation process. This funding would be used for communication technology upgrades for emergency operations of the police department to allow the agency to meet the growing needs of the community.\n\n\u201cAs we move forward with the FY25 appropriations discussion, I am committed to securing $560,000 for Washington Township,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cThis funding will be instrumental in upgrading communication technology for emergency operations, ensuring the Washington Township Police Department is equipped to meet the evolving needs of our community effectively and efficiently.\"\n\n\u201cWe appreciate the hard work and dedication of our Police Department to ensure the residents of Washington Township live in one of the safest towns in New Jersey,\u201d said Matthew Murello, Washington Township Mayor. \u201cThis funding included in the federal budget by Congressman Kean will help to support the infrastructure of our police department\u2019s headquarters building.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am honored that the Congressman would take the time to visit our headquarters and take the time to see how the grant money would be used,\u201d said Jeffrey Almer, Washington Township Police Chief. \u201cI also want to thank Mayor Matt Murello for his hard work on this as well. I am exceptionally proud of my officers and the department, and this will help us continue to be one of the best with one of the finest facilities.\u201d\n\nCongressman Kean requested 15 projects in this year\u2019s appropriation process. To view the full list, click HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413309", "On the 10th anniversary of the Goldman Act", "2024-08-08", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) today issued the following statement marking the 10th anniversary of the enactment of the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act:\n\n\u201cTen years ago today, the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act\u2014which I authored to help bring home American children who have been abducted overseas\u2014was enacted into law.\n\nWhile the \u2018Goldman Act\u2019 is helping to reunite families and prevent possible future abductions, many left-behind parents have been waiting far too long to see their kids again as the U.S. State Department fails to employ the full range of powerful tools at its disposal.\n\nAt a hearing I will chair in September, we will be asking the hard questions and pressing the State Department and other U.S. officials to take bolder action on behalf of these left-behind parents, especially those whose children have been abducted to Japan.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413315", "NJ.com article on new adult autism school Smith helped with fed grant'This N.J. college is launching an academy for adults with autism'", "2024-08-08", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "MIDDLETOWN, NJ , Aug 8, 2024\n\nNJ. com Everything New Jersey - Powered by Star Ledger\n\nBrookdale Community College is developing a program that will equip adults who are on the autism spectrum with a variety of life skills, from meal preparation to financial literacy.\n\nThe Achieve Academy for Adults with Autism, which is slated to begin taking clients in 2025 at Brookdale\u2019s satellite campus in Wall, seeks to fill a gap in services for individuals with special needs who are no longer eligible to receive public school-provided support.\n\n\u201cIn New Jersey, a child with autism is allowed to be in school until they turn 21,\u201d said Eileen Shaklee, an autism advocate and board member of Monmouth Ocean Foundation for Children, which has been working to develop the academy for a decade. \u201cWhat happens after 21 is what a lot of parents like myself kind of call the cliff, because you\u2019re leaving school where you had all these services, lots of reinforcements, lots of supports, and then there\u2019s nothing.\u201d\n\nRep. Chris Smith assisted in securing a $400,000 federal grant for the project, which will be used to furnish the academy, according to the release\n\nThe Achieve Academy for Adults with Autism celebrated the completion of its facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 16. The academy will begin serving clients in 2025.Brookdale Community College\n\n\u201cOne of the most important things for someone who\u2019s on the spectrum is to have a consistent support system that can reinforce skills like life skills, being independent in your home,\u201d Shaklee added.\n\nFor Shaklee, her passion for the academy is fueled by her own experiences as a parent to a child with autism, who will soon turn 21. \u201cI\u2019ve been selfishly motivated to get this thing off the ground, and it\u2019s because of my son,\u201d she said.\n\nShaklee said there is a lack of programs offered for adults with autism to engage in meaningful work and contribute to the community.\n\n\u201cThere are various programs out there that are more care-based. They\u2019re making sure that the person is safe. A child like mine, he needs more interaction, more purpose,\u201d she said.\n\nThe academy will have a mock apartment, where clients will learn basic skills, such as making a bed, doing laundry and preparing simple meals, Shaklee said. The program will also provide job coaching, and even take clients into the community to gain work experience in different roles.\n\nThe academy will also have a space that mimics a restaurant, where students will make coffee or treats for the Brookdale community, according to a news release.\n\n\u201cWe want to make sure that we\u2019re providing all of the tools to them that they will need to be successful in their individual communities,\u201d said Linda Jordan, the academy\u2019s director.\n\nJordan said the Monmouth Ocean Foundation for Children has been instrumental in securing grants and donations to fund the academy. \u201cThey really have just poured their heart and souls into getting this program up and running,\u201d Jordan said.\n\nWhen the program launches next year, Shaklee said it will start with a cohort of about 10 clients, and eventually expand to at least 40.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s been a very long process and it\u2019s so satisfying to see where it is right now,\u201d Shaklee said. \u201cYou plant those seeds and you hope they grow into a really big tree \u2014 and it\u2019s looking good.\u201d\n\nThis article was published on Aug. 8, 2024 by the Star Ledger/NJ.com and the original can be found at:\n\nThis N.J. college is launching an academy for adults with autism - nj.com", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-visits-fy25-community-project-funding-site-phillipsburg", "Kean Visits FY25 Community Project Funding Site in Phillipsburg", "2024-08-08", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(August 8, 2024) PHILLIPSBURG, NJ \u2013 Last week, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) toured the Delaware River Park with Phillipsburg Mayor Randy Piazza, Warren County Commissioner Director James Kern, and local leaders ahead of the FY25 appropriations discussion to gain insight into the potential impact and benefits of the proposed park revitalization. Congressman Kean requested $2,400,000 for the Town of Phillipsburg in this year\u2019s FY25 appropriation process. This funding would be used for revitalizing the existing Delaware River Park to be reused for recreational purposes. The project would focus on building recreation fields and resume services for the youth of the community.\n\n\u201cLocal leaders in Phillipsburg have a fantastic vision for revitalizing the existing Delaware River Park,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cThis project would create several new spaces for the entire community to come together and I will continue to fight in Congress to get this funding across the finish line.\u201d\n\n\"On behalf of the entire town of Phillipsburg, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Congressman Kean for taking the time to visit and tour the site where his support in this year's appropriation process is making a real difference,\" said Randy Piazza, Mayor of Phillipsburg. \"Congressman Kean's dedication and commitment to our community are truly appreciated, and we are grateful for your ongoing efforts to help Phillipsburg thrive. Thank you for always being a champion for our town and for the invaluable role you play in our community's progress.\"\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful Congressman Kean was able to visit Phillipsburg last week to view and hear about the potential of Delaware River Park,\u201d said James Kern, Warren County Commissioner Director. \u201cThis site has the opportunity to be a major attraction for not only residents of Phillipsburg but the surrounding communities as well.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe in Phillipsburg are extremely grateful to Congressman Kean for his vision and commitment to the well-being and development of our community,\u201d said Patrick Kays, Director of Municipal Services. \u201cThe revitalization of this park will enhance the lives of our residents in clear and meaningful ways. This project, along with Rails to Trails and other initiatives here along the Delaware, represent the next major step in our community working together with local, state and federal leaders to reclaim our future\u2014built upon our storied past.\u201d\n\nCongressman Kean requested 15 projects in this year\u2019s appropriation process. To view the full list, click HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413312", "News12 NJ on Army Corps of Engineers work prompted by Smith'Operations to clear shoal in Point Pleasant Beach to begin soon'", "2024-08-07", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "'Locals say it might be dangerous to boaters and those who use watercraft.'\n\nOCEAN COUNTY, NJ , Aug 7, 2024\n\nNews12 NJ\n\nNews12NJ Report Tony Caputo\n\nNews 12 continues to keep an eye on the unexpected shoal (sandbank) that developed after this past weekend's storm in Point Pleasant Beach, Ocean County.\n\nThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers responded to Rep. Chris Smith's request for help on Monday, saying the dredge boat \u201cMurden\u201d is scheduled to be in the area later this month.\n\nLocals say it might be dangerous to boaters and those who use watercraft.\n\nIt could also negatively affect the local seafood businesses if they can't get their fishing boats in and out.\n\nThis news article and video was published on Aug. 6, 2024 and subsequently updated several times and can be online at found at:\n\nhttps://newjersey.news12.com/operations-to-clear-shoal-in-point-pleasant-beach-to-begin-soon", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413314", "Star Ledger/NJ.com article'Work underway to remove gigantic sandbar from Jersey Shore inlet, officials say'", "2024-08-07", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "MANASQUAN RIVER, NJ, Aug 7, 2024\n\nNJ. com Everything New Jersey - Powered by Star Ledger\n\nNJ.com logo\n\nStar Ledger logo\n\nThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began work Tuesday to remove the massive build-up of sand on the southern shore of the Manasquan Inlet that has concerned multiple local officials, authorities said.\n\nCrews from the Corps have started dredging the waterway and removing the sand on the Point Pleasant Beach side of the inlet, according to Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist.\n\nIn a follow-up letter to Army Corps Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Beeman on Monday, Smith urged the Corps to take immediate action to mitigate what his office called a \u201cgrowing navigational hazard.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are very grateful to Lt. Col. Beeman and his team from the Philadelphia Army Corps for their quick response to our concerns over the dangerous shoaling in the Manasquan Inlet that poses serious navigational hazards to boaters during this especially busy time of the year on the Jersey Shore,\u201d Smith said in a release. \u201c(Point Pleasant Beach) Mayor (Doug) Vitale was also quick to help ensure that this important safety issue was raised and addressed as soon as possible.\u201d\n\nSmith added that while the weather and sea conditions would likely impact the dredging and sand removal efforts, he was confident the \u201cArmy Corps will continue to see this critical operation through to its end as quickly as possible.\u201d\n\nThe congressman said that in the meantime, beachgoers should remain off the sand bar at all times as the work being done by the Corps could make the shoal extremely unstable and unsafe.\n\nA spokesman from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Monday it was working to obtain hydrographic surveys of the current inlet conditions. Once they were completed, they would be posted online for mariners to access and would be shared with the Coast Guard.\n\nThat survey was completed earlier Tuesday, Smith said.\n\nThe same spokesman said Tuesday that the dredge crew did two cycles before the bad weather hit and that dredging would resume likely early next week when sea conditions allow for it. More dredging be done later this month as well.\n\nIt was unclear how long it would take the Corps to complete the dredging and removal of the shoal, which was likely formed \u201cdue in large part to the southerly wind we\u2019ve been having,\u201d Vitale wrote on his Facebook page. An Army Corps spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for additional information Tuesday.\n\nThis article was published by the Star Ledger/NJ.com on Aug. 7, 2024 and can be found online at:\n\nhttps://www.nj.com/monmouth/2024/08/work-underway-to-remove-gigantic-sandbar-from-nj-inlet-officials-say.htmlhttps://www.nj.com/monmouth/2024/08/work-underway-to-remove-gigantic-sandbar-from-nj-inlet-officials-say.html", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413303", "Army Corps begins dredging Manasquan Inlet to address dangerous build-up of sand", "2024-08-06", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has begun dredging the Manasquan Inlet today to address the dangerous build-up of sand along the jetty on the Point Pleasant Beach side of channel, said Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester), who has been in constant communication with Army Corps officials on board the USACE Dredge Murden.\n\n\u201cWe are very grateful to Lt. Col. Beeman and his team from the Philadelphia Army Corps for their quick response to our concerns over the dangerous shoaling in the Manasquan Inlet that poses serious navigational hazards to boaters during this especially busy time of the year on the Jersey Shore,\u201d said Smith. \u201cMayor Vitale was also quick to help ensure that this important safety issue was raised and addressed as soon as possible.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith a storm coming in later today, weather and sea conditions may impact their ongoing work, but I am confident that the Army Corps will continue to see this critical operation through to its end as quickly as possible,\u201d Smith said.\n\n\u201cIn the meantime, beachgoers should remain off the sandbar at all times as the removal of sand in the inlet could make the temporary sandbar extremely unstable and unsafe,\u201d Smith said. \u201cSafety is the absolute number one priority.\u201d\n\nThe Army Corps\u2019 action comes after Smith initiated conversations with Army Corps officials and local boat captains over the weekend as the shoaling began to develop.\n\nIn a follow-up letter to Army Corps Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Beeman on Monday, Smith urged the Corps to take immediate action to mitigate the growing navigational hazard.\n\nAs a result, the Corps performed a survey of the inlet floor earlier today and immediately began removing the build-up of sand.\n\nManasquan Inlet, which is categorized as a dynamic inlet with constantly shifting sands created by the currents, has been prone to shoaling before. When similar safety hazards plagued the Manasquan Inlet in August 2022, Smith secured an emergency survey of the inlet from the Army Corps in addition to continued, close monitoring of the river floor to ensure the channel remained navigable.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413313", "NJ101.5 news article on Manasquan Inlet, Smith's call for USACE to fix ASAP'NJ boating: Extremely dangerous conditions develop off Pt. Pleasant Beach NJ'", "2024-08-06", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "By Dan Alexander / NJ101.5 staff reporter -\n\nA large sandbar that has developed along the Point Pleasant Beach side of the Manasquan Inlet may be getting attention before it grows any further.\n\nMayor Doug Vitale said in a statement on his Facebook page the shoaling was likely caused by constant southerly winds in recent weeks. Fishing boat Capt. William Egerter Jr. told the Asbury Park Press that the sandbar is taking up a third of the channel connecting the Manasquan River and the Atlantic Ocean.\n\n\u201cThe build-up of sand on the Point Pleasant side of the inlet against the jetty has reached unprecedented proportions,\u201d U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. 4th District, said in a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers. \u201cThis is not only a grounding hazard to vessels, but the waves created inside the inlet as a result of this shoaling are enough to capsize boats that regularly traverse the channel.\u201d\n\nALSO READ: The latest on Debby: Day-by-day heavy rain forecast for NJ\n\nThe congressman requested \"immediate corrective action\" by the Corp. Dredging was scheduled for the inlet this week but was postponed because of mechanical problems. He suggested a \"more urgent response\" was needed because of the busy summer season that brings increased recreational, for-hire and commerical vessel traffic.\n\nVitale said that the dredging vessel Murden is currently scheduled to conduct dredging operations within the inlet later this month and may bump up the operations depending on weather and sea conditions.\n\nThe mayor said people should not go onto the shoal because of the \"dynamic nature of the inlet and sea conditions.\"\n\nA similar shoal developed in 2022 even after being dredged twice. Wave action from a storm helped break down the sandbar that some described as a \"mini beach.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-visits-fy25-community-project-funding-site-hopatcong", "Kean Visits FY25 Community Project Funding Site in Hopatcong", "2024-08-05", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(August 5, 2024) HOPATCONG, NJ \u2013 Last week, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) met with Hopatcong Mayor Marie Galate ahead of the FY25 appropriations discussion to gain insight into the new lead service lines replacements in Hopatcong, Sussex County. Congressman Kean requested $1,000,000 for the Borough of Hopatcong in this year\u2019s FY25 appropriation process. This funding would be used for completing the initial phase of lead service line replacements along various roadways in Hopatcong.\n\n\u201cAfter visiting impacted neighborhoods and hearing firsthand the need for infrastructure improvements, I am even more committed to securing the funding for Hopatcong to replace the lead lines,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cThese replacements will ensure families throughout Hopatcong has access to clean, safe drinking water. I will continue to fiercely advocate to bring critical federal funding back to New Jersey to improve the lives of my constituents throughout 7th Congressional District, and beyond.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn behalf of the residents of Hopatcong Borough, we wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the hard work and dedication advocating for the funding needed to replace our lead service lines,\u201d said Marie Galate, Mayor of Hopatcong. \u201cThe generous Grant totaling $1,000,000 will provide significant relief to our residents, allowing them to successfully replace their lead service lines. This critical infrastructure improvement, ensures, safer, drinking water, and healthier environment for all the residents of Hopatcong. We are grateful to Congressmen Tom Kean for his dedication to public safety and health and welfare of our community.\u201d\n\nCongressman Kean requested 15 projects in this year\u2019s appropriation process. To view the full list, click HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-presents-120000-check-abilities-northwest-jersey", "Kean Presents $120,000 Check to Abilities of Northwest Jersey", "2024-08-02", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(August 2, 2024) WASHINGTON, NJ \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) presented a $120,000 ceremonial check to the Abilities of Northwest Jersey, secured by the FY2024 Community Project Funding process. This funding will increase training and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities through classroom and distance learning. The project will provide distance learning focusing on soft skills and provide professional growth and pre-employment services. Moreover, it provides funds for training and support to instructors to enhance students\u2019 success in coding, technology, and website development and testing.\n\n\u201cThis $120,000 federal grant secured for the Abilities of Northwest Jersey is a vital investment in our family, friends, and neighbors with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cI have had the privilege of touring the Abilities of Northwest Jersey since being sworn into Congress and have been impressed by their dedication and the impact they have on our community. This grant is a testament to our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone in our district.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are truly grateful to Congressman Kean for advocating on behalf of persons with autism and other developmental disabilities,\u201d said Cindy Wildermuth, CEO of Abilities of Northwest Jersey. \u201cThis funding will allow us to implement a hybrid classroom and distance learning platform, providing soft skill support and training in the technology industry. It is our goal that this initiative will lead to competitive employment in neurodiversity programs found at many tech companies across the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn behalf of the people of northwest New Jersey, I thank Congressman Kean for securing these necessary funds for Abilities, which will go a long way toward helping individuals with disabilities being given the opportunity to reach their fullest potential in life,\u201d said Senator Doug Steinhardt.\n\n\u201cI am thankful to Congressman Kean and his team for securing funding for Abilities of Northwest New Jersey,\u201d said Assemblyman John DiMaio. \u201cIt is a valuable organization in our region, and I am confident they will use this funding well to support individuals with disabilities.\n\n\"Warren County is grateful for Congressman Kean's support and his securing of $127,000 in funding for Abilities of Northwest Jersey,\u201d said Commissioner James R. Kern III. \u201cThe programs Abilities operates changes the lives of so many in our community, whether it's providing individuals with the skills to acquire and maintain meaningful employment or enhancing personal development. These dollars will have a significant impact.\"\n\n\u201cI would like to thank Congressman Kean for his support and efforts to provide this much needed funding,\u201d said Mark Rossi, Deputy Mayor of Washington Township. \u201cBy supporting the great work Abilities of Northwest Jersey provides to our communities we give opportunity and purpose to those with disabilities.\u201d\n\nCongressman Kean secured $24 Million in Community Project Funding for the fiscal year 2024, read more HERE.\n\nTo view the 13 projects secured in the FY24 appropriations year, click HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-presents-277000-check-borough-mount-arlington", "Kean Presents $277,000 Check to the Borough of Mount Arlington", "2024-08-02", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(August 2, 2024) MOUNT ARLINGTON, NJ \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) presented a $277,000 ceremonial check to the Borough of Mount Arlington, funding secured by the FY2024 Community Project Funding process. The grant will be used for purchasing security cameras and automated license plate readers for Mount Alington\u2019s public spaces, such as municipal buildings, facilities, parks, attractions, and points of entry.\n\n\u201cThis $277,000 grant secured for Mount Arlington will fill an existing gap in critical public safety measures for the Borough,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cAs a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have and will continue to prioritize critical security infrastructure improvements for New Jerseyans. This grant not only supports the enhancement of our infrastructure but also shows our commitment to supporting local law enforcement efforts. By investing in both public safety measures and the resources that support our police force, we are ensuring that Mount Arlington's officers have the tools they need to protect and serve our community effectively.\u201d\n\n\"Thanks to Congressman Kean this federal funding will provide critical public safety and security measures to not only the residents of the Borough of Mount Arlington but surrounding communities in northern New Jersey as well,\u201d said Michael Stanzilis, Mayor of Mount Arlington. \u201cI truly appreciate that Congressman Kean is bringing federal money back to New Jersey and back to Mount Arlington. My number one priority as Mayor is ensuring the safety and security of our residents. This funding is a tremendous help in achieving that goal.\"\n\n\u201cIn light of the recent public safety concerns across New Jersey, this money will be paramount in helping law enforcement provide the safety and security our communities need and give Mount Arlington residents the peace of mind they deserve,\u201d said Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-25). \u201cThank you to Congressman Kean for your efforts to secure this funding and I look forward to working together to keep the Garden State a great place to live, work, and raise a family.\u201d\n\n\u201cSmall towns like ours are increasingly being targeted by car theft rings,\u201d said Assemblywoman Aura Dunn. \u201cThe funding for license plate readers and security cameras that Congressman Kean has brought to the district sends a strong message that we will outsmart the criminals and keep our communities safe. Securing our communities is not a partisan issue and these critical resources will ensure we meet our shared public safety needs.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe appreciate the dedication of our county sheriff and all law enforcement officers to ensure the safety and security of our citizens. This funding from Congressman Kean will help support their efforts to protect the residents of Morris County,\u201d said Commissioner John Krickus.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 171, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Republican", "p1": "NJ", "p2": "2024"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=NJ&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 171, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=NJ&year=2024", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=NJ&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 171, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=NJ&year=2024&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=NJ&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "NJ", "label": "NJ", "count": 171, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2024", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=NJ&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "2024", "label": "2024", "count": 171, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=NJ", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2024-08-02,https~3A~2F~2Fkean~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Fkean-presents-277000-check-borough-mount-arlington", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=NJ&year=2024&_next=2024-08-02%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fkean~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Fkean-presents-277000-check-borough-mount-arlington&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 255.99645404145122, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}