url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409099,"Would create ambassador position to combat anti-SemitismSmith anti-Semitism bill headed to Presidents desk",2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, at the very last legislative session of the 116th Congress, the House of Representatives passed legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) that would elevate the State Department's Anti-Semitism Special Envoy positionfirst created by Smith's legislative provisions in 2004to an Ambassadorship, giving more clout to address the alarming rise in anti-Semitism worldwide. As the Senate has already approved the amended legislation, the bill now heads to President Trump's desk to be signed into law. We've seen a rapid rise in anti-Semitic acts and rhetoric in many countries over the past decade: Jews harassed, assaulted and even murdered; synagogues attacked; graves and cemeteries desecrated; anti-Semitic slurs; and targeting the State of Israel with what my friend, the great Soviet refusenik and religious prisoner Natan Sharansky, calls the three Ds' demonization, double-standard, and de-legitimization, said Smith. My new law will raise the Special Envoy to the rank of Ambassador, and enable him or her to report directly to the Secretary of State, Smith said. That will give the Special Envoy more seniority and diplomatic accessboth inside the U.S. Government and when engaging foreign governmentsthat is needed do the job effectively. Especially with the rise of on-line anti-Semitism, we see that hate abroad easily crosses borders and impacts our communities here at home.Now more than ever we need to integrate our efforts both in the United States and abroad to stop the hate and keep our communities safe, said Smith, a founding member of both the House Anti-Semitism Caucus and the Inter-Parliamentary Task Force to Combat Online Antisemitism, which is comprised of legislative-branch members from Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Smith's bill, the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act (H.R. 221) will ensure that the U.S. leadership position in fighting anti-Semitism worldwidethe Special Envoy at the State Departmentwould not only be promptly filled, but would be strengthened. The position, as well as the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, was created and required by Smith's original provisionsof theGlobal Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004. Smith's new bill would also mandate the timely nomination of a Special Envoy.
Under the bill the Special Envoy position:
Would be elevated to the rank of Ambassador at the State Department and report directly to the Secretary of State;
Would be the primary advisor to the U.S. government in monitoring and combating anti-Semitism;
Would not be saddled with duties irrelevant to combating anti-Semitism, or double-hatted;
Must be filled (if vacant) by requiring the President to nominate a Special Envoy within 90 days of the bill becoming law and not later than 120 days after the position becomes vacant.
I would like to thank my House colleagues, especially Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL), for working with leadership in both parties to pass this bill. I also would like to thank Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jackie Rosen (D-NV) and Kristen Gillibrand (D-FL), along with their staffs, for their hard work in securing passage on the Senate side.I would also like to acknowledge and thank Special Envoy Elan Carr for his tremendous contribution in fighting anti-Semitism.And finally, I want to thank the many wonderful Jewish groups who fought hard for this legislation.
The House voted overwhelmingly to pass Smith's H.R. 221 in 2019. In the previous 115th Congress, Smith introduced identical legislation, H.R. 1911, which passed the House in 2018, but stalled in the Senate. Smith's bill is endorsed by numerous organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, B'nai B'rith International, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the American Jewish Committee, Hadassah, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and the Jewish Federations of North America.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409097,"Rep. Smith votes 'YES' to increase COVID-19 relief assistance checks to $2,000",2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) today said: The increase of COVID-19 relief checks to $2,000 coupled with yesterday's extension of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), expanded unemployment benefits and other assistance are justified and necessary to assist tens of millions of people devastated by the pandemic and like previous COVID relief packages are a bridge to a post-COVID world.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409075,"The Monitor of Trenton article on Smith congressional hearingGenocide in Nigeria 'happening before our eyes,' N.J. congressman says at hearing",2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Kurt Jensen, Catholic News Service
The Catholic bishop of Gboko, Nigeria, and the Knights of Columbus added their voices to a Dec. 17 congressional hearing spotlighting sectarian violence in Nigeria in which thousands of Christians have been killed simply for their faith identity.
The hearing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission was spurred by recent developments: the fatal shooting of 51 peaceful protesters in Lagos Oct. 20; the kidnapping of over 300 schoolboys in Kankara, which government officials there said was instigated by bandits masquerading as the Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram; and the Dec. 7 State Department designation of Nigeria as ""a country of particular concern"" under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
The boys were rescued Dec. 18, and while the hearing included discussion of a congressional resolution of condemnation plus the imposition of sanctions, it didn't get into the specifics of either response. Sanctions would become a decision of the incoming Biden administration.
""This is a genocide that's happening right before our eyes,"" said Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, the commission's co-chair.
Smith, a native of Hamilton and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, has chaired seven previous hearings on human rights violations in Nigeria, the most populated country in Africa.
The United States and the international community must do more to mitigate the violence because the dire situation on the ground warrants it and because the people of Nigeria deserve to live in peace and freedom with their fundamental human rights guaranteed, he said.
Bishop William A. Avenya of Goboko agreed, saying, ""It is depressing that our Middle Belt region has truly become a vale of tears, a region where mass burials are very common. Since the consistent attacks began some five years ago, there has hardly been a single day without killing in one part of the region or the other.
In fact, one cannot give the accurate figures of those who have been killed since the beginning of these atrocities,"" he said.
""Interestingly,"" Bishop Avenya continued, ""no one has ever been arrested or questioned or prosecuted or convicted of any charge related to this spree of killings. Yet, these killers are not invisible, neither are they unknown. Instead, these atrocities are made to look as though they were ethnic or communal clashes.""
""Nigeria's Christians have suffered grievously at the hands of Boko Haram and other groups,"" said Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, in a statement. ""The Christians of Nigeria, both Catholic and Protestant, deserve attention, recognition and relief now.""
The death toll from the conflict in Nigeria's Middle Belt region caused by the pastoralists, or cattle herders, who are mainly Muslim and ethnic Fulani, against farmers, who are predominantly Christian, relies on analyses from humanitarian groups, since it is never verified by the government.
An estimated 2,000 are believed to have been killed annually between 2011 and 2016 as the conflicts over land and a dwindling water supply, exacerbated by climate change, continue.
Religious organizations have urged the American government to pressure the Nigerian state to provide protection.
Earlier this year, the International Committee on Nigeria calculated, based on what they said were primary sources on the ground, that since 2015, Fulani militant attacks are ""exponentially increasing,"" killing more than 9,700 in the past five years.
Adding to the urgency, the latest statistical risk assessment of the Holocaust Memorial Museum's Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide calculated that Nigeria faces a 7.3 percent risk of experiencing a new mass killing by the end of 2021, the 6th highest in the world. In 2019, Nigeria was ranked 17th with a 5 percent risk.
Genocide has become virtually a daily threat, said Annigje J. Buwalda, executive director of Jubilee Campaign USA. ""We would additionally ask that more consideration be proffered to ... the rising frequency of deadly midnight attacks on predominantly Christian farming communities in Nigeria, which are carried out by groups of heavily-armed radical Islamist Fulani militants,"" she said.
In November, Democratic Reps. Al Green and Joaquin Castro, both from Texas, introduced a House resolution supporting the peaceful protest movement in Nigeria.
""The resolution is not enough, but it is something we can do,"" Green told the hearing. He said it meant ""that Black lives matter, no matter where they may be.""
Robert Destro, an assistant secretary of state, said he hoped for an ""early warning network"" to detect atrocities before they occur.
But he said one principal difficulty is Nigerian officials have told him it's ""impossible"" that religion is a factor in the killings. ""They need active ground-level intelligence to be able to protect themselves.""
Destro said of President Muhammadu Buhari's government, ""They're going to have to want to change."" This article was originally published on Dec. 21, 2020 and can be found online at:
https://trentonmonitor.com/Content/Default/World-Nation/Article/Genocide-in-Nigeria-happening-before-our-eyes-N-J-congressman-says-at-hearing/-3/274/24538",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409089,"House, Senate pass of bipartisan COVID relief bill",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The House and Senate are expected to vote tonight on a COVID relief and omnibus legislative package that provides critical COVID relief for unemployed Americans, their families and small businesses struggling under the weight of the impact of COVID, while also funding the government through the end of the fiscal year in September 2021. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) supports the final COVID relief bill to provide approximately $900 billionin federal assistance to continue to respond to the COVID pandemic and its impact on the economy.
This long-overdue legislation has additional funding for COVID vaccine accessibility and distribution, money for schools so they can safely reopen, and another round of $600 direct payments for Americans who have been hit the hardest during this pandemic, said Smith, member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus which helped spark dialogue for negotiations and push through a final bill. This relief bill also will extend the successful Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that has kept many small businesses afloat with desperately-needed relief, and will add deductibility for PPP expenses.
Once signed into law, the act:
provides direct payments up to $600 per eligible adult and per qualifying child.
extends two key CARES Act programs about to sunsetthe Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program to help the self-employed and so-called gig economy workers, and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefit extension programwhich were both extended for 11 weeks, avoiding a financial crunch for millions of Americans. The new timeline will prevent another deadline that would have stopped the programs in March.
will add $300 to all weekly unemployment benefits.
allows workers who rely on multiple jobs and have lost income to be eligible for a weekly $100 boost.
helps schools by providing additional funding so they can safely reopen. Provisions provide elementary, secondary and higher education $82 billion of funds to reopen classrooms and prevent virus transmission.
has additional funding for vaccine accessibility and distribution.
continues the eviction moratorium set to expire at year's end through the end of January.
includes $25 billion for rental assistance for families facing eviction. Eligible renters would be able to receive assistance with their rent and utilities.
provides $45 billion for the hard-hit transportation sector, including $16 billion to help keep airlines solvent and support their employees and contractors; $14 billion for transit systems; $10 billion for highways, $2 billion for intercity buses, $2 billion for airports and $1 billion for Amtrak.
Today's bill is the sixth major COVID package Smith has supported in 2020. The CARES Act was the third and the largest phase of the federal response enacted into law. Smith supported Phase I, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020which provided $8.3 billion for treatment and prevention measures in NJ. Phase II, the Families First Coronavirus Response Actprovided paid sick leave, family medical leave, free testing, and expanded unemployment benefits among other provisions to help working Americans.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409090,"House, Senate pass for Smiths legislation on Belarus Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2020 to head to White House",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Even as the people of Belarus continue their brave struggle against a brutal dictatorship, a bill authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee(HFAC), was expected to pass tonight by both houses of Congress to ramp up pressure on entrenched Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenko following his regime's violent crackdown and political repression that came in the wake of his fraudulent August 9 re-election.
As prime sponsor of theBelarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020, Smith said his law, which passed the House Nov. 18, will put pressure on Europe's last dictatorship to respect the sovereignty of its own citizens.
By passing this bill Congress is recognizing what the struggling, courageous people of Belarus have been fighting since August 9 with their massive rallies: the recent election was clearly fraudulent, and has no credibility in the international community with anyone except Lukashenka himself, and perhaps Russia, said Smith, who authored the bill, H.R. 8438, in September to update and reauthorize his previous legislation enacted in 2004, 2006 and 2011 to advance and promote democracy and human rights in Belarus.
This bipartisan bill renews sanctions on Belarusian Government officials who have obstructed the country's democratic transition, Smith said. It gives much-needed support to the besieged Belarusian media and to the country's important IT sector. Belarusian hackers who have cracked Lukashenko's firewall have been able to broadcast truthful news accounts to the Belarusian people. This bill also commissions several much-needed fact-finding efforts to get an accurate picture of the situation on the ground. The Belarusian people are fighting to preserve the independence and sovereignty of their country despite the ominous threat posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The bipartisan bill, which is included in the legislation before Congress this week, enjoys a strong list of co-sponsors, to include Chairman Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX), and Reps. Marcy Kaptur (R-OH), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), and William Keating (D-MA).
Since the fraudulent election was staged more than four months ago, Belarusians have organized massive rallies demanding Lukashenka leave power despite Lukasneko's brutal crackdown in which Lukashenka has arrested thousands, tortured hundreds and attempted to shut down the press and internet.
Once enacted, the Smith law would promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Belarus, as well as support the aspirations of the Belarusian people to preserve the independence and sovereignty of their country in the face of threats from Russian President Putin.
Smith's pending law will:
reauthorize the 2004 Belarus Democracy Act for the third time;
State that it is U.S. policy to reject the fraudulent August 9, 2020 Belarusian presidential election;
refuse to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimately elected leader of Belarus;
call for a new presidential election in Belarus that complies with OSCE standards;
continue to call for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Belarus, including U.S. citizen Vitali Shkliarov and leading opposition figure Maryia Kalesnikava;
refuse to recognize any incorporation of Belarus into a so-called Union State that is under the control of Russia;
Expand the list of Belarusian authorities who may be subject to U.S. sanctions beyond the country's senior leadership and security services to include those directly responsible for the crackdown on independent media;
strengthen the current human rights sanctions regime on Belarus to include Russian individuals complicit in the political repression in Belarus and the crackdown on independent media;
authorize U.S. assistance to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Belarus and calls on the Administration to reevaluate and increase U.S. assistance to Belarus in light of the current political crisis;
call on the U.S. President to provide the United States Agency for Global Media (including VOA, Radio Free Europe) with a surge capacity for its programs and activities in Belarus;
require a U.S. strategy to promote expanded broadcasting, internet freedom and access to information in Belarus;
call on the United States to continue to coordinate with the European Union, its member states, the United Kingdom and Canada to support the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people and to deter Russia's attempts to undermine Belarus' sovereignty and independence, and;
require the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, to submit two reports to Congress on Russia's efforts to undermine Belarus' sovereignty and independence, and on the assets owned by Lukashenka.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409074,"Communications High sweeps App ChallengeRep. Chris Smith announces winners of 2020 Congressional App Challenge",2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today announced the winners of this year's New Jersey Fourth Congressional District Congressional App Challenge (CAC), part of a nationwide competition for middle and high school students to showcase their software app-developing skills and teamwork. The winning app, CollabraCart, was designed by Communications High School students Erin Hardiman of Spring Lake, Melody Lin of Freehold and Jacob Rosegarten of Morganville.
I am pleased to congratulate all the winning students at Communications High School, said Rep. Smith. The first place-winning app, CollabraCart,' is very timely in the COVID era in which we find ourselves. It can match people who are struggling to purchase groceries with individuals who are seeking to donate their time and/or money to help them.
During these unprecedented times when many of our fellow New Jerseyans are struggling to maintain their livelihood and feed their families, it was great to see Melody, Erin and Jacob work together and develop an App that will help others in our community.
At a user's discretion, the service may stay anonymous, and people may opt to connect with another user through a ""Friends"" feature. All money donated would be used for the payment of somebody's groceries.
Timed to coincide with Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek), December 7-13, 2020, Smith said this year's contest drew entries from Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
Twenty-nine students participated in teams and as individuals to design nine apps. Communications High School, a Monmouth County Vocational School District career academy located in Wall Township, swept all three top spots.
The second-place app is Green Garden, designed by Brigid McCarthy of Manasquan, Abi Cohen of Marlboro, Rina Peshori of Holmdel, who all worked to aid the conservation of at-risk insect species through technology and engagement of an audience with a unique potential to create change. The app serves a dual purpose of education and entertainment. Users take care of and grow their own virtual garden while learning how these efforts, when applied to real life, have the potential to help insect populations.
Third-place finisher, Roomiez, was designed by Nate Riehl of Manasquan, Ava Turner of Middletown, and Jake Polvino of Tinton Falls. Roomiez is an app that helps college students find roommates. The app prompts a user seeking a compatible roommate with multiple choice questions and the ability to select interest tags in various categories. The app saves the answers from each user and will only display other users with similar interests, sorting by the closest match first.
ABOUT THE JUDGESRep. Smith expressed appreciation and commendedhis panel of expert judges who scored the apps saying, Thank you to the highly specialized tech-savvy judges for their time and commitment to this competition. It wouldn't be possible without them.
The three-member panel of high-tech professionals from the district who volunteered as judges were: Debbie Smith (no relation to the Congressman) of Jackson, the Director of Administration/Director of Information Technology for the Office of the Standing Chapter 13 Trustee; Vincent DeTommaso of Holmdel, an app designer for Viacom, and; Stadi Sinclair, Managing Member of Code Ninjas in Red Bank.
Said Judge Sinclair of CollabraCart: The technical demo showing the app functionality was very clear. Beyond the current crisis this app can be used in communities worldwide to help those who are struggling.
ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGEThis is Rep. Smith's fifth year participating in the Congressional App Challenge, which Congress created in 2014 to encourage students to work with their peers to develop computer coding and software application skills. The challenge was created to foster STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) among young students and emphasize their importance for the future especially in areas of the economy like cybersecurity, intellectual property, and the app economy.
The highest scoring app from each Congressional District is eligible to be displayed in the US Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives' website, www.house.gov.Due to COVID-19, this year the wi8nning students will be invited to a virtual #HouseOfCode Festival Capitol Hill Reception in the spring, and the winning app receives $75 of credit from Southwest Airlines. The contest is sponsored nationally by the Internet Education Foundation, and 303 members of Congress made the Challenge available in their districts this year.
This year's competition was the largest yet, with more students eligible to participate than ever before. The 303 participating Members of Congress represent over two-thirds of Americans, providing inspiration to students in all corners of the nation. The over 6,000 students registered for this year's competition represent the second largest total in the program's history.
Students are permitted to create an app on any topic using any coding language or platform. This encourages students to harness creativity to address issues in their own communities. This year, over half of the CAC entries directly or indirectly address issues caused by COVID-19. Over 91 percent of students report that they intend to continue coding and 95 percent say they're more likely to pursue a career in STEM after participating in the CAC.
Middle and high school students from Smith's Fourth Congressional District interested in participating in next year's contest may contact Smith's Freehold office at 732-780-3035 and visit www.congressionalappchallenge.us
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409088,"Smith chairs Lantos Commission hearing after latest killings, kidnappings:State Dept., humanitarian groups testify on killings in Nigeria, alleged acts by Islamist radicals",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The brutal atrocities and continuing threats to Nigerian peace and stabilityespecially to Christians under seemingly relentless attacks by radical Islamists in Nigeriawere at the core of testimony by U.S. State Department officials and human rights organizations at a hearing today, Conflict and Killings in Nigeria's Middle Belt, held by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.
Our Middle Belt region has truly become a vale of tears, a region where mass burials are very common. It appears as though what is happening here is part of a grand conspiracy. Our national government has not shown convincing signs of real commitment to ending the menace, said Bishop William A. Avenya of the Nigerian Roman Catholic Diocese of Gboko in his testimony. The mass slaughter of Christians in Nigeria's Middle Belt, by every standard, meets the criteria for a calculated genocide from the definition of the Genocide Convention as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group as well as the available facts. This has inflicted deep mental, psychological, physical and economic injuries to the affected families and communities.
Smith, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, has chaired seven previous hearings on human rights violations in Nigeria, the most populated country in Africa.
The largest, dominant driver of conflict in the Middle Belt region is committed by Fulani extremists, who appear driven in large part by ethno-religious chauvinism, against mostly Christian farmers though I do note that elsewhere Shia Muslims are also victims, and that intra-Sunni conflicts also exist within the Muslim community as well, said Smith. The United States and the international community must do more to mitigate the violence because the dire situation on the ground warrants it and because the people of Nigeria deserve to live in peace and freedom with their fundamental human rights guaranteed and because Nigeria is the largest country in Africa and what happens there has an outsized impact in West Africa and in Africa as a whole. Click here to read Smith's opening remarks.
Days ago, the kidnapping of an estimated 330 students from the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara recalled other notorious attacks by radical Islamists, such as the April 2014 attack, when more than 270 schoolgirls were abducted from their dormitory in Chibok. About 100 of the girls are still missing. Last month, more than three dozen peaceful demonstrators were killed by government police forces in Lagos, as reported by the media. Over the past six years, Jihadist Fulani Militant Herdsmen reportedly have accounted for 9,000 Christian deaths or 1,500 per year. Breaking news accounts of a reported release of the 330 students were greeted with hope at the hearing.
Testifying from the U.S. State Department today were lead witness Sam Brownback, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom and the former Governor, U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative of Kansas, along with Morse Tan, Ambassador at Large for Global Criminal Justice, and Robert Destro, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.
Violence has unfolded across rural Nigeria, said Ambassador Brownback. We strongly condemn violence in Nigeria aimed at communities because of their faith whether those communities are Muslim or Christian, including through attacks targeting religious gatherings. To end these cycles of violence, the Nigerian government must hold to account individuals who perpetrate such unlawful violence and human rights abuses. Failure to do contributes to an environment of escalation and dangerous volatility. Click here to read Ambassador Brownback's testimony.
Also testifying and/or submitting testimony were Nina Shea,Director,Hudson Institute Center for Religious Freedom; Ann Buwalda,Executive Director,Jubilee Campaign USA; H.E. William Avenya,Bishop of Gboko, Nigeria; Jane Adolphe,Ave Maria School of Law; Udo Jude Ilo,Nigeria Country Officer,Open Society Initiative for West Africa and; Mike Jobbins,Vice President, Global Affairs and Partnerships,Search for Common Ground.
Click here to watch the hearing and witnesses' testimonies.
Baroness Catherine Cox, CEO of Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust, told the commission she was encouraged that, earlier this week, the International Criminal Court called for an inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity, and also that the U.S. State Department finally designated Nigeria as Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act. I have had the painful privilege of visiting some of the worst affected areas and have heard directly from survivors of attacks. They have shared with immense bravery and with tears personal tragedies of mass slaughter, torture, amputations, rape, forced displacement and destruction of homes, churches and farmland.
Annigje J. Buwalda, Executive Director of Jubilee Campaign USA, said: Jubilee Campaign publicly calls on the Federal Republic of Nigeria to develop a comprehensive plan and/or policy to address and eradicate the violence against Nigerian Christians at the hands of Islamic jihadist members of Boko Haram and Fulani militants. Her organization also called on the Nigerian government to publicly condemn and fully investigate all acts of violence against religious communities, and establish a timely, accurate, and up to date reporting system on incidences of violent attacks.
Smith, who has held numerous hearings on Nigerian human rights issues, decided to hold the hearing following the deadly shooting of peaceful protestors in Lagos, Nigeria, on October 20, just the latest in a series of killings and violence in Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari's government. The mass killings and atrocities committed by Fulani extremists in Nigeria's Middle Belt region by his Fulani kinsmen have prompted calls to put an end to the killing and depredations aimed mostly at Christian farmers. Smith also previously denounced Buhari's assault upon the rule of law, including his dismissal of Nigeria's chief justice in early 2019 in advance of national elections, and his replacement with a Buhari ally.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409076,"Smith, Suozzi, Cotton unveil bill to combat forced organ harvesting",2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY), and U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK), announced bipartisan legislation in the House and Senate today called the Stop ForcedOrganHarvesting Act (H.R. 8972, S.5016), intended to prevent the unethical and criminal harvestingorgans from minority groups and other victims.
Organ harvesting is a barbaric, inhumane and egregious act of global significance as transnational human trafficking gangs, terrorist organizations, profiteers and even governmentsChina's Communist regime in particular kill innocent people and sell their organs for profit, said Congressman Smith, sponsor and lead Republican for the House bill who has fought organ harvesting for more than 20 years, including chairing a June 2016 hearing on the cruel practice in China. A global problem requires a global response. Under our bill, organ harvesters and traffickers, who often prey on vulnerable populations like political prisoners or minorities, will be identified and exposed by the State Department with the goal of punishing perpetrators and promoting effective sanctions and restrictions on travel.The bill will help shed more light on these horrific activities, enable the naming of names of the vicious perpetrators and ultimately help put an end this gruesome human rights abuse.
For years, the Chinese Communist Party has continued to take advantage of prisoners, members of ethnic minority, and religious groups. Today, we are still witnessing them take further advantage of these groups through organ harvesting,"" said Congressman Suozzi, lead Democrat for the House bill. ""Members of the Chinese Communist Party must be held accountable for these unspeakable actions. Organ harvesting has no place in our world.""
There is growing evidence that the Chinese Communist Party has and continues to harvestorgans from prisoners and members of Chinese religious and minority groups. This bill will identify and punish CCP members involved in forcedorganharvesting. It's past time to hold Beijing accountable for these heinous acts,said Senator Cotton, the bill's sponsor in the Senate.
The bill also defines the trafficking in persons for purposes of the removal of organs'' as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of a person for the purpose of removing one or more of such person's organs, by means of coercion; abduction; deception; fraud; abuse of power or a position of vulnerability; or transfer of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over a person.
The Stop ForcedOrganHarvesting Act:
Authorizes the U.S. government to deny or revoke passports for illegalorganpurchasers.
Mandates annual reporting on forcedorganharvesting in foreign countries. This State Department reporting would identify foreign officials and entities responsible for forcedorganharvesting.
Mandates an annual report on U.S. institutions that trainorgantransplant surgeons affiliated with foreign entities involved in forcedorganharvesting.
Prohibits the export oforgantransplant surgery devices to entities responsible for forcedorganharvesting.
Sanctions foreign officials and entities that engage in or otherwise support forcedorganharvesting.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409077,"Smith to co-chair Lantos Human Rights Commission Hearing Dec. 17:'Conflict and Killings in Nigerias Middle Belt'",2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"OnThursday, December 17 from14 p.m., Congressman Chris Smith will co-chair a hearing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on the deteriorating human rights situation in Nigeria's Middle Belt, including its religious dimensions, and proposed responses.
The underlying causes of the conflict in Nigeria's Middle Belt are complex and varied. They include competition for access to land and other resources between pastoralists and farmers exacerbated by drought, desertification, and climate change. In a part of the country where farmers are mainly Christian and pastoralists are mainly Muslim and ethnic Fulani, deadly confrontations have sharpened ethnic, regional and religious polarization. Precise statistics are unavailable and fatality counts are contested, but one analysis estimated that farmer-pastoralist conflicts killed 2,000 Nigerians annually between 2011 and 2016. Some have described attacks by pastoralists as a persecution of Christians, amounting to an attempted or unfolding genocide. Some Muslim leaders, for their part, have described attacks on Fulani as part of an effort to purge Nigeria's Muslim community. The Nigerian state has failed to provide protection or ensure accountability for any of the victims.
In its newly released annual Statistical Risk Assessment (SRA), the Holocaust Memorial Museum's Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide calculated that Nigeria as a whole faces a 7.3% risk of experiencing a new mass killing by the end of 2021, the 6th highest in the world. In last year's SRA, Nigeria was ranked 17th with a 5% risk. For purposes of the report, a mass killing occurs when the deliberate actions of armed groups result in the deaths of at least 1,000 noncombatant civilians targeted as part of a specific group over a period of one year or less. The Center did not find evidence that groups perpetrating violence in north-central Nigeria are coordinating in a campaign against a particular group of civilians. Also this month, the State Department designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for violations of religious freedom, opening the country up to possible economic sanctions.
Witnesses will examine Nigeria's Middle Belt and pastoralist-farmer conflicts, current conflict dynamics, historical background, humanitarian aspects, internal displacement and impunity, and explore recommendations for U.S. and international responses.
Panel 1
Sam Brownback, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom
Morse Tan, Ambassador at Large for Global Criminal Justice
Robert Destro, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
Panel 2
Nina Shea,Director,Hudson Institute Center for Religious Freedom
Ann Buwalda,Executive Director,Jubilee Campaign USA
H.E. William Avenya,Bishop of Gboko, Nigeria
Jane Adolphe,Ave Maria School of Law
Udo Jude Ilo,Nigeria Country Officer,Open Society Initiative for West Africa
Mike Jobbins,Vice President, Global Affairs and Partnerships,Search for Common Ground
This is a hybrid hearing. Pursuant to H. Res. 965, Members of Congress and witnesses who wish to participate remotely may do so via Cisco WebEx. Members of the public and the media may view the hearing by live webcast on the Commission website. The hearing will also be available for viewing on the House Digital Channel service. For any questions, please contact Piero Tozzi at 202-225-3765 (for Rep. Smith) or Kimberly Stanton at 202-805-6308 (for Rep. McGovern).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409073,"Asbury Park Press article'Bill set to boost Joint Base passes by a wide margin'",2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"George WoolstonBurlington County Times USA TODAY NETWORK -
The $732 billion bill that sets spending and policy for the U.S. military has passed the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday with bipartisan support.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) received bipartisan support by passing 335-78, with a total of 140 Republicans and 195 Democrats backing the bill, the Associated Press reported.
South Jersey lawmakers consider several provisions in the bill big wins for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
Among those wins include a 3% pay raise for all military personnel, slowing down of the retirement of KC-10 tankers jets over the next three years to ensure their replacement, the KC-46 tanker jets, arrive 100% ready to go at the end of 2021, and authorizing two constructions projects on the base.
We live in an uncertain world with persistent, credible threats to our nation and our democracy, so it is more important than ever that we support our men and women in uniform and ensure the readiness and modernization of our nation's armed forces while spending our valuable resources wisely, U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross said in a statement following the bill's passing.
Norcross, D-1 of Camden, serves as the chair of the tactical air and land forces (TAL) subcommittee in the House Armed Services Committee.
Norcross, along with fellow New Jersey lawmakers U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, D-3 of Mooreston, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherill,D-11 of Montclair, and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-4 of Hamilton, all worked to ensure the security of the Joint Base's future.
The bill authorizes $37 million total for construction projects on the base $22 million for a Munitions Storage Area and $15 million for a National Guard Readiness Center. In addition to slowing down the KC-10 tankers and ensuring the new KC-46 tankers arrival, the bill also restricts the premature retirement of KC-135 Stratotankers operated by the New Jersey National Guard.
The missions of the active duty 305th Air Mobility Wing and its sister Air Force Reserve 514th Air Mobility Wing, as well as the NJ Air National Guard's 108 Air Refueling Wing, have never been more important, Smith said in a statement.
The Senate passed the measure by a 84-13 margin on Friday.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409070,"Smith Op-Ed in Washington Times'Reflecting on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights'",2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Dec. 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), rightfully heralded as a human rights landmark. To understand how the UDHR came about and what made it necessary, however, we need to first recall what preceded it.
The UDHR was born of the horrors of the Holocaust and World War II, as well as the imperfect attempt to achieve some sort of justice at the Nuremberg and Tokyo War Crimes trials. Recall, the defendants at Nuremberg and Tokyo had broken no positive laws indeed, they controlled the power of the state, which dictated the laws.
To dispense a modicum of justice to right the obvious injustice that had been done to millions of victims, Robert Jackson a prosecutor at Nuremberg who took a leave of absence from his duties as a sitting associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court referenced the need to apply a natural law that binds each man to refrain from acts so inherently wrong and injurious to others that he must know that they will be treated as criminal.
Illustration on the U.N. Human Rights Council by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times
It is this notion of a law above whatever the positive law may be at a particular moment in time which likewise animates the UDHR. There are some rights which are so fundamental, that the state may never take them away, regardless of the power it may wield at any moment.
We see this notion expressed, for example, in Article 26 of the UDHR, which states that Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children. This is a right that is prior to the state in other words, it is grounded in nature, and cannot be taken away by the state.
These are the rights which our Declaration of Independence referred to as unalienable, having been endowed upon us by our Creator. Foremost among these rights is of course the right to life, without which no other rights are possible.
This notion of Natural Law is certainly compatible with a Judeo-Christian tradition, one that directly inspired framers of the UDHR such as the Catholic Jacques Maritain, the Orthodox Charles Malik or the Jewish Rene Cassin.
But it is deeper and broader than that. It is not just Jeremiah and St. Paul who spoke about a law written in the heart, but Cicero and Confucius as well.
As Emilie Kao, director of the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Religion & Civil Society at the Heritage Foundation testified before Congress at a hearing Dec. 9, the UDHR drew from a diverse array of sources, including Confucianism, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Christianity. Indeed, along with Malik, Maritain and Cassin, included among its drafters was Peng-chun Chang, who drew from the Chinese philosophical tradition and contributed a Confucian Natural Law perspective the tao that is written in the heart.
Thus, I categorically reject any notion that when we hold the government of the People's Republic of China to account for its cruelty, abuses and violations of human rights norms, we are seeking to impose Western standards upon it.
Far from it it is a universal norm, and one very much consonant with a Chinese notion of a tao, or a law, which is above any positive law arbitrarily imposed by the state. The actions of Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party must be judged according to this law, and their mandate to govern the Mandate of Heaven which the Confucians appealed to depends on whether their actions conform with this norm. If they fall short, they are to be held to account.
Thus, when I speak of the barbarism of harvesting organs from Falun Gong practitioners or the cruelty of forced abortion and it deleterious impact on both women and children, or the incarceration of millions of Muslim Uighurs in concentration camps, or mass jailing of Hong Kong democracy activists including the brave Joshua Wong unjustly jailed for the fourth time or Xi Jinping's megalomaniacal efforts to rewrite the Bible to follow the dictates of the Communist Party, I and others are only seeking to hold the Chinese dictatorship to the noblest standards from within the Chinese tradition.
Finally, as we contemplate that profound document that is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I ask that we also reflect on what is the source of the rights of which we speak. Rights emphatically do not come from the state, for, as we saw in the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust or the Armenian genocide, the state which is the sole grantor of rights can take them away, and in so doing, commit grave offenses against human dignity.
Rather, the source must be transcendent, objective, immutable.
Chris Smith is a Republican U.S. representative from New Jersey
This story was published in the Dec. 11, 2020 print edition of the Washington Times, and can be found at:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409071,"Rep. Chris Smith voices serious concern over South Koreas growing disregard of fundamental civil liberties, acquiescence to Communist North",2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Responding to reports that South Korea's parliament was on the verge of passing legislation that would criminalize the sending of leaflets, Bibles and money across the border to the Communist North, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chair of the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, made the following statement.
I am troubled that legislators in an ostensibly vibrant democracy would contemplate criminalizing conduct aimed at promoting democracy and providing spiritual and humanitarian succor to people suffering under one of the cruelest communist dictatorships in the world. Yet a legislative majority of Korea's Democratic Party members appear poised to do so, in apparent violation of South Korea's constitution and the nation's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.(ICCPR).
Smith further explained, Article 19 of the ICCPR provides that Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.' Why then are parliamentary allies of President Moon Jae-in disregarding their obligations to protect fundamental civil and political rights?
The people of North Korea are suffering under a brutal regime. Humanitarian and religious non-governmental organizations launch balloons containing Bibles, videos and information denied people living in the North, giving them hope and objective information instead of despair and communist propaganda. Why in the world would legislators in the free South want to not only stop that, but also put people in jail for simply sharing information? asked Smith, who has held numerous human rights hearings focused on North Korea.
Further, I have serious concerns over the trajectory in South Korea under President Moon Jae-in. We have seen the government on the local and national level use the response to COVID as a pretext to curtail religious worship and free speech, directed at critics of the President. We see undue acquiescence not only to the communist Democratic People's Republic of Koreaas evidenced by this inane legislation criminalizing humanitarian outreach to North Koreabut also a diplomatic tilt towards communist China.
While I would hope that members of Korea's Democratic Party would see how damaging this proposed legislation is to democratic principles and human rights, and thus reverse course, in the event that they pass such a law, I call upon our State Department to critically reevaluate the Republic of Korea's commitment to democratic values in its annual human rights report, as well as in its report on international religious freedom. It may very well be that we will see South Korea put on a watch list, which would be a very sad development indeed.
Smith further declared that if the legislation passed, he intended to convene a hearing to examine the Korean government's failure to uphold civil and political rights.
No government is above scrutiny, not even that of a long-time ally, Smith said. Given the great accomplishments of the people of South Korea, I truly hope this legislative proposal is an aberration, and that cooler heads will realize that this bill is not just ill-conceived, but frightening in its implications for democracy and liberty.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409069,"News12 NJ story; Smith backs key bill for experimental drugs'New Jersey man fights for access to experimental ALS drug'",2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"News12 NJ story; Smith backs key bill for experimental drugs'New Jersey man fights for access to experimental ALS drug'
f
t
#
e
Washington,
Dec 10, 2020
By News12 Staff - With the world potentially days away from having a COVID-19 vaccine, research continues to help treat other life-threatening diseases like Lou Gehrig's disease.
Forked River resident Josh Smith, 31, was an athlete and football coach who ran a construction business with his father. But his world was turned upside-down when he was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2019.
When I first got diagnosed, I mean honestly, I felt like I died on that dayYou lose every dream that you had. It's kind of out the window, Smith says.
With an average lifespan of two to five years after diagnosis, Smith says that he put his dreams aside to fight the illness. His doctors suggested that he search for an experimental treatment since he was young and still strong.
That experimental treatment is a drug known as NurOwn a phase three treatment. Smith's family says that the treatment appeared to slow the progression of the disease. However, the trial treatment is only temporary. He no longer has access to the drug.
I put my body through this for the sake of data. Now give me the drug for the sake of me, now, Smith says.
Smith and other ALS patient advocates are pushing for House Bill 8662, which would increase the opportunity for patients to access investigational therapies and $100 million each dedicated to research and development to find a treatment and cure. District 4 U.S Rep. Christopher Smith says he co-sponsored the bill last week.
""The sooner we get that and other kinds of therapeutics out to people and we need to fast-track it like we're doing with COVID, like the vaccine which is on a fast track. It can be done. This bill will help facilitate all of that, Rep. Smith says.
Meanwhile, Josh Smith says that he will keep fighting.
My dad told me when I was a kid just never give up. You got to be in the fight to win the fight, so here I am in the fight, he says.
Bill 8662 is known as the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act. It was introduced to the House on Oct. 23 and was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. But so far, the committee has not taken any action to release the bill for a vote.PHOTO GRAPHIC:At left, Josh Smith with his parents on the right; At right, Rep. Smith (no relation). This story was aired on Dec. 7-8 and was published online at:
https://newjersey.news12.com/new-jersey-man-fights-for-access-to-experimental-als-drug
f
t
#
e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409068,"Patch news article'Rep. Smith's Outdoor Therapy For Veterans Bill Signed Into Law'",2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation authored by this area's Congressman, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), to help veterans heal through outdoor recreational therapy, has now been signed into law by President Trump.
Smith's bipartisanAccelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act, which was endorsed by more than 120 veteran service organizations, outdoor recreation groups and conservation organizations, will provide increased access to federal lands for the purposes of veterans' medical recovery therapy.
Smith's bill cosponsored by 136 Republican and Democratic lawmakers was included in a package of veterans' legislation, The Veterans' COMPACT Act (H.R. 8247), which passed unanimously in the House of Representatives in September and was passed unanimously by the Senate in late November.
President Trump signed the legislation over the past weekend.
Smith recounted how one combat wounded veteran who served in Iraq was suffering severe depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder responded to outdoor therapy. He had made three visits to the VA psychiatric wards and a substance abuse rehab. But it was a backpacking trip led by the Sierra Club that changed his perspective.
Smith quoted the vet's own words: ""When the depression, anxiety and everything else that comes with PTSD creeps back into my life, I know just what to do: Strap on a pack and get outside.""
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, between 11 and 20 percent of veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, 12 percent of those who served in Desert Storm have PTSD in a given year, and 30 percent of those who served in Vietnam, will have had PTSD in their lifetime.
Research has shown that outdoor recreation can be an effective form of treatment, rehabilitation and
healing for veterans, said Congressman Chris Smith.(Shutterstock)
""Research has shown that outdoor recreation can be an effective form of treatment, rehabilitation and healing for veterans,"" said Congressman Smith, who has twice served as chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. ""While many nonprofit organizations, veteran service organizations and private companies have used the outdoors to help heroes heal, providing greater coordination among key federal agencies will open new opportunities for veterans on public lands and other outdoor spaces.""
The new law will require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an interagency task force on the use of public lands to provide medical treatment and therapy to veterans through outdoor recreation. After undertaking a comprehensive analysis, the task force will submit recommendations to Congress, within one year, on how to eliminate barriers and provide more public outdoor space for use by American veterans.This article was published on Dec. 9, 2020 and can be found online at:
https://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/rep-smith-s-outdoor-therapy-veterans-bill-signed-law",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409066,"House passes 2021 defense billSmith: Defense bill helps service members, NJ military missions, $37M for JB-MDL",2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The House passed and Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) voted for the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) today, new legislation that will protect the airlift and air refueling missions at America's only tri-service installation, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB-MDL), and brings $37 million in construction jobs that will support construction work for the local economy.
The bill requires the Secretary of the Air Force to maintain a minimum of 50 KC10 Extender tankersmany of which are based at JB-MDL here in New Jerseythrough fiscal year 2021, 38 Extenders through FY2022 and 26 through 2023, Smith said. This timetable should allow the critical air mobility mission at JB-MDL to continue without major disruptions as the Joint Base receives the new Boeing KC-46 tankers in the years ahead. We should see the first of 24 new aircraft in late 2021.
The NDAA also restricts the premature retirement of KC-135 Stratotankerssuch as operated by the New Jersey National Guardfrom retiring. The missions of the active duty 305th Air Mobility Wing and its sister Air Force Reserve 514th Air Mobility Wing, as well as the NJ Air National Guard's 108th Air Refueling Wing, have never been more important, Smith said.
Smith noted the bill authorizes construction of two key military projects at JB-MDL located in part in his congressional district:
$22 million for the Air Force for a much-needed Munitions Storage Area
$15 million for the New Jersey National Guard to build a National Guard Readiness Center to help with deployments of Guard members from the base.
The bill also addresses key military challenges including suicide prevention in the ranks and sexual assault and harassment and it improves information sharing on human trafficking activities to counter this heinous crime. The bill also provides 3 percent raises for all military personnel and hazard duty pay for certain deployments and combat.
The 2021 NDAA also
initiates mental healthcare reforms for service-members, family members and retirees and seeks to improve the effectiveness of DoD's suicide prevention programs.
addresses sexual assault and harassment in the military with reforms designed to improve reporting, improve and protect the rights of victims, and provide for more effective responses for sex-related offenses.
authorizes improvements to Military Family Housing with long overdue upgrades to identification and remediation of severe environmental hazards, and support for families displaced for mold and other hazards.
provides reforms for military families, including childcare shortages, reforms to programs that support military families with children with special needs.
ensures service members have the diagnostic equipment, testing capabilities and PPE they need, along with providing medical surge capacity, and health benefits to members of the National Guard that supported the COVID-19 response.
improves U.S. coordination and information-sharing to combat international human trafficking and reauthorizes a stronger, survivor-led U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking.
strengthens tools to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorist programs.
The author of the recently House-passed Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and Ranking Republican on the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China also highlighted key NDAA provisions that protect the U.S. from Chinese military and cyber threats and U.S. interests in promoting and protecting democracy around the world.
Specifically, the bill expands the prohibition on DoD acquiring certain sensitive materials from China, or certain printed circuit boards from China, Smith said. It also requires a report on the vulnerabilities to the medicine supply chain of the United States from foreign nations like China, and a Presidential assessment on how to deter Chinese industrial espionage and large-scale cyber theft of intellectual property and personal information. The NDAA also requires public reporting of Chinese military companies operating in the United States and for that list to be published on the Federal Register.
On human rights issues, democracy and the rule of law, President Xi is in a race to the bottom with North Korea, said Smith, noting thatfor over 30 years, I have pushed back on the fantasy notion that trade with Chinain reality, a gutting of American manufacturing and a wholesale transfer of intellectual propertywould somehow improve China's behavior. It just didn't happen.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409065,"Smiths 15th veterans bill becomes lawVFW, Sierra Club praised bill'President Trump signs Smiths outdoor therapy vets legislation into law'",2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to help veterans heal through outdoor recreational therapy has been signed into law by President Trump.
Smith's bipartisan Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act (H.R. 2435), which was endorsed by more than 120 veteran service organizations, outdoor recreation groups and conservation organizations, will provide increased access to federal lands for the purposes of veterans' medical recovery therapy.Smith's billcosponsored by 136 bipartisan lawmakerswas included in a package of veterans' legislation, The Veterans' COMPACT Act (H.R. 8247), which passed unanimously in the House of Representatives in September and was passed unanimously by the Senate last month. Trump signed the legislation over the weekend.
Research has shown that outdoor recreation can be an effective form of treatment, rehabilitation and healing for veterans, said Smith, author of the Veterans Health Programs Improvement Act (P.L. 108-422), and 13 other veterans laws. While many nonprofit organizations, veteran service organizations and private companies have used the outdoors to help heroes heal, providing greater coordination among key federal agencies will open new opportunities for veterans on public lands and other outdoor spaces, said Smith, who has twice served as chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
The new law will require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an interagency task force on the use of public lands to provide medical treatment and therapy to veterans through outdoor recreation. After undertaking a comprehensive analysis, the task force will submit recommendations to Congress, within one year, on how to eliminate barriers and provide more public outdoor space for use by our veterans. Click here to watch Chris Smith's remarks on the House Floor on Sept. 23.
Upon House passage, many respected veterans and environmental groups praised the bill including New Jersey VFW State Legislative Director William F. Thomson, who said, Congratulations to Chris Smith on another important piece of veteran legislation.
Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said, Connecting with nature and being in the wilderness is a powerful part of healing, and the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act will help veterans access that power, and Rob Vessels, campaign manager of Sierra Club Military Outdoors, said Smith's bill would help in eliminating those barriers to access, so veterans can heal on the lands they swore an oath to protect.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for PTSD, between 11 and 20 percent of veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, 12 percent of those who served in Desert Storm have PTSD in a given year, and 30 percent of those who served in Vietnam, will have had PTSD in their lifetime.
During House debate, Smith recounted how one combat wounded veteran who served in Iraq was suffering severe depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder responded to outdoor therapy. He had made three visits to the VA psychiatric wards and a substance abuse rehab. But it was a backpacking trip led by the Sierra Club that changed his perspective. Smith quoted the vet's own words: when the depression, anxiety, and everything else that comes with PTSD creeps back into my life, I know just what to do: Strap on a pack and get outside.''
Smith's other veterans bills signed into law:
H.R.4511 - Gold Star Families Voices Act
HR 4175 - Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act
HR 2297 - Veterans Benefits Act
HR 1683 Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act
HR 100 Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
HR 4085 Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act
HR 3838 - To amend the charter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
HR 3447 - Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act
HR 3253 - Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Preparedness Act
HR 2716 - Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act
HR 2540 - Veterans' Compensation Rate Amendments
HR 1291 - Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act
HR 801 - Veterans' Survivor Benefits Improvements Act
HJRes 65 - Commending the World War II veterans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409061,"Rep. Smith's hearing statement on Ethiopian crisis'The Unfolding Conflict in Ethiopia'",2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Excerpts of remarks by Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) at a hearing of the House Africa Subcommittee on the crisis in Ethiopia held on December 3, 2020:
I'd like to thank Chairwoman Bass for once again convening a hearing on an extremely important topicthe unfolding conflict in Ethiopia, centered around the Tigray region, but one which impacts the entire country.
Indeed, it is my belief that Ethiopia is one of the two most strategically significant countries in AfricaNigeria being the other oneand what happens there is amplified throughout the region.
And while I am hopeful that the Ethiopian government's capturing of the regional Tigrayan capital of Mekelle, coupled with an announcement that the government will allow United Nations humanitarian assistance to flow in the region, signals an end to armed conflict, nonetheless my concern is that the fall of the capital marks simply the end to one stage of an armed civil conflict and signals the beginning of a protracted civil war characterized by guerilla tactics. This concern is based in part on the history of the Tigray People Liberation Front, or TPLF, and the geography of the Tigray region and Ethiopia.
The TPLF, of course, came to rule all of Ethiopia following a successful guerrilla campaign against the Derg a case of a Marxist-inspired movement overthrowing a Marxist governmentin the early 1990s. As guerillas, the TPLF used the highland terrain of Ethiopia, including Tigray, to their advantage.
During the years of TPLF rule, this subcommittee was at the forefront of raising concern about human rights abuses. Following a critical hearing I chaired in the Spring of 2005, I traveled to Ethiopia and met Prime Minister Meles that August, as well as with human rights leaders. I raised concerns directly with him, especially the egregiously flawed election and the killing of dissidents by his forces, and the next year introduced the Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights Advancement Act.
Following the passing of Prime Minister Meles, domination by the TPLF continued, and this subcommittee held another critical hearing on Ethiopia after Meles, and The Future of Democracy and Human Rights. And it was a resolution which I introduced along with Chairwoman Bass, H. Res. 128, Supporting Respect for Human Rights and Encouraging Inclusive Governance in Ethiopia, that passed the House on April 10, 2018, which laid out milestones for a transition from rule by the TPLF.
Following Prime Minister Abiy's ascension, Chairwoman Bass and I met with him in August 2018, and were encouraged by his words and actions, including the release of thousands of political prisoners.
The removal of the TPLF as the dominant power in Ethiopia, however, which had brought a reform-minded Prime Minister Abiy to leadership in 2018, also unleashed protracted jockeying between other ethnic groups, most notably the two largest, the Oromo and the Amhara, as well as intra-ethnic conflict. Indeed, Prime Minister Abiy's position among his own Oromo group is not solidified, and his pan-Ethiopian vision is being challenged by Oromo separatists, such as the Oromo Liberation Front, and a now-jailed firebrand, Jawar Mohammed.
These ethnic tensions are further exacerbated by a constitutional order bequeathed by the TPLF commonly called ethnic federalism, which has led to the pitting of one group against another and fueled regional separatism and the desire to cleanse regions of other ethnicities.
Though it may not be considered polite to discuss issues such as ethnicity and religion, one cannot understand the current crisis in Ethiopia without reference to the ethnic tensions which are often overlaid with religious ones. We in Congress must be careful, however, to not inadvertently stir up further ethnicity-based division by taking the side of one group over another, but rather, urge a path of reconciliation and negotiation which will likely lead to no one being fully satisfied, but will help reduce tensions.
Many individuals and groups can point to grievances, whether historical or ongoing, which are quite real. The war in Tigray threatens to exacerbate an already severe humanitarian problem.
We have seen crisis upon crisis upon crisis beset Ethiopia in this year alone. Not only did COVID impact Ethiopia, as it did so many countries, but on top of that there was a major locust plague which has created major food insecurity throughout Ethiopia, the Horn, East Africa and beyond. And now, armed conflict.
There needs to be a time for justice and accountability, for the atrocities committed by all sides. No matter what the exigent circumstances, civil libertieswhich Prime Minister Abiy to his credit helped restore in 2018cannot be curtailed indefinitely.
But first, we need to stop the bloodshed and address the humanitarian needs. And the anti-ethnic violence and hateful rhetoric must end.
As Secretary Mike Pompeo related in his call with Prime Minister Abiy on November 30, there should be a complete end to the fighting and constructive dialogue to resolve the crisis. He also stressed the need to protect civilians from further harm, including those fleeing the conflict crossing the border into Sudan, and respect for the human rights of all ethnic groups, including Tigrayans.
Fortunately, it looks like an agreement has been reached between the Ethiopian government and the United Nations to allow for unimpeded humanitarian access to areas of Tigray under government control. I hope that at a minimum the basic needs of those who have been displaced in the fightingwhich some estimate to be a million peoplecan now be addressed, even while political issues still remain to be resolved.
Ethiopia is a great country, a proud nation whose roots reach back to the Old Testament. It retained its independence where others didn't. It is the seat of the African Union, and a world leader. Its soldiers help keep peace in other countries in conflict, and its cultural and artistic influence is widespread.
It is therefore absolutely imperative that Ethiopia not succumb to internal division and ethnic hatred. Ethiopia is far too important, not just for the Ethiopian people, but for the entire Horn and Africa as a whole. It must overcome this year of crises, and return to being an example to be followed.
I look forward to hearing from our witnesses. Thank you.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409056,"US lawmakers: UK Sec of State greatly disappoints, continues injustices of Finucane murder case",2020-11-30,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Richard Neal (D-MA), who spearheaded a bipartisan congressional letter urging an independent UK inquiry into government collusion in the 1989 assassination of human rights lawyer Patrick Finucane, today released the following statement in response to UK Secretary of State Brandon Lewis' disappointing decision to block a public hearing into the murder:
The British Government's announcement today, its most recent attempt to break its promise for a public inquiry into the murder of defense attorney Patrick Fincuane, is inconsistent, unrealistic and dismissive of the extraordinary human rights implications of his murdera case where the government has acknowledged collusion but will not accept responsibility.
Despite multiple public commitments to get to the truth and foster reconciliation for a lasting peace, the British government has instead engaged in years-long subterfuge, substituting one limited review after another, always short of the public inquiry.
We had hoped that today would be different.We had hoped today would be the day the British Government would get back on track, follow through on its solemn obligation and hold accountable those responsible for this heinous crime.
Instead they offer more ploys, more maneuvering.
There is no statute of limitations on the truth. And while we are heartsick for Geraldine and the entire Finucane family we are no less determined to work with them to get to truth.
Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has chaired 17 congressional hearings on human rights and the peace process in the north of Ireland10 of which featured Finucane's surviving children and/or his wife Geraldine who was injured in the assassination.
Neal, chairman of both the bipartisan Friends of Ireland Caucus as well as the House Ways and Means Committee, has fought side-by-side with Smith and other members of the U.S. Congress for the Finucane family for over 30 years to obtain justice. Their bipartisan letter, signed by 24 Members of the U.S. Congress, was sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409057,"CNN Op-Ed by Smith, other lawmakers'Fighting anti-Semitism online requires a global effort '",2020-11-30,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Given the state of global affairs, it is not a given that we -- a bipartisan group of elected officials from Israel, the US, Canada, Australia and the UK -- would find common ground in the midst of a global pandemic. However, the disconcerting proliferation of anti-Semitism through new technology demands that we take urgent action.
We recently launchedthe Inter-Parliamentary Task Force to Combat Online Antisemitism in order to hold social media companies accountable for what takes place on their platforms and help create transparent policies to tackle hate speech.
The hate that we see online isn't just harmless chatter relegated to dark corners of the internet -- it often spills onto the streets, and dangerous propaganda can quickly transcend the geographic borders of any of our countries. Combating this global hatred, therefore, requires a global solution.
The launch of our task force follows grassroots initiatives, including the#NoSafeSpaceForJewHatecampaign, and repeated calls to action after social media platforms have ignored or inadequately addressed virulent anti-Semitism on their platforms.
Last year, Facebook's CEOMark Zuckerberg published acall for help from elected officials requesting that we take a more significant role in the battle to combat hate on the internet. We are here to answer this call.
Our task force, made up of lawmakers across the political spectrum, underscores the fact that the fight against anti-Semitism should be a nonpartisan issue in democratic countries and that virulent anti-Semitism is a poison that exists among both the far left and far right. We are launching this process with the mission of creating consistent understanding, messaging and policy to be utilized by our respective legislatures.
We will hold virtual hearings, bringing together experts on technology and speech from around the world to meet directly with parliamentarians and tech companies in an unprecedented way. We will engage with social media companies to stress the tremendous duty that comes with the power that they hold, highlighting that these platforms can and should play an important role in raising awareness among their users about what content violates accepted norms while enabling the continuation of open and free dialogue.
Despite the variations in our countries' policies regarding hate speech, there are shared principles that can be utilized in battling anti-Semitism online. Recognizing when free speech crosses into dangerous hate speech enables the creation of boundaries online while protecting the fundamental freedoms of discourse.
While our task force will focus on combating online anti-Semitism, we recognize that if one minority cannot be protected by policy, ultimately none can be. In doing so, the task force can serve as a model for the collaboration necessary to protect all minority groups from online hate.
As elected officials, we also have an obligation to our constituents. We will engage with communities and organizations and publish recommendations that can help all social media users feel safer. We will hold those promoting online hate to account, and we will push companies to consider more stringent guardrails to prevent the kind of offensive and harassing content that is all too prevalent.
We must come together to more skillfully combat online anti-Semitism, with social media companies recognizing their power and responsibility to prevent users from spreading corrosive hate on these platforms. Only by working together do we have a shot at making significant changes.
Anti-Semitism has survived millennia because it constantly adapts. We must rise to today's challenge of fighting this hatred in its latest form. By bringing together parliamentarians representing different countries and political beliefs, we are forming a united front and a global commitment to combating this deeply serious issue.
Michal Cotler-Wunsh is a member of Knesset in the Blue and White Party in Israel
Ted Deutch is a Democratic member of Congress in the United States
Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a Democratic member of Congress in the United States
Chris Smith is a Republican member of Congress in the United States
Anthony Housefather is a Liberal member of Parliament in Canada
Marty Morantz is a Conservative member of Parliament in Canada
Randall Garrison is an NDP member of Parliament in Canada.
Dave Sharma is a Liberal member of Parliament in Australia
Josh Burns is a Labor member of Parliament in Australia
Alex Sobel is a Labour and Cooperative member of Parliament in the United Kingdom
Andrew Percy is a Conservative member of Parliament in the United Kingdom
Michael Levitt is a former Liberal member of Parliament in Canada
Editor's Note: The Inter-Parliamentary Task Force to Combat Online Antisemitism is made up of a multiparty group of lawmakers from Israel, the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. The views expressed in this commentary belong to the authors. Viewmore opinionat CNN.This article was originally published by CNN on Nov. 30, 2020 and can be found online at:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/30/opinions/tackling-antisemitism-online-inter-parlimentary-task-force/index.html",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409054,"US lawmakers send bipartisan letter to UK prime minister urging independent, judicial investigation into Finucane murder",2020-11-25,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The United Kingdom must end years of delay and establish an independent inquiry into collusion in the 1989 murder of human rights lawyer Patrick Finucane, said Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who with Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) sent a bipartisan letter signed by 24 members of the U.S. Congress to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Pat Finucane was a courageous defense attorney, a loving father and husband, gunned down because of his commitment to human rights and the rule of law,said Smith, who has chaired 17 congressional hearings on human rights and the peace process in the north of Ireland10 of which featured Finucane's surviving children and/or his wife Geraldine who was injured in the assassination. The British government's deliberate decision not to proceed with an independent, judicial inquiry into the Finucane murderan unfulfilled commitment of the peace processis a public breach of faith. It resonates throughout Northern Ireland and among international lawmakers and human rights observers, undercutting the good the British government has done and its commitment to justice, truth and reconciliation.
Said Neil, As chairman of the bipartisan Friends of Ireland Caucus in the United State Congress, I once again join my colleagues calling on the British government to hold a public inquiry into the killing of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane. I continue to believe the Finucane family has a right to truth and justice and that is why I have worked closely with them on this case on both sides of the Atlantic for more than three decades. They deserve to know what happened in February of 1989 and the level of state collusion into the murder of their husband and father. This letter is calling on the British government to be accountable.
The letter read, in part, We write to urge you to establish an independent public inquiry into state collusion in the murder of human rights attorney Patrick Finucane at his home in Belfast in front of his wife and children on February 12, 1989. Recent news reports state that, to comply with court orders, a decision will be made by November 30th. Establishing the independent judicial inquiry is in keeping with your government's commitments throughout the peace process and the public interest. Click here to read the letter.
In 2007, Smith and Neal also teamed up to introduce a House resolution Smith authored, H.Con.Res.20, Calling on the Government of the United Kingdom to immediately establish a full, independent, and public judicial inquiry into the murder of Northern Ireland defense attorney Patrick Finucane. The resolution, authored by Smith, passed 364-34 in the House, and unanimously in the Senate.
We are once again urging our friends in the British government to do what's right and we stand in solidarity with the Finucane family which has long sought the truth in the case and accountability for those responsible for this crime,"" said Smith who has had four resolutions pass the House urging the British to conduct the independent inquiry: 1999, 2002, 2006 and 2007.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409052,"APP article on Monmouth parents of child w Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Smith trying to assist'Manalapan charity wants to raffle car online; state says no'",2020-11-20,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Jerry Carino, Asbury Park Press staff, USA TODAY NETWORK
Jim and Karen Raffone thought they had the perfect fundraiser for their charity, which sponsors major research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy: All American Ford in Old Bridge donated a 2020 Ford Mustang convertible for them to raffle off.
We thought we could raise $100,000, Jim Raffone said. We raised approximately $25,000 before we had to stop.
Then the office of New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal informed them they were in violation of the law.
Under existing New Jersey law remote and online raffles are not permitted, said Gema de las Heras, the Attorney General's office spokeswoman,in an email.""Our Division of Consumer Affairs has discussed several options with the family's representatives and stands ready to assist them and other nonprofits who seek to hold raffles find a path forward working within the existing law.""
My Cause MyCleats:NFL player wears cleats in ailing Manalapan boy's honor
PHOTO: Jamesy Raffone atop of dad Jim Raffone'sshoulders during a Jan of Hope event.
The Raffones, who live in Manalapan, were conducting the raffle online because of the gathering restrictions imposed by Gov. Phil Murphy during the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has grinded fundraising events to a halt for nonprofits across the state, threatening their survival in many cases.
Every charity in New Jersey is not allowed to do what I'm fighting for, Raffone said. We can't even have an event inside. It's very, very difficult. We're looking to host a clinical trial by January and it's going to cost us $2 million. How do I get this $2 million?
The Raffones' nonprofit, JAR of Hope, was founded in 2013 after theirson James was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative condition that eventually results in total muscle failure. Patients seldom live past their 20s.Jamesy is now 11 years old and still walking.
We're keeping the disease at bay as much as possible, Jim Raffone said, but it's still doing what it wants to do.
PHOTO: Jamesy Raffone (left) with dad Jim Raffone.
Asbury Park fundraiser:Johnny Rzeznik, Jim Babjak, Joe Grushecky, more set for online Shine a Light
Through the years JAR of Hope has aggressively fundraised for Duchenne research. Jim Raffone has run ultramarathons, rung the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange, organized a world record-breaking Legochain, and enlisted the public support of pro football players. Last month he raised $165,000 by walking 260 miles from Washington, D.C. to Old Bridge.
Among those who greeted him at the finish line was his congressman, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith.
We've been working with him since 2014, Smith said via phone. He and his wife are such wonderful people.
Click here or on image above for photo slides show. On Wednesday Smith wrote a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy urging a waiver of the online raffle regulation for JAR of Hope and other nonprofits.
This should be right up his alley, Smith said of Murphy. During this crisis just about everything else that can be waived is waived, so why not just do it with an executive order? It'll help other very important charities, too.
Acknowledging the general concern about online raffles the drawing should be witnessed, to ensure its fairness Smith said safeguards can be be put into place so charlatans don't get involved.
De las Heras, of the attorney general's office, mentioned one possibility in her email to the Press.
The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission (LGCCC) within the Division of Consumer Affairs understands that the public health emergency has affected nonprofit organizations and their ability to fundraise during the pandemic, she wrote. The LGCCC has been assisting nonprofit organizations identify alternatives to in-person events, such as live streaming video of the raffle drawings.
A live-streamed drawing would solvehalf the problem. The other half, the prohibition of online raffle ticket sales, continues to be an issue. It's hard to collect raffle tickets when gatherings are not allowed.
PHOTO: Rep. Chris Smith (right) with Jim and Karen Raffone at the end
of Jim's 260-mile charity walk last month.
On Wednesday Murphy signaled a willingness to bend on the issue, signing a bill expanding charities' ability to sell raffle tickets online based around sporting events raffles that otherwise would have occurred in stadiums and arenas.
That does not help JAR of Hope, though, since no sporting event or stadium was involved. So at the moment Raffone has a Mustang valued at $46,000 and a stalled raffle.
Here in New Jersey, on any given day, millions of dollars can be bet online on professional football, horse racing, tennis, golf, college football, basketball, baseball and all other sports, Raffone's attorney James Aaron wrote in a letter to lawmakers. Even playing poker and other games of chance can be bet on with a simple turning on of the computer, yet a charity of this nature trying to save the life of a child and other children similarly situated, cannot take advantage of the internet and an online raffle.
Eligible organizations are encouraged to direct related questions to AskConsumerAffairs@dca.lps.state.nj.us. or call (973) 273-8000.
Jerry Carino is community columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shore's interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues.
On Wednesday Murphy signaled a willingness to bend on the issue, signing a bill expanding charities' ability to sell raffle tickets online based around sporting eventsraffles that otherwise would have occurredin stadiums and arenas.
That does not helpJAR of Hope, though, since no sporting event or stadium was involved. So at the moment Raffone has a Mustang valued at $46,000 and a stalled raffle.
Here in New Jersey, on any given day, millions of dollars can be bet online on professional football, horse racing, tennis, golf, college football, basketball, baseball and all other sports, Raffone's attorney James Aaron wrote in a letter to lawmakers. Even playing poker and other games of chance can be bet on with a simple turning on of the computer, yet a charity of this nature trying to save the life of a child and other children similarly situated, cannot take advantage of the internet and an online raffle.
On Wednesday Murphy signaled a willingness to bend on the issue, signing a bill expanding charities' ability to sell raffle tickets online based around sporting eventsraffles that otherwise would have occurredin stadiums and arenas.
That does not helpJAR of Hope, though, since no sporting event or stadium was involved. So at the moment Raffone has a Mustang valued at $46,000 and a stalled raffle.
Here in New Jersey, on any given day, millions of dollars can be bet online on professional football, horse racing, tennis, golf, college football, basketball, baseball and all other sports, Raffone's attorney James Aaron wrote in a letter to lawmakers. Even playing poker and other games of chance can be bet on with a simple turning on of the computer, yet a charity of this nature trying to save the life of a child and other children similarly situated, cannot take advantage of the internet and an online raffle.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409053,"House passes Smith billSmith statement as House debates Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act of 2020",2020-11-18,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The following are excerpts of remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) in the House of Representatives during debate on H.R. 8428, Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020 on November 18, 2020:
Madam Speaker, I urge swift enactment into law of the bipartisan Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act of 2020 which I introduced.
And here's why this legislation is absolutely needed now.
Belarus was perhaps the nation most mired in its Soviet past, with an inefficient economy and a strongman autocrat in charge for over two-and-a-half decades. Yet the indomitable spirit of freedom stirred among the people of Belarus, and when a patently false election result was announced on August 9th declaring Alyaksandr Lukashenka the winner, the people took to the streets.
The OSCE Moscow Mechanism, reported November 5 that there is overwhelming evidence that Belarus's August 9 presidential election results were falsified and that systematic"" human rights violations have been committed by the country's security forces in response to the peaceful demonstrations the vote sparked.
Now, reports out of Belarus indicate that police are using increasingly violent tactics against these peaceful demonstrators.
The BBC summed it yesterday in an article Belarus protesters battered, bruised but defiant after 100 days which said in part:
Opposition protesters remain defiant in Belarus despite police brutality, 100 days after they first took to the streets to denounce the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko.
Police in helmets and body armour throw women holding flowers and balloons into police vans. Officers tear-gas elderly people on a pensioners' march
Yet every Sunday thousands still pour into the streets of the capital Minsk, condemning what they see as Mr Lukashenko's fraudulent 9 August victory
Alesya, a 31-year old worker in the IT industry, regularly attends the Sunday rallies. On 15 November, however, things turned nasty very quickly. When she arrived at the square where the march was supposed to start, it was already packed with security forces. As more people gathered, officers fired stun grenades and started hitting people with batons to disperse the crowd.
""They attacked us again and again. It was awful. They ferociously beat people, twisted their arms and took them away,"" she said.
She ran away into courtyards following other protesters, but police in their minivans quickly caught up with them even there. She was saved by a stranger who hid her and several others in his house.
""It felt like World War Two, when people tried to hide Jews from the Nazis. It was terrifying, we were shocked.""
That march was called in memory of Roman Bondarenko, an activist who was beaten in detention and died in hospital last week.
Madame Speaker, the people of Belarusespecially the pro-democracy leadersdesperately need our help.
And they need it right now.
As my colleagues know, the leading opposition presidential candidate Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya who almost certainly won the election in Augustformed the Coordination Council.
The democratic opposition is united, smart, principled, tenacious and extraordinarily brave.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya ran a courageous campaign but today is in exile in Lithuania where she continues to rally the Belarusian people and the world and demand democracy and human rights for all the people of her nation.
Last night I read portions of the transcript of a hearing I chaired in 2011after another fraudulent Belarusian election. Then, as now, and on many other occasions, Lukashenka's bullies beat, jailed and assaulted peaceful protestors.
The big mistake of the pastfatigue or lack of commitment and perseverance by the international communitycan't be repeated this time.
(On two separate occasions, I met with Lukashenka in Minsk and came away resolved to accelerate the struggle for democracy and freedom.)
My bipartisan bill, H.R. 8438the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act of 2020updates, strengthens and expands the Belarus Democracy Acts of 2004, 2006, and 2011, laws that I also authored, and renews the personal economic and visa sanctions on an expanded list of actors in the Belarusian Government and Russian individuals complicit in the crackdown.
Yesterday, Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya, again called for the sanctions embedded in my bill. The time to act is now.
Among its many other provisions, the legislation:
Calls for new elections.
It recognizes the Coordination Council as a legitimate institution to participate in a dialogue on a peaceful transition of power.
It calls for the release of all political prisoners.
It supports the aspirations of the people of Belarus to exercise their religious freedom.
It authorizes assistance to promote democracy and civil society in Belarus.
It unequivocally states that it is the policy of the United States not to recognize any incorporation of Belarus into a Union State' with Russia.
It requires a U.S. strategy to promote broadcasting, internet freedom and access to information.
In addition, it gives much needed support to the Belarusian media, and to the IT sector.
By passing this bill today followed by approval in the Senate and signing into law by the President, we can not only reiterate but significantly expand our support and solidarity with the great people of Belarus. [Following debate, the Smith bill passed on Nov. 18, 2020 in a unanimous voice vote.]",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409045,"Smith statement on the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act being debated by the House",2020-11-17,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The following are excerpts of remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) in the House of Representatives for debate on H.R. 8428,The Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, andSovereignty Act of 2020 onNovember 18, 2020:
Madam Speaker, I urge swift enactment into law of the bipartisan Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act of 2020 which I introduced.
And here's why this legislation is absolutely needed now.
Belarus was perhaps the nation most mired in its Soviet past, with an inefficient economy and a strongman autocrat in charge for over two-and-a-half decades. Yet the indomitable spirit of freedom stirred among the people of Belarus, and when a patently false election result was announced on August 9th declaring Alyaksandr Lukashenka the winner, the people took to the streets.
The OSCE Moscow Mechanism, reported November 5 that there is overwhelming evidence that Belarus's August 9 presidential election results were falsified and that systematic"" human rights violations have been committed by the country's security forces in response to the peaceful demonstrations the vote sparked.
Now, reports out of Belarus indicate that police are using increasingly violent tactics against these peaceful demonstrators.
The BBC summed it yesterday in an article Belarus protesters battered, bruised but defiant after 100 days which said in part:
Opposition protesters remain defiant in Belarus despite police brutality, 100 days after they first took to the streets to denounce the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko.
Police in helmets and body armour throw women holding flowers and balloons into police vans. Officers tear-gas elderly people on a pensioners' march
Yet every Sunday thousands still pour into the streets of the capital Minsk, condemning what they see as Mr Lukashenko's fraudulent 9 August victory
Alesya, a 31-year old worker in the IT industry, regularly attends the Sunday rallies. On 15 November, however, things turned nasty very quickly.
When she arrived at the square where the march was supposed to start, it was already packed with security forces. As more people gathered, officers fired stun grenades and started hitting people with batons to disperse the crowd.
""They attacked us again and again. It was awful. They ferociously beat people, twisted their arms and took them away,"" she said.
She ran away into courtyards following other protesters, but police in their minivans quickly caught up with them even there. She was saved by a stranger who hid her and several others in his house.
""It felt like World War Two, when people tried to hide Jews from the Nazis. It was terrifying, we were shocked.""
That march was called in memory of Roman Bondarenko, an activist who was beaten in detention and died in hospital last week.
I reiterate Secretary of State Michael Pompeo's November 12 appeal to Lukashenka: We once again call on the Belarusian authorities to immediately cease the escalating use of violence against peaceful demonstrators... .
Madame Speaker, the people of Belarusespecially the pro-democracy leadersdesperately need our help.
And they need it right now.
As my colleagues know, the leading opposition presidential candidate Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya who almost certainly won the election in Augustformed the Coordination Council.
The democratic opposition is united, smart, principled, tenacious and extraordinarily brave.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya ran a courageous campaign but today is in exile in Lithuania where she continues to rally the Belarusian people and the world and demand democracy and human rights for all the people of her nation.
Last night I read portions of the transcript of a hearing I chaired in 2011after another fraudulent Belarusian election. Then, as now, and on many other occasions, Lukashenka's bullies beat, jailed and assaulted peaceful protestors.
The big mistake of the pastfatigue or lack of commitment and perseverance by the international communitycan't be repeated this time.
(On two separate occasions, I met with Lukashenka in Minsk and came away resolved to accelerate the struggle for democracy and freedom.)
My bipartisan bill, H.R. 8438the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act of 2020updates, strengthens and expands the Belarus Democracy Acts of 2004, 2006, and 2011, laws that I also authored, and renews the personal economic and visa sanctions on an expanded list of actors in the Belarusian Government and Russian individuals complicit in the crackdown.
Yesterday, Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya again called for the sanctions embedded in my bill. The time to act is now.
Among its many other provisions, the legislation:
Calls for new elections.
It recognizes the Coordination Council as a legitimate institution to participate in a dialogue on a peaceful transition of power.
It calls for the release of all political prisoners.
It supports the aspirations of the people of Belarus to exercise their religious freedom.
It authorizes assistance to promote democracy and civil society in Belarus.
It unequivocally states that it is the policy of the United States not to recognize any incorporation of Belarus into a Union State' with Russia.
It requires a U.S. strategy to promote broadcasting, internet freedom and access to information.
In addition, it gives much needed support to the Belarusian media, and to the IT sector.
By passing this bill today followed by approval in the Senate and signing into law by the President, we can not only reiterate but significantly expand our support and solidarity with the great people of Belarus.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409043,Statement on Chinese Gov't removal of four elected pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmakers,2020-11-12,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), author of the House-passed Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, said: the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) forced removal of four duly elected pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong's Legislative Council is outrageous, unjustified and absolutely dishonorable and tells the world that human rights and the rule of law are a cruel joke under the dictatorship of Xi Jinping.
Smith continued, Today's mass resignation of all the remaining pro-democracy lawmakers to protest Beijing's iron fist policies toward Hong Kong and the lawmakers deserves the deepest respect, support and admiration of everyone who cherishes freedom. The entire free worldnot just a few nations like the United Statesmust sanction Beijing and hold the CCP to account.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409042,"On Veterans Day, Smiths 15th veterans law goes to White House VFW, Sierra Club praise Smith billSmiths outdoor therapy vets bill clears Senate",2020-11-11,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"On the eve of the Veterans' Day holiday, legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to help veterans heal through outdoor recreational therapy cleared the Senate and was on its way to the President's desk for signing and implementation.
Smith's bipartisan Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act (H.R. 2435), which was endorsed by more than 120 veteran service organizations, outdoor recreation groups and conservation organizations, will provide increased access to federal lands for the purposes of veterans' medical recovery therapy.Smith's billcosponsored by 135 bipartisan lawmakerswas included in a package of veterans' legislation, The Veterans' COMPACT Act (H.R. 8247), which passed the House of Representatives in September and was approved by the Senate late last night.
Research has increasingly shown that outdoor recreation can be an effective form of treatment, rehabilitation and healing for veterans, said Smith, author of the Veterans Health Programs Improvement Act (P.L. 108-422), and 13 other veterans laws.
While many nonprofit organizations, veteran service organizations and private companies have used the outdoors to help heroes heal, providing greater coordination among key federal agencies will open new opportunities for veterans on public lands and other outdoor spaces, said Smith, who has twice served as chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
The new law will require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an interagency task force on the use of public lands to provide medical treatment and therapy to veterans through outdoor recreation. After undertaking a comprehensive analysis, the task force will submit recommendations to Congress, within one year, on how to eliminate barriers and provide more public outdoor space for use by our veterans. Click here to watch Chris Smith's remarks on the House Floor.
Nearly 75 years ago, Congress passed and President Eisenhower signed a law changing Nov. 11 from Armistice Day to Veterans Day, Smith said. It's a day for us all to recall those who've served, those who didn't come home and those who came back with the scars of war who need help to heal. That's what this bill is all about, and it is especially fitting that today, on Veterans Day 2020, this bill is heading to the White House to be signed into law.
Veterans and environmental groups praised the bill upon House passage and pushed for Senate approval as well.
Said New Jersey VFW State Legislative Director William F. Thomson: Congratulations to Chris Smith on another important piece of veteran legislation. Congressman Smith has been a three-time recipient of the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars Legislator of the Year award and National Veterans of Foreign Wars Legislator of the Year award. He has always shown that veterans are important to him and our nations. He is one of the New Jersey Veterans best friends in Congress.
Said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, For the people who have given their all for this country, we need to do all we can to help them. That includes access to National Parks and outdoor activities. The outdoors experience has restorative powers, whether you are hiking, mountain biking, camping, or communing with nature. It helps to inspire us and heals our body and spirit. Connecting with nature and being in the wilderness is a powerful part of healing, and the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act will help veterans access that power. My dad was a WWII veteran who was at the Bulge and many other battles. He was also a Sierra Club member for over 40 years. He became an avid hiker and outdoor person when he came back, which helped him deal with everything he went through. It also helped bond us together through an appreciation of nature.
Our public lands are places for respite and healing, but for many veterans, those landscapes remain out of reach, said Rob Vessels, campaign manager of Sierra Club Military Outdoors. Today's vote is an important first step in eliminating those barriers to access, so veterans can heal on the lands they swore an oath to protect. We thank Rep. Chris Smith and Rep. Adam Smith for their work on this critical issue.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for PTSD, between 11 and 20 percent of veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, 12 percent of those who served in Desert Storm have PTSD in a given year, and 30 percent of those who served in Vietnam, will have had PTSD in their lifetime.
PHOTO: On the House floor Sept. 23, Rep. Chris Smith thanked Sierra Club for its leadership, and his 130-plus colleagues who cosponsored his bill, including Armed Service Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-WA). He recounted the true story of a veteran suffering from PTSD, and his positive encounter with nature.
Smith's other veterans bills signed into law:
H.R.4511 - Gold Star Families Voices Act of 2016
HR 4175 - Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2004
HR 2297 - Veterans Benefits Act of 2003
HR 1683 Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2003
HR 100 Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003
HR 4085 Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2002
HR 3838 - To amend the charter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
HR 3447 - Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001
HR 3253 - Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Preparedness Act of 2002 11/7/02
HR 2716 - Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001
HR 2540 - Veterans' Compensation Rate Amendments of 2001
HR 1291 - Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001
HR 801 - Veterans' Survivor Benefits Improvements Act of 2001
HJRes 65 - Commending the World War II veterans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409033,"The Monitor of Trenton'As trafficking law turns 20, Rep. Smith fears pandemic fosters child exploitation'",2020-10-30,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Julie Asher, Catholic News Service
AstheTraffickingVictims Protection Act of 2000 marked its 20th year Oct. 28, the Catholic congressman who wrote it -- and four other anti-traffickinglaws in the intervening yearscelebrated the historic legislation that holds every nation on the globe ""to account on humantraffickingmatters.""
But in celebrating thelaw's anniversary,Rep. ChrisSmith, R-New Jersey, and member of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, also expressed serious concern the ongoingpandemicis putting more children and young people at risk ofexploitation.
With restrictions in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, they are spending so much more time on the internet, he said.
""Some of today's challenges, suchashow ever-evolving technology is being utilized by predators to lure children intotrafficking, could not have been anticipated20years ago,""Smithsaid.
""Today, due to COVID-19 restrictions, young people are spending more time online and evidence suggests a huge spike in predators' access to children on the internet and the rise of online grooming and sexualexploitationwhile children are isolated and 'virtually' connected to the world,"" he added.
In his home state alone, he said, reports of onlinechildexploitationare up 75 percent, according to the Asbury Park Press daily newspaper. ""(This) can lead to humantraffickingand other abuses,""Smithsaid.
He made the comments in an op-ed he distributed to media around the country, including Catholic News Service.
Thelawhe wrote ""to aggressively combat sex and labortraffickingboth within the United States and around the world,"" he said, ""created a new, well-funded whole-of-government domestic and international strategy and established numerous new programs to protect victims, prosecute traffickers and to the extent possible, prevent humantraffickingin the first place.""
""Thousands of human traffickers have been prosecuted and jailed pursuant"" under the landmarklaw, he said, including Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy financier and convicted sex offender who federal prosecutors charged in 2019 with creating a sextraffickingoperation involving dozens of underage girls.
Before he could face trial on the charges, Epstein was found dead Aug. 19, 2019, in his cell in a federal prison in New York, the victim of an apparent suicide.
Smithalso pointed to Keith Raniere and Allison Mackasexamples of others prosecuted under the TVPA.
Raniere was the leader of NXIVM, an organization he describedasa self-help group but what prosecutors called a sex cult. He was convicted in June 2019 on charges including sexualexploitation, forced labor and sextrafficking. This October, on Oct. 27, he was sentenced to 120 years in prison by a federal court in Brooklyn, New York.
Mack, a TV actress known for her role in ""Smallville,"" was a high-ranking member of Raniere's organization and faces multiple charges for allegedly being involved in a scheme to turn women into sex slaves. She pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in April 2019 and is awaiting sentencing.
Smithsaid the TVPA ""included a number of 'sea change' criminal code reforms including treatingasa victimand not a perpetrator of a crimeanyone 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.""
""The TVPA radically reformed the U.S. criminal code to authorize asset confiscation and jail sentences of up to life imprisonment for the predators,"" he continued.
""Most importantly, because of the TVPA, many victims have been rescued and protected,"" he said, ""while comprehensive prevention strategies have spared many from theexploitationand abuse of the crime that treats mostly women and childrenasmere commodities to be bought and sold.""
The 2000lawincluded the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act and the Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act and reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act.
It also provided for sheltering and a national hotline available 24/7(888) 373-7888and for refugees, created a new asylum categorythe T visato protect victims and their families.
The visa enables certain humantraffickingvictims to remain in the United States for up to four years if they have assistedlawenforcement in an investigation or prosecution of humantrafficking.
Smithsponsored four additional laws to combat humantraffickingin 2003, 2005, 2016 and 2019. Signed intolawby President Donald Trump, the 2019lawis called the Frederick DouglassTraffickingVictims Prevention and Protection Act.
Thelawfor the first time authorizes federal grants for local educational agencies ""to educate school staff to recognize and respond to signs of sex and labortraffickingand provide age-appropriate information to students on how to avoid becoming victims,"" saidSmith, who founded the Congressional HumanTraffickingCaucus and has chaired dozens of hearings on humantrafficking.
""Twenty years after the TVPA becamelaw, the nefarious trade in women and childrenmodern-day slaveryhas become more visible and a more urgent priority forlawenforcement on all levels,"" the congressman said. ""Much remains to be done to protect victims, prosecute traffickers and prevent humantrafficking.
Rep. ChrisSmith's complete op-ed can be found on the website of the Asbury Park Press,https://bit.ly/35FEqbW.
https://trentonmonitor.com/Content/Default/World-Nation/Article/As-trafficking-law-turns-20-Rep-Smith-fears-pandemic-fosters-child-exploitation/-3/274/24173",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409037,"Trentonian Op-Ed'Smiths historic anti-trafficking law marks 20th year'",2020-10-30,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"This week marks the 20th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000the comprehensive, historic law that I authored to aggressively combat sex and labor trafficking both within the United States and around the world.
The TVPA created a new, well-funded whole-of-government domestic and international strategy and established numerous new programs to Protect victims, Prosecute traffickers and to the extent possible, Prevent human trafficking in the first place.
Thousands of human traffickers have been prosecuted and jailed pursuant to the TVPA including all charges in 2019 against Jeffrey Epstein and the infamous sex trafficking ring convictions involving NXIVM's Keith Raniere and Smallville actress Allison Mack.
The TVPA included a number of sea change criminal code reforms including treating as a victimand not a perpetrator of a crimeanyone 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.
The TVPA radically reformed the U.S. criminal code to authorize asset confiscation and jail sentences of up to life imprisonment for the predators.
Most importantly, because of the TVPA, many victims have been rescued and protected while comprehensive prevention strategies have spared many from the exploitation and abuse of the crime that treats mostly women and children as mere commodities to be bought and sold.
Of significance, my law also included the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, the Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act and reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)doubling VAWA funding to $3.3 billion over five years for women's shelters, rehab programs, housing and other initiatives for battered and abused women.
Over the years, I've authored four additional laws to combat human traffickingincluding in 2003, 2005, 2016, and 2019.
Believing that federal law needed parallel state and local statues to foster an effective prosecution strategy to combat human trafficking, the TVPA included new DOJ programs to assist states in crafting laws and authorized the creation of new anti-human trafficking task forces.
In like manner, the TVPA provides law reform and best-practice technical assistance to other countries.
The Act also included sheltering and a national hotline, and on the refugee side, created a new asylum categorythe T visato protect victims and their families.
Among its many other provisions, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act also created the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons the U.S. State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and annual TIP reports with its tier grading of every nation's record in making serious and sustained efforts to eliminate human trafficking. Those relegated to what we call Tier 3egregious violatorsare subject to sanctions.
In 2019, President Trump signed my fifth comprehensive anti-human trafficking bill into law The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act- which for the first time ever authorized federal grants to local educational agencies to educate school staff to recognize and respond to signs of sex and labor trafficking and provide age-appropriate information to students on how to avoid becoming victims.
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO) one in four trafficking victims are children and more than 40 million individuals of all ages are living in slavery worldwide.
Some of today's challenges, such as how ever-evolving technology is being utilized by predators to lure children into trafficking, could not have been anticipated 20 years ago
Today, due to COVID-19 restrictions, young people are spending more time online and evidence suggests a huge spike in predators' access to children on the internet and the rise of online grooming and sexual exploitation while children are isolated and virtually connected to the world.
As reported by the Asbury Park Press, there is a huge surge in reports about online child exploitationup 75 percent in New Jersey alonewhich can lead to human trafficking and other abuses.
ECPAT-USA, the first U.S.-based nonprofit to work on the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children, has been especially focused on the safety of children during the pandemic believing safety means more than handwashing and has created online safety guidelines for youth, parents and educators.
Twenty years after the TVPA became law, the nefarious trade in women and childrenmodern-day slaveryhas become more visible and a more urgent priority for law enforcement on all levels.
Much remains to be done to protect victims, prosecute traffickers and prevent human trafficking.
This Op-Ed, penned by US Congressman Chris Smith, was published in the Oct. 30, 2020 edition of the Trentonian on page 16, and can be found online at:
https://www.trentonian.com/opinion/guest-oped-smith-s-historic-anti-trafficking-law-marks-20th-year/article_560ab302-19fc-11eb-b28e-1f8df4cca38c.html",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409038,"Rep. Smith on NJ101.5 FMFighting to protect the victims--mostly woman and children-- of human trafficking",2020-10-30,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"WKXW 10/30/2020 8:11:59 AM:
Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) was a live call-in guest on NJ101.5 today with host Bill Spadea. The following are excerpts of the show:Spadea: Please welcome myfriend Congressman Chris Smith back to the show... and he has some good news to share... Actually this week marked the 20th anniversary of something that Congressman Smith championed, it is the victimsof trafficking and violence protection act's 20thanniversary. This was designed to combat traffickingand fight against violence against women, and Chris Smith was the author and has been anoutspoken advocate... he's out doing his job focusing onconstituent service. Morning Chris, how are you? Smith: Morning, Bill, and thanks for having me on, appreciate it it. Spadea: So tell me about this bill and the realproblem human trafficking that is still going on in theworld... . Smith: Oh, without a doubt. It's still growing. It's a hugeproblem in New Jersey, throughout the rest of the country. And part ofthat is that during COVID-19 that's gottenworse for young kids who are online, and predators are trying to groom them to send inpictures of themselves and that leads to a whole horrible outcome. So parents need to be veryaware of that and monitor very, very aggressively the use of phones, as wellas the use of internetwith so many children and with so many predators trying tofind those kids to exploit them. So the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, all of which were my law. It was 20 years ago this past Wednesday, just a coupledays ago. It empowers a whole-of-governmentapproach. The prosecutors nowcan bring charges... they're prioritized. And there have been thousands of prosecutions, successful ones, that have putthose whomcommit these heinous crimes behind bars for longperiods of time. That [Keith] Ranier, the man that was partof the that horrible cult in NY just got 120 years and they used my law to prosecute him. Spadea: That's good. Smith: So, it really makes a difference. And then, Bill, we call it the three ""Ps"" ...a Prosecution of traffickers, Protection of the victims, which are primarily womenand children, and then Prevention strategies. Andmy most recent law just signed by President Trumpnamed after Fredrick Douglas... that one has come up with some very good curriculum for our students to make them situationally aware, so they are not lured into this terrible, nefarious international trade where women are turned into commodities for sale. So it's made a difference, both domestically and internationally. And it's right here, gangs and organized crime are the two principle drivers behind it... having met so many trafficking victims. A matter of fact, in the 1990s when I had a whole series of hearings I had women who had been trafficked tell their stories . I'll tell you, the pain and the agony of in their voices and in their eyes and in their hearts helped me get the bill passed. Because a lot of people didn't want to do it. They were either indifferent or they thought it was a solution in search of a problem, or they simply just said 'ah, let's do other things.' So it took a while to get this law signed. Spadea: Yeah, but you did it, you got it done. And you've been a tireless champion for those without a voice at so many levels in government. Smith: And Bill, just one quick thing. If people see something that doesn't look right, almost like with the mantra that we have with terrorism: 'if it doesn't look right, make a call,' call local law enforcement and let them know ""Hey, this is going on, I think there might be something going where women are being forced into this horrible trade. It's modern reality slavery. Spadea: It's a reality. it's areality. Smith: We can stop it. Spadea: Thank you, thank you, Chris for your leadership. You take care. All right that was Congressman Chris Smith represents the 4th District New Jersey... . Spadea: I want tothank my yeah my friend congressman Chris Smith forcoming in. Yeah, he mentioned that one of his one ofhis bills protecting women and children is namedafter Fredrick Douglas. Fredrick Douglas is one ofthe greatfigures in American history. Thisis a man who escaped slavery in Maryland becamea national leader of the abolitionist movement. Hishistory goes back to being a young kid, learning howto read and then teaching other slaves, had read the Bible and one his great quotes I quote oftenis 'it is easier to build strong children than torepair broken men,' and I think it's especiallyimportant to understand that quote today... . The above are excerpts from the broadcast which aired live Oct. 30, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409030,"Asbury Park Press Op-Ed on the anniversary of Smith's landmark human trafficking law'COVID-19 puts more children at risk of exploitation as anti-trafficking law hits 20 | Smith'",2020-10-28,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today Oct.28 marks 20th anniversary of theTrafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 the comprehensive, historic law that I authored to aggressively combat sex and labor trafficking both within the United States and around the world. The TVPA created a new, well-fundedwhole-of-government domesticand international strategy and established numerous new programs to protect victims, prosecute traffickers and, to the extent possible, prevent human trafficking in the first place.
The TVPAincluded a number of sea change criminal code reforms including treating as a victim and not a perpetrator of a crime anyone 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.
The TVPA radically reformed the US criminal code to authorize asset confiscation and jail sentences of up to life imprisonment for the predators.
Most importantly, because of the TVPA, many victims have been rescued and protected while comprehensive prevention strategies have spared many from the exploitation and abuse of the crime that treats mostly women and children as mere commodities to be bought and sold. Of significance, my law also included the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, the Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act and reauthorized theViolence Against Women Act(VAWA) doubling VAWA funding to $3.3 billion over five years for women's shelters, rehab programs, housing and other initiatives for battered and abused women.
Over the years, I've authored four additional laws to combat human trafficking including in2003,2005,2016and2019.
2017 investigation:NJ police help FBI operation that saved 84 kids from sex trafficking
Believing that federal law needed parallel state and local statues to effectuate an effective prosecution strategy to combat human trafficking, the TVPA included new DOJ programs to assist states in crafting laws and authorized the creation of new anti-human trafficking task forces.
In like manner, the TVPA provides law reform and best-practice technical assistance to other countries.
The Act also included sheltering and anational hotlineand on the refugee side, created a new asylum category theT visa to protect victims and their families.
Among its many other provisions, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act also created the president's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons theU.S. State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and annual TIP report with its tier grading of every nation's record in making serious and sustained efforts to eliminate human trafficking.Those relegated to what we call Tier 3 egregious violators are subject to sanctions.
In 2019, President Trump signed my fifth comprehensive anti-human trafficking bill into law The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Actwhich for the first time ever authorized federal grants to local educational agencies to educate school staff to recognize and respond to signs of sex and labor trafficking and provide age-appropriate information to students on how to avoid becoming victims.
According to the International Labor Organization one in four trafficking victims are children and more than 40 million individuals of all ages are living in slavery worldwide.
Some of today's challenges, such as how ever-evolving technology is being utilized by predators to lure children into trafficking, could not have been anticipated 20 years ago
Today, due to COVID-19 restrictions, young people are spending more time online and evidence suggests a huge spike in predators' access to children on the internet and the rise of online grooming and sexual exploitation while children are isolated and virtually connected to the world.
'Rescued from this evil':179 arrested, 45 missing children recovered in Ohio's 'Operation Autumn Hope'
As reported by theAsbury Park Press, there is a huge surge in reports about online child exploitation up 75% in New Jersey alone which can lead to human trafficking and other abuses.
ECPAT-USA, the first U.S.-based nonprofit to work on the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children, has been especially focused on the safety of children during the pandemic believing safety means more than handwashing and has created online safety guidelines foryouth, parents and educators.
Twenty years after the TVPA became law, the nefarious trade in women and children modern-day slavery has become more visible and a more urgent priority for law enforcement on all levels.
Much remains to be done to protect victims, prosecute traffickers and prevent human trafficking.
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-NJ, 4th District
This article was published in the print edition of the Asbury Park Press on Oct. 28, 2020 and can be found online at:
https://www.app.com/story/opinion/columnists/2020/10/28/covid-19-puts-more-children-risk-exploitation-smith/6046789002/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409028,"COVID-19 puts more children at risk of exploitationSmiths historic anti-trafficking victims law marks 20th year",2020-10-27,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"October 28th marks 20th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000the comprehensive, historic law authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to aggressively combat sex and labor trafficking both within the United States and around the world.
The TVPA created a new, well-funded whole-of-government domestic and international strategy and established numerous new programs to Protect victims, Prosecute traffickers and to the extent possible, Prevent human trafficking in the first place.
Thousands of human traffickers have been prosecuted and jailed pursuant to the TVPA including all charges in 2019 against Jeffrey Epstein and the infamous sex trafficking ring convictions involving NXIVM's Keith Raniere and Smallville actress Allison Mack.
According to Smith the TVPA included a number of sea change criminal code reforms including treating as a victimand not a perpetrator of a crimeanyone 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.
The TVPA radically reformed the U.S. criminal code to authorize asset confiscation and jail sentences of up to life imprisonment for the predators.
Smith said that because of the TVPA, many victims have been rescued and protected while comprehensive prevention strategies have spared many from the exploitation and abuse of the crime that treats women and children as mere commodities to be bought and sold.
Of significance, Smith's law also included the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, the Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act and reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)doubling VAWA funding to $3.3 billion over five years for women's shelters, rehab programs, housing and other initiatives for battered and abused women.
Over the years, Smith authored four additional laws to combat human traffickingincluding in 2003, 2005, 2016, and 2019.
Believing that federal law needed parallel state and local statues to foster an effective prosecution strategy to combat human trafficking, the TVPA included new DOJ programs to assist states in crafting laws and authorized the creation of new anti-human trafficking task forces.
In like manner, the TVPA provides law reform and best-practice technical assistance to other countries.
The Act also included sheltering and a national hotline, and on the refugee side, created a new asylum categorythe T visato protect victims and their families.
Among its many other provisions, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act also created the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, the U.S. State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and annual TIP reports with its tier grading of every nation's record in making serious and sustained efforts to eliminate human trafficking. Those relegated to what is called Tier 3egregious violatorsare subject to sanctions.
In 2019, President Trump signed Smith's fifth comprehensive anti-human trafficking bill into law The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Actwhich for the first time ever authorized federal grants to local educational agencies to educate school staff to recognize and respond to signs of sex and labor trafficking and provide age-appropriate information to students on how to avoid becoming victims.
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO) one in four trafficking victims are children and more than 40 million individuals of all ages are living in slavery worldwide.
Smith noted that some of today's challenges, such as how ever-evolving technology is being utilized by predators to lure children into trafficking, could not have been anticipated 20 years ago
Smith noted that due to COVID-19 restrictions, young people are spending more time online and evidence suggests a huge spike in predators' access to children on the internet and the rise of online grooming and sexual exploitation while children are isolated and virtually'connected to the world.""
As reported by the Asbury Park Press, there is a huge surge in reports about online child exploitationup 75 percent in New Jersey alonewhich can lead to human trafficking and other abuses.
ECPAT-USA, the first U.S.-based nonprofit to work on the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children, has been especially focused on the safety of children during the pandemic believing safety means more than handwashing and has created online safety guidelines for youth, parents and educators.
Smith added, Twenty years after the TVPA became law, the nefarious trade in women and childrenmodern-day slaveryhas become more visible and a more urgent priority for law enforcement on all levels.
Much remains to be done to protect victims, prosecute traffickers and prevent human trafficking, he said.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409026,Smith co-sponsors bipartisan bill to help struggling health & fitness industry,2020-10-23,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Health and fitness centers trying to survive the COVID-19 pandemic that has devastated their industry could qualify for federal grants under HR 8485, the Health and Fitness Recovery Act of 2020, a new bill cosponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ).
The wellness and fitness industry has been especially hard hit by the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, Smith said. Gyms and fitness facilities were ordered to shut down completely in March when stay-at-home orders began, and have only recently been able to reopen in New Jersey upon meeting strict criteria regarding air circulation and ventilation, frequent sanitization of all surfaces and equipment, and temperature and health checks for staff and clients. If these health and fitness businesses are forced to permanently close, their workers lose their jobs and the clients they serve will find it more difficult to maintain their physical, as well as mental, healthsomething that's so important to overall wellness. Both need to be paramount concerns as we continue to battle the ongoing public health emergency.
PHOTO: Rep. Smith and Kevin McHugh, CEO of the Atlantic Club in Wall Township, discuss the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the health and fitness center.
The bill, introduced this month by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Mike Quigley (D-IL), is a top priority for the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). The Health and Fitness Recovery Act of 2020 would create a $30 billion recovery fund for gyms and health clubs, many of which are small businesses with an average of seven workers in an industry estimated to have employed over 700,000 in 2019. While some health clubs were able to qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), many will face closure or bankruptcy unless Congress either authorizes a second round of PPP loans or passes HR 8485.
Recipients of these grantswhich are capped at an actual business loss up to 10 percent of previous year's revenuewould be able to use the funds on payroll, rent or mortgage payment, personal protective equipment (PPE), or upgrades to their facility to comply with new requirements from the state or locality.
Smith visited The Atlantic Club in Wall in September and saw firsthand the upgrades and lengthy efforts club owners and management have made to keep their staff and members.
As of today, the bill had five bipartisan cosponsors with more expected to be added.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409025,"Asbury Park Press Oct. 25 article on Smith announcement'Whiting, Joint Base to be protected from wildfires by five-mile firebreak'",2020-10-22,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Amanda Oglesby, STAFF WRITER
More wildfire protection is coming to the Roosevelt City section of Whiting, along the densely forested western side ofManchester, due to a$380,000 project by the U.S.Department of Defense.
The project will build a five-mile long firebreak, or stretch of land cleared of vegetation,in the forest between the Roosevelt City neighborhood and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith R-N.J., whose Fourth Congressional District includes Manchester.
Whiting lies within the Pine Barrens, where dry, sandy soils and dense underbrush contribute to the region being one of the most fire-prone on the East Coast.
""This project protects America's only Army-Navy-Air Force joint base the second largest employer in New Jersey and the missions it performs,"" Smith said in a news release.""More importantly, it also protects the residents of Whiting. There are many homes and businesses concentrated in Whiting which will be better protected through this project.""
The funding is part of $1.9 million in Department of Defense spending in New Jersey for ""Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration."" Other projects funded by the program are:
$500,000 for shoreline protection that will fund an oyster castle groin in Barnegat Bay near Island Beach State Park;
$500,000 for storm surge protection atNaval Weapons Station Earlein Middletown;
More than $100,000 for storm surge protection in Keansburg, near Earle;
$300,000 to protect forests fromwildfire around the New Jersey National Guard Warren Grove Gunnery Range. In 2007, afire that started at the range consumedmore than 17,000 acres of forest anddestroyed five homesin Barnegat;
$150,000 in storm water management infrastructure around the Lockheed Martin plant in Burlington County that producesAEGIS technology for the U.S. Navy.
PHOTOS ABOVE: To view a photo slide show of a 2019 wildfire that burned areas of Ocean and Burlington counties, click here, or on image above. Manchester Mayor Ken Palmer said in a statement that he welcomed the added fire protection for Whiting, the township's most heavily wooded neighborhood.
Earlier:Whiting brush fire consumes 99 acres
""Certainly, any safety measure to assist in this area is appreciated and extremely useful,"" he said.
Roughly 7,000 acres of forest burn each year in New Jersey due to wildfire, according to the stateForest Fire Service.
Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers Brick, Barnegat and Lacey townships as well as the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than a decade.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409012,"6 NJ sites to get $1.9M in DoD funds for conservation work near basesFirebreak near Jt. Base MDL would protect Whiting from wildfires; Other projects at Earle, Warren Grove",2020-10-20,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Residents of the Whiting community in Manchester Township south of Joint-Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst(JB-MDL)will receive added protection from the threat of wildfires because of new federal funding, said Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04).
The Department of Defense will provide funding to six projects in New Jersey (see list below) that promote land conservation near military sites, including $380,000 for afirebreakproject to be built near the Roosevelt City section of Whiting. The firebreak will simultaneously protect the military mission of JB-MDL.
This modest but important federal funding will go a long way toward protecting areas near our military bases that are susceptible to forest fires, Smith said. According to the NJ Forest Fire Service, more than 7,000 acres a year are consumed by an average of 1,500 wildfires in New Jersey, the most densely populated State in the union.The firebreak project will be in Manchester Township, home tonearly 44,000 peopleand many senior retirement communities, he said.
PHOTO: Much of the 65-square mile Joint Base-MDL consists of forests. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Morris, at JB-MDL, 2013)
Manchester Township Mayor Ken Palmer said that he liked the idea of added fire protection for the Whiting section of the township.
We welcome any effort to provide firebreaks in the most wooded portion of our town, Palmer said. Certainly, any safety measure to assist in this area is appreciated and extremely useful.
Smith noted that the $380,000slated toward building a five-mile long firebreak near JB-MDL will protect people and property to the west of Whiting.
This area in Whiting is part of the New Jersey Pine Barrens is vulnerable to forest fires in the dry seasons or droughts, Smith said. This project protects America's only Army-Navy-Air Force joint basethe second largest employer in New Jerseyand the missions it performs. More importantly, it also protects the residents of Whiting. There are many homes and businesses concentrated in Whiting which will be better protected through this project.
The DoD awarded the funds from its Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program that promotes projects with local partners to collaborate in the preservation of compatible land uses near military installations, ranges and other strategic sites. REPI is designed to protect DoD assets and capabilities to maintain military readiness throughout the United States.
Smith said Naval Weapons Station Earle, headquartered in the Fourth District he represents, has been a leader in seeking the REMI grant. Dennis Blazak, Community Plans and Liaison Officer at Earle, has pursued this competitive funding for several years.
A total of $1,935,564.98 will be distributed to protect six military sites across 1.6 million acres in the Garden State that are threatened by development and encroachment which could impact the military mission:
$500,000 for storm surge protectionfor Naval Weapons Station Earlein Middletown, Monmouth County;
$500,000 for living shoreline protection in the form of a T-shaped oyster castle groin in Barnegat Bay, in Ocean County near Island Beach State Park.
$380,000 for wildfire mitigation nearJoint Base MDLin Ocean/Burlington counties (Whiting project);
$300,000 to protect 44,000 acres of forest area in the Greenwood State from wildfire near theNJ National Guard Warren Grove Gunnery Rangein Ocean/Burlington counties;
$150,000 for Rancocas Creek Watershed stormwater management to protect the area near Lockheed Martin plant that producesAEGIS technology for the U.S. Navyin Burlington County, and;
over $100,000 for storm surge protection near Earle, in Keansburg, Monmouth County.
PHOTO: Naval Weapons Station Earle sailors assist the NY/NJ Baykeepers install oyster castles in the waters off Earle's pier to establish a living shoreline at the entrance of Ware Creek (undated U.S. Navy file photo taken by Bill Addison)
The projects are being done in conjunction with the lead partner, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, as well as local authorities, and they will be augmented with state and local resources.
The competitive funding announced was part of a $17 million effort across the country to fund projects at a dozen locations. There is no required state or local match for the federal funding.
These projects which the DoD has identified will help make the bases safer should we face any upcoming rounds of base realignment and closure (BRAC), Smith said, who successfully led the fight to reverse the planned closure of Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station in 1995, as well as helped in other fights to save Fort Dix and McGuire AFB in the 1990s, later merged into the Joint Base in 2009. Earle is a critical base for the Navy and its logistical shipping, and protecting its mission is crucial to national security, and to the jobs of the men and women who work there.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409017,"Smith, Van Drew introduce bill to raise 2020, 2021 COLACOVID-19 Emergency Social Security Cost-of-Living-Adjustment Increase Act",2020-10-16,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"New Jersey congressmen Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew today introduced legislation to significantly increase the annual cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients after it was announced earlier this week by the Social Security Administration that the COLA effective December 2020 is going to be 1.3 percent.
The Smith-Van Drew proposal would increase the 2020 COLA to 3 percent in 2020, and no less than 3 percent more in 2021. With the average Social Security payment to individuals being $1,514 a month, or $18,168 annually, the announced SSA increase would only provide a $236 COLA for 2021. The Smith-Van Drew bill would increase the average COLA to $545 for both 2020 (retroactively) & 2021, or an estimated $1,090, over two years.
COVID-19 has not only disproportionately harmed senior citizenscausing death to many especially in nursing homesbut has devastated them economically as well, said Smith (NJ-04).
HR 8600, theCOVID-19 Emergency Social Security Cost of Living Increase Act, is aimed at helping seniors and other Social Security recipients keep up with rising costs they experience in their daily lives, especially in health care, Smith said. The COLA announced this week does not reflect the costs seniors cope with every day. It is unfair, and theCOVID-19 Emergency Social Security Cost of Living IncreaseAct will help remedy that unfairness.
Rep. Van Drew (NJ-02) said, The burden on South Jersey seniors from taxes, tolls and Coronavirus has been enormous. Social Security recipients need more assistance to ensure the promise made to them is kept; this legislation is a key part of that commitment and we will fight as hard we can to ensure it is enacted.
The legislation would also reform the formula for calculating annual COLA increases by using a senior consumer price index (senior CPI) beginning in 2021.
Social Security COLAs are currently based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) which excludes items like taxes, such as state and federal income taxes, and does not accommodate the disproportionate impact of health costs on seniors. Smith's bill would provide a 3 percent increase retroactively for 2020 to address the COVID-19 impact, as well as at least a 3 percent increase in 2021. It would also permanently address the shortcoming of basing annual COLAs on the standard CPI-W in favor of a Senior CPI.
Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari says a higher COLA is needed by seniors to pay for necessities such as food, shelter, utilities and medications.
I am extremely thankful for the immediate response received from Congressman Smith as we struggle with ways to have the annual Cost of Living Adjustment for Social Security actually reflect the current state of the economy where prices are going up and financial help is not, said Vicari, who serves as Chairman to the Office of Senior Services. In Ocean County, where almost 200,000 senior citizens live, it's unconscionable to just except an increase of 1.3 percent in the 2021 Social Security benefits, he said. Social Security is not a hand-out. Our seniors have paid into this their entire working lives.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409018,"Asbury Park Press article/video'Middletown mayor, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith announce CARES Act funding for small businesses'",2020-10-16,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"ByAlex N. Gecan, Asbury Park Press
If you run a small business in Middletown, the township may have $15,000 worth of good news for you.
The township will begin awarding grants of up to $15,000 for businesses with up to 50 employees through the newMiddletown Economic Relief Program, Mayor Tony Perry announced Thursday. The township has approximately $400,000 in grants, obtained through theCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to distribute to local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. ""These are all businesses giving back to our community, making our community a better place making Middletown a great place to live, work and raise a family,"" Perry said at a press event Thursday at the Fountain Ridge Plaza on Route 35.
""COVID has devastated everything we knew and know and has changed everything,"" U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said at the press event. ""The question has always been, how do we get a bridge from where we were before COVID-19 to where we can thrive again?""
Click here to view photos of the event.""Getting the PPP enabled us to reopen to do takeout,"" Cartier said. ""Without that, we wouldn't have been able to support ourselves ... it was a time when you really couldn't go to donors for help because people weren't working and it was a very unsure time.""
No business:COVID-19 kills 'Shoppes at Middletown' development
A virtual fundraiser in April helped lift the caf out of the lockdown doldrums, and morning dance parties on Zoom helped keep morale up, Cartier said.
Still, ""It was a hard time,"" Cartier said. ""We had to retrain a lot of our employees.""
Shati Sinclair, who runs a Code Ninjasfranchise, said without a grant he received from Monmouth County,he may have been out of business.Code Ninjas teaches children ages 7 through 14 how to write computer code.
""Once that came in, I was like 'Thank God,'"" he said. ""My cable bill was up to $600. The money came and it just went because all the bills were already there.""
Sinclair said a grant like the ones announced Thursday could keep him going for two months.
Your wallet:Middletown open space tax-hike question has bipartisan support
Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone also spoke at the press event, adding that the county has relief funds it is portioning out as well. Perry said that obtaining relief through the county would not prevent a business from applying for a grant through the township.
Smith is up for reelection this year in New Jersey's 4th Congressional District,facing a challenge from novice DemocratStephanie Schmid. Like Perry and Arnone, who also spoke Thursday, Smith is a Republican.
Details for how to apply for the grantsare available on the township's website. The grants are available to township businesses regardless of whether the owners live in town.
This article was originally published by the Asbury Park Press on Oct. 16, 2020, and can be found online at:https://www.app.com/story/news/local/red-bank-middletown-area/middletown/2020/10/16/middletown-economic-relief-program/3654670001/?fbclid=IwAR25HKq-XNNWec8qHP8tamsox4Iq7la8axgUuPxKlQVkJZn0DAHkLKBvScc",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408991,"Examiner Page 1 article on vet housing Smith helped bring about'Ground broken for veterans housing complex in Tinton Falls'",2020-10-10,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Ground has been broken for the construction of the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Village in Tinton Falls, a four-story building with apartments that will be available to veterans of the armed forces at a range of low and moderate income levels.
The building will be run by the nonprofit organization Soldier On, according to a press release from the office of Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ). Smith was a guest speaker at the Sept. 12 ceremony.
About 50 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony held at Liberty Park just north of the 12-acre project site on Essex Road. Officials said $8 million in federal funding will help pay for construction. The remaining costs will be financed by the developer and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, according to the press release.
Today construction begins on Soldier On and WinnDevelopment's $23 million, 70 one-bedroom housing units, Smith said. Thank you Tinton Falls for welcoming the project.
Smith praised Soldier On'sleaders, President Jack Downing and CEO Bruce Buckley, for what he called their tireless efforts to help veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Soldier On, thanks to Jack Downing and Bruce Buckley, has created world class home ownership opportunities coupled with vital services for homeless veterans, and the impact has been enormous and life-changing, Smith said. For the first time in years, even decades, many veterans will finally have a decent place to live and hope and prosper.
I am especially grateful to Freeholder Lillian Burry for her extraordinary dream of creating a Monmouth County homeless veterans housing initiative, and for her tenacity and skill in making it happen, Smith said.
For nearly a decade, Lillian has been the quarterback in the push to meet the compelling housing and service needs of homeless veterans and there have been many setbacks along the way, including an inability to secure space at Fort Monmouth, the congressman said.
I have been proud to do my part in finding a Monmouth County home for Soldier On and I promise you I will continue to be an active supporter as it moves from design through construction to the day it opens its doors and welcomes its very first veteran home, Burry said.
According to the U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs, in 2001 there were 294,840 homeless veterans on any given night, said Smith, whose 2001 law for homeless veterans first authorized funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veteran Affairs Supported Housing program.
Almost 20 years later, that number has dropped to 37,085. Progress, but still far too many, the congressman said.
Among its many provisions, Smith's law authorized, for the first time, a program which will be tapped as a major source of future rental assistance funding for veterans who will be living at the housing complex, according to the press release.
Smith helped Solider On come to New Jersey in 2011, assisting the Massachusetts-based organization to obtain a $1 million grant in 2012 to help veterans in his district in Monmouth, Ocean and Burlington counties, plus Middlesex and parts of Mercer, according to the press release.
That work later expanded to serve nine counties, adding all of Mercer, Somerset, Bergen, Hudson and Essex.
Today Soldier On also manages similar veterans housing operations in New York and Massachusetts, providing 177 homes, with another 152 in various stages of development, according to the press release.
The above article ran on page 1 of the Examiner weekly newspaper in its Oct.7-14 edition that covers Allentown, Upper Freehold and Millstone. The story can be be read online by clicking here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409013,"U.S. law enforcement must immediately end Chinese Communist Party (CCP) threats to Pastor Bob Fu, others",2020-10-09,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
October 9, 2020
I am deeply concerned that since late September, Pastor Bob Fu, founder of the nonprofit ChinaAid, and his family have been the targets of outrageous slander, libel and intimidation by suspected members of the Chinese Communist Party, and their enablers, and are at grave risk of serious bodily harm. They have been forced to flee their home in Midland, Texas after protestors in chartered buses arrived at their home. Pastor Fu and his family are currently under police protection.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) hates Pastor Bob Fuand other Chinese human rights activists living in the United States and elsewhere in the worldand are employing the big lie against Bob Fu in much the same way they do in China.
I have known Pastor Bob Fu for twenty-two years.
He is an extraordinary man of deep faith in God who has tenaciously advocated for universally recognized human rights in China including and especially religious freedom.
As the former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Human Rights Subcommittee as well as the chair of the Congressional-Executive China Commissionand now serving as Ranking Member on both those panelsI unequivocally attest to Pastor Fu's impeccable character, integrity, kindness and bravery.
I have been a member of Congress for forty years and attest thatBob Fu is one of the most prayerful, dedicated, disciplined, wise and effective champions for human rights that I have ever met.
At my request and invitation, Pastor Fu gave expert testimony at thirteen separate official congressional hearings (see list below) I've chaired on the Chinese Communist Party's pervasive harassment and persecution of religious believers of all faiths.
Together, we have jointly appeared at press conferences and worked on Chinese human rights legislation.
Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle frequently turn to Pastor Fu for guidance, insight and direction.
When in 2012, Chinese human rights leader Chen Guangcheng was in a Beijing hospital bed after being expelled from U.S. Embassy Beijing, Pastor Fu was a witness at my congressional hearing on Chen and was able to put Chen on the phone in real time. In a dramatic scene on Capitol Hill, Chen himself testified and asked to come to the United Statesa request that was agreed to by Beijing hours later.
Owing to his exceptional success exposingand combatinghuman rights abuses in China, Bob Fu has been targeted in a vicious and dangerous campaign to smear his excellent reputation and work.
The FBI and CIA are investigating but much more needs to be done to protect this human rights hero and his family.
_____________________________________________________________________________
""Pastor Fu gave expert testimony at thirteen separate official congressional hearings I've chaired"":
1. China's War on Christianity and Other Religious Faiths
2. Dissidents Who Have Suffered for Human Rights in China: A Look Back and A Look Forward
3. Religion With Chinese Characteristics: Persecution and Control in Xi Jinping's China
4. Protecting Religious Freedom: U.S. Efforts to Hold Accountable Countries of Particular Concern
5. Their Daughters Appeal to Beijing: Let Our Fathers Go!
6. Guo Feixiong and Freedom of Expression in China
7. Chen Guangcheng and Gao Zhisheng: Human Rights in China
8. Continued Human Rights Attacks on Families in China
9. Chen Guangcheng: His Case, Cause, Family, and Those Who are Helping Him
10. Recent Developments in History of the Chen Guangcheng Case
11. The Case and Treatment of Prominent Human Rights Lawyer Gao Zhisheng
12. One Year After the Nobel Peace Prize Award to Liu Xiaobo: Conditions for Political Prisoners and Prospects for Political Reform
13. The UN Commission on Human Rights: Protector or Accomplice?",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409015,"Washington Times Smith op-ed on missing Chinese bishop'Chairman Xi, Where is Missing Bishop James Su Zhimin?'",2020-10-09,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Thirty-six years ago this Oct. 8, Bishop James Su Zhimin was arrested by the Chinese government.
He was never to be seen publicly again. It's an appalling tactic and human rights violation the Chinese government inflicts on its citizens when it disappears a victim.
But Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Xi Jinping, the dictator of China, knows where the bishop is and what happened to him.
Having met him in Beijing in 1994, I remain deeply concerned for the well being of BishopSu, leader of Baoding diocese, whom the bipartisan congressional Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission has recognized as a prisoner of conscience.
For Bishop Su's crimemerely expressing his universally-recognized human right of religious freedomhe has endured approximately four decades in prison.
A House hearing I chaired in July entitled ""Religious Freedom in China: The Case of Bishop James Su Zhimin""featured witnesses from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the Religious Freedom Institute and the Hudson Institute who testified about China's war on freedom of religion. I asked what many, including the Bishop's relatives, want to know from General Secretary Xi: where is Bishop Su?
Bishop Su's imprisonment is reflective of greater oppression of religious freedom in Chinaincluding how it pertains to the Catholic Church.
Many wonder if the 2018 temporary agreement between the Holy See and the Chinese government is in fact in the interest of religious believers in China, and if the agreement ought to be renewed at all. In either case it has broader implications with respect to the ability of faith communities to maintain relative autonomy from the State.
The bishop is either a living Saint, or felled martyr. If he is still alive, as I and his family greatly hope, then General Secretary Xi must release him to his family and his faithful flock.
Washington Times originalgraphic by Linas Garsys for
Bishop Su October 9, 2020 Op-Ed by Rep. Chris Smith.
Click here or on image above to view original.
When I met Bishop Su in January 1994, he had already spent several years in prison unjustly for his faith, yet he had extraordinary gentleness, strength, courage and a peace that surpassed all understanding.
After celebrating Mass in a tiny apartment, Bishop Su told us he prayed for his persecutors and he especially prayed for the cruel and misguided CCP leaders.
His faith under the weight of beatings, starvation and torture amazes and inspires.
Sadly, Chinese authorities arrested Bishop SU before my delegation even left the country, holding him for nine days. In 1997, the government arrested him again, and the Bishop has not been seen since, except for a single time in 2003 when he was seen at a hospital in Baoding.
Despite his some 40 years in prison, the CCP refuses to say where they are keeping Bishop Su, and what they have done to him all these years.
There is new concern that this good and holy man may have died or been killedas yet unconfirmedbecause Chinese authorities have recently asked the Vatican to appoint a new China-approved bishop to the Baoding Diocese.
Before offering any replacement for Bishop Su, the Vatican and anyone who believes in religious freedom ought to insist on an answer to the question Where is Bishop Su?
It cannot be forgotten that, despite solemn promises and existing treaty obligations, Xi in recent months has relentlessly trampled upon the freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.
Nor can we forget Xi is today presiding over genocide against the Uyghur Muslims.
The CCP under Xi Jinping is continuing and expanding the most comprehensive attempt to manipulate and controlor destroyreligious communities since Chairman Mao Zedong made the eradication of religion a goal of his brutal and bloody Cultural Revolutionin the 1960s.
Now Xi, apparently fearful of religious believers as a challenge to the Communist Party's stranglehold on power, is trying to radically transform religion into the Party's servant, furthering sinicization.
There have been reports of Xi's government rewriting religious textsincluding the Biblethat censor out passages not deemed acceptable by the atheist CCP, and in 2018 launching a five-year sinicization plan for Chinese Protestant Christians.
In mid-September, European leaders in Brussels pressed Xi on his brutal crackdown on Hong Kong citizens and his human rights abuses of China's minorities, as well as its blatantly unfair trade practices.
Of course, he once again brushed aside his government's long and tragic record of abusing the rights of its own citizens.
Shortly thereafter, the U.S. State Department issued an official travelers' warning that The PRC government arbitrarily enforces local laws, including by carrying out arbitrary and wrongful detentions and through the use of exit bans on U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries without due process of law.
Such flagrant abuse is not new for the Chinese government. There are many such instances, but the case of the long-missing Bishop Su is something which cannot be forgotten. His courage and faithfulness to God in the face of unspeakable abuse and inhuman cruelty inspires us to act with insight, decisiveness and prudence.
General Secretary Xi Jinping, please answer the question: where is Bishop Su and what have you done to him?
The writer is a Republican congressman from New Jersey, and the Ranking House Member and former Chairman of the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China.9 This article was originally published in the Friday. Oct. 9, 2020 print edition of the Washington Times and can be found online at:
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/oct/8/chairman-xi-where-is-missing-bishop-james-su-zhimi/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408999,"TAP Into Hamilton/Robbinsville articleRep. Chris Smith Bill Calls for Better Access to Public Land for Veterans' Treatment, Therapy",2020-10-01,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By TAPINTO HAMILTON/ROBBINSVILLE STAFF -
Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4)hailed the recent passage of theAccelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Actthat wouldprovide increased access to federal lands for the purposes of veterans' medical therapy.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for PTSD, between 11 and 20 percent of veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and 12 percent of those who served in Desert Storm have PTSD in a given year, and 30 percent of those who served in Vietnam will have had PTSD in their lifetime.
Research has increasingly shown that outdoor recreation can be an effective form of treatment, rehabilitation, and healing for veterans. While many nonprofit organizations, veteran service organizations, and private companies have used the outdoors to help heroes heal, providing greater coordination among key federal agencies will open new opportunities for veterans on public lands and other outdoor spaces,said Smith.
The measure (H.R. 2435)has been endorsed by more than 120 veteran service organizations including the New Jersey VFW as well as outdoor recreation groups, and conservation organizations such as the New Jersey Sierra Club. Smith garnered broad bipartisan support in the House, with over 135 cosponsors.
Our public lands are places for respite and healing, but for many veterans, those landscapes remain out of reach,said Rob Vessels, campaign manager of Sierra Club Military Outdoors. He added that this is ""an important first step in eliminating those barriers to access, so veterans can heal on the lands they swore an oath to protect.""
PHOTO: Congressman Chris Smith (Credit Elizabeth A. Myers) During the House floor vote on the measure,Smith recounted the story of a veteran suffering from PTSD, and his positive encounter with nature.
""By the time he was 20, Blake was suffering severe depression, anxiety and PTSD and he made three visits to VA psychiatric wards and a substance abuse rehab, Smith relayed. But. it was a backpacking trip led by the Sierra Club Military Outdoors that changed his entire perspective.""
""He (Blake) reports that in every Texas sunrise in the desert or a sunset next to an alpine lake, I found more beauty and serenity than I thought existed. I found camaraderie with my other veterans in sharing our stories on the trail. The darkness of what I had experienced couldn't compare to the light I saw in watching a trout swim in the Merced River with Half Dome looming nearby. And when the depression, anxiety and everything else that comes with PTSD creeps back into my life, I know just what dostrap on a pack and get outside!"" said Smith.
The task force is empowered to:
Identify opportunities to formalize coordination between the Department of Veterans Affairs, public land agencies, and partner organizations regarding the use of public lands or other outdoor spaces for health and wellness for veterans;
Identify barriers that exist to providing veterans with opportunities for health and wellness through the use of outdoor recreation on public lands or other outdoor spaces;
Develop recommendations to better facilitate the use of public lands or other outdoor spaces for promoting wellness and facilitating the delivery of health care and therapy for veterans.
This article was posted at 9 p.m. Sunday Sept. 7, 2020 and can be found online at:
https://www.tapinto.net/sections/government/articles/rep-chris-smith-calls-for-creation-of-public-land-for-veterans-treatment-therapy",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409003,"Full Committee passed Smith's....H.R. 8438Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020",2020-10-01,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Excerpts of remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) during markup of H.R. 8438 in the House Foreign Affairs Committee October 1, 2020:
Belarus was perhaps the nation most mired in its Soviet past, with an inefficient economy and a strongman autocrat in charge for over two-and-a-half decades. Yet the irrepressible spirit of freedom stirred among the people of Belarus, and when a patently false election result was announced on August 9 declaring Alyaksandr Lukashenka the winner, the people took to the streets.
Mr. Chairman, it's been almost two months since the fraudulent poll, and the people of Belarusdespite Lukashenka's brutal crackdown in which he has arrested thousands, tortured hundredsare still organizing rallies of 100,000 people demanding that Lukashenka leave power, and leave Belarus to the people, to whom it belongs.
According to the UN Special Rapporteur, more than 10,000 peaceful protestors have been detained as of September 18.
Rep. Smith calls for passage of his bill, H.R. 8438, at the Foreign Affairs Committee mark-up in October 2020.
They need our help.
Recent reports out of Belarus indicate that police are using increasingly violent tactics against these peaceful demonstrators.
As my colleagues know, the leading opposition presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskayawho likely won the electionformed the Coordination Council.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya ran a brilliant campaign but today is in exile in Lithuania where she continues to rally the Belarusian people and the world and demand human rights for all the people of her nation.
Last night I read portions of the transcript of a hearing I chaired in 2011after another fraudulent election. Then, as now, and on many other occasions, Lukashenka's bullies beat, jailed and assaulted peaceful protestors.
We must remain in solidarity with the great people of Belarusnot the oppressorsno matter what.
The big mistake of the pastfatigue or lack of commitment and perseverance by the international communitycan't be repeated this time.
On two separate occasions, I met with Lukashenka in Minsk and came away resolved to accelerate the struggle for democracy and freedom.
My bipartisan bill, H.R. 8438the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act of 2020updates, strengthens and expands the Belarus Democracy Acts of 2004, 2006, and 2011 that I also authored, and renews the personal economic and visa sanctions on an expanded list of actors in the Belarusian Government and Russian individuals complicit in the crackdown.
Among its many provisions:
It calls for new elections.
It recognizes the Coordination Council as a legitimate institution to participate in a dialogue on a peaceful transition of power.
It calls for the release of all political prisoners.
It supports the aspirations of the people of Belarus to exercise their religious freedom.
It authorizes assistance to promote democracy and civil society in Belarus.
It unequivocally states that it is the policy of the United States not to recognize any incorporation of Belarus into a Union State' with Russia.
It requires a U.S. strategy to promote broadcasting, internet freedom and access to information.
In addition, it gives much needed support to the Belarusian media, and to the IT sector.
Again, I ask our Committee members for their support.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409001,"Smith authors billHouse Members Introduce Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2020",2020-09-30,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"In response to the Alexander Lukashenka regime's violent crackdown and political repression following the fraudulent August 9, 2020 election, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairman Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX) Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (R-OH), Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), and Congressman William Keating (D-MA) introduced theBelarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020. The Act would provide for the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Belarus as well as support the aspirations of the Belarusian people to preserve the independence and sovereignty of their country in the face of the threat posed by Vladimir Putin's Russia.
The world is recognizing what the strugglingbut courageouspeople of Belarus have been saying loud and clear since August 9 with their massive rallies: the recent election was fraudulent, and has no credibility with anyone save Lukashenka, and perhaps Russia, said Rep. Smith, who noted H.R. 8438 updates and reauthorizes his previous legislation enacted in 2004, 2006 and 2011 to advance and promote democracy and human rights in Belarus. This bipartisan bill renews sanctions on Belarusian Government officials who have obstructed the country's democratic transition. It gives much-needed support to the besieged Belarusian media, and to the IT sector. Some of the unlikely heroes of this struggle are Belarusian hackers, who have cracked Lukashenko's firewall, and have been able to broadcast truthful accounts to the Belarusian people of the news of the day. This bill also commissions several much-needed fact-finding efforts to get a better picture of the situation on the ground. The Belarusian people are fighting to preserve the independence and sovereignty of their country in the face of the threat posed by Vladimir Putin's Russia.
Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Engel said, Lukashenka has demonstrated time and time again that he is a brutal dictator interested only in the preservation of his own interests and maintaining his grip on power no matter the cost. We continue to stand with the peaceful protestors in Belarus, who have turned out in historic numbers demanding a freer, more democratic nation and a free and fair election. With this legislation, the United States Congress once again sends the bipartisan message that the United States will not tolerate Lukashenka's brutality and illegitimate claims to power. The will of the Belarusian people must be respected, and I am proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to send that message to Lukashenka, the people of Belarus, and the Russian dictator next door.
We stand with the historic numbers of peaceful Belarusian protesters that continue to flood the streets to demand a more democratic country. Their voices must be heard and the Belarusian authorities using violence, arbitrary detentions and repression in an attempt to stifle their calls to chart their own future must be held accountable, said House Foreign Affairs Committee Republican Leader Rep. McCaul. This Act sends an unmistakable message to the Belarusian dictator and his supporters in the Kremlin that the United States will neither accept Lukashenka's illegitimate rule nor allow Belarus' sovereignty to be handed over to Russia against the will of the Belarusian people.
Rep. Kaptur said, As a longtime supporter of liberty in Central and Eastern Europe, I am pleased to co-lead this bill to demonstrate resolute bipartisan support for the Belarusian people against the tyranny of the Lukashenko regime. This measure will provide for robust sanctions against human rights offenders, and hopefully pave a path toward new elections and peaceful transitions of power. I stand ready to work with my colleagues to boost U.S. assistance for Belarusian civil society through upcoming spending bills.
Rep. Kinzinger said, I'm proud to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation that formally condemns the fraudulent August election in Belarus and shows strong U.S. support for the sovereignty of the Belarusian people. We stand with the freedom-loving people around the world, especially those who are oppressed. Our legislation calls for the crackdown on peaceful demonstrators to end, for all those who have been unjustly detained to be released, and for a transparent and fair electoral process. With foreign assistance parameters and coordination with our European partners, our efforts here can help ensure the voices of the Belarusian people will be heard.
Rep. Keating said, I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to affirm our continued support for Belarusians working tirelessly towards democracy, said Congressman Bill Keating, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment. Their asks are simple. Belarusians want a government that is accountable to the people, that adheres to the rule of law, that respects their human rights, and that conducts itself in accordance with not just European, but global standards and norms. We must pass this legislation to show the Belarusian people that we hear their calls for democracy and justice, and that America stands beside them.
Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020:
Reauthorizes the 2004 Belarus Democracy Act for the third time following the fraudulent August 9, 2020 election and the Lukashenka regime's violent crackdown on the peaceful protests;
States that it is U.S. policy to
o reject the fraudulent August 9, 2020 Belarusian presidential election;
o refuse to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimately elected leader of Belarus;
o call for a new presidential election in Belarus that complies with OSCE standards; o continue to call for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Belarus, including U.S. citizen Vitali Shkliarov and leading opposition figure Maryia Kalesnikava;
o refuse to recognize any incorporation of Belarus into a so-called Union State that is under the control of Russia;
Expands the list of Belarusian authorities who may be subject to U.S. sanctions beyond the country's senior leadership and security services to include those directly responsible for the crackdown on independent media;
Further strengthens the current human rights sanctions regime on Belarus to include Russian individuals complicit in the political repression in Belarus and the crackdown on independent media;
Authorizes U.S. assistance to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Belarus and calls on the Administration to reevaluate and increase U.S. assistance to Belarus in light of the current political crisis;
Calls on the President to provide the United States Agency for Global Media with a surge capacity for its programs and activities in Belarus;
Requires a U.S. strategy to promote expanded broadcasting, internet freedom and access to information in Belarus;
Calls on the United States to continue to coordinate with the European Union, its member states, the United Kingdom and Canada to support the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people and to deter Russia's attempts to undermine Belarus' sovereignty and independence; and
Requires the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, to submit two reports to Congress on Russia's efforts to undermine Belarus' sovereignty and independence; and
the assets owned by Lukashenka.
It is anticipated that the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020 will be marked up by the House Foreign Affairs Committee tomorrow, which would then allow the bill to move to the floor for a possible vote by the full House of Representatives.
###
Contacts:
Smith- Jeff Sagnip (202) 225-3765
Engel-Contact: Tim Mulvey (202) 226-9103
McCaul- Leslie Shedd (202) 225-5021
Kaptur- Griffin Anderson (202) 225-4146
Kinzinger-Maura Gillespie (202) 225-3635
Keating Lauren McDermott (202) 302-2783",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409006,"Selected for his human rights work...Armenian-American group to present Smith w bipartisan 2020 Freedom Award",2020-09-30,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region (ANCA-ER) is set to honor US Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Representative Christopher Smith (R-NJ) with the ANCA-ER Freedom Award at its virtual gala Havak for Hai Tahd on Thursday, October 15 at 8 pm EDT. The gala's program will take place onFacebook Live;the online giving platform can be found atwww.givergy.us/ancaer.
The ANCA Eastern Region Freedom Award is the highest honor the region bestows upon individuals who exhibit extraordinary courage and devotion to freedom and justice. It is presented annually at the regional gala to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions toward issues that concern Armenian-Americans. Representative Engel, who serves New York's 16thcongressional district and as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Representative Smith, who serves NewJersey's 4thcongressional district, will be among an elite group of past recipients including Dr. Taner Akam; Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA); former US Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans; former US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power; US Senator Robert Menendez; US Senators Robert Dole and Elizabeth Dole; Baroness Caroline Cox; and renowned lawyer Robert Morgenthau and the Morgenthau family.
Both Representatives Eliot Engel and Chris Smith are deserving of the Freedom Award as they have exhibited courage and leadership for the Armenian Cause during their decades-long time in office. They have not only advocated for the Armenian people in their own congressional districts, but for Armenian Americans nationwide. Whether it's their efforts to recognize the Armenian Genocide or concern for the safety and security of Armenia and Artsakh, they have shown their steadfast support. And unfortunately, now at a time when Armenians in Armenia and Artsakh need the voices of the world's leaders most, we are honored to have these two representatives supporting the Diaspora's initiatives to help their brothers and sisters in the homeland, said Lara Nercessian, ANCA Eastern Region Board Member.
Rep. Eliot Engel
U.S. Representative Eliot Engel serves as the Chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee. A longtime member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus and steadfast supporter of the Armenian American community, Representative Engel was born in Bronx, NY in 1947 and graduated from Hunter-Lehman College with a bachelor's degree in history. He later received his master's degree in guidance counseling from Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York in 1973 and his law degree from New York Law School shortly thereafter.
Chairman Engel has been a strong leader and true ally of the Armenian American community both in his district and in the region. His consistent support of the Armenian Cause is notable in his determination to make aid to Artsakh a priority. Whether it's his support of genocide education in schools or the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the US House, he has illustrated his support and worked with members of the Armenian Diaspora for the decades he has served in the US House of Representatives.
Whether in the halls of Congress or during his trip to Armenia, he's shown concern for the safety and security of the Armenian Nation through his support of funding for de-mining in Artsakh or bilateral tax treaties between Armenia and U.S. He co-authored the Royce-Engel Peace Proposal for a just resolution for the Republic of Artsakh a proposal that included a cessation of cease-fire violations by Azerbaijani forces.
Last year, Chairman Engel provided crucial testimony at the H.Res.296 proceedings for the Armenian Genocide Resolution. I'm sure the government of Turkey is not happy with [these plans], but then again we're not happy with the government of Turkey, Chairman Engel told NPR reporters in 2019.
In 2019 alone, he backed the Speier Amendment to the Foreign Aid Bill calling for $40 million in aid to Armenia, the Sherman Amendment to the NDAA against Azerbaijani threats to shoot down civilian aircraft and signed the Sherman-Cox letter to continue US aid for Artsakh de-mining.
Chairman Engel will step down from his role as a Representative in January 2021, but will live on to be one of the ANCA's most staunch supporters
Rep. Chris Smith
US Representative Chris Smith was elected to office in 1980 and is currently serving his twentieth term in the U.S. House of Representatives representing the 4thcongressional district of New Jersey. Representative Smith is a senior member on the Foreign Affairs Committee and is Ranking Member of its Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations Subcommittee. In addition, he also serves as the Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
Representative Smith was born in Rahway, NJ in 1953. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration from Trenton State College, now known as The College of New Jersey and spent a semester abroad at Worcester College in England.
Representative Smith's achievements for the Armenian Cause are greatly appreciated they include cosponsoring the Genocide Prevention Resolution, H.Res.220, and the Trott Amendment attaching H.Res.220 to the NDAA. Additionally, he cosponsored and voted for the Resolution condemning the Erdogan-ordered attacks against peaceful protestors on U.S. soil on May 16, 2017, H.Res.354, as well as the Azerbaijan Human Rights Resolution, H.Res.537.
As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian issues, he has called on the Administration to recognize the Armenian Genocide, participated in Capitol Hill Commemorations for the Armenian Genocide and been a powerful voice for the Armenian American community.
The region will also honor Sarkis Agasarkisian, Bearj Barsoumian and Stephen Hagopian with the prestigious ANCA-ER Vahan Cardashian Award, along with Michigan State Representative Mari Manoogian with the inaugural ANCA-ER One to Watch Award. The Eastern Region's summer interns Nairi Diratsouian and Garine Koushagjian and the ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship Program interns Aram Harumi, Tatevik Khachatryan and Nicholas Krikorian will also be recognized. The above text is from an article posted on Sept. 30, 2020, and can be found online at:
https://armenianweekly.com/2020/09/30/anca-er-announces-14th-annual-anca-er-freedom-award-recipients/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408994,Smiths 2005 stem cell law to be reauthorized by House,2020-09-29,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
statement during debate in the House of Representatives
on the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act
September 29, 2020.
Margaret Hahnmy mother-in-lawpassed away on Friday and a Mass of Christian burial will be held today at St. Mary Church in South Amboy, New Jersey. She was 96 and was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.
MargaretPegwas a great womanwife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She selflessly devoted her life to public service including her amazing work as Sayreville Borough Clerk for twenty years. She had an incredible reputation for getting things done for the people. No matter who served as mayor or on Council, everyone knew she was the power.
My wife Marie and I will join family and friends today at her funeral and internment making it impossible for me to speak today during the debate on the reauthorization of a law I originally authored fifteen years agothe Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005and the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2015.
So, I submit these comments for the Congressional Record.
Madam Speaker, today the House of Representatives will vote to reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act.
This was an original idea of mine 20 years ago. Joined by 70 cosponsors, I introduced it in 2001 and again in 2003.
After five long years of hard work and numerous setbacks, my bill was finally enacted into law in 2005.
Beginning in 2001, Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg, who is President of the Cord Blood Association, helped draft my original law.Dr. Kurtzberg has said, Cord blood transplantation is now an established field with enormous potential. In the future, it may emerge as a source of cells for cellular therapies focused on tissue repair and regeneration.
PHOTO: Rep. Smith calls for passage of his bill in 2005. ABA/NBA legend star Julius Dr. J Irving, at left, was a strong supporter of Smith's legislation. The new law created a nationwide umbilical cord blood stem cell program, designed to collect, derive, type, and freeze cord blood units for transplantation into patients to mitigate and to even cure serious disease. Pursuant to the law, it also provided stem cells for research. The new cord blood program was combined in our 2005 law with an expanded bone marrow initiative, which was crafted over several years by our distinguished colleague, CongressmanBill Young.
I was the prime sponsor again when it was reauthorized in 2015.
Umbilical cord blood stem cells, obtained after the birth of a child, have proved highly efficacious in treating 70 diseases, including sickle-cell disease, lymphoma, and leukemia. And scientists are continuing to study and better understand the regenerative effects of cord blood cell therapies for other diseases and conditions. Bone marrow donations provide lifesaving transplants to treat diseases like blood cancer, sickle cell anemia, or inherited metabolic or immune system disorders.
The National Cord Blood Inventory (NCBI) provides funding to public cord blood banks participating in the program to allow them to expand the national inventory of cord blood units available for transplant. These units are then listed on the registry by the Be the Match Program. The funds appropriated thus far have led to an important increase in the overall number of high-quality cord blood units available through the national registry, including 150,000 NCBI units. Within the Be the Match registry, there are more than 783,000 NCBI units worldwide.
The Program registry allows patients and physicians to locate matching cord blood units, as well as adult donors for marrow and peripheral blood stem cells, when a family donor is not available. The Program is the world's largest, most diverse donor registry, with more than 22 million volunteers and more than 300,000 public cord blood units. To date, the National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match (NMDP), through its operation of the Program, has facilitated more than 100,000 transplants. More than 45,000 patients have receivedcord bloodtransplants, according Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg.
The reauthorization before us authorizes $23 million to be appropriated for fiscal year 2021 through fiscal year 2025. It also authorizes $30 million to be appropriated for fiscal years 2021 through 2025 for the bone marrow transplant program. This continues funding at the same levels authorized in the 2015 authorization bill.
Madam Speaker, each year nearly 4 million babies are born in America. In the past, virtually every placenta and umbilical cord was tossed as medical waste. Today, doctors have turned this medical waste into medical miracles.
Not only has God in His wisdom and goodness created a placenta and umbilical cord to nurture and protect the precious life of an unborn child, but now we know that another gift awaits us immediately after birth. Something very special is left behind--cord blood that is teeming with lifesaving stem cells. Indeed, it remains one of the best kept secrets in America that umbilical cord blood stem cells and adult stem cells in general are curing people of a myriad of terrible conditions and diseases--over 70 diseases in adults as well as in children.
The legislation that is before us will enable even more patients to receive the treatments that they so desperately need.
PHOTO: President Bush signs Rep. Chris Smith's original Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act into law on Dec. 20, 2005.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408998,"MidJersey.News article#WHATSMYNAME 5k Run/Walk Held In Robbinsville In Honor of Samantha Josephson",2020-09-26,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"MidJersey.News article#WHATSMYNAME 5k Run/Walk Held In Robbinsville In Honor of Samantha Josephson
f
t
#
e
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ,
Sep 26, 2020
Hundreds turned out for the #WHATSMYNAME 5K Run/ 1M Walk in honor of, Samantha Josephson. The run/walk supports the What's My Name Foundation's efforts regarding Ride Share Safety education.
The 5K run kicked off a little after 9 am and the 1 mile walk started about the same time this morning.
Samantha grew up in Robbinsville and was Robbinsville High School graduate and was attending University of South Carolina when a rideshare tragedy happened.
Sydney, Seymour and Marci Josephson, with Rep. Chris Smith who has authored Sami's Law on a Federal level and has passed the House in July, at the run/walk this morning. (Dennis Symons photo)
Related recent MidJersey.News story here:Sami's Law Passes The House
On March 29, 2019, Samantha Josephson, a 21 year-old seniorat the University of South Carolina, was kidnapped and murdered when she was targeted by a person posing as a ridesharedriver. Immediately following this unfathomable tragedy, Samantha's parents, Seymour and Marci Josephson, set out to educate otherson the importance of ride share safety so that no other family wouldhave to suffer this kind of loss.
The#WHATSMYNAMEFoundationwasestablished in honor of, Samantha Josephson.Our mission is to educate the world on ride share safety, supporting charitable organizations and providing college scholarships to selected high school seniors.Samantha may be gone but our goal for the rest of our time on earth is to share her story and make a lasting change.
Before you get in a ride share ask
What's my name? and remember hers.
Sami's Law was authored by Rep. Chris Smith and passed the house in July by a unanimous read more about it here:Sami's Law Passes The House
Link to #WHATSMYNAME FOUNDATION HERE
This article was originally posted on the Mid Jersey News site on Sept. 26, 2020 and can be found at:
https://midjersey.news/2020/09/26/whatsmyname-5k-run-walk-held-in-robbinsville-in-honor-of-samantha-josephson/
f
t
#
e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408996,"VFW, Sierra Club praise Smith billSmith veterans legislation passes Housewould create new Task Force to promote use public lands for medical treatment & therapy to vets via outdoor recreation",2020-09-23,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), author of the bipartisan Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act (H.R. 2435) with lead Democrat co-sponsor Adam Smith of (D-WA), hailed the passage today of the bill which will provide increased access to federal lands for the purposes of veterans' medical therapy.
Research has increasingly shown that outdoor recreation can be an effective form of treatment, rehabilitation, and healing for veterans. While many nonprofit organizations, veteran service organizations, and private companies have used the outdoors to help heroes heal, providing greater coordination among key federal agencies will open new opportunities for veterans on public lands and other outdoor spaces, said Chris Smith, author of the Veterans Health Programs Improvement Act (P.L. 108-422), and 13 other veterans laws. The legislation requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an interagency task force on the use of public lands to provide medical treatment and therapy to veterans through outdoor recreation. After undertaking a comprehensive analysis, the task force will submit recommendations to Congress, within one year, on how to eliminate barriers and provide more public outdoor space for use by our veterans. Click here to watch Chris Smith's remarks on the House Floor.
Smith's bill was included in a package of veterans' legislationThe Veterans' COMPACT Act, (H.R. 8247)which passed in a unanimous voice vote. Rep. Adam Smith is chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Rep. Chris Smith served two times as chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
On the House floor today (PICTURED), Rep. Chris Smith thanked Sierra Club for its leadership, and his 130-plus colleagues who cosponsored his bill, including Adam Smith. He recounted the true story of a veteran suffering from PTSD, and his positive encounter with nature.
By the time he was 20, Blake was suffering severe depression, anxiety and PTSD and he made three visits to VA psychiatric wards and a substance abuse rehab, Smith said. But it was a backpacking trip led by the Sierra Club Military Outdoors that changed his entire perspective. He reports that in every Texas sunrise in the desert or a sunset next to an alpine lake, I found more beauty and serenity than I thought existed. I found camaraderie with my other veterans in sharing our stories on the trail. The darkness of what I had experienced couldn't compare to the light I saw in watching a trout swim in the Merced River with Half Dome looming nearby. And when the depression, anxiety and everything else that comes with PTSD creeps back into my life, I know just what dostrap on a pack and get outside!
H.R. 2435 has been endorsed by more than 120 veteran service organizations, outdoor recreation groups, and conservation organizations. Smith garnered broad bipartisan support in the House, with over 135 cosponsors.
Said New Jersey VFW State Legislative Director William F. Thomson, Congratulations to Chris Smith on another important piece of veteran legislation. Congressman Smith has been a three-time recipient of the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars Legislator of the Year award and National Veterans of Foreign Wars Legislator of the Year award. He has always shown that veterans are important to him and our nations. He is one of the New Jersey Veterans best friends in Congress.
Said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, For the people who have given their all for this country, we need to do all we can to help them. That includes access to National Parks and outdoor activities. The outdoors experience has restorative powers, whether you are hiking, mountain biking, camping, or communing with nature. It helps to inspire us and heals our body and spirit. Connecting with nature and being in the wilderness is a powerful part of healing, and the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act will help veterans access that power. My dad was a WWII veteran who was at the Bulge and many other battles. He was also a Sierra Club member for over 40 years. He became an avid hiker and outdoor person when he came back, which helped him deal with everything he went through. It also helped bond us together through an appreciation of nature.
Our public lands are places for respite and healing, but for many veterans, those landscapes remain out of reach, said Rob Vessels, campaign manager of Sierra Club Military Outdoors. Today's vote is an important first step in eliminating those barriers to access, so veterans can heal on the lands they swore an oath to protect. We thank Rep. Chris Smith and Rep. Adam Smith for their work on this critical issue.
The task force is empowered:
First, to identify opportunities to formalize coordination between the Department of Veterans Affairs, public land agencies, and partner organizations regarding the use of public lands or other outdoor spaces for health and wellness for veterans;
Second, to identify barriers that exist to providing veterans with opportunities for health and wellness through the use of outdoor recreation on public lands or other outdoor spaces;
And third, to develop recommendations to better facilitate the use of public lands or other outdoor spaces for promoting wellness and facilitating the delivery of health care and therapy for veterans.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for PTSD, between 11 and 20 percent of veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and 12 percent of those who served in Desert Storm have PTSD in a given year, and 30 percent of those who served in Vietnam will have had PTSD in their lifetime.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408992,"Takes aim at Chinese Govt genocide against MuslimsHouse passes Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act",2020-09-22,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and ranking member of the Congressional Executive Commission on China, took to the House floor today during debate on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Below are excerpts of his remarks:
At a 2018 congressional hearing I cochaired, Mihrigul Tursun recounted her ordeal of torture, sexual abuse and detention in one of China's mass internment camps in Xinjiang, Smith said. She broke down weeping telling us that she pleaded with God to end her life.Her Chinese jailers restrained her to a table increased the electrical currents coursing through her body and mocked her belief in God.
AT LEFT: Smith cites the atrocities the Chinese government has done to Muslims. Click here or on image to watch.
She was tortured simply for being an ethnic Uyghur and a Muslim in China.
There are millions of stories like this waiting to be told about President Xi Jinping's genocide that include:
> The mass internment of millions on a scale not seen since the Holocaust.
> Children ripped from the warm embrace of their families to be indoctrinated in Communist ideology and forced to renounce their religion, culture, and language.
> Rape and sexual abuse of women being held in internment camps.
> Forced abortion and involuntary sterilization to prevent the birth of Uyghur childrena direct violation of Article II (d) of the UN Genocide Convention.
> Forced labor on a massive scale that allows Chinese companies to profit from modern-day slavery.
We cannot be silent. We must demand an end to these barbaric practices and accountability from the Chinese government. Chinese authorities initially denied the existence of mass internment camps and have tried to portray them as vocational training centers. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) employed lies, censorship and economic coercion to stifle discussion of their crimes.
But documents obtained by the New York Times and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists have exposed the brutality behind Beijing's plans to radically and coercively transform the culture and religion of ethnic Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Muslims in China. The leaked internal papers show detailed plans to intern between 1 million and 3 million Uyghurs in modern-day concentration camps--where they are subjected to severe human-rights abuses and Orwellian indoctrination efforts for those whose thinking has been infected.
At the same time, Beijing instituted plans to erase the influence of Islam in western Chinabulldozing mosques and shrines, severely throttling all religious practice, and forcing camp detainees to renounce their faith, Smith said.
Smith noted over the past year, the Trump Administration has matched strong rhetoric condemning abuses with actions to protect U.S. national security and punish Chinese authorities and corporations complicit in human rights crimes:
Since last October, the Commerce Department has placed over 40 Chinese companies and government entities on its Entity List, restricting exports because of their complicity in human rights abuses and enabling high tech surveillance.
In July, the Treasury Department issued Global Magnitsky sanctions on six senior Chinese officials, including Politburo member Chen Quanguo.
The Treasury Department also placed financial sanctions on the Xinjiang Production Construction Corpsa paramilitary organization that reports directly to the Communist Party and controls vast interests in agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.
This summer, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection banned eight Chinese companies from importing textiles, hair, and electronic parts from Xinjiang.
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act prohibits imports from Xinjiang to the U.S. by creating a rebuttable presumption' that all goods produced in the region are made with forced labor unless U.S. Customs and Border Protection certifies by clear and convincing evidence' that goods were not produced with forced labor, Smith said.
The legislation, which passed 406-3, also:
Authorizes targeted sanctions on any person responsible for the labor trafficking of Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities;
Protects U.S. investors and consumers by requiring financial disclosures from U.S. traded businesses about their engagement with Chinese companies and other entities engaged in serious human rights abuses in Xinjiang;
Directs the Secretary of State to determine whether forced labor or other crimes against Uyghurs constitute crimes against humanity or genocide, and requires a diplomatic strategy to address these issues; and
Requires a strategy report from the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force and regular updates on the steps taken to enforce the import prohibition on forced labor made goods from Xinjiang.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408988,"Trentonian article on Smith bill to help TWWCongressman Chris Smith: Trenton Water Works needs to be lead free in 10 years''",2020-09-20,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Trenton Water Works should be lead free in 10 years, argues Congressman Chris Smith of Hamilton Township.
The Republican lawmaker has introduced bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would require large public water systems like TWW to replace all lead service lines within a decade.
Congress must act on this critical legislation that's long overdue and can make drinking water safer for generations of Americans, Smith said in a press statement last month. People need to know the water from the kitchen tap they drink or cook with is clean and safe for themselves and their families. Lead service line replacement is needed to give them that peace of mind.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas has co-sponsored the legislation, formally known as the Get the Lead Out Act or H.R. 7918, which has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
No community should have to worry that their drinking water is tainted with lead, Cuellar said in a press statement. Any amount of lead in drinking water can have serious developmental and health impacts for children.
Trenton Water Works serves 225,000 people in the capital city and Ewing, Hamilton, Lawrence and Hopewell townships. The utility has a long history of documented shortcomings, including a record 13 violations in 2018.
Trenton is under two administrative consent orders with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection requiring the city to make necessary improvements to the public water system, including the replacement of so-called LSL or lead service lines.
DEP sued TWW earlier this year due to the city's failure to comply with the ACO mandates. A Superior Court judge, however, denied DEP's request for preliminary injunctive relief that would have required TWW to replace 7% of lead service lines annually.
Jeffrey Wagenbach, an attorney representing TWW, argued the city is working hard to improve the water utility's operations and maintenance.
New Jersey Deputy Attorney General Robert J. Kinney in court papers argued that Trenton's shortcomings in LSL replacements exposes residents' drinking water to potential lead contamination and therefore places residents of the affected communities at continued risk of irreparable harm.
Judge Robert Lougy said he didn't endorse the city's failure to meet mandates of the consent orders but was confident city officials are not continuing to have reporting above the permissible levels of lead in the water.
Smith, who is seeking re-election to a 21st term representing Central Jersey, introduced his Get the Lead Out Act in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 31.
Smith wants to amend the federal Safe Drinking Water Act by increasing federal contributions to state revolving loan funds from $1.95 billion in fiscal year 2021 to $6.6 billion and authorizing another $6.6 billion to be appropriated in fiscal year 2022. These funds may be used to finance water infrastructure projects that either address the most serious risk to human health or are necessary to ensure compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
Public water systems like TWW are eligible for federal EPA grants to help finance investments necessary for the public water system to comply with the requirements of the federal SDWA. The current law authorized $60 million in such appropriations to occur in each of the fiscal years 2017 through 2021. Smith, however, wants to bolster the federal grants to authorize $80 million in federal appropriations to public water systems and other eligible entities during fiscal years 2021 and 2022.
Smith's bill, if enacted into law, would also authorize $10 million in appropriations for fiscal years 2021 and 2022 to help the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enforce the mandates.
Download PDF
H.R. 7918 would require community water systems serving a population of 3,300 or more to submit a plan to the EPA on how it would inventory and replace all the lead service lines of the community water system, including the portions of such lead service lines that are owned by the community water system and any remaining portions of such lead service lines.
The plan would have to be developed and submitted within one year of Smith's bill becoming law, and then the public water system would have to replace its leaded pipes and fixtures within 10 years if not granted an extension to the statutory deadline.
Lead service lines are water pipes and metal fittings containing a significant quantity of lead, a toxic element harmful to the well-being of humans and animals.
The consumption of lead-contaminated drinking water may lead to adverse health effects, including reproductive problems in adults and lower IQ and hyperactivity for children, according to the EPA.
A lead-free product is one that contains almost no traces of lead, if any at all.
Replacing lead service lines with lead-free alternatives means the new fittings shall not contain more than 0.2% lead when used with respect to solder and flux and any presence of such lead shall have a weighted average not exceeding 0.25% of the toxic element when used with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings and fixtures, according to federal law.
If Smith's bill never becomes law, the City of Trenton appears to be taking steps on its own to improve TWW.
Mayor Reed Gusciora and U.S. Rep Chris Smith, right, toured Trenton Water Works facilities on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. The Republican congressman has vowed to do everything in his power to help TWW. [Courtesy of Congressman Smith Office]
On Thursday, Trenton City Council voted 5-2 to approve $50 million in bonds that will help the city replace the Pennington Reservoir with a network of up to five storage tanks, along with thousands of antiquated meters throughout the distribution system.
Trenton's governing body previously voted 5-2 to approve $25 million in bonds for lead service line replacements. City Council, however, still refuses to support a $33.5 million bond package that would finance improvements to the TWW water filtration plant.
Staff writer Isaac Avilucea contributed to this report.
This article ran in the Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 edition of the Trentonian newspaper, and can be found online at:
https://www.trentonian.com/news/congressman-chris-smith-trenton-water-works-needs-to-be-lead-free-in-10-years/article_f1c8bb14-fade-11ea-98b3-93028b4a29e9.html",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408990,"Project benefits from Smith's 2001 homeless vets bill'Veterans Village Construction Underway'",2020-09-20,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Laura D.C. Kolnoski
Earthmovers are clearing a 12-acre site as work commences on the Soldier On veterans residential community near Seabrook Village on Essex Road. That milestone was marked Saturday when local, county, state and federal officials gathered for a celebration of moving the $23 million facility closer to reality.
Among those in attendance were U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R, NJ-4), State Sen. Vin Gopal (D, NJ-11), and former Tinton Falls mayor Gerald Turning and former borough council president Gary Baldwin, a retired U.S. Air Force captain, both instrumental in helping find a location for the facility and supporting it through approval processes.The ceremony took place off site in Liberty Park on West Park Avenue in lieu of a traditional groundbreaking, primarily due to a lack of access and parking at the construction site, said Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, who spearheaded the effort to create the permanent housing complex for homeless vets for over a decade.
Officially called the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Village in honor of a paralyzed Vietnam veteran who became deputy secretary of the Veterans Administration and helped open the first Soldier On community, the four-story structure will have 70 one-bedroom furnished units. Soldier On, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization with similar communities in Massachusetts and New York, works with Winn Development to arrange financing and engage in the construction aspect. Additional financing, secured over several years and multiple trips to Washington, D.C. and Trenton by Burry and project supporters, came from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.
Amenities will include a multipurpose community room, patio with grills, greenhouse and community garden, walking paths, communications technology and a Memorial Columbarium with an eternal flame where ashes of deceased residents can be interred. Support, therapeutic, wellness and life skills programs will be offered. Burry arranged for the county's assistance with transportation via its SCAT program. While most occupants will be male, less than one dozen will be female, officials said, housed in a separate section with its own entrance and elevator. Current estimates have the doors opening within 18 months.
From left, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, Soldier On CEO Bruce Buckley and Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian G. Burry surround a rendering of Tinton Falls' new homeless veterans facility, scheduled to open within 18 months.Courtesy Monmouth County, Winn Development
Moving from a regimented life to one without the formal structure the military provides can present challenges the rest of us might find difficult to understand, Burry said at the ceremony. Because they don't always come with outward physical signs, they can be doubly difficult to deal with. Fortunately, there are organizations committed to helping our veterans make a successful transition by aiding them with counseling, job training and housing opportunities. No organization does this better than Soldier On.
Courtesy Monmouth County, Winn Development
Burry chronicled the long journey to bring the facility to Monmouth County, including original plans to locate it on the former Fort Monmouth, currently undergoing redevelopment. After several sites emerged but failed to gain traction, Turning and Baldwin offered to donate the borough's Essex Road property.
The site needed to have enough land and a welcoming setting with access to resources for residents, Burry said. Soldier On will build a first class facility.
According to Soldier On CEO Bruce Buckley, this will be the largest facility the organization has built to date. Buckley recently took on the CEO title from founder and president Jack Downing.
It is through Jack's dynamic leadership that Soldier On is what it is today, Burry said. Added Rep. Smith, He has been a dedicated supporter throughout this process, and his work in Washington has been invaluable.
I am especially grateful to Lillian Burry for her extraordinary dream of a creating a Monmouth County homeless veterans housing initiative, and for her tenacity and skill in making it happen, Smith continued, noting, many setbacks along the way. Lillian has been the quarterback in the push to meet the compelling housing and service needs of homeless veterans. Smith, a two-time chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, sponsored a 2001 law for homeless veterans authorizing funding for HUD's Veteran Affairs Supported Housing program, which will be tapped as a source of future rental assistance funding for veterans who will be living at the complex.
Soldier On has created world-class home ownership opportunities coupled with vital services for homeless veterans, and the impact has been enormous and life changing, Smith said. Burry acknowledged the strong and generous support of others including Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver and Charles Richman, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) executive director.
There is no greater service a citizen of this country can render than service in the military, Burry concluded. In doing this they take on the highest responsibility of citizenship defending our freedoms. They also accept the immediate risks and dangers that go with that decision. She said there are an estimated 300 homeless veterans in Monmouth County.
Our average resident has had a number of decompensating events, Jack Downing told The Two River Times. When they come into our care that ceases. We find ways to keep them so they don't fail. Our ultimate goal is to provide homeless veterans with permanent, supportive, sustainable housing. Our mission is to offer a continuum of care.
For more information, visit wesoldieron.org.
The article originally appeared in the September 17 23, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times. The original version can be found online at:
https://tworivertimes.com/veterans-village-construction-underway/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408987,On the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,2020-09-19,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"I convey my deepest condolences to the family of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on her passing after a long, arduous and brave struggle with cancer.
""In the many remembrances of Justice Ginsburg, the one that I believe is most inspiring for this current time was her friendship with the late Justice Antonin Scalia which began when both served on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. Justice Scalia once told an audience before Ruth Bader Ginsburg joined him at the Supreme Court, 'I have missed Ruth very much since leaving the court of appeals. She was the best of colleagues, as she is the best of friends.'
""Their close personal friendship underscores the fact that fundamental policy differences need not diminish friendship, respect and civility.
Rep. Chris Smith",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408993,"CNS article'Abraham Accords called 'truly historic milestone' in Middle East peace'",2020-09-18,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE (CNS) - A Catholic congressman who is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee called the Middle East peace accord signed Sept. 15 at the White House a ""momentous pact"" he hopes ""is the beginning of several future peace accords to strengthen peace within the region.""
""The United States has again brought strength to Israel one of our strongest allies in the region and strength brings peace,'"" U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, said in a statement. Smith is a native of Hamilton.
President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Vice President Mike Pence welcomed Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani to the White House, where the leaders signed the document, which is being called the Abraham Accords.
""It is important to note, after decades of conflict,
this is the first such agreement between Israel
and any major Arab country since 1994.""
~ Rep. Chris Smith ""It is important to note, after decades of conflict, this is the first such agreement between Israel and any major Arab country since 1994,"" said Smith, who was at the White House to witness the signing, which he called ""a truly historic milestone in Middle East peace.""
The Israel-UAE pact was initially reached Aug. 13, normalizing what had long been informal but strong foreign relations between the two countries. On Sept. 11, Bahrain announced it also would formally recognize the Jewish state.
In an Aug. 20 statement, the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace welcomed the normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE and said it can be a step for peace in the Middle East.
""The Catholic bishops of the United States have long held that both morally and as a basis for lasting peace, the two parties must negotiate directly and arrive at a fair compromise that respects the aspirations and need of both peoples,"" said Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, Ill.
""As Catholic bishops, we join in this aspiration and know much work remains in the pursuit of peace in the region,"" he said.
The agreement is called the Abraham Accords, named for ""the father of all three great faiths,"" Christian, Muslim and Jewish.
The UAE, a federation of seven emirates, and Israel plan to exchange embassies and ambassadors, according to the statement from the White House announcing the agreement Aug. 13. The UAE and Bahrain join Egypt and Jordan as the Arab countries establishing relations with Israel.
As part of the agreement, Israel said it would temporarily suspend plans to annex disputed Palestinian territory in the West Bank, a move that Bishop Malloy said the bishops found ""gratifying"".
The planned annexation of Palestinian lands by Israel has been a major point of contention between the Jewish state and much of the Arab world.
In his statement, Bishop Malloy cited Pope Francis, who said during a visit to the UAE in 2019 that ""dialogue, understanding and the widespread promotion of a culture of tolerance, acceptance of others and of living together peacefully would contribute significantly to reducing many economic, social, political and environmental problems that weigh so heavily on a large part of humanity.""
""It is our hope that this agreement will contribute to that peace,"" the bishop said.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas rejected the pact, describing it as ""a betrayal of Jerusalem."" Palestinian leaders have long called for a peace deal with Israel that recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine and Israel and for ensuring access for Jews and Muslims to each religion's holy sites in the city.
This article was published by Catholic News Service on Sept. 17, 2020 and can be found online at:
https://trentonmonitor.com/Content/Default/World-Nation/Article/Abraham-Accords-called-truly-historic-milestone-in-Middle-East-peace/-3/274/23891",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z