House passes Conceal Carry Reciprocity, Smith and Pallone vote No

The U. S. House of Representatives passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 today, 231-198 with six Democrats voting ‘Aye.’  Fourteen Republicans voted against the bill, including Chris Smith and Leonard Lance of New Jersey.  Congressman Frank Pallone, who along with Smith represents Monmouth County, voted against the bill.

“Today, the House took action to protect our citizens’ Second Amendment rights,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., in a statement. “The truth is that concealed carry laws save lives. Right now, current law creates confusion for people who cross state borders with a lawful concealed carry permit. The legislation passed by the House today ensures that people who carry their legal firearm across state borders are protected under the law.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Ethiopian-Americans thank Congressman Chris Smith

Rep. Chris Smith won House Foreign Affairs Committee approval in July of a resolution highlighting human rights violations by the current government in Ethiopia and calling for punitive actions against those government officials carrying out the abuses. “For the past 12 years, my staff and I have visited Ethiopia, spoken with Ethiopian officials, talked to a… Read the rest of this entry »

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Trump backs Congressman Smith’s fight to end human trafficking

WASHINGTON — Rep. Chris Smith’s legislation to fight human trafficking was one of three bills on the subject passed Wednesday by the U.S. House. Smith’s bill would earmark $568 million over four years training hotel and airline employees on how to recognize when someone traveling is being held against their will to be used as a… Read the rest of this entry »

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Congressman Smith’s bill to protect minorities fleeing ISIS passes House

WASHINGTON — Legislation sponsored by a New Jersey GOP congressman to protect minorities in the Middle East from attacks by the Islamic State passed the U.S. House by voice vote Tuesday. The Iraq and Syria Relief and Accountability Act was sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) in response to mass killings of minorities, including Christians… Read the rest of this entry »

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Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will be first to get Air Force refueling jets

The United States Air Force has selected Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) to be the first military installation to to sequence its new KC-46A refueling jets, according to an announcement by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4)

The KC-46A is the first phase of a 3-phase effort to replace the U.S. Air Force’s aging tanker fleet. With more refueling capacity and enhanced capabilities, improved efficiency and increased capabilities for cargo and aeromedical evacuation, the KC-46A will provide aerial refueling support to the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps as well as allied nation coalition force aircraft, according to the Air Force.

This is a big win for New Jersey jobs, Smith said.

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Activists take dissent in dangerous direction

By Congressman Chris Smith

Congressman Chris Smith

Who can argue that in 2017, we face an unprecedented number of seemingly insurmountable problems both domestic and international that require wise leadership and sustained problem solving by Congress, the president — and everyone of good will.

Perhaps as in no previous time, however, we live in the age of the perpetual campaign where truth and the common good too often take a back seat to political expediency and personal gain. Enabled by distortion, hyperbole, surface appeal argument and the 24-hour, seven days a week cable news cycle, the public is increasingly ill-served and resolving tough issues has become more elusive.

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Congressman Smith Honors WW2 Veteran’s Heroic Service

Al Salazar, 93 of Wall Township, was 20 years old when he served under both General Omar Bradley and Lt. General George Patton in World War II. He landed in Europe 73 years ago last week.

Congressman Chris Smith joined Salazar’s family in honoring his service by presenting him the medals he earned, but had not received, during a ceremony at the Xanadu senior condominium club house in Wall Township.

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Congressman Smith to hold forum for students interested in attending Military Academies

Congressman Chris Smith and Freeholder Lillian Burry

Congressman Chris Smith announced that he is holding a Service Academy Information Night on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, from 5:30 to 7:30 at Naval Weapons Station Earle, 201 Highway 34 in Colts Neck, NJ.

The event is for any high school or college student (and their parents, counselors or educators) residing in the Fourth Congressional District who is interested in learning about competing for a nomination to one of the United States Service Academies. Each institution plays an integral role in training young men and women to become tomorrow’s military leaders and affords them a collegiate education opportunity of the highest quality that is free of financial obligation, providing the student graduates and fulfills his or her service obligation. The academies are:

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House passes Chris Smith anti-abortion bill in advance of D.C. march

WASHINGTON — In advance of this week’s annual anti-abortion march in the nation’s capital, the U.S. House passed legislation Tuesday to permanently ban federal funding for abortion for poor women except in cases of rape, incest or the life of the mother. The measure, which passed largely along party lines, 238-183, was sponsored by Rep. Chris… Read the rest of this entry »

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Christian refugees escaping ISIS get visit from Congressman Chris Smith

WASHINGTON — Thousands of Christians fleeing Islamic State-held territory in Iraq got a visit this week from Rep. Chris Smith. At the invitation of the Syriac Orthodox archbishop of Mosul, Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, himself a refugee, Smith (R-4th Dist.) toured a 6,000-person refugee camp among other stops in the Kurdish region of Iraq. In all, about… Read the rest of this entry »

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