September 4, 2025 7:41 pm The House of Representatives today approved the FY26 Energy & Water Appropriations Act (HR 4553), which includes $50 million for a new shallow-draft dredging vessel—funds Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) fought to secure in order to address dangerous shoaling issues at the Manasquan Inlet, Shark River Inlet, and other key waterways….

By John Gizzi Thursday, 04 September 2025 A casual hot-mic conversation about organ transplants between strongmen Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping on Wednesday has sparked fresh interest in Congress to enact a ban on the practice of organ harvesting proposed by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. In a bizarre exchange in Beijing reported by Reuters, the Russian…

Bipartisan TICK Act would dedicate $30 million toward research, public health training, and response programs as NJ faces one of the highest Lyme disease rates in the U.S. By Jim Lonergan Published August 9, 2025 at 3:21 PM WASHINGTON, D.C. — With Lyme disease cases continuing to climb nationwide and New Jersey among the hardest-hit states,…

By Jim Lonergan Published July 27, 2025 at 3:15 PM JERSEY SHORE — Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) has secured a $1 million federal earmark to help restore Silver Lake in Belmar, one of several critical coastal lakes and waterways stretching from Belmar through Brielle—including Spring Lake, Lake Como, and Wreck Pond—that are vital to local ecosystems…

By Karen Wall Patch Staff WASHINGTON, DC — When ground was broken for the new Veterans Affairs health clinic in Toms River in May 2022, former Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill made a plea, asking the congressional delegation to name the clinic for the town’s World War II hero, Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell. On Monday, that…

The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act of 2025 (H. R. 1144), sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith, was named in honor of Frederick Douglass, a famed abolitionist and outspoken critic of slavery. The bill reauthorizes Smith’s landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 (P. L. 106-386), which has led to the convictions of more than 2,225 human…

A new bill to reauthorize the nation’s federal efforts to fight Lyme disease was announced yesterday on Capitol Hill. The TICK Act, sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) with Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-NJ) and Paul Tonko (D-NY), will provide continued funding for Lyme disease research at the Centers for Disease Control…

Army Corps will replace Point Pleasant Canal fence to keep people from falling in By Dan Radel –  Asbury Park Press staff The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will install new fencing around the entire perimeter of the Point Pleasant Canal at a cost of $3 million, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith announced. The fencing there…

By Jeanne Wall Published June 28, 2025 WASHINGTON, D.C. — New Jersey resident and World War II Army Ranger veteran John Wardell was among the heroes honored Thursday during a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in the U.S. Capitol, recognizing the legendary United States Army Rangers of World War II for their extraordinary service. “John Wardell and…