Chris Smith (New Jersey politician)

Chris Smith
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's 4th district
Assumed office
January 3, 1981
Preceded by Frank Thompson
Chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee
In office
January 4, 2001  January 3, 2005
Preceded by Bob Stump
Succeeded by Steve Buyer
Personal details
Born Christopher Henry Smith
(1953-03-04) March 4, 1953
Rahway, New Jersey, U.S.
Political party Democratic (before 1978)
Republican (1978–present)
Spouse(s) Marie Smith
Children 4
Education College of New Jersey (BS)

Christopher Henry Smith (born March 4, 1953) is the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 4th congressional district, serving since 1981. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes portions of Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties. In August 2017, Smith was nominated by President Donald Trump to become a representative to the United Nations General Assembly.[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 5, 2017.[2] He served in the same capacity in 2015 after being nominated by President Barack Obama.[3]

Early life, education, and early career

Smith was born in Rahway, New Jersey on March 4, 1953.[4] He attended St. Mary's High School in Perth Amboy, where he competed athletically as a runner and wrestler.[5]

Smith worked in his family's sporting goods business and earned the Eagle Scout award. After graduating with a B.A. from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) in 1975, he became executive director of the New Jersey Right to Life Committee in 1976.

Originally a Democrat, he switched parties and became a Republican in 1978.[6]

U.S. House of Representatives

Smith with President Ronald Reagan in 1985

Elections

While working at his family's sporting goods store, 25-year-old Smith ran for Congress as a Republican in 1978. He was defeated by longtime Democratic incumbent U.S. Congressman Frank Thompson 61%–37%.[7][8] In 1980 he ran again for a rematch. Initially, Smith was thought to have little chance against Thompson, but Thompson was indicted as part of the FBI's Abscam probe.[6] Helped by Ronald Reagan's strong performance in the district, Smith defeated Thompson 57%–41%.[9]

In 1982, Smith faced Democrat and former New Jersey Senate President Joseph P. Merlino. At the end of one of their debates, Smith approached Merlino to exchange pleasantries. Merlino was quoted as saying "Beat it, kid." Smith won the election with 53% of the vote.[10][11] Since then, Smith has won re-election with at least 61% of the vote.[12]

In the 2006 elections, Smith was re-elected with 66% of the vote, the highest percentage for any Republican in the New Jersey delegation.[13]

In 2008, Smith ran against Democrat Joshua M. Zeitz. Smith won re-election 66%–32%.[14]

In 2010, Smith received 69.4% of the vote, coming in ahead of Democratic candidate Howard Kleinhendler, Libertarian candidate Joe Siano, Green Party candidate Steven Welzer, and American Renaissance Movement candidate David Meiswinkle.[15]

The 2012 elections saw Smith win 64% of the vote, with Brian Froelich, the Democratic candidate, receiving 35%.[15]

In 2014, Smith defeated Democratic candidate Ruben Scolanio, 68%–31%.

In 2016, Smith defeated Democratic candidate Lorna Phillipson, 63%–33%.

Tenure

In 2011, American Conservative Union gave Smith a lifetime score of 60%.[16] In 2018, Conservative Review gave Smith a Liberty Index score of 42%.[17] Smith was ranked as the 17th most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 114th United States Congress (and the second most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey) in the Bipartisan Index by The Lugar Center.[18]

It was revealed in October 2015 that intern applicants for Smith's office were required to rate "27 different personalities, organizations and political issues to indicate whether they tend to agree with them, disagree with them or have no opinion or knowledge of them." Personalities and organizations included Rachel Maddow, the Pope, Planned Parenthood, and The National Right to Life Committee.[19]

Veterans

In January 2001, Smith became chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and there pushed for policies opposed by the Republican leadership, including voting against the Republican and for the Democratic budget resolution because the latter included more spending on veterans programs, which resulted in his losing the chairmanship in January 2005, two years short of the normal six-year term.[20] Smith passed 22 laws addressing veterans issues while he was chairman.[21]

In 2004, Smith refused to endorse the Republican budget proposal unless it included more money for veterans. In a congressional hearing, Smith publicly articulated his belief that the Bush Administration's budget request was $1.2 billion less than the Department of Veterans Affairs actually required, embarrassing the administration and Republican congressional leadership.[22]

Smith did not expect a challenge for the chair when Congress convened in 2005. However, Steve Buyer, the fourth ranking Republican on the committee, asked for an interview with the Republican Steering Committee, and on January 5, 2005 it voted to make him chairman. That decision was ratified by the Republican Conference on January 6, and Smith was removed from the committee altogether. Smith stated at the time, "I don't look at power as something to hold. I see the power of the gavel as a strategic opportunity to do good, to use it in every way to help veterans", he said in his speech to the Conference. New Jersey Republicans expressed dismay, and New Jersey Democrats and the leaders of just about every veterans group expressed outrage. Richard B. Fuller, the national legislative director for the Paralyzed Veterans of America, said, "The Republicans needed a chairman who would consistently say no to veterans' groups and say yes to the Republican leadership. That meant get rid of Chris Smith."[23]

Legislation

On May 6, 2014, Smith introduced the bill International Megan's Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking (H.R. 4573; 113th Congress), which would require the notification of foreign governments when an American registered as a sex offender of children is going to be traveling to their country.[24][25][26]

As of May 2018, FiveThirtyEight reported that Smith voted in line with President Donald Trump's position 77% of the time, the eighth-lowest percentage among 286 Republican members of Congress.[27]

Committee assignments

Political positions

Abortion

Smith is pro-life. He is a member of the Pro-Life Caucus and is co-chair of the Trump Administration's Pro-Life Coalition.[28][29] He supports the Mexico City policy, which blocks U.S. federal funding for non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counselling or referrals, advocate to decriminalize abortion or expand abortion services.[30]

In 2000, Smith voted to support HR 3660, which bans partial-birth abortions, unless the woman's life is at risk.[31]

Smith expressed support for the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, an amendment to America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.[32]

In 2010, he supported a bill proposed by Roland Burris to stop the military from offering abortions, including in military hospitals, in which he describes should be "places of healing" rather than "abortion mills."[33]

Smith has introduced various forms of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, starting with the original proposal in 2011. The original 2011 proposal prohibited federal funds from being used for health benefits that cover abortion, unless in the case of rape, incest or if the woman could die. It also disqualified abortions from being written off on taxes.[31] Two years later, in 2013, he re-introduced the proposal, which further restricted insurance coverage of abortions.[34] The bill passed the House but has yet to be voted on by the Senate.[35][36]

Domestic violence

Smith supports efforts to end domestic violence. He co-sponsored the 2005 Violence Against Women Act, which provided $1.6 billion toward investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women, imposed automatic and mandatory restitution on those convicted, and allowed civil redress in cases prosecutors chose to leave un-prosecuted.[37] However, Smith voted against re-authorizing the act in 2013.[38]

Environment

As of 2017, Smith has a lifetime score of 62% on the National Environmental Scorecard of the League of Conservation Voters.[39] Smith believes in climate change and has called it a "global challenge that must be addressed with a global solution."[40]

Guns

Smith opposes concealed carry.[41] In 2016, Smith was one of four Republicans to receive a 100% rating from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and has generally received low or intermediate ratings from pro-gun organizations Gun Owners of America and the National Rifle Association.[42]

Smith did not co-sponsor the Brady Campaign's proposed legislation to expand background checks for gun purchasers and did not receive any contributions from the corporate gun lobby. Smith was one of only two Republicans in the New Jersey delegation not identified by the Brady Campaign as a "lapdog" for corporate gun lobbyists.[43]

Mass shootings

After the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, Smith offered his thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families and friends. He expresses concern with "radical Islamist ideology."[44]

In the wake of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Smith co-sponsored a ban on bump stocks with Leonard Lance.[45]

Health care

Smith has written three major laws to address autism, including the most recent Autism CARES which included $1.3 billion in funding for research, services and supports and requires a report on aging out.[46]

On May 9, 2014, Smith introduced the bill Autism CARES Act of 2014, a bill that would amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize research, surveillance, and education activities related to autism spectrum disorders (autism) conducted by various agencies within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).[47]

Human rights

Smith advocates for human rights, serving on numerous committees that seek to impact both national and international laws and legislation. He has stated that the bills he introduces to the house are meant to make the U.S. take "human rights seriously."[48]

In 1999, Smith proposed, as part of the American Embassy Security Act, to stop a U.S. sponsored program which provided training to Royal Ulster Constabulary with the FBI, due to claims of human rights violations, i.e. harassment of defense attorneys representing republicans in Northern Ireland.[49]

He supported the return David Goldman's son in the Goldman child abduction case, which involved a trip to Brazil.[50] Smith acknowledges the Armenian Genocide and has made calls for the U.S. to recognize it.[51]

In 2017, Smith co-sponsored an effort to prioritize human rights in Azerbaijan with Jim McGovern. The H. Res. 537 act also seeks to see further implementation of the Magnitsky Act regarding Azerbaijani officials, as well as a call for Azerbaijan to release all political prisoners.[52] He supports efforts to deport Jakiw Palij, a denaturalized former American citizen residing in New York who failed to disclose he worked as a guard at a concentration camp in Nazi Germany.[53]

China

Smith has held congressional hearings and has proposed bills regarding human rights violations, specifically around women's sexual health, activism and religious groups, in China. He staunchly opposes the forced sterilization and forced abortions being implemented by the Chinese government towards women regarding China's one-child policy. Regarding the victimization of these women, Smith stated that "the agony that those women carry with them is beyond words. They talk about the pain that they carry for their child and for the violation by the state." In response, Smith wrote a bill, which was put into law in 1999, making it illegal for the U.S. to issue visas to foreign nationals who have been involved in forced abortion or sterilization.[48]

Smith held a congressional hearing regarding the disappearance of blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng.[48] He attempted, in 2011, to visit Chen in China, when the activist was under house arrest, but was not granted permission.[54] In response to the violations towards Chen and his family, Smith sponsored the China Democracy Promotion Act of 2011, which sought to prevent known Chinese human rights violators from entering the U.S.[48]

In the wake of the 2014 Hong Kong class boycott campaign and Umbrella Movement, Smith co-sponsored the bipartisan Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, supporting Hong Kong's ongoing autonomy and the human rights of those Hong Kongers involved in nonviolent protests and/or those who have had their rights violated by the Chinese government.[55]

Human trafficking

Smith has sponsored and written many policies and proposals regarding human trafficking. In 2000, he co-sponsored the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, which authorizes protections for undocumented immigrants who are victims of severe forms of trafficking and violence.[56]

The law is now part of the Violence Against Women Act. In 2017, Smith co-sponsored the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act, alongside Karen Bass. The proposal funds programs that train employers to identify potential victims of human trafficking, prevents the sale of American goods made with forced labor, and provides educational tools and opportunities for children to learn how to avoid traffickers. The bill passed the House and has yet to go to the Senate.[57][58]

Religion

Smith supports religious rights regarding international human rights. He supports sanctions against Vietnam regarding their treatment of the Catholics and China regarding the Uyghurs and Falun Gong.[50]

Immigration

Smith supported the Indonesian Family Refugee Protection Act in 2012, which would have extended the deadline for Indonesian immigrants to file for citizenship.[59]

Intellectual property rights

Smith authored the Global Online Freedom Act in 2007, but it did not become law.[60] The proposed legislation was a bill "to promote freedom of expression on the Internet, to protect United States businesses from coercion to participate in repression by authoritarian foreign governments, and for other purposes."[61] Specifically, the bill would prohibit American companies from turning over data about customers residing in "internet restrictive countries." The bill is supported by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders. It is opposed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.[62]

LGBT rights

Smith has a "0" rating from the Human Rights Campaign regarding LGBTQ rights;[63] he does not support same-sex marriage and does not consider it a human right.[64]

A visit of Smith's to the Colts Neck High School auditorium on May 29, 2018 caused controversy in September 2018 when the Washington Blade released an audio excerpt and wrote an article claiming it represented Smith saying that children would be better off in orphanages than getting adopted by LGBT families. Smith's office disputed this interpretation of his remarks and released other audio of the event as evidence that this was not his position.[65][66]

Labor movement

Smith is, by his own account, pro-labor, and considers labor issues a "human rights issue." He supports the Employee Free Choice Act.[50] The AFL-CIO Legislative Scorecard, which tracks support for workers' rights, gives Smith a 61% lifetime rating, ranking him seventh of New Jersey's twelve Representatives, and 195th of the House's 435 Representatives.[67]

Marijuana

Smith has a "D" rating from NORML regarding his voting record on cannabis-related matters. He has consistently voted against the Veterans Equal Access Amendment, which provides veterans access to information regarding medical marijuana accessibility in their respective states.[68]

Military

Bob Wallace, executive director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars calls Smith "the best friend" of veterans. In 2004, Smith refused to endorse the Republican budget proposal unless it included more money for veterans. In a congressional hearing, Smith publicly articulated his belief that the Bush Administration's budget request was $1.2 billion less than the Department of Veterans Affairs actually required, embarrassing the administration and Republican congressional leadership.[69] In 2005, Smith was removed from his chairmanship and membership on the Veterans Affair Committee for his aggressive role in seeking more funding for veteran-related causes.[50]

Science policy

Smith supports efforts to provide alternatives to embryonic stem cell research. In 2005, he co-sponsored a bill with Artur Davis to fund the creation of a network of national blood banks to distribute umbilical cord blood for stem cell research.[70]

Tax reform

Smith voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, joining four other Republican representatives from New Jersey. Regarding his vote, he stated that "We need tax relief, but we must have relief that is not comparatively unfair to the taxpayers of New Jersey."[71] Smith said he would be "forced to oppose" more tax cuts if legislation included a provision "permanently extending the $10,000 cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction".[72]

Electoral history

New Jersey's 4th congressional district: Results 1980–2016[73][74][75][76][77]
Year Republican Votes % Democratic Votes % Third Party Party Votes % Third Party Party Votes %
1980 Chris Smith 95,447 57% Frank Thompson (Inc) 68,480 41% Jack Moyers Libertarian 2,801 2% Paul Rizzo No Slogan 1,776 1%
1982 Chris Smith 85,660 53% Joseph Merlino 75,658 47% Bill Harris Libertarian 662 0% Paul Rizzo No Slogan 374 0% *
1984 Chris Smith 139,295 61% James Hedden 87,908 39%
1986 Chris Smith 78,699 61% Jeffrey Laurentini 49,290 38% Earl Dickey Stop Financing Communism 789 1%
1988 Chris Smith 155,283 66% Betty Holland 79,006 33% Judson Carter Independent 1,114 0% Daniel Maiullo Libertarian 791 1%
1990 Chris Smith 99,920 63% Mark Setaro 54,961 35% Carl Peters Libertarian 2,178 1% Joseph Notarangelo Populist 1,206 1% *
1992 Chris Smith 149,095 62% Brian Hughes 84,514 35% Benjamin Grindlinger Libertarian 2,984 1% Patrick Pasculi Independent 2,137 1% *
1994 Chris Smith 109,818 68% Ralph Walsh 49,537 31% Leonard Marshall Conservative 1,579 1% Arnold Kokans Natural Law 833 1%
1996 Chris Smith 146,404 64% Kevin Meara 77,565 34% Robert Figueroa Independent 3,000 1% J. Morgan Strong Independent 2,034 1% *
1998 Chris Smith 92,991 62% Larry Schneider 52,281 35% Keith Quarles Independent 1,753 1% Morgan Strong Independent 1,495 1% *
2000 Chris Smith 158,515 63% Reed Gusciora 87,956 35% Stuart Chaifetz Independent 3,627 1% Paul Teel Independent 712 0%
2002 Chris Smith 115,293 66% Mary Brennan 55,967 32% Keith Quarles Libertarian 1,211 1% Hermann Winkelmann Honesty, Humanity, Duty 1,063 1% *
2004 Chris Smith 192,671 67% Amy Vasquez 92,826 32% Richard Edgar Libertarian 2,056 1%
2006 Chris Smith 124,482 66% Carol Gay 62,902 33% Richard Edgar Libertarian 1,539 1% Louis Wary Remove Medical Negligence 614 0%
2008 Chris Smith 202,972 66% Joshua Zeitz 100,036 32% Steven Welzer Green 3,543 1%
2010 Chris Smith 129,752 69% Howard Kleinhendler 52,118 28% Joe Siano Libertarian 2,912 2% Steven Welzer Green 1,574 1% *
2012 Chris Smith 195,146 64% Brian Froelich 107,992 35% Leonard Marshall No Slogan 3,111 1%
2014 Chris Smith 118,826 68% Ruben Scolavino 54,415 31% Scott Neuman D-R Party 1,608 1%
2016 Chris Smith 211,992 64% Lorna Phillipson 111,532 34% Hank Schroeder Economic Growth 5,840 2% Jeremy Marcus Libertarian 3,320 1%
  • In elections marked with an asterisk (*), additional candidates received less than 1% of the vote.

References

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    "'That's what my parents were all about,' says Smith, who was born in Rahway and grew up in Iselin. 'They were always passionately in favor of the underdog, and I've always been taught to look out for the disenfranchised.' Raised as a Roman Catholic with two brothers, Smith attended St. Mary's High School in Perth Amboy, where he ran track and cross-country and wrestled."
  6. 1 2 Gruson, Lindsey. "Decade of Rep. Smith: Fluke to Tactician", The New York Times, August 10, 1991; accessed March 28, 2008. "He switched parties but lost in 1978 as the token opposition to Frank Thompson, a veteran Democrat who was chairman of the House Administration Committee. But he won in 1980 when Thompson was convicted of bribery and conspiracy in the Abscam scandal and later served two years in prison."
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  30. "Unlock Family Planning Funds". The New York Times. February 4, 1997. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
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  33. Emanuel, Mike (June 9, 2010). "Democrats Seek to Lift Ban on Abortions at U.S. Military Hospitals Abroad". Fox News. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
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  35. Villacorta, Natalie. "House votes to block federal funding of abortion". POLITICO. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  36. Seelinger, Lani. "When Is The Senate Vote On HR-7? This Anti-Abortion Bill Passed Through The House With Ease". Bustle. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  37. "Smith Hails Signing of Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization". Chris Smith. January 5, 2006. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  38. Trotter, J.K. "Here's Who Voted Against the Violence Against Women Act". The Atlantic. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
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  40. Shank, Michael (January 15, 2015). "Republicans want to fight climate change, too". The Week. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  41. Coughlin, Kevin. "Concealed-carry bill passes House; Frelinghuysen supports it | Morristown Green". Morristown Green. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
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  43. "Is Your Member of Congress a Lapdog for the Corporate Gun Lobby?". Finish the Job Scorecard: Lap Dog Edition.
  44. Berkowitz, Bonnie; Cai, Weiyi; Lu, Denise; Gamio, Lazaro. "Everything lawmakers said (and didn't say) after the Orlando mass shooting". Washington Post. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  45. Salant, Jonathan D. "What Americans think about gun control after Las Vegas massacre". NJ.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
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  47. "CBO – H.R. 4631". Congressional Budget Office. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  48. 1 2 3 4 Kim, Susanna (November 7, 2011). "Bill Targets Human Rights Offenders". ABC News. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  49. "FBI training of RUC officers is suspended". The Irish Times. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  50. 1 2 3 4 Braun, Bob. "N.J. Congressman Chris Smith fights for human rights without compromises". NJ.com. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  51. Smith, Chris. "SMITH: U.S. must end its denial of Armenian genocide". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  52. "Representatives Chris Smith and Jim McGovern Urge Congress Hold Azerbaijan Accountable for Human Rights Abuses". The Armenian Weekly. September 27, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  53. Blau, Reuven. "Bipartisan group urges Tillerson to deport Nazi living in Queens". NY Daily News. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
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  65. "EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: GOP lawmaker caught on tape: Orphanages better than gay adoption". Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights. 2018-09-12. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  66. "Rep. Chris Smith's position on gay adoptions draws fire". NJ.com. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Frank Thompson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's 4th congressional district

1981present
Incumbent
Preceded by
Steny Hoyer
Chair of the Joint Helsinki Commission
1995–1997
Succeeded by
Al D'Amato
Preceded by
Al D'Amato
Chair of the Joint Helsinki Commission
1999–2001
Succeeded by
Ben Campbell
Preceded by
Bob Stump
Chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee
2001–2005
Succeeded by
Steve Buyer
Preceded by
Ben Campbell
Chair of the Joint Helsinki Commission
2003–2005
Succeeded by
Sam Brownback
Preceded by
Ben Cardin
Chair of the Joint Helsinki Commission
2011–2013
Succeeded by
Ben Cardin
Chair of the Joint Helsinki Commission
2015–2017
Succeeded by
Roger Wicker
Current U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Hal Rogers
R-Kentucky
United States Representatives by seniority
4th
Succeeded by
Steny Hoyer
D-Maryland
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