Christopher Henry Smith

Republican Representative of New Jersey's 4th district

Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 5, 1981 - January 3, 1983
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 3, 1983 - January 3, 1985
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 3, 1985 - January 3, 1987
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 6, 1987 - January 3, 1989
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 3, 1989 - January 3, 1991
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 3, 1991 - January 3, 1993
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 5, 1993 - January 3, 1995
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 4, 1995 - January 3, 1997
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 7, 1997 - January 3, 1999
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 6, 1999 - January 3, 2001
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 3, 2001 - January 3, 2003
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 7, 2003 - January 3, 2005
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 4, 2005 - January 3, 2007
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 4, 2007 - January 3, 2009
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 6, 2009 - January 3, 2011
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 5, 2011 - January 3, 2013
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 3, 2013 - January 3, 2015
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 6, 2015 - January 3, 2017
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 3, 2017 - January 3, 2019
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2021
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 3, 2021 - January 3, 2023
Representative
New Jersey, district 4
January 3, 2023 - January 3, 2025

202-225-3765

chrissmith.house.gov

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Congresses Served

House Terms

March 4, 1953 (71 years old)

Birthday

Serving his 22nd term as a U.S. representative
Initially a member of the Democratic Party before switching to the Republican Party in 1978
Dean of New Jersey’s congressional delegation and the longest-serving member of Congress in New Jersey’s history
Focused on promoting human rights abroad, authoring significant legislation including the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000
Served as the top House Republican on the United States Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe from 1993 to 2019
Has held leadership positions and conducted oversight of human rights abuses
Born and raised in New Jersey, attended St. Mary’s High School and graduated from Trenton State College with a B.A. in business administration
Worked in his family’s sporting goods business before entering politics
Ran for Congress in 1978 and 1980, winning on his second attempt
Has won reelection consistently, often by large margins
Ranked as the 17th most bipartisan member of the House of Representatives during the 114th Congress
Supported impeachment inquiries and votes against President Bill Clinton
Required intern applicants to rate various personalities and organizations to gauge their political leanings
Nominated and confirmed twice to serve as a member of the United States delegation to the United Nations General Assembly
Voted against both articles in the first impeachment of Donald Trump and the sole article in the second impeachment
Voted to certify the 2020 presidential election results and supported removing Marjorie Taylor Greene from committee assignments
Advocated for veterans’ affairs, including more funding for veterans programs, and was removed from the Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairmanship for his advocacy
Introduced International Megan’s Law and supported the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021
Strongly anti-abortion, co-chairman of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus
Supported the original Violence Against Women Act and its reauthorizations, but voted against the 2013 reauthorization due to funding cuts for the Trafficking in Persons Office
Has a lifetime score of 62% from the League of Conservation Voters, indicating a relatively moderate stance on environmental issues for a Republican
Opposes concealed carry and supported legislation for mandatory background checks for gun sales
Authored major laws addressing autism and supported healthcare measures protecting preexisting conditions
Advocates for human rights, including efforts to address human rights abuses in China and support for recognizing the Armenian genocide
Supported the Employee Free Choice Act and has a 61% lifetime rating from the AFL-CIO Legislative Scorecard
Voted against the 2017 Republican tax legislation due to concerns about its impact on New Jersey taxpayers