Chris Smith (NJ-4)

Biography

Chris Smith is a Republican U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 4th Congressional District, serving since 1981 in his 23rd term as of the 119th Congress. Born on March 4, 1953, in Rahway, New Jersey, and raised in Iselin, he has focused on veterans' affairs, human rights, pro-life issues, and health-related caucuses throughout his career. Notable achievements include authoring 50 laws, ranking first among House members per GovTrack, such as the Autism CARES Act of 2024 , the Gold Star Families Voices Act, and legislation combating veterans' homelessness and boosting the GI Bill by 46%. He chairs the House Veterans' Affairs Committee , serves as a senior member on Foreign Affairs, and leads bipartisan caucuses like Pro-Life , Autism , Human Trafficking , and others on Alzheimer's, Lyme Disease, and anti-Semitism.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Graduated from St. Mary's High School ; B.S. from Trenton State College ; attended Worcester College, England .
• Early Career: Worked in family sporting goods business; nonprofit executive as Executive Director of New Jersey Right to Life Committee ; unsuccessful congressional run in 1978 at age 25.
• Political Experience: Elected to Congress in 1980, defeating 13-term Democrat Frank Thompson; re-elected continuously since; chaired Veterans' Affairs Committee ; secured funding for district projects like train stations, senior centers, military sites, beach replenishment, and veterans' clinics; assisted over 100,000 constituents via outreach.