Monmouth County Congressman Introduced Anti-Abortion Bill That's Now Headed to Senate

The man behind one of the nation's most controversial abortion bills to date is Monmouth County Congressman Chris Smith (R), who represents a wide swath of Monmouth as New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District representative. Rep. Smith, who has been called one of the most outspoken pro-life members of Congress, represents Holmdel, Middletown, Colts Neck, Rumson, Manalapan, Freehold, Red Bank and Wall Township. The 4th District also reaches into Jackson and Lakewood in Ocean County and Hamilton and Robbinsville in Mercer County.

Rep. Smith introduced HR-7, which would make the Hyde amendment, a piece of anti-abortion legislation routinely passed as a rider, a permanent law. If signed into law, HR-7 prohibits the use of federal funds for abortion or health plans that cover abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is in danger. Opponents of the bill say it is unfair to poor people, as it would permanently prevent those on Medicaid from getting abortions paid for by Medicaid.

The bill passed the House 238-183 largely on party lines, and now must clear the Senate before it is signed into law by President Trump. Congressman Frank Pallone (D), who represents Middlesex and northern Monmouth County towns along the Raritan Bay (such as Hazlet, Keansburg and Aberdeen) voted against it. So did Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman, who represents Middlesex County. You can read how every Congressperson voted on HR-7 here.

That's Rep. Smith introducing HR-7 above on the House floor. "Most people, even those who identify as pro-choice, want more restrictions to protect the innocent unborn," he said. "People are seeing the truth of who abortion actually destroys, as today's proudly shared first baby pictures are most often of ultrasound imaging photos depicting the amazing miracle of the developing child in the womb."

There will be a large pro-life march in Washington, D.C. this Friday, and Rep. Smith will be one of the speakers.

Rep. Chris Smith/By United States Congress - http://chrissmith.house.gov/biography/, Public Domain