{"id":"S000522","bioguide_id":"S000522","first_name":"Christopher","last_name":"Smith","full_name":"Christopher Smith","party":"R","state":"NJ","chamber":"house","district":"4","title":"Representative","photo_url":null,"twitter_handle":null,"official_website":"https://chrissmith.house.gov","fec_candidate_ids":["H8NJ04014"],"lis_id":null,"is_active":true,"term_start":"2025-01-03","term_end":"2027-01-03","created_at":"2026-09-08T22:51:51.014Z","updated_at":"2026-09-09T02:08:13.531Z","url":"https://whovotedwhy.com/politicians/S000522","score":{"id":"S000522","politician_id":"S000522","consistency_score":null,"influence_score":null,"conflict_index":null,"total_ai_votes":11,"total_statements":4,"total_donations_ai":0,"top_donor_industries":[],"said_did_pairs":[],"computed_at":"2026-09-11T15:05:27.382Z"},"votes":[{"id":"17a9d146bc520f2a","roll_call_id":"f8cf2822ee452352","bill_id":"239bd7e39dbe4641","politician_id":"S000522","position":"yea","voted_at":"2025-03-10","roll_call":{"id":"f8cf2822ee452352","chamber":"house","kind":"floor","category":"passage-suspension","congress":119,"session":1,"number":65,"date":"2025-03-10","question":"On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass","description":"Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act","legislation":"H.R. 993","amendment":null,"committee":null,"bill_id":"239bd7e39dbe4641","result":"Passed","yeas":406,"nays":9,"positions_recorded":432,"positions_unmatched":0,"source_url":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/roll065.xml","ai_match":"bill","fetched_at":"2026-09-11T14:58:52.438Z"}},{"id":"f352d70d4eb0331e","roll_call_id":"3c8e529cc7178e96","bill_id":"36286542d88ed632","politician_id":"S000522","position":"yea","voted_at":"2025-04-28","roll_call":{"id":"3c8e529cc7178e96","chamber":"house","kind":"floor","category":"passage-suspension","congress":119,"session":1,"number":104,"date":"2025-04-28","question":"On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass","description":"TAKE IT DOWN Act","legislation":"S. 146","amendment":null,"committee":null,"bill_id":"36286542d88ed632","result":"Passed","yeas":409,"nays":2,"positions_recorded":433,"positions_unmatched":0,"source_url":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/roll104.xml","ai_match":"bill","fetched_at":"2026-09-11T14:58:52.438Z"}},{"id":"aeabbadaf40f4630","roll_call_id":"646923fd69186607","bill_id":"a686788754d71445","politician_id":"S000522","position":"yea","voted_at":"2025-07-14","roll_call":{"id":"646923fd69186607","chamber":"house","kind":"floor","category":"passage-suspension","congress":119,"session":1,"number":192,"date":"2025-07-14","question":"On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass","description":"Consumer Safety Technology Act","legislation":"H.R. 1770","amendment":null,"committee":null,"bill_id":"a686788754d71445","result":"Passed","yeas":336,"nays":36,"positions_recorded":431,"positions_unmatched":0,"source_url":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/roll192.xml","ai_match":"bill","fetched_at":"2026-09-11T14:58:52.438Z"}},{"id":"dc6e4433497ca533","roll_call_id":"568b5e8fcd2727ab","bill_id":"b00414282069207d","politician_id":"S000522","position":"nay","voted_at":"2025-09-10","roll_call":{"id":"568b5e8fcd2727ab","chamber":"house","kind":"floor","category":"recommit","congress":119,"session":1,"number":261,"date":"2025-09-10","question":"On Motion to Recommit","description":"Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026","legislation":"H.R. 3838","amendment":null,"committee":null,"bill_id":"b00414282069207d","result":"Failed","yeas":208,"nays":219,"positions_recorded":432,"positions_unmatched":0,"source_url":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/roll261.xml","ai_match":"bill","fetched_at":"2026-09-11T14:58:52.438Z"}},{"id":"e931547c1a3f6153","roll_call_id":"6a91c1665ec27535","bill_id":"b00414282069207d","politician_id":"S000522","position":"yea","voted_at":"2025-09-10","roll_call":{"id":"6a91c1665ec27535","chamber":"house","kind":"floor","category":"passage","congress":119,"session":1,"number":262,"date":"2025-09-10","question":"On Passage","description":"Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026","legislation":"H.R. 3838","amendment":null,"committee":null,"bill_id":"b00414282069207d","result":"Passed","yeas":231,"nays":196,"positions_recorded":432,"positions_unmatched":0,"source_url":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/roll262.xml","ai_match":"bill","fetched_at":"2026-09-11T14:58:52.438Z"}},{"id":"02c5bd71d76707d3","roll_call_id":"0100b757ace90999","bill_id":"cf89b103e74a3844","politician_id":"S000522","position":"nay","voted_at":"2025-12-10","roll_call":{"id":"0100b757ace90999","chamber":"house","kind":"floor","category":"procedural","congress":119,"session":1,"number":319,"date":"2025-12-10","question":"On Motion to Commit","description":"To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas, and for other purposes","legislation":"S. 1071","amendment":null,"committee":null,"bill_id":"cf89b103e74a3844","result":"Failed","yeas":209,"nays":216,"positions_recorded":433,"positions_unmatched":0,"source_url":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/roll319.xml","ai_match":"bill","fetched_at":"2026-09-11T14:58:52.438Z"}},{"id":"612652f0b477190d","roll_call_id":"a25c2a752d51bf81","bill_id":"cf89b103e74a3844","politician_id":"S000522","position":"yea","voted_at":"2025-12-10","roll_call":{"id":"a25c2a752d51bf81","chamber":"house","kind":"floor","category":"passage","congress":119,"session":1,"number":320,"date":"2025-12-10","question":"On Passage","description":"To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas, and for other purposes","legislation":"S. 1071","amendment":null,"committee":null,"bill_id":"cf89b103e74a3844","result":"Passed","yeas":312,"nays":112,"positions_recorded":433,"positions_unmatched":0,"source_url":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/roll320.xml","ai_match":"bill","fetched_at":"2026-09-11T14:58:52.438Z"}},{"id":"f977d061fb8e921b","roll_call_id":"e27463e864c986ac","bill_id":"e3cfdab39518ca95","politician_id":"S000522","position":"yea","voted_at":"2026-01-20","roll_call":{"id":"e27463e864c986ac","chamber":"house","kind":"floor","category":"passage-suspension","congress":119,"session":2,"number":33,"date":"2026-01-20","question":"On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended","description":"AI for Main Street Act","legislation":"H.R. 5764","amendment":null,"committee":null,"bill_id":"e3cfdab39518ca95","result":"Passed","yeas":395,"nays":14,"positions_recorded":431,"positions_unmatched":0,"source_url":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2026/roll033.xml","ai_match":"bill","fetched_at":"2026-09-11T14:58:52.438Z"}},{"id":"396c3da53370be43","roll_call_id":"66fd8f27dd804f2b","bill_id":"d1696820d51b4d0f","politician_id":"S000522","position":"yea","voted_at":"2026-06-29","roll_call":{"id":"66fd8f27dd804f2b","chamber":"house","kind":"floor","category":"passage-suspension","congress":119,"session":2,"number":228,"date":"2026-06-29","question":"On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended","description":"KIDS Act","legislation":"H.R. 7757","amendment":null,"committee":null,"bill_id":"d1696820d51b4d0f","result":"Passed","yeas":267,"nays":117,"positions_recorded":431,"positions_unmatched":0,"source_url":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2026/roll228.xml","ai_match":"bill","fetched_at":"2026-09-11T14:58:52.438Z"}},{"id":"b3b73c0a49701234","roll_call_id":"4e1afa79062efed0","bill_id":"98aac415e61b418b","politician_id":"S000522","position":"nay","voted_at":"2026-07-22","roll_call":{"id":"4e1afa79062efed0","chamber":"house","kind":"floor","category":"recommit","congress":119,"session":2,"number":277,"date":"2026-07-22","question":"On Motion to Recommit","description":"National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027","legislation":"H.R. 8800","amendment":null,"committee":null,"bill_id":"98aac415e61b418b","result":"Failed","yeas":213,"nays":216,"positions_recorded":431,"positions_unmatched":0,"source_url":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2026/roll277.xml","ai_match":"bill","fetched_at":"2026-09-11T14:58:52.438Z"}},{"id":"b624a5aaede98463","roll_call_id":"0738d91905dc4b0e","bill_id":"98aac415e61b418b","politician_id":"S000522","position":"yea","voted_at":"2026-07-22","roll_call":{"id":"0738d91905dc4b0e","chamber":"house","kind":"floor","category":"passage","congress":119,"session":2,"number":278,"date":"2026-07-22","question":"On Passage","description":"National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027","legislation":"H.R. 8800","amendment":null,"committee":null,"bill_id":"98aac415e61b418b","result":"Passed","yeas":216,"nays":212,"positions_recorded":431,"positions_unmatched":0,"source_url":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2026/roll278.xml","ai_match":"bill","fetched_at":"2026-09-11T14:58:52.438Z"}}],"statements":[{"id":"80abe3de0aa71b25","politician_id":"S000522","type":"press_release","content":"By J. Mayhew\n\nPublished August 27, 2026 at 3:38 PM EDT\n\nManchester Township Council brought forth an ordinance Monday night. It bans AI data centers in the municipality. The measure, Ordinance No. 26-48, came before a packed crowd who carried signs and chanted \"No Data Centers. No Means No.\"\n\nThe ordinance repeals a measure approved in August 2025 that designated a property owned by Stavola Corporation off South Hope Chapel Road for redevelopment. That earlier legislation included a provision listing data centers as an acceptable use.\n\nCouncil President Michele Zolezi announced the repeal at the start of the public meeting session. Mayor Joseph Hankins was absent due to a prior commitment in Whiting. He attended the executive session to reiterate his opposition.\n\n\"Tonight the Council took an important step toward listening to the concerns our residents have raised,\" Hankins said after the meeting, according to Patch. \"Repealing this provision removes data centers from our redevelopment plan entirely, and reflects our commitment to ensuring that future development in Manchester Township aligns with the character, resources, and priorities of our community.\"\n\nGETTY IMAGES\n\nThe ordinance will receive a second reading, public hearing, and final vote on Sept. 14, said township attorney Lauren Staiger. It takes effect 20 days after publication following the final vote in early October.\n\nU.S. Rep. Chris Smith, who represents the area as part of New Jersey's 4th District, issued a statement Monday afternoon supporting the ban. \"AI data centers pose critical environmental risks and impose undue stresses on local resources — including water and electricity — which place significant financial burdens on ratepayers and residents,\" Smith said.\n\nResidents packed the meeting for the second time this month. A packed crowd attended the Aug. 10 council meeting after rumors spread that a developer had approached the town about building a facility in the Pine Barrens.\n\nCarl Block, the township's business administrator, said no plans have been submitted. He said the 2025 ordinance had created the only place where such a facility was possible under zoning rules, and repealing it removes that option completely.\n\nBlock said a developer could have moved forward by filing a complete application with the planning board. Getting an application deemed complete is a process that doesn't happen quickly in most cases, he said.","url":"https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415807","published_at":"2026-08-27","ai_topics":["data_centers"],"ai_stance":"support","ai_summary":"Smith backs Manchester Township's ordinance banning AI data centers, citing environmental risks and burdens on local water, electricity, and ratepayers.","ai_processed":true,"bill_ids":[],"ai_relevance_score":null,"bill_refs":[],"classifier":null},{"id":"b1c2291fcc289404","politician_id":"S000522","type":"press_release","content":"By Karen Wall, Patch Staff\n\nPublished Wed., August 26, 2026 at 5:34 am ET\n\nMANCHESTER, NJ — The Manchester Township Council took the first step to banning artificial intelligence data centers in the township on Monday night with the introduction of an ordinance to do just that.\n\nThe ordinance, No. 26-48, was introduced before another overflow crowd that carried dozens of signs and chanted its message: \"No Data Centers. No Means No.\"\n\nThe council had been faced with an overflow crowd at the Aug. 10 council meeting, where residents turned out in force because of rumors that a developer had approached the town about building one in the midst of the Pine Barrens.\n\nOf particular concern was an ordinance approved in August 2025 by the council that designated a property owned by the Stavola Corporation off South Hope Chapel Road for redevelopment and included a provision that specifically included data centers as an acceptable use.\n\n(Karen Wall/Patch)\n\nThe ordinance introduced Monday night repeals the 2025 measure. It also includes a definitive statement banning data centers in any part of Manchester.\n\nThe ordinance is scheduled for a second reading, public hearing and final vote on Sept. 14, township attorney Lauren Staiger said. It will take effect 20 days after publication of the ordinance following the final vote, in early October, Staiger said.\n\nCouncil President Michele Zolezi announced the repeal ordinance at the start of the public meeting session, after the council returned from executive session discussions.\n\nMayor Joseph Hankins was absent from the meeting due to a prior commitment in Whiting. Zolezi said he attended the executive session to reiterate his opposition to data centers, which Hankins had expressed in a statement after the Aug. 10 meeting.\n\n\"Tonight the Council took an important step toward listening to the concerns our residents have raised,\" Hankins said after the meeting. \"Repealing this provision removes data centers from our redevelopment plan entirely, and reflects our commitment to ensuring that future development in Manchester Township aligns with the character, resources, and priorities of our community.\"\n\n\"I want to thank the Council for their thoughtful consideration and swift action on this issue. Their willingness to listen and respond to the community speaks to their dedication to serving the residents of Manchester Township,\" Hankins said. \"I also want to thank the residents who have shown up to meetings, written letters, and made their voices heard throughout this process. Local government works best when it responds to the people it serves, and this ordinance is a direct result of that engagement.\"\n\nHankins and members of the township administration had met with Ocean County Commissioner Robert Arace and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, who represents Manchester as part of New Jersey's 4th District in the House of Representatives.\n\n\"AI data centers pose critical environmental risks and impose undue stresses on local resources — including water and electricity — which place significant financial burdens on ratepayers and residents,\" Smith said in a statement Monday afternoon. \"The reasonable concerns of local residents must no longer be steamrolled by tech companies seeking profit over Americans’ quality of life — not on my watch.\"\n\nAt the meeting, residents applauded the introduction of the ordinance, but some questioned whether it will prevent a developer from getting plans for one in place before the ban takes effect.\n\nCarl Block, Manchester's business administrator, reiterated statements from the Aug. 10 meeting that no plans have been presented to the township for any data center.\n\nHe said the 2025 ordinance that addressed redevelopment of the specific site had created the only place in the township where a data center was possible under the township's zoning, and by repealing that ordinance, that option was completely removed because it was specific to the redevelopment.\n\nThe ordinance repealing it ","url":"https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415808","published_at":"2026-08-26","ai_topics":["data_centers"],"ai_stance":"support","ai_summary":"Smith supports banning AI data centers in Manchester, saying residents' concerns must not be steamrolled by tech companies seeking profit.","ai_processed":true,"bill_ids":[],"ai_relevance_score":null,"bill_refs":[],"classifier":null},{"id":"eb41e7846292e58b","politician_id":"S000522","type":"press_release","content":"By Lakewood Alerts\n\nPublished August 25, 2026\n\nRep. Chris Smith is joining Ocean County and Manchester Township officials in opposing the development of AI data centers in the area, citing concerns over their potential impact on local resources, the environment and residents.\n\nSmith met Thursday, August 20, with Manchester Township Mayor Joseph Hankins, Public Works Director Al Yodakis and Ocean County Commissioner Rob Arace to discuss their shared opposition to data center development in Manchester Township and across Ocean County.\n\n“AI data centers pose critical environmental risks and impose undue stresses on local resources—including water and electricity—which place significant financial burdens on ratepayers and residents,” Smith said.\n\nSmith also voiced strong support for a recently adopted Ocean County Board of Commissioners resolution encouraging municipalities to conduct comprehensive due diligence and establish appropriate land-use safeguards before approving data center projects. The resolution raises concerns about the environmental and resource impacts associated with the construction and operation of the facilities.\n\n“The people who will have to endure the negative consequences of data center development in their communities deserve to have their voices heard,” Smith said. “The reasonable concerns of local residents must no longer be steamrolled by tech companies seeking profit over Americans’ quality of life—not on my watch.”","url":"https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415803","published_at":"2026-08-25","ai_topics":["data_centers"],"ai_stance":"support","ai_summary":"Smith joins county and township officials in opposing AI data center development, urging land-use safeguards and due diligence before approval.","ai_processed":true,"bill_ids":[],"ai_relevance_score":null,"bill_refs":[],"classifier":null},{"id":"89338db353201d38","politician_id":"S000522","type":"press_release","content":"From left to right: Ocean County Commissioner Rob Arace, Manchester Twp. Director of Public Works Al Yodakis, Manchester Twp. Mayor Joseph Hankins, and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith.\n\nOn Thursday, August 20th, Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) met with Manchester Twp. Mayor Joseph Hankins, Director of Public Works Al Yodakis, and Ocean County Commissioner Rob Arace to discuss their mutual opposition to the development of AI data centers in the Township—and Ocean County overall.\n\n“AI data centers pose critical environmental risks and impose undue stresses on local resources—including water and electricity—which place significant financial burdens on ratepayers and residents,” said Rep. Smith.\n\nSmith noted that he strongly supports a resolution recently agreed to by the Ocean County Board of Commissioners—“Encouraging Ocean County municipalities to undertake comprehensive due diligence and adopt appropriate land-use safeguards before approving Data Center development”—which highlights the environmental and resource-based concerns and impacts associated with data center construction and operations.\n\n“The people who will have to endure the negative consequences of data center development in their communities deserve to have their voices heard,” continued Smith.\n\n“The reasonable concerns of local residents must no longer be steamrolled by tech companies seeking profit over Americans’ quality of life—not on my watch.”\n\nDuring the meeting, the municipal, county, and federal officials also discussed current roadway, environmental, and safety issues impacting Manchester Township, and what steps the federal government can take to better assist.\n\n###","url":"https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415797","published_at":"2026-08-24","ai_topics":["data_centers","regulation"],"ai_stance":"support","ai_summary":"Smith joins local officials in opposing AI data center development in Ocean County, backing land-use safeguards and due diligence because of environmental, water, and electricity burdens on residents.","ai_processed":true,"bill_ids":[],"ai_relevance_score":null,"bill_refs":[],"classifier":null}],"donations":[],"outside_spending_totals":[],"provenance":{"commit":"38624a3af16ec6b3fff9b27c7d1d9f2cb7fe9152","generated_at":"2026-09-11T15:06:57.105Z","schema_version":2,"manifest":"https://whovotedwhy.com/data/index.json"}}