Affordable Care Act

When Republicans tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act and strip healthcare from 23 million Americans, Chris Smith did not advocate for his constituents or wield his seniority to influence his colleagues. He released a statement and did nothing.

When Republicans passed a tax law that enriched the wealthy and punished NJ by limiting SALT deductions, Chris Smith released a statement and did nothing.

Now we have ample evidence that President Trump broke the law by soliciting foreign help in an upcoming election and abused his office by withholding military aid to a vulnerable ally unless they investigate his opponents. Trump’s rhetoric - capital punishment for whistle-blower “spies,” accusing Democrats of treason, and threatening civil war - is dangerous. Successful or would-be perpetrators have already mimicked his language to commit or attempt violence in El Paso, Florida, and D.C.

It will only get worse. Trump may try to convince millions of followers not to accept a loss in 2020. After all, he has been espousing “3-5 million illegal votes” in California since 2016 even though his own commission found no evidence. Trump is a threat to fair elections and the peaceful transfer of power, essential cornerstones of our democracy.

What has Chris Smith done about this? He cast an easy vote to release the whistle-blower complaint, issued a statement, and done nothing. Again.

Smith campaigns as “a leader you can trust.” A leader would have the courage to stand up to his own party, use his seniority, and forcefully tell his fellow Republicans that Trump must be impeached because his behavior is dangerous and unacceptable.

Instead, we’ll get the same meek effort we always get from Smith when the stakes are high: a tepid statement for political cover followed by silence until he sees which way the wind is blowing.

— Greg DeLuca, Robbinsville