Rep. Smith Issues Statement on Passage of Continuing Resolution

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following statement on the House passage of the continuing resolution to reopen the federal government:

"I voted again for the CR to continue funding critical programs--including those for veterans, active-duty military personnel, nutrition and public health, and a six-year reauthorization of children's health insurance programs (CHIP)--while we work on a DACA solution before the March deadline, which I believe we can do without punishing children, veterans, and military service members along the way.

"The CR also blocks the implementation of Obamacare health taxes, including the medical device tax and the excise tax, or "Cadillac tax" on high-value employer-sponsored health plans, for 2 years.

"I have supported legislation in the past to repeal both of these taxes, as they would pose unnecessary burdens on middle-class Americans, especially those in high cost-of-living states like New Jersey, and would slow medical innovation and development."