Washington D.C. – Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement after President Obama announced a series of steps to address gun safety:
“I support the executive actions taken by the President today that are necessary to address the epidemic of gun violence facing our nation. These changes will help to limit senseless gun violence and keep our communities safe.
“America has been witness to horrific acts of violence that we can no longer continue to ignore. These executive actions support policies and efforts to reduce gun violence in our communities. They will increase the number of critical background checks that are completed prior to an individual purchasing a firearm – keeping guns out of the hands of violent criminals and those seeking to do us harm. Additionally, the President’s actions focus on increasing both mental health treatment and the frequency of reporting data to the national background check system – as well as supporting the future development of gun safety technologies.
“Ultimately, addressing gun violence is both a legal and cultural problem that must be addressed at every level of our society. We must do more to understand the potential causes and threats presented by gun violence in our nation, and engage in conversations with communities and law enforcement. Any changes in federal law will require strong support and action from the American public. As a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I will continue to support legislative and executive branch policy proposals to protect our children and communities.
“These executive actions, alone, are not enough. The President is committed to addressing gun violence. Congress must fulfill its responsibility to protect Americans by enacting commonsense gun safety reforms. Reasonable reforms are attainable; in Washington state, we now require universal background checks for gun purchases. We must have a comprehensive, national plan to fully address the gun violence problem we face and I will work with my colleagues in Congress to address the crisis of gun violence afflicting our nation.”
Originally published in The Hill
Disturbing statements from Republicans running for the White House demand our close attention. They complain that President Obama is not doing enough militarily in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan Libya, and in dealing with the threat from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). They either insist that the president do things he has already been doing, such as bombing ISIS forces and targeting terrorist leaders through drone and other strikes, or they effectively declare war on all Muslims, with dark calls for carpet bombing, making the sand glow, sending tens of thousands of America’s sons and daughters off to war again and banning all Muslims from entering the United States. These latter, reckless proposals will lead to an all-out war with Islam, which is precisely the goal of ISIS and other radicals. It is exactly the wrong approach and gravely threatens our nation’s security.
The Iraq War demonstrated that using our military to impose our worldview on others doesn’t work. It is exactly the wrong approach if we want to make America safer and advance our national security interests. We should have learned this lesson by now (see also Vietnam), and it’s time we smartened up on how to best use our power.
To be clear, our enemy is not Islam. Our American values embrace people of all faiths, as well as those who are not religious. In fact, our enemy is the ideology of a radical Islam exemplified by terrorist groups like al Qaeda and ISIS. The best way to defeat this enemy is by helping Sunni and other moderates, encouraging good and inclusive governance around the world, building civil society, promoting human rights and education and preserving our Constitution.
The Republicans have a different vision. While ideas like carpet bombing might be red meat for some, they are policy disasters that threaten America. They mean the senseless deaths of innocent men, women and children and more ISIS recruits. They will also alienate moderates, who will see America as uncaring, foolish and hell-bent for perpetual war.
The Republican rhetoric sadly serves the ISIS playbook. Republican calls for religious tests, databases to track Muslims, bans on travel and the specter of internment camps help breed new homicidal terrorists, creating the conditions for a clash of civilizations. This is exactly what ISIS wants and is nothing our country needs. With the Republican war cry comes responsibility and questions to which they owe answers.
How does an indiscriminate war against Muslims make us safer? How many of America’s sons and daughters will they send into combat once the carpet bombing fails? Which units will be deployed, for how long and to where in the aftermath of making the sand glow? How do they intend to fight these war(s) around the globe? What is the price tag for these wars and from which countries will they borrow the money to pay for them? And, which Constitutional rights do they intend to limit?
While the ISIS threat requires a military response, the use of force alone will never be enough to defeat this ideology and those who espouse it. We cannot keep sending American troops to address problems that don’t have wholly military solutions. Rather, our approach must be holistic and integrated. We need to send diplomats, development workers, doctors and teachers around the world. We need to help local moderates create economic opportunities and promote the rule of law so that people see a brighter future than that offered by terrorists. We need to properly fund and resource these elements in our national security arsenal and build people-to-people ties that can address the root causes of extremism.
Terrorism is about spreading fear, and we can’t play into it. Let us not get swept up in this irresponsible Republican spin cycle thirsty for war. Instead, let’s preserve our Constitution, be smart about how best to use force and push for sustained policies of engagement. In doing so, we will be best positioned to keep America safe, stay true to our values and build a more just and peaceful world.
Smith has represented Washington’s 9th Congressional District since 1997. He sits on the Armed Services Committee.
Washington D.C. – Ranking Member Smith released the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s recent remarks:
“Our nation’s diversity is our greatest strength. In the strongest possible terms, I condemn Donald Trump’s recent proposal to bar all Muslims from entering the United States. This rhetoric follows earlier absurd statements from Mr. Trump calling for the creation of a database to track Muslims in our communities, under the guise of protecting national security. With these irrational statements, Mr. Trump both misrepresents Americans and puts our national security at risk by doing exactly what ISIS wants. These unintelligent words feed the anti-American narrative and empower ISIS to incorrectly paint the American people as anti-Islamic.
The Unites States is proud to be a nation of immigrants founded on the equal protection of all. I am deeply honored to represent an incredibly diverse district, and I believe in following through on the promise of ensuring the fundamental rights of life, liberty and equal opportunity, for all groups of people.”
Washington D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith released the following statement on the announcement that Secretary Carter will allow for all military positions to be open to women:
I applaud Secretary of Defense Ash Carter for taking action on policy guidelines that close certain combat occupations to women. As a result of these changes, anyone, regardless of gender, who can meet operationally relevant standards, will have the opportunity to serve in any position in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Prior to today’s announcement, certain exceptions allowed for women to be barred from various combat roles in the military. This critical step towards allowing women to serve in all levels of our military is a strong move towards achieving full equality in our Armed Forces. Today’s announcement is a response to extensive review by the Department of Defense of policies governing the assignment of women in the Armed Forces. The Department of Defense is opening to women the approximately 213,600 previously closed positions spanning 52 closed military occupational specialties. This announcement follows five years of detailed review of current policies.
As we saw earlier this year, two women made history as the first female soldiers to complete the Army’s Ranger School. Men and woman can, and should, be held to the same standard in the military. I am a committed supporter of equality. I recognize that there is a lot of work that remains to be done to ensure that all Americans are equal under the law, and will continue to advocate for further review of existing policies that ensure equal rights for all service members.
Our number one priority is protecting the United States and the American people from terrorist attacks. In the strongest possible terms, I condemn the cowardly attacks in Paris and send my deepest sympathies to the victims. As we fight terrorism, we must stay true to the values enshrined in our Constitution, remember that we are a nation of immigrants, and not let terrorist groups define or change who we are. The attacks in Paris highlight the continued challenge we face in the fight against terrorist networks.
We must be very clear about what our current standards for refugees are. The United States thoroughly vets all refugees. For most refugee applicants, the process takes between 18-24 months. Applicants for refugee status are held to the highest level of security screening through which we evaluate travelers or immigrants to the United States. If as a result of the security process, U.S. security agencies cannot verify details of a potential refugee’s story, that individual cannot enter the United States.
Of the millions of law-abiding Syrian refugees, less than 1,800 have been resettled in the United States. Refugees are subjected to a stringent, in-depth interagency vetting process that includes health checks, verifications of biometric information to confirm identity, and multiple layers of biographical and background checks, along with in-person interviews by U.S. officials. Members of this interagency team includes the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center, the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Counterterrorism Center, and the Department of Defense. These checks happen before an application is approved and long before a refugee would be able to enter the United States.
We cannot let fear cloud our judgement, drive policy or destroy the fabric of what America stands for. We need to be strong and smart to fight terrorism. Excluding all Muslim refugees feeds the anti-American narrative and empowers ISIS to wrongly paint the American people as anti-Islamic. If we turn our backs on refugees, then we risk making ISIS stronger.
The Republican Syrian Refugee bill that will be debated on the House floor would immediately shut down resettlement of refugees from the Syria and Iraq region. This rash reaction ignores the fact that all of the Paris attackers identified thus far are either French or Belgian and that many terrorist threats are homegrown. It is wrong to deny asylum to refugees on the basis of inaccurate assumptions, fear and prejudice.
We must continue to stand strong as an international community. As we face and address terrorist threats, we need to remember the phrase on the Great Seal of the United States: “E Pluribus Unum”—out of many, one. This means refugees from Syria and Iraq who are fleeing terrible conditions and persecution too. As we move forward, let us unite to use the tools at our disposal – diplomatic, military, intelligence, and development – to defeat extremism and the terrorism it breeds.
Washington D.C. – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) has awarded $83,860 in project based vouchers for King County Housing Authority and $67,576 for Seattle Housing Authority.
There is an epidemic of homelessness in our community. This crisis is having a terrible impact on our region and combatting it is critical to addressing inequities in our society. Earlier this month, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine proclaimed a state of emergency to address homelessness. Any solution to the increasing plight of the homeless in our community must include a focus on the veterans who have risked their lives to protect our freedoms and keep us safe.
“We have made strides toward ending veterans’ homelessness in Seattle, reducing veterans without permanent housing by two-thirds, but we have more work to do,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “Even one veteran sleeping on our streets is too many. These additional federal supports are welcome aid to those in need.”
“I was extremely pleased to see that VASH has awarded project-based vouchers for our veterans community to ensure that they have access to housing,” said Congressman Adam Smith. “Veterans and their families face a unique set of challenges and Congress must do everything possible to ensure that the men and women who serve our country receive the care and assistance that they earned.”
In King County, these 11 vouchers will be used at the Multi-Service Center (MSC) Veterans Housing Project in Federal Way. MSC broke ground on the project in June 2015 and the building will be ready for occupancy by mid-summer 2016. Vital services will be offered onsite and occupants will receive an array of services linked to the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Amenities at the Veterans Housing Project will include on-site parking, an exercise room, community rooms, computer labs, and security.
“These vouchers provide important additional support for our efforts to end homelessness among ourveterans in Washington State,” said Stephen Norman, Executive Director of King County Housing Authority. “We very much appreciate Congressman Smith’s unwavering commitment to truly bringing our troops home.”
The award from the HUD – VASH will enable the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) to subsidize an additional 10 studio apartments in the Lake City area as housing for homeless veterans in the. Homeless veterans in urgent need of housing will be identified in partnership with the Veterans Administration for placement in one of the 10 designated VASH project-based voucher apartments at the 75-unit McDermott Place complex, where they will pay no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent and utilities.
In addition to housing, veterans will work with a Sound Mental Health case manager to receive coordinated mental health care and other support services, so they receive the treatment and skills they need for successful independent living. Those veterans who are able to work will also have access to economic self-sufficiency training.
“This HUD – VASH award means that we can get 10 additional homeless men or women who have served our country off the streets of Seattle and into a home that is safe and warm,” said Andrew J. Lofton, Executive Director at the Seattle Housing Authority. “At McDermott Place they will receive respect and will be part of a caring community that offers a unique model of coordinated services to support them on a path to stability.”
Congressman Smith recognizes that it is essential that we tackle the growing problem of housing insecurity and homelessness in our region. Housing and community development are key to citizens’ quality of life and Congressman Smith supports empowerment zones and other incentive-based programs to encourage investment and development in communities in need.
Congressman Smith applauds Senator Patty Murray’s Homeless Veterans Services Protection Act, federal legislation that would ensure access to critical services for homeless former service members. Many who have served in combat zones are impacted by post-traumatic stress – sometimes leading to them being discharged from the military without receiving the critical mental health and rehabilitative care that they so badly need. This bill would prevent the enactment of a Veterans Administration policy that could block homeless veteranson the street from accessing critical resources. Senator Murray’s legislation would also set VA policy that allows essential outreach programs to help the men and women who have sacrificed for our nation. Congress must continue to develop policies that reduce homelessness and create a better future for our veterans and for all Americans.
On Veterans Day, we honor the brave and heroic service of all of our veterans. The men and women of our Armed Services risk their lives around the world every day to protect our freedoms and keep us safe. In return, it is critical that we ensure that they and their loved ones are cared for when they return home. I am honored to represent thousands of veterans who live in the 9th District in Washington state.
Congress should do everything possible to ensure that the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who serve our country come home to good, family-wage job opportunities and receive the care and assistance that they earned. I look forward to working with both the veterans in our community and my colleagues in the House of Representatives to improve the lives of those who have served.
The situation in Syria and Iraq is extremely complicated, but our goals are clear—combating ISIL and a negotiated political settlement that brings the civil war in Syria to an end and closes the door on the Assad regime. No American would prefer to have any troops in Syria, but the small number the President is deploying should help to achieve those goals, and for that reason in this incredibly complex solution, I support this decision
Washington D.C. – Congressman Smith released the following statement about the need to comprehensively reform our criminal justice system, highlighting current efforts at the federal level that can begin the process:
“The American criminal justice system is fundamentally broken.
“As a nation, we incarcerate more of our own citizens than any other country in the world – often times for non-violent drug offenses. Past reforms meant to keep our communities safer have resulted in disproportionately high incarceration rates among people of color, splitting families apart and helping to perpetuate cycles of poverty. Despite the creation of innovative tools at the local level in King County to institute diversionary “safety valve” mental health, drug rehabilitation, and veterans treatment courts, these resources do not currently exist at the federal level. Communities of color still face disproportionate mandatory minimum sentences, with charges often stacking on top of one another. The vast majority of inmates leaving prison face long-term unemployment, with employers often unwilling to consider them due to their records. Make no mistake, I believe that the justice system must work to protect the innocent, and hold those committing crimes accountable – but a central goal of our corrections system must also be rehabilitation and reintegration. As a society, we must do more.
“As a former prosecutor, I have had a unique exposure to the intricacies of our judicial system. The men and women who work in law enforcement, as prosecutors, public defenders, judges, and corrections officers shoulder the immense duty of keeping our communities safe. These individuals must balance this responsibility while at the same time assuring that the system remains fair and balanced, and that individuals are treated and judged equally under the law. I believe the time has come to make important adjustments to the way we handle criminal justice in our country.
“I applaud the President’s recent statements on the need for criminal justice reform, including his Executive Action to “ban the box” on initial paperwork for federal employment applications, which mirrors legislation that I became a cosponsor of earlier this year. Banning the box is a good start, however, there is no singular solution—we must make across-the-board changes if we are to truly reform our broken justice system and begin to address the unintended negative consequences of the 1994 Crime Bill. This bill has been criticized for its enactment of mandatory minimum sentences and other reforms that have disproportionately harmed disadvantaged communities.
“To address our broken system, I have laid out a “roadmap” of criminal justice reform initiatives to make improvements throughout the judicial system. Congress should pass the SAFE Justice Act, a comprehensive bill that I cosponsored which utilizes evidence-based, state-tested reforms across the spectrum of criminal justice – from sentencing reform and safety valve programs, to changes in post-release supervision. I support establishing federal grant programs for Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) because we must work with and support our men and women in law enforcement, promoting accountability and transparency. I also strongly support funding for legal help to low income individuals, as well as legislation that implements evidence-based changes in our prisons and supports the reentry of those who have completed their sentences back into society. Leveling the playing field on federal job applications by “banning the box” is a crucial step, but we must go further.
“As we work towards common-sense reforms to our criminal justice system, I greatly value the continuing information, opinions and experiences shared with me by my constituents about these critical topics. We must chart a new course if we are to build a stronger tomorrow.”
“Congressman Smith will be an invaluable partner in building support across party lines to pass comprehensive criminal justice reform,” stated Congressman Bobby Scott, the lead Democratic cosponsor of the SAFE Justice Act. “His dedication to educating our colleagues about evidence-based practices and addressing the underlying causes of recidivism have been a great help as we continue to push for meaningful reform in Congress.”
Washington D.C. – Today, Congressman Smith joined the Democratic Whip’s Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity, chaired by Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Congressman Smith released the following statement regarding his new membership in the Task Force:
“Today, I am honored to announce that I have joined the Democratic Whip’s Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity, chaired by Congresswoman Barbara Lee. This Task Force examines inequities in our society and looks at policy proposals to expand opportunity in areas including higher education, job training and employment, and stable housing. I look forward to engaging with my colleagues on the Whip’s Task Force to work to remove barriers that stand in the way of hard-working Americans reaching the middle class. Over the past few decades we have institutionalized barriers that too often keep people in poverty and limit economic prosperity. This cannot stand and we must do better.
Americans today are confronted with a system where upward mobility has become increasingly out of reach. As the son of a ramp serviceman at the SeaTac airport, I often wonder how my family would fare under the same circumstances today. My father made upwards of $15 an hour with benefits for United Airlines in the 1980s. In today’s economy, similar jobs in our region often only earn $9.47, an amount that simply isn’t enough to provide for a family in King County.
I am committed to increasing the jobs here at home and ensuring that we have a strong, well-trained workforce. Throughout my time in Congress, I have been working to do just that. Not only have I supported robust investments in education and workforce training and development, but I have also supported programs to assist American manufacturers access new markets. Additionally, I have pushed to increase the minimum wage to ensure our workers are compensated fairly for their work and can be part of our country’s middle class.
In the coming months, the Task Force will continue to consult with key stakeholders and work closely with the Administration to develop support for a national strategy to eradicate poverty. We will evaluate the impact of anti-poverty programs, as well as the long-term economic outcomes of the Americans who receive assistance; and remove barriers and obstacles that prevent low-income Americans from joining the middle class. I am looking forward to working with the Task Force to develop policies that reduce poverty and create a better future for all Americans.”
“I am thrilled to have Congressman Adam Smith join the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “In Congress, Rep. Smith is a tireless champion for working families and good paying jobs. His work to advance American manufacturing in the Puget Sound region and across the country has helped lift families into the middle class. I look forward to working with Rep. Smith to build pathways out of poverty by raising the minimum wage, creating good paying jobs, and strengthening our safety net for vulnerable families.”
“I’m pleased to welcome Rep. Smith to our Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity,” said Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer. “From pushing for an increase in the minimum wage to supporting investments in workforce development and training, Rep. Smith has been a tireless advocate for working men and women. I thank him for his dedication to lifting more of our people out of poverty and into the middle class, and I look forward to working with him to continue to advance our agenda of job creation and economic opportunity for all Americans.”