Washington D.C. – Congressman Adam Smith made the following statement on the bipartisan budget agreement:
“Republicans have finally engaged in constructive conversations that have produced a two year bipartisan budget deal. This agreement, reached by House and Senate leaders, would increase funding equally for defense and non-defense investments and will help ensure that our economy continues to grow while providing opportunities for middle-class Americans. Unfortunately, this deal does not eliminate cuts mandated by sequestration and does not fix our core budget problems in the long-term.
During the disastrous debt ceiling debate in 2011, Congress passed the Budget Control Act, which I opposed. While that legislation temporarily addressed the debt limit, it also stipulated that if Congress did not find $1.2 trillion in savings, sequestration would take effect. Sequester cuts were designed to be so damaging to our national defense, the economy, and other important federal programs, that Congress would be forced to act. Since then, Congress has only been able to make progress with limited-term budget agreements.
Ideally, a budget must support our working families, invest in innovation and infrastructure, and advance comprehensive immigration reform. A responsible budget must create jobs and strengthen the middle class. This budget agreement is not perfect and much of it needs careful review, but it is a move in the right direction. This agreement is preferable to governing from budget crisis to budget crisis and will allow for the American people to plan for the future.
This budget deal is paid for in a balanced way by ensuring that Wall Street pays the taxes they owe and cuts billions in wasteful spending. Furthermore, this agreement protects critical priorities, keeping intact programs that working families depend on and protecting Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries from harmful cuts. The deal will avoid cuts to the Social Security Disability Insurance program that are projected to take place at the end of next year and also avoids an increase in Medicare Part B premiums.
I have long called for Congress to permanently address the sequester. While the bipartisan budget agreement does not eliminate the sequester, this deal is a necessary compromise. The agreement will more reasonably fund our national and economic security through 2017, while ensuring the full faith and credit of the United States is not put at risk. Moving forward, Congress must eliminate sequestration altogether and implement a long-term spending plan that provides certainty to our economy, the Department of Defense, and the entire federal government.”
During the August District Work Period, I held meetings through the 9th District with community members and stakeholders. This provides me with valuable feedback from my constituents to advocate for the issues important to them. I held a women’s health roundtable to discuss the state of women’s reproductive health on the federal, state and local levels, and to hear from constituents about issues most pressing to them. I greatly appreciated having many community members in attendance to discuss continued access to comprehensive reproductive health services for all women and men, the role of Title X funding and Planned Parenthood in reaching this goal, and recent attacks on Planned Parenthood and potential efforts to defund the organization.
I am pro-choice. I am simply uncomfortable with the government making such health decisions that should be left to women and their doctors. I believe that a woman should have the right to make their own health care decisions, regardless of where she lives or how much money she makes.
Because I believe in access to comprehensive reproductive health services, I am a proud original cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, legislation that prohibits state action concerning abortion services in key areas like barring special tests (like ultrasounds) that are not required for medically similar procedures; restricting abortion providers’ abilities to delegate tasks, prescribe or administer drugs, or administer telemedicine; and requiring women to go to medically unnecessary appointments before having an abortion. In addition, I am a cosponsor of H.R. 2972, the EACH Woman Act, which would ensure that low-income women are provided coverage for abortion by Medicaid.
In light of the recent attacks on Planned Parenthood through heavily-edited, sensationalized and disingenuous videos Senate leadership voted on August 3, 2015 to bring a vote to defund Planned Parenthood to the Senate floor for consideration. Republicans in the Senate failed to reach the 60-vote threshold that is necessary to overcome a Democratic filibuster and allow debate on this bill. I commend my Senate colleagues for opposing that vote and for their efforts to stop a vote to defund Planned Parenthood.
Now, a few dozen extreme House Republicans are threatening another irresponsible government shutdown because they want to see Planned Parenthood defunded. I am vehemently opposed to this effort, and will continue to support Planned Parenthood in Congress. Planned Parenthood is a central provider of equitable access to healthcare for both men and women of underserved communities across the United States, and Congress must invest in its continued funding.
I will continue to support and advocate for women’s rights and policies that protect women’s right to choose and improve access to family planning services.
House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) made the following statement in support of the Administration’s deal on Iran’s nuclear program:
The Administration, our closest allies, and the other members of the U.N. Security council worked tirelessly for two years to successfully negotiate a historic deal that will prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon for at least the next 15 years.
Over the course of the last two months, I have reviewed the final agreement thoroughly and have had extensive conversations with the Administration, nonproliferation experts, our European allies, and those who are concerned with aspects of the deal. After careful and thoughtful consideration, I have decided to support this agreement because I believe it ends the otherwise unmonitored and unrestricted continuation of the Iranian nuclear program and it halts the surely destructive effects of a nuclear Iran in the Middle East.
This deal gives the world unprecedented access to Iran’s nuclear sites and intrusive monitoring of its uranium supply and centrifuge production chains to ensure its enrichment activities are extremely limited. This is access that we would not have without a deal. These verification measures are key to making sure that Iran sticks to its part of the bargain to not enrich uranium above 3.67% and to keep no more than 300 kilograms of low-enriched uranium for the next 15 years. These levels are far below those necessary to build a nuclear weapon. This deal substantially lengthens the time Iran would need to develop a nuclear weapon should it decide to violate the agreement.
This agreement took high-level diplomatic engagement and represents a broad international agreement. Congress’ rejection of this deal would hurt the U.S.’ credibility and likely fracture the international cooperation that was essential in enforcing a sanctions regime on Iran. This would make potential negotiations with Iran in the future incredibly difficult, and increase the likelihood that Iran would be able to develop a nuclear weapon without constraints. It is hard to see how turning this deal down strengthens our position or furthers our national security interests in the region.
Iran’s support to terrorist groups in the region is destabilizing and a threat to the U.S. and our allies. I too share concerns over lifting the arms embargo on Iran in 5 years should it comply with all of its obligations in the nuclear agreement, and I do not believe that Iran will suddenly become a force for good in the region. However, it is important to bear in mind that this does not affect U.S. or EU bans on weapons sales, and that the goal of these negotiations was to reach a deal that prevents Iran from becoming a nuclear power. Iran is a malign actor, but an Iran with a nuclear deterrent would be free to pursue its bad actions without fear of military response. We cannot allow U.S. domestic politics to make such a future more likely.
The 60-day period for Congress to review the deal is almost over. During the remaining time, I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration to ensure that we have the correct mechanisms in place to monitor Iran’s compliance with the deal and to respond should Iran forfeit its compliance with this agreement. As the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will also work with the Administration and my colleagues to address Iran’s other malign activities and enhance the security of our Israeli and Arab partners in the region. I remain concerned about Iran’s destabilizing actions in the region and threats to the security of our allies and our servicemen and women. But I firmly believe that those threats would be made much worse if Iran possessed nuclear weapons. At this time, the deal negotiated between Iran and the international community is the best way to prevent Iran from getting those weapons.
Washington D.C. – Congressman Adam Smith released to following statement recognizing the 95th anniversary of the 19th amendment which ensured a woman’s right to vote:
“As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day, we must recognize how much work remains to achieve true equality. Women continue to get paid less than men for equal work and are shut out of leadership and management roles far too often. Congress must implement policies that address the wage gap. We also must look to expand access to affordable child care and paid family leave that can further help women enter the workforce. Additionally, many women work minimum wage jobs, and I will continue to fight to increase the national minimum wage to ensure women can support their families To truly celebrate Women’s Equality Day, we must recommit ourselves to fighting for these policies that move us toward a more fair and equal society.”
Washington D.C. – Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement on the two year anniversary of Nestora Salgado’s arrest:
“For two years, Nestora has been denied due process and justice by the Mexican government. It is entirely unacceptable that she remains imprisoned in conditions that threaten her life. A Mexican federal court and many civil society and human rights groups including experts from the United Nations have all called for long overdue action. I continue to urge the United States government and the Mexican government to take immediate action to secure Nestora’s release. I will keep doing all I can to fight for her.”
Ms. Salgado is a resident of Renton, WA who was arrested for her leadership in community police group in her hometown of Olinalá in the state of Guerrero, which has a long tradition of legally-recognized community self-defense groups. As her Member of Congress, Congressman Smith has worked with Nestora’s family and her legal representation at Seattle University to help secure her release. He has held press conferences and sent a letter with Senator Patty Murray to the State Department to bring attention to the case and ensure Nestora can safely return to her family.
Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.
“Having free and fair elections is essential for our democracy, and for 50 years now, the Voting Rights Act has played a critical role in protecting individuals’ right to vote regardless of race, ethnic background, or level of income. In Congress, we must do all we can to build on the Voting Rights Act and make it easier for folks to vote rather than make it harder with Voter ID laws and other discriminatory practices. That is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 3364, introduced by Rep. Rick Larsen, which would allow voters to sign a written statement to affirm their identity if they do not have an ID. I also support the Voter Empowerment Act of 2015 introduced by Rep. John Lewis which would require states to have online voter registration and make grants available to increase voter registration. I understand the importance of promoting balance, openness, and fairness in elections and I will fight for policies that protect and improve upon the Voting Rights Act.”
Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement after the President and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Clean Power Plan:
Pollution from power plants is the single largest source of carbon pollution in the United States and I applaud the EPA and the Administration for their efforts to address it. The finalization of the Clean Power Plan is a significant step towards combating climate change and conserving our natural resources for future generations.
Climate change and air pollution disproportionately affect low income families, communities of color, and vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. We need to be doing more to protect our community. This final rule sends a strong message that the United States is committed to addressing this issue. As Congress holds hearings and debates on clean energy and climate legislation, I will focus on investing in clean energy and energy efficiency technologies, while reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and combating climate change to ensure the well-being of future generations.
In the Social Security Commission’s annual report released two weeks ago, the Commission warned of major shortfalls in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) that will result in a 19 percent reduction in benefits for 11 million disabled Americans starting in 2016 if Congress doesn’t act. Last week, I cosponsored the One Social Security Act to prevent these cuts and to help ensure individuals get the benefits they deserve.
It is critical that we preserve the guarantee associated with Social Security and continue the system in a sustainable way. This legislation would prevent 11 million disabled Americans from facing harmful cuts to their Social Security benefits without adding a penny to the deficit and without changing the overall financial standing of the program. By simply unifying the two existing Social Security funds, the One Social Security Act will prevent SSDI from running out, and ensure disabled workers get the benefits they have earned.
A 1956 law required the government to distribute Social Security in two separate funds: one triggered by retirement or death (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance–or OASDI) and the other by a severe injury or illness (SSDI). This separation makes it harder for the much smaller amount of SSDI beneficiaries to access OASDI funds, despite disabled workers having fully contributed to Social Security as a whole. As a result, Congress has periodically been forced to authorize the transfer of funds between OASDI and SSDI to ensure disabled beneficiaries get what they deserve. This legislation would merge the two funds to streamline Social Security payments and ensure that SSDI beneficiaries do not see their benefits fall in 2016.
The June 26th Obergefell v. Hodges decision by the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) was a victory for justice and equality. Ensuring marriage equality for all Americans regardless of who they love strengthens families, communities, and our nation as a whole. Despite the positive move forward with the Supreme Court’s ruling, significant work remains to ensure equal rights to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. LGBT people are still denied work, bullied in our schools, and homelessness and poverty rates are still unacceptably high among LGBT people.
I am a proud cosponsor of the Equality Act, which will provide clear and consistent federal non-discrimination protections for LGBT people. Even after the marriage equality victory, a couple who gets married remains at risk of being discriminated against at their place of work due to some states’ lack of anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people. This bill establishes explicit and permanent protections for LGBT individuals in matters of employment, housing, access to public places, federal funding, credit, education and jury service.
Along with cosponsoring the Equality Act, I recently signed two letters that I hope will further advance equality for the LGBT community.
The first letter was directed to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) addressing the FDA’s recent Draft Guidance regarding blood donation restrictions for men who have sex with men (MSM). Currently, there is a lifetime deferral from donating blood for MSM, and the FDA’s recent change would implement a one-year deferral period based solely on the sex of a man’s partner and not their risk. This new policy continues to uniformly and unfairly ban many men from donating blood based solely on the fact that they are gay or bisexual, and not on their individual risk, perpetuating outdated stereotypes of the gay and bisexual community. The letter asks the FDA to make meaningful changes to address the inadequacies and discrimination in the current system.
I also signed a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry to express my concerns about recent reports that American LGBT Foreign Service Officers are sometimes denied an equal opportunity to represent the United States abroad because foreign governments refuse to recognize their same sex marriages. The letter called upon the State Department to send a forceful message that all American families must be treated equally.
With strides forward such as the SCOTUS ruling, we are closer to ensuring equality and justice for the LGBT community. No one should be denied equal rights because of who they love, and I will continue to fight for policies that ensure LGBT equality.
Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) made the following statement after hearing about the death of Donnie Chin:
I am deeply saddened to hear about the death of Donnie Chin. As the director of the International District Emergency Center, Donnie helped provide critical support and emergency services to the International District and he will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.