Washington D.C. – Congressman Adam Smith issued the following statement in response to the announcement by Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson that the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) will conduct an evaluation of whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should follow the Department of Justice’s recent decision to terminate its contracts with privately operated prisons:
“I am encouraged that Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has called for a review of current policies concerning the use of privately run detention centers. I believe they will find that these prisons are not the best our government can provide to ensure everyone’s rights are protected.
“At the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, I have witnessed firsthand the exploitative living conditions these detainees face and have advocated for immediate changes to our immigration detention operations.
“The continual dysfunction within our detention system will need the leadership of Congress and a clear outcome from DHS internal review in order for concrete solutions to be instituted to protect the integrity of detainees and provide adequate oversight of our facilities. While the move to reevaluate the use of privately run facilities is indeed the correct one, this is only the first step towards rebuilding a system that is in dire need of comprehensive reform.”
Washington D.C. – Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement in response to the Justice Department announcement that it plans to phase out the use of private prisons:
“I applaud the Justice Department’s decision to end its use of private prisons. The recent Justice Department Inspector General findings highlights the safety and efficiency problems common in private contract facilities, and gave the Justice Department the information they needed to meaningfully reevaluate their longstanding use of private prisons. While the changes in our justice system will not take place overnight, this is a positive step forward.
“The Department of Homeland Security should follow the Department of Justice and begin to systematically end its contracts with private detention centers. It is now more clear than ever that for-profit companies have no place in operating prison facilities, and we must move detainees with pending immigration cases that pose no risk to society out on to community-based Alternatives to Detention (ATDs). For those who pose too great a risk to release, we should have clearly established baseline standards for immigration detention centers that are owned and operated by the government. My bill, the Accountability in Immigration Detention Act, outlines acceptable standards and highlights the need for increased use of ATDs, as well as the elimination of the detention bed mandate.
“To truly reform our broken criminal justice system and ensure we are building a more just society, it will take more than the closure of these facilities. Today marks a small victory, but one that must be followed with aggressive actions elsewhere in the government – including by Congress.”
Washington D.C. – Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement commemorating the 51stanniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act (VRA):
On August 6th, our country celebrates the 1965 signing of the most successful piece of civil rights legislation in our nation’s history. On this significant anniversary, it is important to remember that any barriers to voting are unacceptable. Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of any democracy, and here in the U.S. equal access at the ballot box is critical to the future success of our country. In recent years we have seen the VRA come under attack, most notably in the case of Shelby County v. Holder when the Supreme Court invalided a crucial centerpiece of the VRA that helped to ensure that states would not discriminate against certain voters. Throughout my time in Congress, I have been a vocal advocate for voting rights, and I remain committed to doing all I can to restore and strengthen the VRA to ensure that no voter experiences discrimination.
We need elections where the issues are what matter, and campaigns compete on the quality of their ideas. In the 114th Congress, I have supported numerous efforts to protect and expand upon voting rights at the federal level including cosponsoring Rep. Terri Sewell’s Voting Rights Advancement Act and Rep. John Lewis’s Voter Empowerment Act. As a member of the Voting Rights Caucus, I look forward to finding new ways to work with my colleagues to support our election system so that every voter is protected.
Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s recent attacks on Gold Star family members Khizr and Ghazala Khan:
“We must honor the very real sacrifices made not only by our men and women in uniform, but also honor the sacrifices their families make. Donald Trump’s comments to Khizr and Ghazala Khan are highly offensive, self-serving, and heartless. Honoring the sacrifice of a fallen member of our Armed Services sees no religion, creed, or color–for anyone to suggest otherwise is abhorrent.”
Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s recent comments regarding foreign policy:
“Trump flies by the seat of his pants and nowhere is it more clear how dangerous that trait is than his flirtation with disastrous foreign policy ideas.
“His invitation to Russia to engage in cybercrime against a presidential candidate is a disqualifying remark for anyone seeking the presidency. His admiration of Putin has gone too far.
“A foreign power should never intrude in an American election or on our political process. How would any partner, ally, friend, or foe trust Trump or his foreign policy when he is so willing to ignore the fundamental values that are the bedrock of our nation? We have fought for these values throughout our nation’s history for which millions of Americans have lost their lives. Trump is a recipe for a disaster.”
Today, NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC announced its endorsement of Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09), and Rep. Denny Heck (WA-10) in their campaigns for Congress. These candidates have proven to be the pro-choice allies Washington women and families need in the fight for reproductive freedom.
“At a time when reproductive freedom is increasingly under attack across the nation, we’re proud to endorse allies like Reps. DelBene, Larsen, Kilmer, Smith, and Heck in their campaigns for re-election,” said Joel Foster, NARAL Pro-Choice America National Political Director. “Reps. DelBene, Larsen, Kilmer, Smith, and Heck have all maintained perfect pro-choice voting records. Their unwavering support of Washington’s women and families make them the steadfast allies we need in the fight against anti-woman politicians’ obsession with outlawing abortion and eliminating women’s access to a full range of reproductive health care.”
“NARAL’s endorsed Congressional candidates in Washington State share our state’s pro-choice, pro-woman, pro-family values. They know that a woman’s right to choose when, whether, and how to start or expand a family is critical to her economic independence, and that reproductive freedom is inseparable from economic justice,” said Rachel Berkson, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. “In an election year when everything is on the line, NARAL Pro-Choice Washington is proud to have Congressional representatives in our state who champion our core principles and values.”
NARAL Pro-Choice America and its network of state affiliates are dedicated to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom for all Americans. NARAL works to guarantee that every woman has the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion. In recognition of its work defending our constitutional right to choose, Fortune Magazine described NARAL as “one of the top 10 advocacy groups in America.”
This week our nation has experienced immeasurable heartbreak. My deepest sympathies are with every family and community that has been touched by violence over the past few days. As we move forward, there are many difficult questions and issues that must be addressed as those whose lives have been torn apart begin to heal.”
As a country, it is imperative that we come together to address the violence that devastates countless families. We must continue to support efforts to end the senseless violence fueled by hatred that has become a far too frequent pattern in cities throughout America.
Washington, DC- Today, Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA), the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement regarding the Defense Department’s newly announced policy on transgender servicemembers:
“This policy is an important step toward ensuring that our military is strong and inclusive. It will protect the rights of transgender individuals who already serve in the U.S. armed forces, with minimal impact on the operations of the Department of Defense.
“These changes will involve a very small number of individuals serving in the armed forces, on the order of 0.1 percent of the approximate total of two million active and reserve members in the U.S military. The evidence indicates that modernizing our policy in this way will not meaningfully reduce readiness. In fact, according to research by the RAND Corporation and retired flag officers, it should enhance readiness by enabling commanders to better provide for the needs of the men and women they lead. Similar policies have already been adopted by U.S. allies such as Israel, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
“By providing clarity for the service branches and removing an obsolete policy that has made it more difficult for our men and women in uniform to do their jobs, this policy will strengthen, not reduce, the military’s ability to defend the United States.”
Washington D.C. – Congressman Adam Smith joined Acting Under Secretary Szubin of the Treasury Department in Seattle today for a conversation with local stakeholders, community leaders, organizations, and money transfer operators to discuss the important role that remittances play for Somalia and the Philippines and efforts to facilitate remittances through legitimate and transparent channels.
In recognition of these important issues, Congressman Smith cosponsored the Money Remittances Improvement Act of 2014 which was signed into law by the President on August 8, 2014, and has met with numerous government officials in attempts to find ways to continue U.S. remittances to Somalia. Congressman Smith continues to call for the U.S. government to take steps to cooperate with and support Somalia and its people whenever possible. Congressman Smith remains ready to help in any way he can.
Acting Under Secretary Szubin was nominated by the White House to serve as Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence on April 20, 2015. This position leads the Treasury Department’s policy, enforcement, regulatory, and intelligence functions aimed at identifying and disrupting the lines of financial support to international terrorist organizations, proliferators of weapons of mass destruction, narcotics traffickers, and other actors posing a threat to our national security or foreign policy. The Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence is also responsible for overseeing the Department’s efforts to combat money laundering and financial crimes.
“June 27th’s community conversation and engagement provided a powerful platform to reiterate our earlier calls for the processing of remittances. As a vital component of the Somali economy, remittances help many families pay for every day necessities such as food, medicine, education, as well as help expand economic and business opportunities in Somalia,” said Congressman Smith. “We need to make it easier for residents of the 9th District and Somali-Americans everywhere to send money back to their families in Somalia. Having Acting U/S Szubin here in Seattle shows the Treasury Department’s commitment to our efforts.”
“Treasury is working to ensure that remittance flows are transparent, safe, and strong, and recognizes the importance of remittances from the United States reaching loved ones abroad,” said Adam J. Szubin, Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. “Challenges remain, but we are encouraged by the continued robust flows of remittances and by the progress that’s being made in increasing transparency and oversight. I am further encouraged by the thoughtful dialogue that I have had with Congressman Adam Smith, his constituents, money transmitters, and local banks on this important issue. We look forward to working with Congressman Smith and other members of Congress in the weeks and months ahead.”
Congressman Smith and Acting Under Secretary Szubin will continue to support efforts to build a strong Somalia, with a sustainable and well-regulated and supervised financial system in Somalia, and support its people whenever possible.
Washington D.C. – Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling on June 27th that upheld the constitutional right of women to make their own reproductive decisions:
“On June 27th, the Supreme Court struck down two provisions of a dangerous anti-abortion law in Texas by a vote of 5 to 3. In the case of Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, a group of Texas abortion clinics and three doctors argued that a Texas state law requiring health providers have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital and perform abortions in ambulatory surgical centers was overly burdensome. I am extremely pleased to see the Supreme Court rule in favor of the plaintiffs, recognizing that unnecessarily requirements on surgical centers poses an undue burden on women’s constitutional right to seek an abortion. I stand with all women and will continue to support policies that allow for women to make their own healthcare decisions and have access to critical reproductive healthcare services.”