"Prior to the election of Donald Trump, Presidents have historically removed themselves from business dealings to avoid even the appearance of conflicts of interest. President-elect Trump's lack of concern for real or perceived conflicts…
"All Americans should be deeply concerned by the reports that Russian agencies have interfered with a U.S. election. As Speaker Ryan noted, ‘any foreign intervention in our elections is entirely unacceptable.' "The first duty of the United…
"In nominating ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State, the President-elect has chosen an individual whose company opposed efforts to sanction Russia while also receiving an award from Russian President Vladimir Putin. This…
"To ensure the continued operation of the federal government, I voted in favor of the Continuing Resolution, also known as the CR. This legislation extends funding levels for the federal government through April 28, 2017. Aside from…
"I have grave concerns about the judgment of Lt. General Michael Flynn. He has regularly engaged in the reckless public promotion of conspiracy theories that have no basis in fact, with disregard for the risks that giving credence to those…
"With the nomination of Dr. Ben Carson as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), President-elect Donald Trump has chosen a disturbingly unqualified individual for a key leadership position in his administration. The HUD…
"This bill makes a valuable contribution to our country's national security. While it does not contain everything we could have hoped for, the bill includes a number of positive improvements to U.S. defense policy. It wisely avoids earlier…
"General Mattis has served the United States tirelessly, with admirable distinction. However, the unusual circumstances of his nomination raise serious questions about fundamental principles of our Constitutional order. Civilian control of…
"Today, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advisory panel has recommended that U.S immigration authorities be directed to maintain their current use of private detention facilities. I am extremely disappointed by this announcement, as…
"President-elect Trump has continued to produce dangerous and unhinged rhetoric. His recent statement regarding the ‘millions of people who voted illegally' is completely unacceptable given there is absolutely no evidence of voter fraud.…
"With the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions as the 84th Attorney General for the United States, President-elect Donald Trump has selected a documented racist to be a member of his cabinet. "Senator Sessions has a long history of…
"I am extremely disturbed that as one of his first decisions as President-elect, Donald Trump has announced his appointment of Steven Bannon as White House Chief Strategist. Mr. Bannon is the Executive Chairman of the website Breitbart…
"Veterans Day honors the service and sacrifice of our veterans. Each November 11th, we commemorate our veterans who have faithfully served our country. We reflect on the courage and commitment of the brave men and women who protect us and…
"President-elect Trump ran the most bitter, divisive, and negative presidential campaign in history. Now he claims he wants to change his tone. For the sake of our country, I hope he does. "From day one, I will do everything I can to hold…
"I am saddened by the tragic news that State Senator Andy Hill has passed away after a difficult battle with cancer. Senator Hill was a leader in our region, working across the aisle to increase opportunities for students during his career…
"Under current law, pharmaceutical companies holding a patent for a drug can develop, distribute, and market what is known as an Authorized Generic (AG) through a privileged process provided in the Hatch-Waxman Act (PL 98-417) that allows…
"This week the House of Representatives passed a much needed reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), a bill that will assist local governments in improving their infrastructure. The legislation provides the Army…
"I extend our deepest sympathies to the people of the State of Israel on the passing of former President Shimon Peres, a visionary leader who dedicated himself to Israel and the cause of peace. "With so many conflicts around the globe, we…
"The movement of freight is critical for the strength of our economy," said Congressman Smith. "Investment in our freight transportation infrastructure provides tangible benefits by improving our capacity to move goods and support job…
"Today, I voted in support of H.R. 5963, the Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act of 2016. Led by Rep. Carlos Curbelo and Ranking Member Bobby Scott of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, this…
"Our veterans have served this nation bravely and heroically. We owe these men and women an enormous debt of gratitude and respect. On August 31st, my office had the honor of hosting our first Veterans History Project (VHP) event at the…
"Each Labor Day, we celebrate the contributions of the men and women of the American labor movement. This annual tribute to the achievements of America's workers recognizes the impact of labor unions on the creation and sustainability of a…
"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…
"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…
"Tomorrow, 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.…
"I have the utmost respect for Khizr and Ghazala Khan, and to all the family members of our fallen service members. Americans of all faiths and ethnic groups have given the ultimate sacrifice to our country by losing their lives in the…
"I remain concerned about the source of the tank vapor problems at the Hanford Nuclear site, and the need to implement a permanent solution that will protect Hanford workers. This has been an on-going issue that has sickened dozens of…
"Congress has the very serious responsibility of addressing the challenges our country faces with rational policy solutions. We are tasked with the duty of developing legislation that creates broad-based opportunities for all, grows our…
"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…
"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…
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…
"Today 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…
WASHINGTON' Today, the Democratic Members of the Select Committee on Benghazi issued a 339-page report entitled, "Honoring Courage, Improving Security, and Fighting the Political Exploitation of a Tragedy." Democrats also released all of…
Washington D.C. - Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's deadlocked decision in United States v. Texas: "I am deeply disappointed with the Supreme Court's ruling today resulting in a…
Washington D.C. - Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement about the sit-in taking place on the House Floor: "Today, I was proud to join Congressman John Lewis and Congresswoman Katherine Clark as they led House Democrats in…
Washington D.C. - On June 10, 2016, Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA)and Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) introduced bipartisan legislation, The Adoptee Citizenship Act, H.R. 5454, to guarantee citizenship to international adoptees. Similar…
"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack in Orlando, the worst mass shooting in United States history.I offer my deepest condolences to the victims and their families.I would like to extend particular sympathies to…
"Memorial Day is a time to honor the ultimate sacrifice of those whohave given their lives in service to our country. Our gratitudeextends to our fallen heroes, our veterans, and active dutyservicemembers and their families. We owe our…
"The National Rifle Association's (NRA) latest video shows how out of touch it is with finding common sense solutions to the issues of the day. In 2013, the year in which the most recent data is available, there were 27,329 deaths…
Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray joined Reps. DelBene, Jim McDermott, Adam Smith and Dave Reichert in sending a letter to HUD Secretary Juli'n Castro, following up on their letter from June 2015. The current HCV formula has been…
"Our nation is in the midst of a heroin and prescription drug abuse epidemic, resulting in the deaths of thousands, and taking a toll on the health and safety of many Americans and their families. Since 2000, overdose deaths have increased…
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staff then accidentally leaks the name of that individual. The CIA quickly debunks Gowdy's allegation. ? (7) October 19, 2015: The Washington Post reports on links between Gowdy and Stop Hillary PAC, which describes itself as "created for…
"Disturbing statements from the Republican White House contender cannot go unaddressed. America must stay true to its founding principles by standing with immigrants and leading on refugee resettlement. Our American values embrace people…
"The language in the Russell amendment is a direct attack on LGBT rights. The president issued an executive order prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity by government contractors. The Russell amendment tries to…
"The House Armed Services Committee is maintaining its bipartisan tradition. We worked through a lot of issues throughout the mark-up process, including a number of very controversial provisions. We crafted legislation the way it is…
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Ranking Member Adam Smith, in consultation with Congressman James Clyburn, introduced a measure that would have withdrawn support for ROTC at The Citadel if the Confederate battle flag continued to fly. In order to avoid voting on that…
"Terrorism is about spreading fear. As we combat violent extremism and the spread of dangerous propaganda, we must recognize that hateful ideology originates both overseas and at home. Since the 9/11 attacks, domestic terrorists have…
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ranking Members Adam Smith, Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, and Elijah Cummings of, respectively, the House Armed Services Committee, the House Education and the Workforce Committee, and the House Committee on Oversight and…
Budget & taxesLaborParks & environmentDefense & militaryEducation & libraries
"Earth Day is an annual reminder that each individual has a role to play in protecting and preserving our environment. The Pacific Northwest has a proud history of supporting the environmental movement and I am honored to represent a…
"In November 2015, the President took legal and necessary executive action to reform our broken immigration system by expanding both the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program and the…
"We must close the gender pay gap. Despite the many positive transformative changes in our nation's workforce, women still get paid less for equal work and make 79 cents for every dollar earned compared to their male counterparts. This…
"I am disappointed that the Boeing Company has decided to cut as many as 4,000 jobs in Washington state by June 2016, with additional cuts possible by the end of the year. Although we do not yet know exactly where in our state the job cuts…
I extend my deepest sympathies to the victims, their families, and the Belgian people in light of today's terrorist attacks. The cowardly violence in Brussels illustrates the danger that extreme ideologies continue to pose to the…
"The family and friends of Nestora Salgado have been unrelenting in their pursuit of justice for Nestora. Today, after over two years of wrongful imprisonment, and a recent UN decision calling Nestora's detention illegal and arbitrary, the…
"Congress has a duty to enact a budget that responsibly invests in our nation's future and grows our economy for all Americans. Unfortunately, the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget proposal released by House Republicans earlier this week would take…
HousingBudget & taxesDefense & militaryHealth careEducation & libraries
"The Islamic Republic of Iran recently conducted a series of ballistic missile tests and may be planning others. While these tests do not violate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), they do violate a separate United Nations…
"Iran just conducted its first elections since agreeing to the multilateral deal to give up its nuclear weapons program. While it is true that the Islamic Republic of Iran determines who may run for election, it is also true that the…
"Today, the President announced his plan to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. I have long called for an exit strategy from our use of Guantanamo for detention purposes, and I am encouraged by the President's plan to…
WASHINGTON'Reps. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Juan Vargas (D-CA), and Adam Smith (D-WA), released the following statement today after sending a letter to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud of Somalia congratulating him on signing a new Anti-Money…
"I commend the City of Seattle's Resolution 31651 urging Mexican authorities to release Ms. Nestora Salgado and requesting the State Department to assist in securing her release. "Throughout Nestora's detention, I have consistently called…
"Over the past three years, sequestration and its drastic and across-the-board cuts have negatively impacted our economy, disrupted our government, and harmed our nation. As Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have long…
HousingPublic safetyTransportationBudget & taxesDefense & militaryHealth careEducation & libraries
"The President's budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2017 sets up an important debate about how our nation can continue to build an economy that allows for every American to attain economic prosperity. President Obama's budget proposal funds…
Public safetyBudget & taxesParks & environmentImmigration & ICEEducation & libraries
"On February 1, 2016, the case of Renton resident Nestora Salgado received long overdue legitimacy from the United Nations (UN) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. In their legal decision dated December 17, 2015 made public this week,…
"A functioning justice system must work to protect the innocent and simultaneously hold accountable and rehabilitate those who commit crimes. The President's recently announced executive action reforms the federal prison system, following…
"Martin Luther King, Jr. has inspired generations of Americans to thoughtfully challenge inequality. Dr. King wisely advised that injustice at any level of society requires our attention, and his work continues to guide us as we…
"Tomorrow, I will undergo a hip replacement procedure to correct problems stemming from my October 2014 hip surgery. In late 2014 and early 2015, I had two hip surgeries, one on each hip. Over the last several months, I have encountered…
"In his final State of the Union address, President Obama spoke of his leadership out of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. His administration, together with partners in Congress, has advanced policies that grew our…
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"I am extremely disturbed by recent accounts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in several states that are specifically targeting undocumented women and children from South and Central America. It has been reported that…
"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…
"Throughout his career as a psychiatrist, member of the United States Navy, and as an elected official, Jim McDermott has always put service above self. As one of the strongest progressives in the United States Congress during his 14-term…