Adam Smith was born on June 15, 1965, in Washington, D.C. Adam was raised in SeaTac, Washington where his father, Ben, worked as a ramp serviceman at SeaTac Airport and was active in the local Machinists’ Union. His mother, Leila, stayed at home, raising Adam and his two brothers. Adam attended Bow Lake Elementary, Chinook Middle School, and Tyee High School, graduating from Tyee in 1983.
After a year at Western Washington University, Adam transferred to Fordham University, where he worked his way through college loading trucks for United Parcel Service and graduated in 1987 with a degree in Political Science. Following his graduation, Adam attended the University Of Washington School Of Law, and earned his law degree in 1990. He later worked in both private and public practice, first as a lawyer at Cromwell, Mendoza and Belur in 1992, and then as a prosecutor for the City of Seattle from 1993-1995. As a prosecutor, Adam focused on drunk driving and domestic violence cases, and in 1996, went on to work as a judge pro tempore.
Communities surrounding Sea-Tac Airport and other airports in the region have come to experience an increased and disproportionate share of noise and other environmental impacts stemming from increases in air traffic. Studies have demonstrated that communities near airports and airflight pathways are exposed to higher proportions of pollution and harmful particles from aviation emissions. This can lead to increased risks of breast cancer, heart disease, asthma, and a variety of other lung and cardiovascular conditions. Aviation noise and emissions also disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color.
I have worked with residents of the Ninth Congressional District and community organizations such as Quiet Skies Puget Sound and the Beacon Hill Noise Team to bring their concerns to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the SeaTac airport. It is a priority of mine to ensure that not only are residents’ concerns heard, but that solutions are put forward to reduce noise and environmental impacts for all. This includes:
I have also introduced several pieces of legislation on the topic of aviation noise and emissions, including:
Aviation Noise and Emissions Mitigation Act: Creates two new pilot grant programs at the EPA for studies of air quality and noise and for mitigation projects in communities, focused on communities of color and low-income communities. The bill will help us to better understand the effects of noise and emissions and fund initiatives driven by communities to mitigate these effects on the environment, public health, and quality of life of residents living near airports and airflight pathways.
Protecting Airport Communities from Particle Emissions Act: This bill would require the FAA and EPA to jointly partner with an institution of higher education to study airborne ultrafine particles (UFPs) and their effect on human health.
Noise Mitigation Repair and Replacement Act: This bill would establish a process by which airports may apply for additional Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding to repair or replace noise mitigation packages. Current AIP regulations make it impossible for airports to get federal AIP funding for repairing and replacing sound insulation on homes originally insulated through the AIP noise mitigation program, even if those homes had products that have failed or that were installed in a manner that causes structural damage on a home.
Aviation Impacted Communities Act: The Aviation Impacted Communities Act seeks to help cities, localities, and neighborhoods to better and more productively engage with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The legislation is geared particularly towards communities that have not been recognized as “impacted” by the FAA’s noise standard. This legislation would require that the FAA interface directly with and be responsive to residents and locally nominated leaders on issues of aviation noise and environmental impacts. Through the creation of local community boards, affected areas will be empowered to effectively work toward achieving relief from the impacts of civil and commercial aviation.
I firmly believe that America is home to the most talented and best educated workforce in the world. Throughout my career, I have consistently promoted policies that encourage companies to provide high quality jobs with good wages and benefits, fought to safeguard the right to organize, and supported investments in workforce training and education programs to ensure all individuals have access to high quality job training.
Promoting High Quality Jobs
Safeguarding the Right to Organize
The ability to organize and collectively bargain for benefits was one of the most important advances in American labor law and has been a major contributor to our historically robust middle class. As the son of a union baggage handler at SeaTac Airport, I understand how important labor unions are in the lives of American workers and their families. I am a strong supporter of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), which strengthens the federal laws protecting workers’ rights to join a union, overrides states ability to pass “right to work” laws which undermine labor unions, and cracks down on employer interference with union elections. I also support legislation to keep workers safe on the job by codifying certain industry-recognized safety standards when companies attempt to put profits over people.
Expanding Education and Workforce Training
For too many people, the barriers to receiving an education or obtaining the skills needed to succeed are insurmountable. I have long advocated for greater funding for community and technical colleges and supported increased investments in paid workforce training opportunities like Registered Apprenticeship programs and work-based learning programs. These programs create pathways to high-quality in-demand jobs for individuals. I have also been in a leader in Congress, advocating for investments in wrap-around support services and stipends for individuals in workforce training programs and two-year education programs to ensure they have the assistance they need to cover everyday living costs such as housing, food, and transportation. I have introduced the Pre-Apprenticeship Wrap-around Support Services Fund Act, the Emergency Economic and Workforce System Resiliency Act, and the Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act.
Enhancing Corporate Accountability and Worker Power
For too long, corporations have put shareholder profits and executive pay over average worker wages, benefits, and job quality. I support legislation such as the Accountable Capitalism Act and the Reward Work Act, which would require large corporations to have employee representation on corporate boards and would crack down on stock buybacks and other corporate actions that threaten the long-term viability of the company for the sake of increasing short-term shareholder value. I also support efforts to expand the employee-ownership, worker cooperative, and employee stock ownership plan models. Evidence has shown that employee-owned firms increase wages and benefits for workers, preserve jobs and local ownership, and improve company performance.
One of our nation’s most important challenges is growing our economy while creating equitable economic opportunities for every American.
Key to supporting this goal is the implementation of a sustainable budget that is fiscally sound, lifts up low- and middle-income households, and invests in our future. It is crucial that we support the programs on which Americans rely, invest in innovation and infrastructure, enhance education and workforce training, and prioritize environmental sustainability in the face of climate change. Each of these public investments are shown to help decrease costs for consumers, increase the number of jobs available, and boost incomes of the recipients of these investments. None of this can be done on the cheap, however, and Americans and their elected representatives in Congress need to have a realistic and honest conversation about all that we need and want our government to do, and how much it will cost.
The Importance of Increasing Revenues
Over the past nearly 20 years, we have indiscriminately cut taxes, particularly for the wealthiest individuals and biggest corporations, at a cost of trillions of dollars in lost revenue. Research done in the wake of the $1.5 trillion 2017 Republican tax bill has clearly demonstrated that cutting taxes—particularly on the wealthy and for large corporations—is only good at exploding deficits and growing the cumulative national debt. I am strongly in favor of increasing wealth taxes on the highest earning households, increasing the corporate tax rate, and investing in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to ensure wealthy households and large corporations are paying what they owe. These revenue raisers alone could fund a historic level of investment in policies and programs that will lift millions of households out of poverty and expand economic opportunities for all.
Increased Investments in Programs that Grow the Economy
The federal budget is a symbol of our values. I support heavily investing in pro-growth policies that will lower costs for families, create good-paying jobs, and cut taxes for hard-working Americans. A strong budget prioritizes significantly increased investments in green energy, education, health care, child care, sustainable infrastructure, and affordable housing. Investments in these areas are proven to lead to more equitable economic growth, particularly as we continue to grapple with and recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing federal investments in these areas will help increase wages and benefits, spur the deployment of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure basic needs like health care, child care, and housing are better met. Through government spending and progressive policies, we can chip away at some of our nation’s greatest economic disparities, combat income inequality, reduce poverty, and expand economic opportunity.
The rights and freedoms of citizens need to be protected. When the fundamental rights of life, liberty, and equal opportunity are unfairly denied to a person or a group of people, it is the role of the federal government to step in and fulfill the promise of America.
We must continue to work on creating a welcoming community and country for all while ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed; discrimination in any form cannot be tolerated. Across the United States we have seen increasing acts of hate against people of different ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations. This is unacceptable. While individuals have the right to express their thoughts and beliefs, bigotry and hate are deplorable and we must be clear that it will not be tolerated. I have worked to oppose discrimination on multiple fronts while also supporting policies that seek to address some of the effects of institutionalized racism and inequality.
Voting Rights
Since its passage in 1965, the Voting Rights Act (VRA) has served as a benchmark to ensure all Americans’ voices are heard at the ballot box. But on June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court invalidated Section Four of the VRA, a provision that protects voting rights in nine states that historically have had discriminatory voting practices. The Supreme Court found that Section Four had an outdated formula that placed undue and outdated federal burden on the nine states.
I was very disappointed in the Supreme Court’s ruling. By striking Section Four, the Supreme Court limited the federal government’s ability to implement Section Five, consequently rendering this section of the VRA powerless and threatening the right to vote for many Americans. Any state can now implement Voter ID laws and redraw district lines to dilute the voices of large populations of mainly racial and ethnic minorities without federal oversight. In the 2012 election, low income voters and people of color, mainly African American and Latino voters, waited in line to vote twice as long as white voters. Additionally, many local and state laws and policies were put into effect subjecting low-income Americans, especially those of color, to undue electoral burden.
Since first coming to Congress, I have been a strong advocate for voting rights, and remain committed to doing all I can 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. I have taken numerous efforts to protect and expand upon voting rights at the federal level.
Fair elections and transparent voting practices will strengthen our nation for generations to come. I will continue to support our election system and fight to protect every voter.
A functioning justice system must work to protect the innocent, while simultaneously holding accountable and rehabilitating those who commit crimes. We must comprehensively overhaul a criminal justice system that, in its current form, is guided by outdated laws and perpetuates structural failures in society. Our judicial system sets up those who have offended and served their sentences to continued failure, even after they have served their time.
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 continue 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.
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 uphold 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. The time has come to make important adjustments to the way we handle criminal justice in our country.
Leadership at the federal level is critical to ensure wider enactment of restorative justice programs like those spearheaded by Washington State. 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.
Law Enforcement
Everyone has the right to be treated equally under the law and to have the peace of mind that they and their loved ones will not be subject to excessive use of force or bias by law enforcement. It is critical that trust exists between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
In order to rebuild and preserve relationships between the judicial and law enforcement systems and the communities, it is crucial that safety and transparency are prioritized. While the vast majority of law enforcement officers in our country operate with the highest degree of professionalism and without bias, the specter of racial profiling has greatly impacted relationships with some communities of color. It is critical that we address the underlying issues that have created such divides.
It is for that reason that I have cosponsored legislation that would establish pilot grant programs through the Department of Justice (DOJ) using existing funding to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies with the costs of purchasing or leasing Body Worn Cameras (BWCs). In the wake of the recent alarming events involving law enforcement across the country, body-worn cameras have emerged as a potentially powerful transparency tool to communities, as well as police officers. The use of cameras is not a perfect solution, and the DOJ must conduct studies on the impact of BWCs on not only reducing excessive use of force by police, but also increasing accountability of officers, the effects of BWCs on both officer safety and public safety, and best practices for data management.
I also support and have cosponsored legislation designed to enforce the constitutional right to equal protection of the laws by changing the policies and procedures underlying the practice of profiling, such as the End Racial Profiling Act. I have consistently supported programs such as the Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs to improve the support and responsiveness that police agencies can provide to the communities they serve. The Byrne JAG program provides support for many parts of the criminal justice system, including community-based criminal justice initiatives, crime prevention education, hiring patrol officers, and programs such as veterans treatment courts. Byrne JAG also supports anti-human trafficking training for local departments to identify and rescue victims through coordination with federal law enforcement and victims service providers. The COPS Office and its corresponding programs provide invaluable resources and technical assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies. It is essential, now more than ever, that these programs be used to encourage reforms, increase training for law enforcement officers, and create trust through community outreach.
I am committed to working with my colleagues to find additional avenues to protect civil liberties, increase transparency, and work to address bedrock issues that have frayed the trust between law enforcement and communities in many parts of the country.
Comprehensive Drug Policy
There is a rapidly growing opioid abuse epidemic in our nation and the need for comprehensive treatment has never been greater. The abuse and addiction to opioids such as heroin, morphine, and prescription pain relievers is a serious problem that affects the health, social, and economic welfare of all societies. According to the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health 1.9 million people in the United States suffered from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain medicines in 2013 and 517,000 suffered from a heroin use disorder. The number of unintentional overdose deaths from prescription opioids has soared in recent years, more than multiplying since 1999.
This crisis has had a devastating effect on public health and safety in communities across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdose deaths now surpass traffic crashes in the number of deaths caused by injury in the U.S, with an average of 120 drug related deaths per day in 2014. Factors such as drastic increases in the number of prescriptions written and dispensed and greater social acceptability for using medications for different purposes has contributed to the growing epidemic of opioid addictions.
While I ultimately am pleased that Congress has begun to address the serious and growing challenge posed by the abuse of prescription and illicit opioids in this country with the passage of the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act in May 2016, the compromise bill failed to include additional emergency funding to support new programs. It is absolutely essential that we recognize the evidence-based fact that remanding these individuals to jail and prison is structurally, as well as morally, wrong. Funding grant programs and other new initiatives is a critical responsibility of Congress that cannot be ignored. More can and must be done to make this a truly comprehensive approach.
Legalization Clarity on Marijuana
On November 6, 2012, Washington State voters approved Initiative Measure 502 concerning recreational use of marijuana with 55.7 percent of the vote. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board is responsible for issuing licenses for growing, producing, and selling marijuana.
Looking at the legal implications of this issue, I am deeply concerned about the conflicts between federal and state law. While it is legal to possess and use a limited quantity of marijuana under state law, marijuana remains an illegal substance under federal statutes. This lack of clarity is unacceptable. Individuals following state law should not be subject to federal enforcement. As Washington state’s marijuana law continues to be implemented, it is critical that the confusion and disagreement between federal and state laws be reconciled.
Though much work remains to be done, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) decision to expand research opportunities on marijuana is a sign of progress. It is my sincere hope that the loosening of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) research monopoly will foster new information, and further the conversations about federal-level policy.
While the limited enforcement direction that the DOJ has taken is a positive step, I remain concerned about possible prosecution of Washington State residents who are acting in accordance with state law. I have contacted DOJ numerous times about this issue, and along with other Members of Congress, asking that the DOJ respect voters acting in accordance with state laws, and not enforce federal marijuana laws on those in compliance. I have also spoken directly with officials in the White House and DOJ expressing my concerns. I am committed to protecting the rights of residents in Washington State, and will continue to look for any avenue to ensure legal clarity when it comes to marijuana use.
It is critical that we set realistic goals to hold schools accountable for providing the education students deserve while taking into consideration the unique challenges that must be overcome in the classroom. Our education system must support and revitalize our public schools instead of labeling them as failing when they are not.
I am pleased that in December 2015, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) that replaces the flawed policies of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). I voted for S. 1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) because reauthorizing the ESEA was the most important action Congress could take to fix the flawed NCLB law.
NCLB placed unreasonable standards on students, teachers, and administrators, and led to award-winning schools being labeled as failing. The consequences of NCLB have been felt directly in Washington state where, since the 2014 loss of a U.S. Department of Education waiver, 88 percent of schools have been deemed to be failing under NCLB standards, even when that is clearly not the case. The new ESSA law ends the need for waivers for states and replaces the one-size-fits-all approach of NCLB’s federal accountability system by shifting authority for academic standards and school accountability back to states and local school districts.
The bipartisan ESSA conference agreement passed by the House included aspects that were important to our region, including federal dollars to support locally-tailored improvements in the highest-need schools. The bill also authorized the Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant program that allocates federal funds based on need, population, as well as school district identified opportunity gaps. These grants will support programs to keep students safe and healthy, promote well rounded education opportunities such as foreign language and STEM, and encourage the effective use of technology in schools. Further, this education legislation improves the Migrant Education Program to prioritize services for migrant students who have dropped out of school. ESSA is a much needed step towards promoting fair and equal access to quality public education.
Since it was first enacted in 1965, the ESEA has played a key role in providing equal access to quality public education and helping to reduce educational inequalities. Significant work still remains to ensure that all of our students, regardless of where they live, receive high-quality instruction, and I remain committed to working with my colleagues to support students throughout our country.
Access to higher education is also extremely important to the success of our children. Whether through grants or scholarships, making higher education affordable is critical for the future of millions of students. I strongly support Pell Grants and maintaining access to low interest rates on student loans.
Providing a quality education to students in our public schools has become even more important. With an unemployment rate around five percent, there are millions of jobs that can’t be filled because our workforce does not have the skills needed to fill them. It is critical that we prepare our children for the competitive global economy and make sure they have the skills that directly apply to the type of employment opportunities available when they enter the workforce.
I am a strong advocate of investing in our education system through sound and effective policies that ensure a quality education is equally available to all children.
Environment
Preserving the wilderness has always been a top priority of mine. These wilderness lands help to provide higher quality drinking water, cleaner air, and protection for wildlife. Further, our wilderness provides opportunities for recreation, family vacations, and educational outings. As a father of two children, I am pleased that our region has several beautiful national parks within a short distance from our home. I am committed to conserving these crucial resources for future generations.
Since their passage in the early 1970’s, Clean Air and Clean Water Acts continue to play an important role in improving and protecting the quality of life for Americans everywhere. As the nation confronts environmental challenges that threaten to impact our daily lives, it is important that these foundational policies continue to provide the legal framework necessary to protect American families from harmful pollutants.
The harmful impacts of our dependence on oil contributes significantly to climate change and disproportionately impact people and communities of color, particularly those living in poverty, in a number of ways. In addition to environmental and structural damages inflicted by extreme climate events, people with lower incomes often experience more negative health effects than other groups, making climate change a public health crisis. I have been a strong advocate for policies that support environmental justice efforts.
Combating Climate Change
It is an indisputable fact that the earth’s climate is warming and changing, and poses a grave threat to the entire world. Over the last century, the global temperature has risen and research suggests that the global average temperature today is among the highest since human civilization began flourishing. Over the course of human development, the use of fossil fuels, increased deforestation, agricultural production, and other types of human activity have increased the concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG), such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and tropospheric ozone in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide levels, for example, have risen by almost 40 percent over the last 150 years and are contributing to a 30 percent increase in ocean acidification. Two thirds of global GHG are produced by ten primary emitters: China, the United States, the European Union, India, Russia, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and Iran.
On June 1, 2017, President Trump announced his administration’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord, a deal created in late 2015 where 195 developed and developing countries agreed to limit their emission levels to help prevent a rise in global temperature. This is a disastrous move that undermines the most significant global climate change agreement to date. Studies have shown that should the Earth’s temperature rise more than two degrees Celsius, the potential for humans to avert the worst of the devastating effects of climate change will diminish or disappear altogether. Given this urgency, I support the agreement reached at the Paris Climate Summit in December 2015. The framework created through the Paris Climate Agreement paves the way for the creation of new jobs, raising standards of living, and lifting millions out of poverty and is something that the U.S. should continue to support.
Even within the United States, climate change disproportionately impacts people and communities of color, particularly those living in poverty, in multiple ways. In addition to environmental and structural harm inflicted by extreme climate events, people with lower incomes often experience more negative health effects than other groups, making climate change a public health crisis, as well. To address all of these concerns, we must implement a climate change policy that prioritizes improvements to public health and invests in programs that mitigate the financial costs of implementing climate change policy to communities with lower incomes. Additionally we need to continue to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels while creating clean, living wage jobs in the green industry workforce. Our policies should also enable people to live where they work and have access to clean transportation, an affordable place to live, and clean and secure food sources.
Energy
Our nation’s current energy policy is outdated, inefficient and relies far too much on foreign oil. This undermines our national security and leaves us at the mercy of gas and oil prices, which can change dramatically in short periods of time. This is unacceptable, and Americans deserve better. We must establish energy policies that protect consumers, reduce our carbon footprint, and strike a balance between moving our economy away from its dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating the economic impact of this transition.
It is important that we look towards new sources of cleaner and renewable energy, rather than the fossil fuels that we have depended on over the past centuries. I have and will continue to encourage the use and development of more efficient technology. A mix of sustainable energy technologies offers one of the most cost-effective options for reducing the export of U.S. dollars to pay for burgeoning oil and natural gas imports. Renewable energy technologies also have the unique potential to tap domestic resources and create new sources of energy like solar and wind power. We have the technology and innovation to develop a sustainable domestic energy program with the potential to lead the global market; however, this can only succeed through improved energy efficiency and the development of alternative energy sources. The domestic production of renewable energy resources will strengthen our economy and loosen our dependence on foreign oil and its environmental costs.
Reducing Our Dependence on Fossil Fuels – Cosponsor of the America Wins Act, which places a fee on fossil fuels and invests that revenue in low and middle-income households most effected by climate change, and in our nation’s infrastructure. Additionally, I have successfully defeated numerous efforts to prohibit the military from purchasing biofuels.
Recognizing Climate Change As A National Security Risk - Led my colleagues in the fight to have climate change formally recognized in law as a national security threat and to require the Department of Defense to prepare for it.
Requiring Climate Resiliency And Conservation Plans – Passed into law legislation to require Department of Defense installations to establish energy and climate resiliency plans, and require plans for energy and conservation policy.
Prioritizing Environmental Justice – Cosponsor of a bill that would officially establish the Office of Environmental Justice at the Environmental Protection Agency and codify the Environmental Justice Small Grants program. This program provides critical funding to community-based projects aimed at addressing the disproportionate impact of climate change on frontline communities.
As a member of the United for Climate and Environmental Justice Task Force, I believe we must continue to fight for communities, both around the world and in the U.S., who are the most vulnerable. As the second-largest emitter, with only about five percent of the world’s population, it is the responsibility of the U.S. to lead by example in reducing carbon emissions and ensure that people and communities of color are not forgotten. Despite President Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, I will continue to work to ensure these groups are fully engaged in designing and implementing policy to ensure equitable outcomes.
One of my top priorities in Congress is to improve the relationship that citizens have with their government. In many ways, government has gotten too big, too burdensome and is not efficient and responsive enough to fulfill the needs of the people. I am committed to providing the most dedicated service to the people of the Ninth Congressional District of Washington by creating broad-based opportunities for all, growing our economy, keeping our country strong and forward-looking, and making government work better for everyone.
I am committed to making our federal government more efficient and responsive. I believe Americans deserve a government that constantly changes with the times to meet their needs, and that we cannot solve the problems of today while saddled with the bureaucracies of yesterday. To ensure this change, we must be willing to seriously examine existing programs and agencies, phase out programs and subsidies that are no longer useful, and eliminate waste and ineffectiveness from all areas of our government.
I am also committed to the highest ethical standards throughout our government. I encourage the efforts Congress has made to develop a policymaking process as open and transparent as possible, and will continue to revise this process to ensure the strongest standards are enacted. I will continue to support initiatives that achieve these goals and remain open to any of your ideas and thoughts about how better to achieve these objectives.
Communication between the people I represent is vital to a strong and functioning democracy. Nothing is more important to me than listening to the people I represent, giving them straight answers about what I'm doing and where I'm coming from, and taking their opinions into consideration. While I won't agree with each and every one of the more than 700,000 people I represent on every issue, I can promise that I'll always listen and be straight-forward with you.
In 2011, the problem of gun violence hit especially close to home for me when my good friend and colleague, then-Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, was shot and nearly killed when meeting with her constituents. Six other people died as a result of that senseless act of violence. This, along with many other tragedies, reinforces the need for our country to enact sensible firearm safety reform.
I am inspired by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School survivors and students, as well as those across the country who are speaking out against gun violence and condemning the National Rifle Association (NRA). These young people are a real force for change, and I stand with them in saying “never again.” In response to recent school shootings, some have suggested arming teachers, a misguided proposal that would only increase the risks of gun violence in schools. I am opposed to doing so because schools should be a safe haven for students. Arming teachers could create an even more dangerous learning environment.
There was absolutely no reason for the shooter in Las Vegas to be able to amass a stockpile of 47 weapons; many of them high-powered rifles. According to the Government Accountability Office, there are approximately 350 million firearms in civilian ownership – more than enough for there to be a gun for every American adult and child. The sheer number of firearms, coupled with how easily they can be obtained, results in increased accidents, self-inflicted harm, and intentional acts of violence. Reducing access to and the availability of firearms is one avenue to reducing violence, and I support gun buyback programs like those which have been successful in U.S. cities and other countries, such as Australia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Prevention’s National Vital Statistics System in 2016, the year for which the most recent data is available, there were 38,658 deaths involving firearms, with over 14,400 of those being homicides. No other developed country in the world experiences this high rate of gun violence. We cannot continue to treat tragedies like those in Las Vegas and Orlando, the two deadliest shootings in modern American history, as the status quo. We must take a comprehensive approach to combating this epidemic.
In Congress, I am taking action to attempt to prevent gun violence and curtail the trend of mass shootings to keep our communities safe.
Improving mental health treatment must also be at the forefront of the fight to reduce gun violence. Often less acknowledged in the discussion about gun violence prevention is that 62 percent of firearms deaths are suicides, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. To be clear – simply because an individual suffers from a mental illness does not make them inherently violent; but limiting wide access to weapons that could be used by an individual to harm themselves or others is a straightforward way to help turn the tide of these preventable deaths. Individuals should have access to the quality mental health care that they need and deserve. I have consistently supported improving investments in mental health resources, and it is absolutely critical that these services continue to be covered as one of the essential health benefits under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).
I support the Second Amendment. However, we must dismiss the notion that the rights granted by the Second Amendment are absolute in their authority. We can enact commonsense gun measures that meaningfully reduce firearm-related violence, injury, and death while continuing to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners. As a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues to address this dire issue.
Historically, our health care system has cost too much, didn’t cover enough people, and incentivized inefficiencies. With these concerns in mind, Congress passed and the President signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as the ACA. The primary goal of the ACA was to increase access to affordable health care for the medically uninsured and underinsured.
Starting in October 2013, individuals began signing up for health insurance through the state health insurance exchanges established by the ACA – websites where individual consumers and small businesses could compare and shop for health insurance plans available in their state. Five key provisions of the law came into effect at the start of 2014: the individual mandate; pre-existing condition coverage; employer mandate; subsidies; and online health insurance exchanges. Further, the law enhanced the quality of healthcare for those on Medicare and disallowed health insurance providers from denying individuals coverage based on preexisting conditions. It closed the Medicare drug coverage gap known as the “donut hole” and allowed recent college graduates to remain on their parent’s health insurance plan.
Though the ACA was by no means a cure-all to challenges faced in the health care sector, it has provided a good opportunity to begin to rein in excessive costs, improve quality of care, and expand access. Moving forward, we must continue to monitor how these policies are implemented and make adjustments as necessary. One of the most challenging aspects will continue to be keeping costs under control, as well as diligent implementation of programs designed to meet this goal. For instance, the ACA contains a number of opportunities for meaningful changes to our inefficient fee-for-service system, but these changes must be aggressively implemented.
Medicare for All
I continue to work to ensure that health care remains affordable and accessible to everyone. The Medicare For All Act represents an important step forward in improving our health care system by establishing a single-payer, health care for all program.
Under this legislation, all individuals living in the United States or U.S. territories would have access to:
I am proud to cosponsor this legislation that recognizes health care as a basic human right.
Health Information Technology
Advancing and streamlining our nation's health information technology system is one way in which to increase efficiency, as well as to improve the quality of care and reduce overall health care costs. In spite of providing the most advanced medical care in the world, America's healthcare system is overly reliant on paper-based prescription and record keeping techniques that are expensive, inefficient, and sometimes lead to fatal healthcare mistakes. Inadequate health information has resulted in medical errors, misdiagnosis, and needless test duplications that increase costs and reduce the overall quality of health care.
Health Information Technology (Health IT) has been a part of several important bills signed into law. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included nearly $26 billion for hospitals and physicians to implement and improve health IT. Additionally, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act included certain requirements around health IT in health care facilities and provided a grant program for long-term care facilities to purchase, lease, develop, and implement certified electronic health record technology. Much more remains to be done to implement best use of health IT around the country and I am committed to ensuring that Congress does its part to ensure the success of health IT.
Women’s Health
Personal health decisions should be left between women, their doctor, and their family; not the United States Congress. In recent years, we have seen numerous attacks on women’s health through efforts to limit access to contraception and reproductive services. I will continue to support and advocate for policies that protect women’s right to choose and improve access to family planning services.
Prescription Drug Pricing
Access and affordability of prescription drugs is critical for our health care system. It is important that consumers are able to obtain affordable prescription drug coverage in a way that better regulates drug companies rather than passing the costs onto working Americans. I support funding and increasing the availability of resources for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure timely, but thorough research, and testing of products like generic prescription drugs and am committed to ensuring the FDA has the personnel, procedures and equipment necessary to protect consumers and improve the drug approval process.
I also support changes to and legislation that helps lower the cost of prescription drugs by attempting to incentivize more competition within the market. I will continue to work to enact policies that will help keep necessary medical treatments within reach for all those who need them.
Community Health Centers
I support the work of Community Health Centers (CHCs) because they play an important role in our society by providing quality and affordable health care to low-income and medically underserved individuals. There are over 9,000 community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health center delivery sites located in all 50 states of the United States, and they serve more than 22 million patients. CHCs operate in rural and urban communities that are designated as medically underserved because health care is either scarce or non-existent.
Further, health centers improve access to care for tens of thousands of Washingtonians who are uninsured, are a part of the working poor, or are newly jobless. They offer services that many other providers do not, such as transportation, translation, and culturally sensitive health care that can overcome prevalent barriers. Their costs of care rank among the lowest, and they reduce the need for more expensive hospital in-patient and specialty care, providing significant savings for taxpayers. CHCs lower overall health care costs, improve the health of their patients and create economic opportunities in the communities they serve by providing jobs and training local individuals. This local approach to health care, along with an emphasis on comprehensive preventative care, generates roughly $24 billion in annual savings to the health care system nationwide.
Every night, millions of Americans go to sleep without shelter or a place to call home. Millions more are finding it harder to afford their monthly rent or to save up to purchase a home. With state and local housing organizations operating at maximum capacity and emergency shelters already strained, it is imperative that Congress act on a long-term strategy for combatting housing unaffordability. I believe we must invest more in programs, like the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, make our public housing stock more environmentally sustainable and resilient in the face of climate change, and increase housing supply to reduce the shortage of housing nationwide, particularly in America’s fastest growing cities.
Making Housing Vouchers Universally Available
As the Puget Sound region continues to grow, housing affordability continues to be a major challenge for individuals and families. Unfortunately, the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program remains capped, resulting in long waiting lists for many rent-burdened households—only about 1 in 4 eligible households receive assistance. Housing vouchers are one of the most effective ways to reduce homelessness and help people stay in their homes. I support expanding the housing voucher program to all eligible households. Universal housing vouchers will allow millions of families with low incomes to afford rent, lifting families out of poverty and enabling them to work towards homeownership, save for their children’s education, and keep up with the rising costs of living in major suburban and urban areas.
Expanding the Supply of Affordable Housing
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit) leverages private resources and government financing to spur the development of affordable rental housing. I strongly support the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which would expand and strengthen the Housing Credit to enable it to better serve hard-to-reach communities. This expansion would result in the production of more than 2 million additional affordable homes over the next 10 years, support the creation of 3 million jobs, and generate more than $346 billion of investment in our workers and communities.
Just like roads and bridges, investments in adequate affordable housing are crucial for a healthy economy. I am a co-sponsor of the Housing is Infrastructure Act, which would invest $70 billion to repair public housing and $45 billion to construct new units to address the shortage of affordable options. Investing in repairs now will save billions in the long run and ensure that the shortage of housing does not continue to increase. I also strongly support the Housing Supply and Affordability Act that would provide grant funding to state and local governments in areas experiencing rising housing costs, enabling them to develop a plan to increase housing supply while avoiding the displacement of residents in the area.
Investing in Holistic Permanent Supportive Housing to Reduce Chronic Homelessness
From 2016 to 2021, homelessness has gone up by over five percent and continues to outpace the availability of shelters. Increasing the supply and availability of housing is necessary to address this crisis but improving and expanding holistic services for individuals struggling with housing insecurity is crucially important as well. That is why I support the Ending Homelessness Act, which would invest $10 billion over the next five years in the Housing Trust Fund and McKinney Vento grants and create additional permanent affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness. Importantly, the bill will also provide funding for wrap around support services and case management to connect persons experiencing homelessness to vital services like health care and mental health support.
Reforming our immigration system is long overdue. Our current laws, regulations, and enforcement do not recognize the importance of sound immigration policies to our economy and national security. We cannot afford to wait any longer to reform our immigration system in a comprehensive way.
Immigration is one of the great strengths for our nation. People from all over the world have come to our country because they see opportunity in America and a chance to build a better life for themselves and their families. The hard work and talent of immigrants have helped grow our economy and have strengthened our country for all Americans.
Legal immigration is not an obstacle to growth, but rather supplements our economic competitiveness and American jobs by attracting needed workers, high-skilled entrepreneurs, and investors. This can all be accomplished while keeping families together in a way that is consistent with American values.
I have advocated on behalf of immigrants through supporting key legislation and other advocacy efforts during my time in Congress:
The immigration system in the United States is broken and needs to be reformed. I am dedicated to fixing the system. Allowing for immigrants to become productive members of our society will only strengthen our communities, our economy, and our country's future.
I support a comprehensive national security approach, fully integrating and resourcing our diplomatic, development, and defense capabilities. We must execute a national security strategy that counters violent religious extremism and anti-American sentiment, builds partnerships around the world, work closely with friends and allies, and advances programs to create a more just, peaceful, and stable world. This means policies that understand and respect other nations and encourages self-determination, democracy, human rights, gender equality, economic development, and much greater access to education, health care, and jobs. This also means an increased focus on promoting the American values of democracy and an economy that also respects people and cultures.
As Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, I have unique insights into today’s foremost national security issues throughout the Middle East, including the war in Afghanistan, as well as our larger efforts to stop the spread of violent extremist groups and their ideology around the globe. Understanding the need for a holistic approach to national security, I recognize the importance of poverty reduction, access to education, sustainable global markets, diplomatic engagement, and good governance to enable our pursuit of stable international partners.
Diplomacy
Development
Several years after our country was thrust into the worst economic crisis in generation, the outlook in Washington State and many areas throughout the United States is gradually improving. Congress responded to the crisis with multiple initiatives to prevent a much deeper economic disaster, but we are not out of the woods yet. There is still much work to do to create good jobs, lower the employment rate, and create the conditions that encourage Washington State businesses to grow.
Government cannot create the spark of ingenuity for a new product nor the drive to turn a good idea into a flourishing business venture. However, it is critical that government create an environment that encourages new enterprises to be launched and the conditions for businesses of all sizes to succeed.
It is essential that government work to support the education of a world-class workforce for the challenges of today and opportunities of tomorrow, reward innovation, get our deficit under control, and improve our aging infrastructure to meet the needs of the modern economy. We must set the stage for successful entrepreneurship and growth today and in the future.
Congress also has a responsibility to address our fiscal issues in a balanced and effective way that strengthens the fundamentals of our economy. We need to take steps to address our long-term budget challenges while making the smart investments in the future that workers and industry need.
There is a tremendous amount of work to be done to implement sound, forward-thinking policies focused on job creation, growing the economy, supporting businesses, and strengthening the middle class. Policy and business leaders must work together to advance the competitiveness of U.S. products, spur innovation, and provide global leadership now and into the future.
Small Business
Successful small businesses are the backbone of a healthy economy. In 2016, small businesses made up 98% of Washington State’s employers, accounting for nearly 52% of private-sector jobs in the state. We look to the small business community for innovative technologies and practices, job creation for the new economy, and the advancement of American competitiveness in the 21st century. In tough economic times, it is more important than ever that we provide the assistance that our small businesses need. An effective relationship and dialogue with the federal government is critical to the success and growth of small business. I strongly believe in economic policies that spur small business growth, including sound tax policies and programs that make it easier to wade through the various regulations and paperwork often required to do business with the federal government.
I have met with local businesses throughout the 9th Congressional District in order to stay informed about the needs and concerns of small business. I have hosted regular Small Business Forums, which have focused on small business access to capital, credit and loan guarantee programs, and capacity building in areas such as social media. My office also coordinates Grants and Procurement workshops, through which we have helped to educate hundreds of local business leaders about all of the steps necessary to become competitive for federal contracts, and these events have helped to level the playing field between small business and large corporations.
Throughout my career in Congress, I have supported legislation that encourages small business growth. In March 2012, I supported the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, which was signed into law by Former President Obama. The bill included important provisions designed to help small, innovative startup companies get access to the capital they need to succeed. I am also supportive of my colleague Rep. Suzan DelBene’s Women’s Small Business Ownership Act of 2017 which directs the Office of Women's Business Ownership within the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide annual training geared towards helping women-owned businesses to start, operate, and grow, their small business.
Our region is home to one of the leading innovation based economies in the country and it is critical that small, innovative startup companies have needed flexibility to grow.
As the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, I am committed to ensuring that our military personnel, veterans, and their families receive the support of our government in return for their years of faithful service. Working to ensure our service members and their families are well cared for will remain my top priority.
In addition to providing our military personnel with adequate pay and benefits, it is important we work to ensure that our military has the proper equipment, resources, and policies to meet the threats we face today and well into the future. However, in a time of mounting pressure on the Federal budget we must also ensure that every dollar spent on defense is done so in an effective and efficient manner. Simply spending more money does not make our country safer – spending more wisely and effectively does.
While we must ensure that our warfighters have the equipment and training they need to carry out their missions, we must do a better job of carefully examining our policies, requirements, and acquisition programs to improve efficiencies and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the Department of Defense.
To that end, I will continue to work to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as it is becoming woefully expensive to operate and the annual cost-per inmate greatly exceeds the cost of holding someone in a maximum security federal prison. It is of great importance that we work to restore civil liberties and due process for all persons. Our civilian law enforcement and justice systems have a proven track record of success when it comes to investigating and prosecuting suspected terrorists.
I am proud to serve as the Chairman of the Armed Service Committee and remain committed to supporting our local communities in Washington State and all members of the Armed Services who represent us bravely at home and abroad.
I understand the importance of improving infrastructure in the US, and will continue to work on this while making sure our investments are fiscally responsible. Our infrastructure provides jobs for thousands, provides for the efficient movement of goods that keeps our economy growing, and ensures the safety of countless lives.
As Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), I have consistently worked to ensure that our veterans receive the benefits and treatment they deserve for their years of faithful service. These benefits are critical for veterans, retirees, and their dependents, as well as those who are considering a career in the military. It is Congress’ responsibility to provide access to quality benefits, assistance programs, and medical treatment upon separation from the Armed Forces.
Since news of deeply troubling Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issues at the VA hospital in Phoenix, AZ broke in 2014, I have carefully followed the developments and ongoing national discussion about how care for our veterans must significantly improve and have engaged both constituents and organizations that work closely with veterans to hear their concerns. A number of issues remain at the VA, including at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS). I am in constant contact with leadership at VAPSHCS to ensure that the voices of veterans from the District I represent are heard. The questions, concerns, and feedback I receive from patients, volunteers, and others helps to make sure that continued improvements are made, and that the VAPSHCS is a valuable resource for our veterans in our community.
It’s essential to hear the experiences and opinions directly from those who have served. While doing my job in Washington, D.C., I participate in events such as National Veterans Roundtables, which are widely attended by representatives from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), National Military Family Association, as well as many others. Venues such as this provide a collaborative environment for policy makers to hear directly from national level veterans leaders about how we can best serve our veterans across the country. Additionally, I hold annual Veterans Advisory Council roundtables in locations around the Ninth District. The advice and knowledge of the roundtable participants keeps me updated about concerns regarding current government programs, federal legislative proposals, and issues that affect the veterans community in and around my district.
At the end of July 2014, the House and Senate reached an agreement on legislation to overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs and address many of the problems that have been exposed. The Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014, which became public law in August 2014, provided $10 billion to pay for providing medical care to veterans through non-VA facilities and $5 billion to hire more doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals. In addition, the bill allowed veterans to seek medical care from alternative health-care providers if the VA cannot provide a service within 30 days of seeking an appointment, or if the veteran lives more than 40 miles away from a VA clinic. The Veterans’ Access to Care Act also gives the VA Secretary greater ability to fire or demote senior officials for poor job performance or misconduct. I voted in support of this bill because this is an important effort to provide veterans with the benefits and treatment they deserve.
While I believe in the intent and role that the VA Choice Program plays in the care of our veterans, I do not believe that the VA system should be fully privatized. It is absolutely clear that significant improvements need to continue to be made, including the further development and strengthening of the Choice Program. Care providers within hospitals such as VAPSHCS have unique insight into the health problems facing veterans, and we must encourage the continued hiring of the best physicians, nurses, and other specialists to assure the best care for those who have served.
I have supported increases in funding for the VA and will continue to do so. Robust support for the VA reflects not only Congress’ priority to care for our current veterans, but also the need to care for a new generation of veterans who have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq. I will continue to advocate for the critical services provided by the VA, while also ensuring that management is held accountable. It is essential that Congress to provide long term budget certainty for VA medical services, support, facilities, and research – ensuring that the wellbeing of veterans remains the top priority.
There is also an alarming trend of unemployment and homelessness among veterans. On average, unemployment rates among veterans are 5 to 10 percent higher than among civilians and include young veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am committed to decreasing the veteran unemployment rate and working to provide critical services such as housing, access to medical care, and career and employment training for those who have dedicated their lives to serving our country.
For this reason, I have been a strong advocate for legislation such as 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. Additionally, I was extremely pleased to see that VA Subsidized Housing (VASH) project-based vouchers were awarded in Federal Way in November 2015. This program ensures that veterans in need are provided not only with a place to live, but with access to essential services as well.
I am a strong supporter of apprenticeship programs for veterans to learn new trades from skilled craftsmen. The Post 9/11 GI Bill, which I strongly supported, was the single largest improvement in helping veterans access higher education opportunities. The bill and subsequent improvements to the Post 9-11 GI Bill have undoubtedly assisted veterans. I have supported tax credits for businesses who hire veterans. I also co-sponsored the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011, designed to help veterans transition successfully from the military to the civilian working world by taking advantage of the incredible training and experience they have already accrued during their service.
I have also supported the elimination of Concurrent Receipt and the SBP-DIC offset. Concurrent Receipt, or the "disabled veterans tax," requires that veterans' retirement pay be reduced by the amount they get in disability pay. The SBP-DIC offset, also known as the “widow’s tax”, requires that benefits received under the Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP) be offset by the amount of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) received.
We should be doing everything possible to ensure that the brave men and women who serve our country come home to good, family-wage, quality job opportunities and receive the care and support they deserve.
In recent years, communities around the SeaTac Airport have come to experience an increased and disproportionate share of noise and other environmental impacts stemming from commercial aviation. This has been the case even as many other areas have seen reduced overall noise burdens. Making matter worse, the concerns of residents in areas experiencing increased aviation traffic are not being adequately addressed.
Congressman Smith has made it his priority to ensure that not only are residents’ concerns heard, but that solutions are put forward to reduce noise and environmental impacts for all. At the local level, Congressman Smith has worked to bring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to the table and has brought the concerns of residents directly to the agency through roundtables and direct meetings between residents, agency staff, airport staff, and local elected officials. At the federal level, Congressman Smith has been a leader in the Quiet Skies Caucus in Congress, a group of Representatives that have elevated aviation noise and environmental issues to the forefront, along with introducing and passing legislation on these issues. Here are some of the recent things Congressman Smith has done to reduce aviation noise and environmental impacts for the residents of the 9th District:
The rights and freedoms of citizens need to be protected. When the fundamental rights of life, liberty, and equal opportunity are unfairly denied to a person or a group of people, it is the role of the federal government to step in and fulfill the promise of America.
We must continue to work on creating a welcoming community and country for all while ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed; discrimination in any form cannot be tolerated. Across the United States we have seen increasing acts of hate against people of different ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations. This is unacceptable. While individuals have the right to express their thoughts and beliefs, bigotry and hate are deplorable and we must be clear that it will not be tolerated. I have worked to oppose discrimination on multiple fronts while also supporting policies that seek to address some of the effects of institutionalized racism and inequality.
Voting Rights
Since its passage in 1965, the Voting Rights Act (VRA) has served as a benchmark to ensure all Americans’ voices are heard at the ballot box. But on June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court invalidated Section Four of the VRA, a provision that protects voting rights in nine states that historically have had discriminatory voting practices. The Supreme Court found that Section Four had an outdated formula that placed undue and outdated federal burden on the nine states.
I was very disappointed in the Supreme Court’s ruling. By striking Section Four, the Supreme Court limited the federal government’s ability to implement Section Five, consequently rendering this section of the VRA powerless and threatening the right to vote for many Americans. Any state can now implement Voter ID laws and redraw district lines to dilute the voices of large populations of mainly racial and ethnic minorities without federal oversight. In the 2012 election, low income voters and people of color, mainly African American and Latino voters, waited in line to vote twice as long as white voters. Additionally, many local and state laws and policies were put into effect subjecting low-income Americans, especially those of color, to undue electoral burden.
Since first coming to Congress, I have been a strong advocate for voting rights, and remain committed to doing all I can 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. I have taken numerous efforts to protect and expand upon voting rights at the federal level.