AdamSmith RSS Articles

Congressman Smith Statement on Student Loan Legislation

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congress must take action soon to stop Stafford student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1st. However, the legislation passed by the House of Representatives today is projected to more than double the current 3.4 percent interest rates. The Republican bill would link federal student loan interest rates to the variable rate changes of a 10 year Treasury note, a baseline for general interest rates, which the Congressional Budget Office projects will increase and in effect raise student interest rates to 7.4% by 2017. Congressman Smith released the following statement after he opposed this legislation:

“It is critical for the fiscal health of our country to reduce the deficit, but we cannot do so at the expense of aspiring college graduates,” Smith said. “College is already too expensive with high interest private loans and the ever increasing cost of tuition. Congress should be helping hard-working families and students afford a college education, not making it more difficult by potentially doubling student interest rates with this type of legislation."

There was an amendment offered by Representative Courtney that would have extended the 3.4 percent student interest rates for another 2 years. Congressman Smith supported this amendment, but it was not considered on the House floor.

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Congressman Smith Statement on Announcement of Fairchild AFB as Reasonable Alternative Base

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The Air Force is expected to announce later today that Fairchild Air Force Base (AFB) in Washington State was not selected as the preferred site for the first Main Operating Base for the KC-46A aerial refueling tanker. House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement regarding the expected announcement:

“I respect and appreciate how the Air Force has conducted this process, but it is disappointing that Fairchild Air Force Base was not chosen as the Air Force’s preferred host for KC-46A,” Smith said. “I still believe that Fairchild’s capacity and accommodations for the tanker, strategic location, tremendous community support, and proven track record of serving our nation’s aerial refueling effort with the KC-135 make the base an ideal home for the next generation of tankers. The Washington Congressional delegation has and will continue to work together to promote Fairchild’s capacity to host future tankers.”

On three occasions throughout the basing decision process, Congressman Smith signed a letter with local Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and the rest of the Washington State Congressional Delegation to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, encouraging the Air Force to base KC-46A at Fairchild. The letters detailed Fairchild’s capacity to accommodate the tanker and its success with previous aerial refueling efforts. The Air Force conducted site surveys of 54 candidate installations before the announcement of the preferred basing decision today. Out of the 54 bases that were surveyed through this process, Fairchild will be named one of only two reasonable alternatives. McConnell AFB will be selected as the preferred first Main Operating Base. The Air Force must now conduct the necessary environmental analysis before making a final basing decision in Spring 2014.

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Rep. Adam Smith Op-Ed on Closing Guantanamo in the Huffington Post

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Adam Smith submitted an Op-Ed the the Huffington Post about closing the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay. Below is the text of the Op-Ed.

An Exit Strategy From Detention at Guantanamo

It is time to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO). Until it is closed, it will remain a symbol of attempts to avoid the rule of law. While the detainees are treated humanely and in a manner consistent with international law, al-Qaeda continues to evoke GTMO when rallying extremists to its cause. Hunger strikes, health care problems of an aging detainee population, and excessive costs are currently the most visible problems at Guantanamo Bay. Until GTMO is closed, the United States' moral authority in upholding its values and promoting human rights will continue to suffer. Kenneth Wainstein, a senior national security lawyer at the Department of Justice Office under President George W. Bush, recently summarized GTMO's status well: "The situation is not sustainable. We need an exit strategy."

The Bush Administration argued that detainees should be placed at GTMO to ensure public safety, to limit the costs of their detention, and to assert murky legal distinctions regarding their status. These reasons no longer make sense, if they ever did.

Detaining suspected terrorists on U.S. soil does not jeopardize our security. We hold hundreds of dangerous terrorists in prisons in the United States, and none of them have escaped. Current long-term residents of the Florence, Colorado, "supermax" prison include Ramzi Yousef (for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing), Omar Abdel-Rahman (for plotting to blow up New York City landmarks), and Richard Reid (the al-Qaida "shoe bomber").

It is argued that detaining and, when appropriate, trying terrorists in the United States are expensive undertakings. They are, but detaining and trying GTMO detainees in the United States would be substantially more affordable than doing so at GTMO. Per capita, GTMO may be the most expensive detention facility in the world, with costs spiraling upward. Some estimates have put the cost at about $1.5 million per inmate. Additionally, the Department of Defense is now requesting hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade the "temporary" facilities at GTMO. Given the Administration's desire to close the facility, carrying out expensive upgrades to temporary facilities at GTMO makes no sense, especially when better alternatives are available.

Some also argue that the GTMO detainees should not be tried in the Federal Court System because they will be afforded the same rights as American citizens. This is a bogus argument. The Supreme Court has repeatedly made it clear that GTMO detainees are, and will remain, under the supervision of the federal courts. More importantly, the Federal Court System, which has tried and convicted more than 400 defendants for violations of international terrorism laws, is one of our most powerful tools in prosecuting suspected terrorists.

If there are no benefits to holding detainees at GTMO, what are the costs to the United States? First, the United States appears disingenuous asking the rest of the world to uphold human rights, while it operates what many perceive to be an institution designed to evade the rule of law. Second, the perception of an oppressive United States continues to fire resentment around the world and to spur our enemies toward aggression. Third, GTMO affects our ability to coordinate counterterrorism efforts with our allies because they don't want any of their national citizens sent to GTMO.

How should we close GTMO? First and foremost, Congress must remove the unreasonable restrictions it has placed on the Executive Branch regarding the transfer of GTMO detainees and the President should submit a plan to close the facility. Removing these unreasonable restrictions would allow the Administration to gradually reduce the detainee population and develop a sensible detention policy. As Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA), the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, recently argued, we do it by returning those who can be returned to their home countries to be confined or monitored in a safe and secure manner. We do it by creating an office in the White House charged with effecting these transfers. We try those detainees who need to be prosecuted, either by our able civilian court system or by military commissions. Finally, we hold whoever must be held off the battlefield by detaining them at secure facilities in the United States.

We can reduce the detainee population by changing the unreasonable congressional prohibitions on detaining and trying GTMO detainees in the United States. There are currently three detainees at GTMO who have been convicted by military commissions. Now that they have been convicted, why not have them serve their sentences in Federal prisons?

Detaining enemy combatants in the United States, who need to be kept off the battlefield but who can't be tried or responsibly transferred, can be done according to transparent and reviewable procedures involving judges and counsel, not just untrained military officers. Start the interagency periodic review process that has been stalled. Review the justification for continued detention annually. Let the world see what we are doing. Continue to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross full access to detainees and allow other NGOs more access.

Finally, we should lead the effort to create an international framework for detention, not hide from it. The threat from al Qaeda and their allies is unlikely to go away anytime soon, so it is vital that we get this right.

GTMO was never a good idea. It is an even worse idea now. Let's start the process to close GTMO now.

Representative Adam Smith (WA-9) is the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on Fort Hood Allegations

Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09), made the following statement regarding allegations against a service member who was as a sexual assault prevention and response coordinator at Fort Hood:

“If true, the latest sexual assault allegation released by the Army is deeply disturbing and extremely troubling. How can our military be so effective at protecting our nation, yet so ineffective at protecting those who serve? This is the second service member recently accused of sexual assault whose job in the military, in part, is to be one of the leaders charged with stopping such assaults in the military. Clearly, there is a serious issue with how individuals for this position are selected.

“This latest incident clearly demonstrates that the military's efforts to prevent sexual assault are failing miserably. It's outrageous and I will not stand for it. There is no excuse for this sort of behavior and the atmosphere that permits it. As we mark up this year’s NDAA, preventing sexual assault will be a top priority. The military has made it clear that it cannot handle this problem alone and it is time for decisive action by Congress."

Congressman Smith Statement on Fairchild Airmen Killed in Crash in Kyrgyzstan

Sun, 05 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Smith released the following statement after the airmen of the U.S. Air Force KC-135 that crashed in Kyrgyzstan were identified as being from Fairchild Air Force Base:

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the Airmen who died in this tragic accident in Kyrgyzstan. Details about the crash are still unclear. Our servicemen and women risk their lives for our nation while training at home and serving abroad. The service and sacrifice of those who lost their lives in this accident will not be forgotten.”

Congressman Smith Statement on Cinco De Mayo

Sun, 05 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) made the following statement in recognition of Cinco de Mayo:

"Today, families across our country celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a day when a Mexican militia defeated a larger French military at the Battle of Puebla. Cinco de Mayo remains an inspirational part of history for Mexican and American families. It further commemorates the tremendous achievements, contributions, and culture of Mexican Americans and Hispanic Americans that of which have strengthened our nation as a whole. In recognition of Cinco de Mayo, let us continue to build and enhance our relationship with Mexico, and remember the key role Mexican Americans have played in American history.”

Congressman Smith Statement on Boeing Providing Pension Survivor Benefits for Same-Sex Partners

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Boeing announced that they will be extending their Pension Value Plan and BSS Retirement Plan to same-sex spouses and domestic partners as beneficiaries for pension survivor benefits. The expansion of pension beneficiaries are a continuation of Boeing’s long history of leadership in respecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers.

“I commend Boeing for providing equal pension survivor benefits for same-sex spouses and domestic partners,” said Congressman Adam Smith. “LGBT workers are a critical part of a skilled labor force and equal treatment of their employees has led to Boeing’s success and global leadership in aerospace, science, and technology. It is unacceptable to deny any person equal pay or benefits because of who they love. I will continue to work to make sure that all LGBT people and their families are treated fairly and have equal access to success.”

Congressman Smith has been an advocate for LGBT equality. During the 112th Congress, Representative Smith authored a letter in support of extending pension survivor benefits to same-sex partners. Representatives Norm Dicks, Jim McDermott, and Suzan DelBene joined Smith in cosigning the letter. Further, earlier this year, Congressman Smith introduced the Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act, which would extend equal benefits to all same-sex spouses of our servicemembers and veterans.

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Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on Situation in Syria

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement today in response to reports that the Assad regime used chemical weapons in Syria:

“Based on the intelligence that we have, it appears that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons against the Syrian people. If true, this is a sad and worrisome development in an ongoing humanitarian crisis. We must work with our partners in the region and the international community to confirm beyond a doubt that chemical weapons were in fact used and, if so, determine who used them and when. The seriousness of the situation dictates a thorough and thoughtful approach.

“If it turns out that chemical weapons were used, it would be the latest atrocity committed by the Assad regime. The civil war in Syria is an enormous humanitarian catastrophe caused by a brutal and desperate regime. But as we consider options to respond to this atrocity, I am not convinced that military action is appropriate at this time. There is no evidence that U.S. military action will achieve anything, except cost American lives and treasure. As we respond, we must remember the lessons we have learned from the war in Iraq.

“We should work with the international community, as well as our allies in the region, to consider the best options to remove Assad from power and promote a regime that has the support of the Syrian people. However, we should be under no illusions that this will be easy. It won’t. We must exercise extreme caution, and we must not assume that the U.S. military can resolve this civil war.

“The Syrian people deserve the right to live free of tyranny and oppression and the United States must continue to be a force for good in the world. I encourage the Administration to take the time necessary to confirm what has taken place and to develop an appropriate response.”

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Des Moines Town Hall

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith will host a Town Hall on May 2, 2013 at Highline Community College. Congressman Smith is looking forward to meeting with constituents and hearing their concerns.

Who: Congressman Adam Smith

What: Rep. Smith is hosting a Town Hall event where constituents can meet the Congressman and voice concerns on the budget, immigration, education, the economy, and more

When: Thursday, May 2, 2013 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

Where: Highline Community College, Building 2, 2400 S. 240th St. & Pacific Highway, Des Moines, WA 98198

Space is limited so please RSVP by calling (425)793-5180 or Toll Free at(888) SMITH09. You can also email rsvpsmith@mail.house.gov For more information view the Town Hall flyer here.

***Translation services: If you need translation services at this town hall, please contact Congressman Smith's District Office at 425-429-3937. Please give the office as much advanced notices as possible, and we will do all we can to provide the service.

Smith Statement on the Federal Way Shooting

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement after 5 people were killed in a Federal Way shooting:

“I am stunned and saddened by the shooting that left 5 people dead in Federal Way. As details continue to emerge about the shooting, I will work with law enforcement to help provide any assistance they may need to keep our community safe.”

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