Government

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the COVID-19 relief bill:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement after President-elect Biden announced appointments for key roles in national security and foreign policy.

"President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have started to assemble stellar and historic national security and foreign policy teams that are well respected both at home and abroad. These leaders with diverse backgrounds and decades of experience will without a doubt be ready to hit the ground running on day one.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) introduced the 911 Diversion to Unarmed Personnel Act, which would provide funding for unarmed 911 response programs that divert nonviolent 911 calls to specialized service providers instead of law enforcement.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy James Anderson submitted his resignation, just one day after Secretary of Defense Mark Esper was fired via tweet.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the White House announced the firing of Secretary of Defense Mark Esper via tweet, destabilizing the Pentagon ahead of the Presidential transition.

"In the national security community, it is well known that periods of presidential transition leave our country exposed to unique threats. Until President-Elect Biden is sworn into office next January, it is imperative that the Pentagon remain under stable, experienced leadership.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued the following statement after the United States Senate voted to confirm Amy Coney Barrett as the newest Justice on the Supreme Court.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the White House announced its intent to create a new class of civil service positions designed to eliminate merit-based hiring and permit "at will" termination of these positions:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other members of military leadership announced they would be self-isolating because of their recent interaction with the Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Admiral Charles Ray, who has tested positive for COVID-19.