Press Releases
Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith announced today that Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation to repeal the federal telephone excise tax. Smith, an original co-sponsor of H.R. 3916, has prioritized repeal of the phone tax this year.
"We should be encouraging growth in telecommunications and Internet access, not taxing it," Smith said. "I'm very pleased that this legislation was passed so overwhelmingly and seems to be on a fast track to becoming law."
In response to concerns that managed care organizations will cease providing Medicare+Choice services to Washington seniors, Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith is urging five health care organizations to remain in the Washington state market while working with Congress and the Administration to solve the financial crisis facing the program.
Today the House will pass the 2001 Defense Authorization bill, which includes several key prioritizes for Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith.
"The defense bill makes key investments in quality of life measures for our armed services and invests in the leap-ahead technology we need to continue having the best military in the world," Smith said.
The bill authorizes $309.9 billion for defense and national security in 2001. Highlights include:
Health Care
Ninth District schools that benefit from Impact Aid funds stand to receive a major boost today when the House of Representatives passes H.R. 3616, which re-authorizes this popular education program, now in its 50th year, under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith will join the Highline Artists Guild and the Highline Nurses Club to install "Grate Mates" throughout the Highline area in honor of Earth Day.
Smith and the community groups will begin installing Grate Mates at 3:30 on Friday, April 21 at the following sites: the Burien Value Village, Burien Honda, Burien QFC, Lamonts, and Highline Hospital.
Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith is aggressively working to obtain funding and pass legislation to address the growing methamphetamine lab problem in the South Puget Sound region.
"Between 1999 and 1998, the number of meth labs and dumpsites reported in Washington state more than doubled," Smith said. "It is absolutely critical that we take action to combat this serious problem."
Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith invites constituents to join him at a town hall meeting to discuss critical issues such as the budget, education, health care, and transportation.
The dates and locations are:
Spanaway/Parkland
April 22
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Pacific Lutheran University in the University Center's Regency Room
Garfield Street and Park Avenue, Parkland
Normandy Park
April 22
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Normandy Park Congregational Church
19247 1st South, Normandy Park
"I am troubled by Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson's ruling on the Microsoft case and by its potential chilling effect on the "new economy" and the technology industry at large. I plan to follow the remedies stage of this process very closely.
In the time since the trial began, the technology industry has undergone great change and unprecedented growth. More than ever, the industry is vibrant and competitive: viable market alternatives have emerged, record levels of venture capital continue to flow into new technology start-ups and new innovations crop up almost daily.
Saying that it should be a national priority, Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith introduced legislation to improve benefits for veterans, military retirees and active personnel.
"The men and women who have served our country deserve fair and just compensation for all that they have sacrificed for America," Smith said. "I am very proud to introduce legislation that will help move Congress towards better treatment of our military personnel, veterans, and retirees."
The Enhancement of Military Benefits Act (EMBA) would do four important things:
Ninth District Congressman and New Democrat Coalition Communications Coordinator Adam Smith, joined by a bipartisan group of Members of Congress, today announced that he is an original co-sponsor of legislation to raise the H-1B caps and invest heavily in education and training efforts for U.S. workers.