Press Releases
Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith today unveiled legislation to restructure the federal role in K-12 education.
"Currently the federal government places too much emphasis on process, bureaucracy, and paperwork, and not nearly enough on flexibility, local control, and results," Smith said. "We need a system that is more flexible, more controlled by locals, and focused on results. My legislation would do just that."
Smith will formally introduce the Empowering Local Schools Act (ELSA) upon Congress's return in late January.
Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith will speak at a TOGETHER board meeting located at the Lacey City Hall (420 College Street SE) from 12:30 to 1:30.
Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith (D-Washington) is joining Senator Joe Lieberman to support a revamp of the federal role in K-12 education and will introduce legislation in the House to do so when Congress reconvenes in 2000.
"The federal role in education has become too bureaucratic, diluted, and ineffective," said Smith. "It's time that Congress takes a comprehensive approach to how we can better serve our children."
Today Congressman Adam Smith will vote to restore cuts imposed on Medicare as part of the 1997 Balanced Budget Act.
Ninth District Congressman cited fiscal discipline and the need to make tough choices in maintaining a balanced budget as the reason for his vote to trim all discretionary spending by 1 percent.
"Fiscal responsibility is not easy," explained Smith. "This one percent reduction affects programs that are very popular and necessary. However, balancing the budget and being fiscally disciplined is incredibly important to our economic health and people's trust in government. Congress has to be willing to make the tough choices necessary to be fiscally disciplined."
Adam Smith (D-WA) and Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) are seeking to speed up the review process of the sale of U.S. high-powered computers.
According to current law, a Congressional review of high-powered computer exports must wait six month. In a letter today to Floyd Spence (R-SC), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Kennedy and Smith have asked for a 30-day review to streamline the process and maintain U.S. technological leadership and competitiveness in the industry.
Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith will vote for the comprehensive Shays-Meehan campaign finance reform legislation tonight on the House floor. Smith, a co-sponsor of the legislation, will also oppose several amendments designed to weaken or erode support for the bill.
Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith will present a donation of $500 to the Federal Way schools' Learning with Lap Top program and see a demonstration of the program on Tuesday, September 7, at 8:00 a.m. at Thomas Jefferson High School.
The $500 is from Smith's congressional pay raise. Although he voted against the pay raise, it became law and Smith promised to donate it to local education and community programs. The $500 will sponsor a student in the program for a year.
Ninth District Congressman recently toured the Auburn Boys and Girls Club and presented a donation of $250 from his Congressional pay raise.
Although Smith voted against a Congressional pay raise, Members of Congress received one. Smith has promised to donate his pay raise to education and other worthy programs throughout the Ninth District.