Press Releases

Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith has co-sponsored legislation to reduce the federal tax on vaccines from 75 cents to 25 cents.

"This legislation will save consumers and states money," said Smith. "This is common sense legislation that substantially reduces the cost of vaccines, an important part of basic health care for children and adults alike, without negative effects."

Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith today voted for legislation to substantially increase research in long-term information technology and networking.

H.R. 2086, the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act, provides a 92 percent increase in information technology funding over the next five years for the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Energy Department, the National Institute for Standards and Technology, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith today said that the new bipartisan focus on debt reduction is "a critical development in ensuring continued economic success."

Smith noted, "President Clinton strongly emphasized fiscal discipline and paying down the debt in last night's State of the Union Address, and Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle were very supportive."

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.