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Smith Statements on House Budget Votes

April 10, 2014

Congressman Smith released the following statement on the budget votes in the House today:

“Since the economic recession, many hardworking Americans have been pushed out of the economy because they can’t find a job or have one that doesn’t pay enough to make ends meet.  Only a small percentage of Americans are sharing in economic growth and income inequality has reached heights not seen since before the Great Depression.  Our nation needs a budget that is focused on expanding economic opportunity, investing in innovation and infrastructure, and creating jobs to strengthen the middle class.
 
“That is why I supported both the Van Hollen Budget and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) budget today.  These budgets recognize that extending emergency unemployment insurance, raising the minimum wage, and protecting programs like SNAP and Head Start provide essential support for hard-working Americans trying to find work in a recovering economy.  The budgets also provide critical relief from sequestration and bolsters investments in education, job training, and innovation that will help create jobs.  These policies set reasonable goals for decreasing our debt and deficit while maintaining investments in jobs and our economy right now.
 
“Unfortunately, the budget passed by House Republicans today not only fails to recognize the challenges facing our country, but also moves us in the wrong direction.  The Ryan budget radically dismantles Medicare by turning the system into a voucher program. It also cuts funding for programs like SNAP and
Head Start, while slashing investments in innovation, education, and worker training programs that have been essential in helping families get back to work in a slowly recovering economy.  And it makes these cuts without asking the wealthier to pay a penny more.  The policies in this budget would be devastating to seniors, the middle class, and the poor, while giving even more tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans who have already benefitted massively over the last decade from the Bush tax cuts.
 
“As the budget debate continues, I will work with my colleagues to promote policies that promote economic opportunity, reduce income inequality, and create jobs. Unfortunately, the Republican budget passed today ignores the real challenges our country faces and slashes critical programs that invest in our future.”

Smith Statement on Equal Pay Day

April 8, 2014

Congressman Smith released the following statement in recognition of Equal Pay Day:

“Equal Pay Day serves as a reminder of the discrimination that women face in the workplace.   Over 50 years ago the Equal Pay Act became law, but women in the United States still face a significant pay gap.  Women make up half of the workforce, yet earn only 77 cents for every dollar that men earn.  This disparity exists for all levels of education and occupation.  
 
“This is not just a women’s issue.  With women’s wages continuing to make up a growing share of family incomes, pay inequality negatively impacts both children and spouses as well.
 
“As we recognize Equal Pay Day, it is critical that Congress continues to push for the Paycheck Fairness Act that would fight to end gender-based wage discrimination. Additionally, I commend the President on his recent executive actions promoting equal pay in the federal workforce by banning federal contractors from retaliating against employees for discussing compensation and directing the Secretary of Labor to collect data on compensation paid to federal employees.  When women are paid equally for equal work, it benefits us all.”

Congressman Smith Statement on SCOTUS Decision in McCutcheon Case

April 2, 2014

Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement after the Supreme Court of the United States’ (SCOTUS) decision in McCutcheon v. FEC case:

“I am disappointed by the SCOTUS decision today that struck down limits in the federal law that restricted how much individuals could donate to campaigns, parties, or political action committees.  This ruling will put even more political influence in the hands of an extremely small percentage of wealthy people and limit opportunities for candidates that lack the support of wealthy donors from winning office.

“In order to maintain the democratic election process, we need a system where all citizens are empowered and able to participate.  A viable public financing system would help to ensure that all of our citizens, regardless of economic resources, have a powerful voice.  That is why I am a cosponsor of the Government By the People Act which would allow candidates to run competitive campaigns by relying on small dollar donors and reduce the influence of big money in politics.”


Smith Statement on Paul Ryan Budget

April 2, 2014

Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement after Representative Paul Ryan released his budget proposal for FY2015:

“As we continue to recover from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, we need a budget that expands economic opportunity.  This requires a focus on increased job training and improvements to education, while also supporting hardworking Americans who have been pushed out of the economy by restoring unemployment benefits, raising the minimum wage, and expanding the earned income tax credit.  Additionally, the budget must invest in innovation, infrastructure, and advancing comprehensive immigration reform to create jobs and strengthen the middle class.  
 
“The Republican budget introduced yesterday not only fails to accomplish these goals, it goes in the opposite direction.  The proposal would be devastating to seniors, the middle class, and the poor, while giving even more tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans who have already benefitted massively over the last decade from the Bush tax cuts. The Ryan budget radically dismantles Medicare by turning the system into a voucher program. It also cuts funding for programs like SNAP and Head Start, while slashing critical investments in innovation, education, and worker training programs that have been essential in helping families get back to work in a slowly recovering economy.  And it makes these cuts without asking the wealthier to pay a penny more.
 
“While Ryan’s budget does increase the Defense Budget in future years, it does so at the expense of the investments we need here at home. It is impossible to maintain a strong national defense if we do not maintain our economic prowess. By slashing important programs that invest in our future, this Republican proposal short-changes our economy, the American people and our national defense.”


Smith Expresses Concerns about Hunger Strike, Deportation Policy to DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson

March 24, 2014

Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement after speaking with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson about the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) and deportation policy:

“I had a productive conversation with the DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson.  I spoke with him about my recent visit to the NWDC and made sure he was fully aware of all the concerns that were brought to my attention by the detainees I met with, their friends and relatives, and advocates in the community.  Secretary Johnson has visited a detention facility in Texas and plans to visit more in the near future.  I asked that he continue to visit facilities and invited him to come see the NWDC in Tacoma in hopes that these visits will lead to a review of policies at detention centers.  
 
“Additionally, we spoke about the issue of deportation.  I expressed my concerns about the rising number of immigrants being deported and how this has a devastating impact on families in our community.  Secretary Johnson understands these concerns and ensured me that DHS is reviewing all deportation policies, as the President announced this week.  I have a great working relationship with Secretary Johnson from his tenure at the Defense Department, and I look forward to continuing working with him in his new capacity on this issue.”
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