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July 23, 2002

Last night, the House voted to pass the Supplemental Appropriations bill, which designated $28.9 billion for emergency purposes. Among the projects deemed "emergency spending" were the conversion of Washington D.C.'s metro system fare vending machines to accept one dollar coins and mail service in rural Alaska. Controversial language providing trade protections for two textile states was also included in this bill. The Supplement also contained funds to make up for the President's cuts to important, ongoing government programs like Pell Grants and medical care for Veterans.


July 22, 2002

Today, the House rejected an attempt to reverse normal trade relations with Vietnam. The following is a statement from Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) on his support for continuing trade relations with Vietnam.


July 1, 2002

At a forum today on the uninsured crisis in America, Congressman Adam Smith (D-09, Tacoma) called on Congress to take action to help states deal with the ballooning numbers of uninsured individuals.

The forum offered a look at the nation's pending uninsured crisis, discussed ways in which small businesses in Washington can provide coverage to their employees at reasonable cost and presented both long- and short-term strategies to combat the problem.


June 27, 2002

Congressman Adam Smith (D-09, Tacoma) will spend July 1st talking with Seniors about problems with the Medicare program and describing some of his proposals to begin to address them. Some topics that Smith is likely to discuss during the day include the current decline in access to doctors, hospitals, nurses and home health care for seniors on Medicare in Washington state; rising prescription drug costs and lack of generics in the marketplace; and his "MediFAIR" bill, calling for fairness in national Medicare reimbursement rates. The following is the schedule of events for the day:


June 27, 2002

Congressman Adam Smith (D-09, Tacoma) will host a forum on July 2 to open a dialogue about how to ensure that every Washingtonian has access to quality health care. With the state currently in an economic downturn, it is more important than ever to make sure that people are getting the help they need and aren't falling through the cracks in the system.

Of the 43 million uninsured Americans, seven out of every ten have a connection to the workplace and beginning to address the problem by making employer-sponsored health coverage more affordable and more accessible makes sense.


June 26, 2002

New Democrat Coalition (NDC) co-chair Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today joined other NDC members to unveil the group's "e-genda 2002." The annually released document is the NDC's comprehensive technology policy agenda, outlining goals and priorities for the coming year.


June 11, 2002

On June 22, Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) will host a town hall meeting in Auburn with interested district residents to talk about transportation issues in the state. All district residents are invited join him for an open dialogue on this and other important community issues ' including the economy, energy, tax cuts and education.


June 5, 2002

Today, the House passed the Estate Tax Repeal Act, H.R. 2143. The following is a statement from Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) on the circumstances surrounding his decision to vote against its passage, breaking with his previous support of the repeal.

"Fiscal responsibility must be a guiding principle of our government. My constituents have told me again and again that government must live within its means and balance the budget. I agree and have consistently fought for more fiscal discipline.


May 27, 2002

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.-09) today introduced legislation alongside Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) to rectify the nation's Medicare reimbursement rate inequalities. The legislation is co-sponsored by Washington Representatives Norm Dicks (D-06), Jim McDermott (D-07), Brian Baird (D-03), Jay Inslee (D-01), and Rick Larsen (D-02).


May 27, 2002

Congressman Adam Smith (D-09, Tacoma) will spend May 30 outlining his agenda for economic growth and development in the South Sound region. The following is the schedule of events for the day:

Members of the media are invited and encouraged to attend these meetings. For further information or to speak with Smith during the day, please contact Katharine Lister in the district on cell at (202) 225-6902.