News

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) introduced a bill at the end of last week to improve the quality of life for the U.S. military through increased access to education.

Smith's "Expanding Education for Military Families Act of 2003," H.R. 2764, would give all active-duty personnel the option of transferring their educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) to family members if they agree to serve at least 10 years and would extend the time period for service members to decide whether or not to sign up for MGIB benefits to six months.

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today requested a study from the Government Accounting Office (GAO) on issues related to offshore IT services outsourcing. Smith was joined on the letter by Congressman Jay Inslee (D-Wash.).

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) and Sara Smith welcomed their second child, son Jack Evers Smith into the world at 12:58pm today. Jack Evers Smith was born at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. Both mother and child are doing very well and expected to go home in a few days.

The Smiths' first child, a daughter Kendall, was born in August of 2000.

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program has approved $2.7 million for the King County Police Department to help pay for the salary and benefits to hire additional sworn officers to perform community policing and homeland security activities.

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) announced this morning that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) office of Community Planning and Development has awarded the City of Kent a grant for $973,000 and the City of Lakewood a grant of $806,000.

"These grants are very exciting for the cities of Kent and Lakewood and their citizens," Smith said. "The funding will allow these cities to undertake housing and community development activities that will benefit low and moderate income residents. This will provide a tremendous boost for both Kent and Lakewood."

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) announced today that in order to ensure he doesn't miss the birth of his second child in mid-June, he will remain in Washington state through the month of June and return to D.C. in July for votes.

"Being 2,500 miles away when you're expecting a child gives you a 50-50 chance of making it back in time for the birth," Smith said. "Those odds aren't good enough - I can't miss the birth of my child. The baby could come at any time and I need to be there for my wife, my daughter and the new baby."

Today, Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.), joined by several colleagues in the House and Senate, introduced legislation to increase trade with the Middle East and Muslim world, "The Middle East Trade and Engagement Act of 2003."

In the absence of attention to critical New Economy issues, the New Democrat Coalition today releases "e-genda 2003," its fifth comprehensive technology policy agenda. The New Democrat Coalition is committed to continuing to lead the way in promoting policies to grow and expand the New Economy and to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to succeed in it.