Press Releases

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member, Congressman Adam Smith, released the following statement after Senator John Kerry was nominated to serve as the next Secretary of State:

“Senator John Kerry will make an exceptional Secretary of State. I have worked with John for years, and his understanding of our nation’s foreign policy challenges is second to none. As Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, he also fully understands the power of diplomacy, and using soft power to achieve our national security objectives. This understanding will be key to his success.

“Senator Kerry is a skilled speaker, and a strategic thinker and he will be an essential addition to President Obama’s national security team. I look forward to working with him.”

###

Washington, DC- Today, 7 members of the Washington State Congressional Delegation applauded the release (link to report here) of the Washington Military Alliance’s report as an important step in gaining a better understanding of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) footprint in Washington State.  DoD’s investment represents over 4 percent of the State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), so it is critical to evaluate the assets Washington has and how they fit into the DoD’s future plans.

Following the release of the report on Tuesday, December 18th , Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), together with Representatives Adam Smith (D-WA-09), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Norm Dicks (D-WA-06), Rick Larsen (D-WA-02) and Jim McDermott(D-WA-07) issued the following joint statement:

“We applaud the Washington Military Alliance (WMA), Governor Christine Gregoire, and the completion of this report that details the critical role Washington defense communities play in our national security and the opportunities they have to enhance that role in the future.  In light of potential cuts to the defense budget, this report outlines steps that local, State, and Federal entities can take to continue working together to support and enhance the vital contributions that Washington State makes to our national security.

“We recognize the proud military history our state has and we look forward to continuing to work together as a delegation with the Governor-elect to support local stakeholders and our military installations, servicemembers, and their families.”

The Washington Military Alliance brings together representatives from community groups and organizations to promote military economic development in Washington State.  The Alliance meets regularly to coordinate priorities and recommend actions as military budget decisions are considered.

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith released the following statement on the passing of Senator Daniel Inouye:

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Senator Daniel Inouye.

"Senator Inouye was a true American hero and dedicated his life to public service.  He served in World War II, where he received a Medal of Honor, was elected Hawaii’s first Congressman, tirelessly advocated for veterans, spoke out for minority rights, was the highest ranking Asian American politician ever, and never stopped fighting for his constituents.

"Senator Inouye always put his country above politics, and he was a model for elected officials everywhere."

Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement on the shooting in Newtown, CT:

"I am stunned and saddened by this horrific shooting.  As a father of young children, my heart goes out to the families and friends of all the victims of the attack in Newtown, Connecticut.  We must stand together and support this community in the weeks to come as they recover from this tragedy."

United States Representatives Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) and Adam Smith (D-WA), Co-Chairman of the Congressional Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance, today (12/12) applauded the introduction of the Global Partnerships Act of 2012, H.R. 6644 as an important step in moving the debate forward on how to make foreign assistance more effective, transparent, and accountable.
 
Following the introduction of the bill on Wednesday, December 12 by Howard Berman, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Crenshaw and Smith issued the following statement:
 
“As Co-Chairs of the Caucus, we applaud Congressman Berman’s efforts, with the introduction of the Global Partnerships Act of 2012, to lay out a foundation for true progress in the delivery of foreign assistance.  Using the successful and proven models of innovative programs like PEPFAR and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the Global Partnerships Act outlines a comprehensive framework to transform the donor-recipient relationship to one of equal partners working toward mutually agreed and mutually beneficial goals. 
 
“More importantly, the proposal shifts reliance on foreign assistance decisions to our local partners and our own development professionals and seeks an outcome-oriented process where the focus is on what we achieve.  Like the models noted above, this new framework holds both sides accountable for results.  We should expect nothing less from the valuable resources the American people contribute to foreign assistance.
 
“In light of negotiations to avert a fiscal cliff and attempts to get spending under control, foreign assistance dollars have once again come under attack, with some arguing that the United States can no longer afford it.  We must not lose sight of the fact that foreign assistance makes up only one percent of the federal budget. Simply eliminating these essential programs does not solve our fiscal problems. 
 
“Our security and economy benefit from peace and prosperity in the rest of the world.  With effective foreign assistance, the United States can advance its interests and enhance national security by promoting stability through protecting basic individual rights, providing for essential human needs, resolving conflicts peacefully, and seeing that resources are used wisely.
 
“Our development policies and delivery of assistance abroad are improving, but there is still much more to be done.  By advancing the debate on this issue, we can move toward better coordination at home and internationally by clarifying roles and identifying effective strategies.” 
 
BACKGROUND:  Crenshaw and Smith launched the Congressional Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance in May of 2012.  Created for the purposes of examining the way the United States currently delivers foreign assistance, the Caucus will continue to explore success stories found in the efficient delivery of assistance with the goal of helping to further the overall effectiveness of foreign assistance.