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Smith Statement on the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center

February 28, 2012

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) today made the following statement in response to the Executive Order signed by President Obama establishing the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center (ITEC):

“The creation of an Interagency Trade Enforcement Center is an important step forward toward ensuring that our trading partners are held accountable when they violate international agreements and, importantly enabling American workers to compete fairly in the global marketplace.

“Coordinating the relevant agencies and increasing resources to investigate unfair trade practices by our competitors is critical to our economy’s growth and is essential to putting more Americans back to work. As the fourth largest exporter in the country, we must level the playing field for Washington State products that face unfair trade practices and subsidies by foreign countries.

“I’m pleased the Administration has shown a real commitment to American economic growth and I am confident the Enforcement Center will continue to help secure economic prosperity and advance American interests.”

Ranking Member Smith’s Statement on Sentencing of “Underwear Bomber”

February 16, 2012

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith released the following statement after Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab received a life sentence in a federal courtroom this afternoon.
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House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith released the following statement after Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab received a life sentence in a federal courtroom this afternoon:

“The life sentence given to Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab by a federal court in Detroit this afternoon demonstrations that our federal court system is fully capable of bringing terrorist to justice. It is now clear, without a doubt, that the terrorist who sought kill innocent Americans will spend the rest of his life behind bars and far, far away from the battle field.

“I agree with Attorney General Holder that ‘today's sentence once again underscores the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in both incapacitating terrorists and gathering valuable intelligence from them.’ I applaud our domestic law enforcement agencies who played an active role in apprehending AbdulMutallab and bringing him to justice."

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Smith Joins Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus

February 15, 2012

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) today made the following statement after becoming one of 11 new members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
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Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) today made the following statement after becoming one of 11 new members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus:
"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). My district has strong and active Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and I’m proud to represent them as one of the newest CAPAC members.

“I look forward to working with my peers on the caucus to continue addressing the unique issues facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and to ensure their voices are heard."

Washington State’s 9th district is home to more than 60,000 Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and people of Asian descent. Thirty-three percent of the foreign languages spoken by residents of the 9th district are Asian Pacific.

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

For more information on CAPAC, visit http://capac.chu.house.gov/.

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Smith Statement on Same-Sex Marriage Legislation

February 13, 2012

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) today released the following statement after Gov. Gregoire signed a measure legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington State into law:

“I am pleased to see the progress Washington State has made in recognizing marriages for same-sex couples. No couple should be denied the opportunity to enter into marriage and build a life together based on love, commitment, and mutual support. This is why I am a co-sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which would allow the Federal government to recognize marriages that are currently legal in individual states.

“The passage of landmark legislation that allows all couples the ability to join in marriage moves us closer to becoming a more equal and fair society. But while we have made tremendous strides, more work must be done to achieve a society that provides all people with equal opportunity and basic human dignity.

“I am committed to protecting the rights of all men and women to love and honor their spouses and I look forward to working with my colleagues to see that marriage for all couples becomes a national reality.”
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Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on Defense Budget

February 13, 2012

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith made the following statement after the release of the FY2013 Department of Defense Budget:

“Earlier this year, the President released the findings of a strategic review, which clearly articulated the global threat environment, and presented a broad strategy to address those threats moving forward. The budget released today supports that strategy by ensuring that our military has the tools and resources necessary to deter, confront and defeat threats wherever they may emerge.

“This is the right way to develop a defense budget - generate a coherent strategy, and then provide resources to fund that strategy. I applaud the President for initiating the strategic review process and I applaud former Secretary Gates and current Secretary of Defense Panetta for effectively carrying it out.

“I have consistently said that we can rationally evaluate our national security strategy, our defense expenditures, and the current set of missions we ask the military to undertake and come up with a strategy that enhances national security by spending taxpayer dollars more wisely and effectively. I believe this budget meets that goal.

“This budget is also fully consistent with the funding levels set by the Budget Control Act passed by Congress. Although I did not support this act, many members of the House Armed Services Committee did so, Congress passed it, and the Department of Defense has submitted a budget that complies with the congressionally-mandated funding levels.

“Over the last few years, our military has put together a significant string of foreign policy successes, including the death of bin Laden, Anwar Al-Awlaki, the elimination of much of al Qaeda's leadership, the end of the war in Iraq, and supporting the uprising in Libya. The budget lays out a strategy that will enable the United States to build on those successes and confront the threats of today as well as in the future."

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