Congressmen Adam Smith (WA-09) and Dave Reichert (WA-08) released the following statement after hosting the Help Identify Real Employment (HIRE) for America Jobs Fair at the ShoWare Center in Kent where nearly 2,400 job seekers met with 90 local employers:

“I am extremely proud that thousands of job seekers joined me and Congressman Reichert to meet with more than 90 employers at today’s event," said Smith. "Our goal is to put Americans back to work, and it starts by making sure we connect employers with potential employees who have matching skills and needs.  That is exactly what happened today. This bipartisan effort brought our community together to address the most important issue our country faces right now, and we’re grateful to everyone who participated for making it a success.”  

“The HIRE America jobs fair was a success,” said Reichert. “I spent the entire day talking with local employers and job seekers, hoping to fill hundreds of jobs. It’s too early to tell exactly how many positions will be filled but I’m confident, after speaking with those in attendance, that today’s bipartisan effort was effective. I spoke with constituents who were eager to make an impression and employers who were energized by their interviews with capable candidates. What a blessing it would be to a family, a business, and the community if we can place one employed person in a new position this holiday season.

“The community pulled together to make this successful event possible. I plan to take this best practice – along with a strong spirit of bipartisan cooperation – to Washington, DC in hopes of spreading this message with my colleagues.”

WASHINGTON - Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following statement today following his No vote on the Balanced Budget Amendment:

"I opposed the balanced budget amendment considered by the House for two reasons.  First, it does nothing to address the immediate challenges we face in our budget or in this economic crisis.  Congress has repeatedly created commissions or rhetorically claimed that at some future date they will try to get our federal deficit under control.  But that's the easy part.  The tough part is actually cutting the spending and raising the revenue necessary to get us on a path to fiscal responsibility.  This amendment again failed to do that. I strongly believe that Congress passing a ten-year plan that cuts spending and raises revenue in a way that gives people confidence that our government will finally get its fiscal house in order is a critical part of solving our economic crisis.  But this bill simply delayed the tough decisions necessary to make that happen.

"I also oppose this amendment because there are rare circumstances when running an annual deficit is necessary. In an economic crisis or national emergency, requiring a balanced budget would have a devastating impact on our economy. If this amendment were in effect during the 2008 financial crisis, it would have required deep spending cuts or tax increases at a time when such action would have made our economy much worse.

"Congress has the power to do what is necessary to balance the budget without a restrictive constitutional amendment. We don’t need another distraction. We must make the tough decisions on what spending to cut and what revenues to raise."

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