Press Releases

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement concerning the Air Force’s draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for the aerial refueling tanker:

“I am pleased to see that the Department of Defense and the Air Force appear to have made positive adjustments to their draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for the aerial refueling tanker. The updated RFP for a new fleet of tankers will be released tomorrow. From my initial review, the new RFP seems to address a number of concerns raised in the last round of bidding, and will factor in the costs to operate, maintain, and base the aircraft over its service life. The new RFP also seems to more clearly lay out the overall criteria being used in the selection process and should help clarify the bidding process.

“In the coming days, I will review in much greater detail the new guidelines set forth in the tanker RFP to ensure they create a fair and transparent procurement process.  As the Air Force moves forward, I will follow the process closely to ensure all proposals are evaluated on equal merit. Any contract awarded must provide the best product to support our men and women in uniform in the most cost effective way possible.

“I hope that the new RFP will lead to an equitable and open tanker competition and ensure the mistakes of the past are not repeated.”

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement in regard to Russell Investments’ decision to move its headquarters from Tacoma to downtown Seattle:

“I am very disappointed in the Russell Company’s decision to relocate from Tacoma. Despite Russell’s decision to relocate, the business climate of Tacoma and the South Sound region remains desirable and highly competitive and I am confident our local economy will continue to grow and strengthen.

“The Washington delegation has been working for years with the City of Tacoma and all of Pierce County to ensure that the South Sound region remains attractive to employers. I have no doubt in the economic strength of our region and will continue to work on the federal level to improve, encourage and enhance growth in the South Sound.”
Washington, D.C.Today, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement based on news reports that the World Trade Organization’s interim ruling declared launch aid to Airbus  an illegal subsidy:

“It is clear from reports today that the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) interim ruling has concluded that European governments have illegally subsidized Airbus.  In siding with U.S. officials they agree, rather than competing on a level playing field with privately-financed, U.S.-built aircraft, European governments have violated WTO rules by providing launch aid to develop Airbus planes.

"These illegal subsidies for Airbus planes have distorted the industry, shifting market share toward Europe and away from U.S. aircraft manufacturing jobs.   As the U.S. and the world move toward economic recovery, it is vitally important to restore market balance for American workers.  

"European governments and Airbus should cease all plans for future launch aid and end their practice of unfair competitive advantage. Boeing workers are among the best in the world and can compete directly in the aerospace industry but, in order to do so, we must ensure that our trading partners and international businesses abide by the WTO’s rules."
Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) announced legislation that will improve health care while reducing costs.  

The Medicare and Medicaid Access Project through Information Technology will create a demonstration project using health information technology to manage chronic disease for Medicare and Medicaid patients.  

“To provide quality, affordable healthcare we must control costs and provide a method for chronic disease patients and doctors to more effectively coordinate care and manage medical information,” said Congressman Adam Smith. “Approximately 50% of individuals with chronic conditions do not follow their prescribed treatments to manage their disease, accounting for nearly 75 percent of our health care costs. By utilizing new technologies – as this project does – we can increase the efficiency of our healthcare system, improve the quality of care for Medicare and Medicaid patients and decrease costs to states and the federal government.”

The legislation calls for at least four demonstration projects that will give doctors, and caregivers tools to improve management of chronic disease patients’ medical records and provide patients the ability to track their own health information.  Using the virtual case management tool, doctors and caregivers will have access to complete information about the patient’s current treatment and health status.  Evaluations will follow the two-year demonstrations to determine how much money the project saved.

“There is no question we need to lower health care costs in our country, and this project can do so without jeopardizing patient care,” Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers said.  “Chronic disease management is one of the major cost drivers for Medicare and Medicaid, forcing states and the federal government to cut services and reimbursements for doctors.  By using technology to manage those diseases, we can improve health care for patients and lower costs.”
Today, Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) secured nearly $18 million for local defense related projects. The projects were including in the Defense Appropriations Act, which supports our troops by providing them with weapons and equipment necessary for our national defense and makes investments in their health, well-being and overall readiness.

“With two major military installations and thousands of military personnel in my district, I see first-hand the service these brave men and women provide for our country,” said Congressman Adam Smith. “So I am pleased to see that this bill provides a pay raise as well as key investments in their health and overall readiness. Our troops provide us a tremendous service, and this bill reflects our gratitude.”

The Defense Appropriations Act keeps our commitments to our troops and their families by including a 3.4% pay raise for our military, provides vital funding for first class medical care and strong support for military family advocacy programs. It also continues efforts to end the practice of “stop loss” and pays our troops an additional $500 for every month their term of service is involuntarily extended by that practice.

Additionally, for the first time since the beginning of operations in Iraq, this bill budgets for Overseas Deployment and other activities in Iraq and Afghanistan for the upcoming fiscal year. This legislation also makes a commitment to fiscal responsibility by reigning in outsourcing and putting Defense personnel, not contractors, in charge of critical department functions.

Smith was specifically able to secure funding for a number of local projects including:

  • $1.8 million: Portable Device for Latent Fingerprint Identification. This funding will be used to develop a portable device that will be used by operators in the field to search, capture, and identity latent fingerprints.
  • $1.0 million: Corrosion Detection and Visualization Program. This funding will be used to develop new inspection methods and procedures using magneto-optic imaging for F-15 aircraft that will eliminate the need to disassemble part of the aircraft.
  • $2.5 million: Western Regional Counterdrug Training Center. This funding will be used to re-establish a fifth counter-drug training center, which would be located at Camp Murray, Washington.
  • $2.0 million: Advanced Ground Electronic Warfare & Signals Intelligence System. This funding will be used to research and develop a unique, next generation system that will be used by military personnel on the ground to detect and jam enemy communications, IEDs, and other electronic warfare (EW) threats.
  • $2.5 million: Madigan Army Medical Center Trauma Assistance. This project provides critical trauma training for military medical personnel at local civilian hospitals.
  • $5.8 million: Institute for Simulation and Interprofessional Studies. This project will allow for the expanded  use of health care simulation technologies by the Department of Defense.
  • $2.0 million: Malaria Vaccine Development. This funding will be used for clinical trials on a second generation malaria vaccine.

The Defense Appropriations Act is one of 12 annual appropriations bills that fund Federal Government programs and services.  For a full summary of the bill visit the House Appropriations Committee.

The bill must now be approved by the Senate before it can be sent to the President to be signed in to law.