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U.S. Rep. Adam Smith Statement on His Visit to Iraq with U.S. Troops and Iraqi Government Officials

December 2, 2005

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) made the following statement today following his return from a recent trip to Iraq where he visited with troops, military leaders and Iraqi government officials:

“Our troops deserve the highest praise for their hard work and dedication to their mission in Iraq. Over and over again, I encountered our servicemen and women and witnessed their dedication to their mission and to the Iraqi people. Despite the difficulties they face, they are working nobly and earnestly to help make Iraq a better and safer place. I join with all Americans in saluting our troops in Iraq.

Progress is being made in Iraq. However, the Bush Administration’s failure of leadership has made the tasks of our servicemen and women more difficult than it had to be. Disbanding the Iraqi army, failing to adequately plan for winning the peace and our arrogant, unilateral approach to the reconstruction of Iraq were just a few of several large mistakes.

Elections for a new democratically-elected Iraqi government will occur on December 15th. After those elections, we must move quickly to turn over more responsibility to that government. While I think it’s problematic to immediately withdraw our troops, I recognize that our presence in Iraq is also a unifying force that brings together ex-Saddam loyalists, disgruntled Sunnis, and foreign terrorists.  Our troops have become the rallying point of the insurgency that they have been asked to contain.  Reducing our troop levels and making it clear we will not have permanent military bases in Iraq will undercut the insurgents’ support by showing Iraqis that we are not there as occupiers. By reducing our troops in an orderly way after this election, it will give the government more legitimacy by showing that they are truly responsible for stabilizing their country. 

The strain on our troops is evident and our military is stretched too thin. We need to accelerate and enhance the training of Iraqi troops in order to make Iraqis responsible for their own security.  As Iraqis stand up more competent security forces, we can drawdown our forces more quickly so that Iraqis have a clear signal that we are leaving, and so the Iraqi government becomes less dependent on U.S. protection.

Regardless of why we went to war or what mistakes have been made thus far in Iraq, we must focus now on getting it right, as failure could mean a greater threat down the road.  But we must also be realistic about our goals and move swiftly to achieve them so that we can bring our troops home as soon as possible.”

U.S. Representative Adam Smith Denounces Flawed Republican Resolution to Immediately Withdraw All U.S. Military Forces from Iraq

November 18, 2005

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) made the following statement concerning the resolution to immediately withdraw all troops from Iraq:

“Yesterday, Congressman John Murtha spoke out on our nation’s policy on Iraq.  When it comes to defense policy, John Murtha is one of the most respected Members of Congress.  He is a decorated Marine who served for 37 years and did three tours in Vietnam.  Few in Congress have done more than John Murtha to improve our nation’s security, provide protection and equipment for our troops and make our military the strongest in the world.  I have the greatest respect for his expertise and his commitment to our troops.

The resolution that was before the House today was not John Murtha’s proposal.  The Republican proposal we had to vote on was grossly irresponsible, as it called for the immediate withdrawal of all U.S. military forces from Iraq. Any withdrawal must be done in a thoughtful and deliberate manner which is not reflected in the resolution before the House. We need to develop a real and effective strategy for handing over to the Iraqis responsibility for running their nation. This resolution was a blatant political ploy that does a disservice not only to the House but to our troops serving in Iraq. 

In one week, I am making my second trip to Iraq.  While there, I will meet with soldiers and military leaders on the ground.  It is important for me to gain this firsthand information in order to determine the best way forward.

Congress needs to have a serious debate on Iraq policy, including hearings and floor debates. Tonight’s resolution was a political stunt that did not contribute to the sorely needed dialogue on such an important issue.”

U.S. Representative Adam Smith Secures Funding for Local Projects in Transportation Conference Report

November 18, 2005

Today, U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) voted for the conference report on the Fiscal Year 2006 Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, and the District of Columbia. This bill provides funding for these federal agencies and the District of Columbia.

“In a difficult budget year, I was pleased that I was able to secure funding for two high priority projects, the Foss Waterway Development Authority in Tacoma ($200,000) and a transit facility/parking garage near Highline Community College ($850,000),” said Smith. “The funds will be used to make these important assets in our community more accessible to the public.”

The funding to the Foss Waterway Development Authority will be used to supplement a similar sized contribution by the City of Tacoma to restore an historic city wharf and construct a public esplanade. Once these funds are dedicated, an additional $15.4 million in private funding will be used to restore an adjacent historic building, part of which sits on the wharf, and that houses a non-profit maritime museum and education facility.

The funds for the transit facility will be used to fund an initial study, planning and design of the Intermodal transit facility and parking garage for Southwest King County and Highline Community College.

“This project is important to the community and will dramatically improve transit and vehicular access for Highline Community College students as well as commuters,” said Smith. “Located next to the college, the facility will be a transit hub and will hold approximately 600 parking spots. Transit accessibility is an important component of reducing stress on employees and students as well as providing enhanced transit and transportation options for the surrounding community.”

Construction for the facility is scheduled to begin in 2006. The facility will provide essential access to transit service for local residents and offer transit transfer options for commuters, patients and students of Highline Hospital and Highline College. It will also offer park-and-ride options for commuters, connections and storage for bicycle commuters, and dedicated stalls for van pool/ car pool parking and community flex cars.

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith Votes Against Ill-Conceived Budget Reconciliation Bill

November 18, 2005

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) made the following statement concerning the Budget Reconciliation:

“Today, the Republican majority, once again, forced critically important legislation through the House with no bi-partisan support and by a vote of 217-215.  In order to offset anticipated tax cuts of over $100 billion, the House Reconciliation bill cuts an estimated $50 billion over five years from vital services like Medicaid, food stamps, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs which directly help disadvantaged Americans. While I strongly believe in fiscal discipline, we should not balance the budget on the backs of those Americans that need help the most, while giving the most affluent in our country additional tax breaks.  This simply is not consistent with the priorities and values of the American people. 

 It is truly disturbing that the Republican leadership thinks it is a good idea to increase the federal debt and slash funds to important programs and initiatives crucial to the most vulnerable in our society.  Astonishingly, when combined with the proposed new tax cuts, the Republican budget policies could increase the deficit by $100 billion.  The majority’s claims that this measure will help balance the budget are hypocritical at best.  This is reckless spending from a party that once claimed to believe in fiscal responsibility, and it comes at a time when the national debt exceeds $8 trillion and the annual cost of interest on the debt has increased to over $300 billion a year.

I will continue to work with my colleagues, from both sides of the aisle, to craft legislation that seeks to balance our budget, while also maintaining access to health care and education for all Americans.  Together, America can do better than a deficit reduction bill that fails to live up to the values of America’s working families.”

U.S. Representative Adam Smith Votes for Raise in Veterans' Health Care and Military Quality of Life Conference Report

November 18, 2005

Today, U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) voted for the Conference Report on the FY 2006, Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. This bill rectifies the shortfall in veterans’ health care and also included Smith’s request for a $1.42 million earmark for construction of the Homeland Security Multi-Functional Education Center at Camp Murray, near Tacoma, Washington.

“Included in today’s bill was an additional $1.2 billion to remedy the shortfall in veterans’ health care for this year,” said Smith. “This funding is a result of Democrats working with veterans’ organizations throughout the year to put the pressure on the Republican leadership to make sure that veterans get the benefits they deserve.

Smith also notes that, “more than 50,000 veterans are waiting in line for at least six months for veterans’ health care, and the number of new enrollees waiting for their first appointment has increased by over 500 percent in the last year.  That problem will only get worse with the growing numbers of returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan.  It is long past time for veterans to get the health care funding that they deserve.”

Also included in the bill was a $1.42 million earmark for construction of the Homeland Security Multi-Functional Education Center at Camp Murray.

This funding would go toward the construction of a 6,190 square foot, single story multi-functional Homeland Security educational center.

“The lack of proper facilities has a negative impact and individual readiness of our Guardsmen and women,” said Smith. “This directly improves the readiness of Army National Guard units as well as first responders in the supported area.”

Training is currently being conducted in a WWII-era wooden building modified to administrative and educational spaces, without adequate sanitary facilities, HVAC, fire protection, or functional work space. The new facility will support the 205th Training Regiment of the Washington Army National Guard, which has the mission of training Guard units in the Pacific Northwest.

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