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Smith Urges Vote on Manufacturing Tax Credit

February 26, 2004

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) called on his colleagues in the U.S. House to immediately pass legislation to provide a manufacturing tax credit to help the country’s struggling economy and avoid pending European trade sanctions on American goods and services.   

“Congress has been idle on this issue for too long,” Smith said.  “If we don’t act soon, European trade sanctions will hurt American workers and American businesses.  We need to address this problem now, and I believe a manufacturing tax credit is the right solution.  It will keep the United States in compliance with WTO regulations and help spur our struggling manufacturing industries and most importantly, its workers. In the last 3 years alone, Washington state has lost over 66,000 manufacturing jobs.”

The World Trade Organization (WTO) authorized the European Union to implement hundreds of millions of dollars in retaliatory trade sanctions unless the United States repeals a current tax advantage for exporters that amounts to an illegal subsidy, according to the WTO.  The sanctions are scheduled to go into effect Monday, March 1st, unless Congress takes action now.

“If the Europeans implement these tariffs on American goods and services, it will be yet another blow to our already struggling economy,” Smith said.  “It’s irresponsible for the Congressional leadership to ignore the problem and refuse to act.”

Smith supports bipartisan legislation to repeal the tax measure in question and replace it with a manufacturing tax credit.  H.R. 1769, sponsored by Democrat Charlie Rangel and Republican Phil Crane, would lower taxes for manufacturers who employ people in the United States.  It is co-sponsored by 154 Members of Congress.

Since the Republican leadership has not yet put H.R. 1769 on the agenda, Smith today took the first steps necessary to force action.  He joined colleagues in signing a discharge petition, which will force a floor vote on the legislation when 218 Members
 

Smith Outlines Vision for American Foreign Policy

January 30, 2004

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) spoke today to students, staff and community leaders at the University of Washington on progressive internationalism and sustainable development.

In his speech, Smith stated, “We are at war with al Qaeda and w must fight terrorism throughout the globe and here at home. We must deal with the threat of failed states. We must promote economic engagement throughout the world. Diseases like AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis are enormous challenges to stability and economic growth in developing nations.”

He goes on to state, “The White House has gone out of their way to push away friends, embolden critics and undermine any sense of progressive internationalism. Working with our allies and with institutions is simply the most effective way to keep America safe and strong. We cannot simply impose our will on others or pursue a narrow, myopic nationalism. In order to remain true to our best values, we must lead the world toward political and economic freedom.”

The complete text of the speech is available at: http://www.house.gov/adamsmith/SustainableDevelopment.htm

Smith's Response to President's State of the Union

January 20, 2004

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) issued the following statement in response to President George Bush’s State of the Union address this evening:

“While the President outlined a number of issues that were important to his agenda, what struck me was what he didn’t elaborate on – the exploding federal debt, a real plan for job creation and a strategy for reinvigorating our foreign policy and repairing damaged relations with our allies.

The Bush Administration has squandered historic budget surpluses and now has annual budget deficits of nearly $500 billion – a collapse of fiscal discipline that will lead to a $5 trillion national debt over the next decade. We must roll back the components of the Bush tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the very wealthiest and we need to show restraint on large new spending programs. The Administration’s suggestion that their tax cuts have been only a minor factor in the fiscal deterioration is wrong…the tax cuts are the largest single contributor to the deterioration of our budget outlook.

Along with the exploding federal debt, we are experiencing the greatest job loss in a recovery since the Great Depression.  Almost 2.5 million jobs have been lost in the past two years. Last month, only 1000 jobs were created. Clearly, there needs to be more opportunities for America’s workers to regain their footing. Long-term unemployment is close to a 20-year high because the labor market is so weak. The administration’s major initiative to help the struggling manufacturing sector so far has been the appointment of a new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services. We need to repeal tax cuts for the very wealthiest, let other tax cuts expire and extend benefits for the long-term unemployed. Sustained growth is necessary to bring the labor market out of its slump.  However, the large deficits, exacerbated in part by the past two tax cuts, undermine this goal.

Finally, we need to repair our relations with our allies across the world.  For example, we need to internationalize our efforts in Iraq.  No matter where people stood on the war resolution, we all have a responsibility to help Iraq through this period of political and economic reconstruction.  Although the Administration has shown some interest in getting the United Nations involved in Iraq again, we need to reach out to all of our allies through direct and personal involvement.  It is time to match words with actions.”

Smith Congratulates Dupont Fire Department on Securing Federal Funds

January 12, 2004

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) have awarded the Dupont Fire Department more than $116,000.  This one year grant was awarded to enhance their effectiveness by purchasing breathing apparatus, protective clothing and the funds will also be used for increased survivor training.

“This is a great way for the federal government to help out our local communities as these grants provide our local firefighters with the tools they need to do their jobs safely and more efficiently,” Smith said. “Our nation’s fire departments are the first responders to almost every emergency situation and this grant program is one of the ways that we can help to ensure their continued safety as they face a variety of threats.  This is a great program for our local first responders and I’m looking forward to expanding the number of Ninth District applicants to federal grant programs like this in the future.”

Smith Travels to Honduras to Study Sustainable Development

January 8, 2004

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) will be traveling to Honduras January 10th – 15th, 2004 to study the impact of sustainable development on Honduras and Central America.  During his trip, sponsored by Global Partnerships and the Seattle Initiative for Global Development, Smith will meet with several groups, public officials, and NGO leaders to examine the range of issues, opportunities and challenges facing America’s relationship with Honduras and this critical region.  Highlights of the trip include a visit to the Mixed Cooperative of United Women (COMIXUL), which is a microfinance institution that focuses on microcredit and its impact; a visit to microcredit programs where Smith can see firsthand the impact of solidarity groups and village banking methods and he will visit local people who have participated in microcredit lending.  Smith will also receive briefings from the U.S. Embassy in Honduras on the impact of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and will conduct field visits to small and micro enterprise development programs to see, first hand, rural development programs at work.

“This trip is critical to my understanding of the economic and social situation in Honduras and Central America as a whole,” said Smith. “It is important to see first hand the impact of good, sustainable development programs in this growing economy.”

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