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Smith, Khanna Statement in Support of UN Envoy Martin Griffiths Peace Efforts in Yemen

July 6, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Ro Khanna (D-CA) today issued the following statement:

“As leaders on the House Armed Services Committee, we commend United Nations Special Envoy Martin Griffiths for his tireless efforts to advance negotiations between the warring parties in Yemen. When the National Defense Authorization Act reaches the House floor, we intend to offer an amendment that highlights congressional support for the United Nations’ diplomatic process.

“We encourage the Administration to use the full weight of its diplomatic resources and influence to support the United Nations’ ongoing negotiation efforts to achieve an end to the conflict in Yemen, and press all parties to end restrictions on the movement of persons and humanitarian and commercial imports. Furthermore, we encourage the Administration to end all U.S. military support for the Saudi and UAE-led coalition’s war against the Houthis, including intelligence sharing, logistical support, provision of spare parts to coalition members flying warplanes, and arms transfers.

“The negotiations process facilitated by Special Envoy Griffiths is critical to secure a peaceful solution in Yemen. The U.S. government as a whole should fully support the efforts of UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, and all parties to the conflict in Yemen, and other participating countries in the US-backed Saudi-led coalition should:

  • Immediately halt fighting;
  • Release detainees and those forcibly disappeared;
  • Support measures to prevent, mitigate, and contain COVID-19, including increasing resources toward water, sanitation and hygiene services, promoting public-awareness, and addressing the health sector’s shortages of critical equipment; 
  • Ensure unimpeded movement of humanitarian workers and an end to restrictions on access of essential commercial imports and humanitarian goods; and 
  • Commit to an inclusive political process which includes women, peacebuilders, and a diversity of civil society stakeholders, to secure a peaceful solution to the conflict and to ensure justice, accountability, and reconciliation for the Yemeni people.”
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Rep. Smith Statement on Release of Climate Crisis Action Plan from House Select Committee

July 1, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement after the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Chair Kathy Castor, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and other members unveiled a comprehensive congressional action plan to solve the climate crisis:

“The climate crisis is an existential threat that requires a comprehensive and drastic mobilization of resources. I applaud the report released by the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, which provides a comprehensive roadmap to meet this challenge.

“The report not only captures the imperative to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also reflects the impacts of the climate crisis on every aspect of our society. All sectors of our economy need to be transformed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and it is essential we do so in a smart, equitable, and just manner. From environmental justice and racism to growing economic inequality, the solution to combatting climate change must reverse the underlying injustices that have burdened communities for far too long.

“I am proud that this report prioritizes environmental justice, laying out the need to focus on frontline communities that have long been neglected, underfunded, and living with the harmful environmental, health, and economic consequences of unjust and racist policy decisions. This means that every investment and policy choice we make, from federal funding programs to environmental regulations and enforcement, must be through an environmental justice lens.

“Workers must also be a central component of the clean energy economy. Not only does this report recognize the need to support workers affected by the transition away from fossil fuels, but it includes crucial policy recommendations to ensure quality, good-paying jobs across the economy. Investing in workforce training, strengthening workers’ rights, and establishing high-road labor standards for federal projects are vital to creating better economic outcomes for workers and their families in a green economy.

“More than anything, this report demonstrates the opportunity that comes with combating a problem as deep as climate change. It is an opportunity to finally prioritize frontline communities, give everyone a fair chance to earn a decent living, and address the environmental, health, and economic inequities underlying our society.  

“The infrastructure package being considered in the House this week is the kind of necessary investment in green infrastructure and a clean economy envisioned in this report. We need to build on that and continue to work to enact bold, science-based legislation and policies that can put us on a path to addressing this crisis.”

Read the full plan here.

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Rep. Smith Statement on Moving Forward Infrastructure Package

July 1, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, a sweeping package investing more than $1.5 trillion to rebuild America’s infrastructure while creating millions of good-paying jobs, combatting the climate crisis, and addressing disparities throughout the country.

“Investing in our infrastructure means investing in workers, manufacturing, and American ingenuity. The urgency and need to get people back to work is even greater after tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs in recent months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Moving Forward Act puts people to work on innovative, transformative projects in communities across the country.

“Recognizing that infrastructure goes beyond our roads, bridges, and public transit systems, this bold package also invests heavily in rebuilding America’s public schools and child care facilities, increasing our nation’s affordable housing stock, and laying the groundwork to transition to a green economy.

“The bill prioritizes equity, making strides to address long-standing disparities by investing in low-income communities with the greatest need. Today’s legislation ensures high-poverty schools can finally make urgent repairs, increases the number of child care facilities in existing deserts, and invests $100 billion into our nation’s affordable housing infrastructure to create or preserve 1.8 million affordable homes for low-income families and individuals at risk of homelessness. The legislation also makes an effort to address disparities by increasing high-speed broadband Internet access to close the ‘digital divide’ and prioritizes communities in persistent poverty.

“The Moving Forward Act puts climate change front and center in rebuilding America’s infrastructure. The bill would put us on a path to help decarbonize the transportation system and incentivize the development and deployment of clean and renewable energy. It also prioritizes investments in infrastructure supporting clean and safe drinking water, and other resiliency projects in communities of color and low-income communities who have historically been neglected by the federal government in its investments.     

“The Moving Forward Act will propel innovation by investing in research and development on everything from innovative construction materials, to alternative fueling infrastructure and autonomous vehicle safety, all while creating family-wage jobs with Davis-Bacon and other strong worker protections. Investments in our infrastructure system support our continued economic development by expanding our capacity to transport goods, encouraging competition, and providing job opportunities across the country.

“Infrastructure is critical to our future economic growth and stimulates the demand for goods and services that will ultimately benefit millions of people across the country. At a time where unemployment is at an all-time high and people across the country are suffering, we must get Americans back to work while combatting the climate crisis and addressing disparities throughout America. I am proud to support this infrastructure package and remain committed to delivering on the promises for far-reaching, forward-thinking progress for communities across the country.”

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Rep. Smith Secures Inclusion of Ultrafine Particle Emissions Study Amendment in Infrastructure Bill

June 30, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement following passage of the amendment to include his Protecting Airport Communities from Particle Emissions bill in the broader infrastructure package, the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2). This important amendment will commission a national study on the sources, characteristics, dispersion, and potential health effects of ultrafine particles (UFPs).

“Recent studies conducted around major airports concluded that UFPs contribute to negative health outcomes, and that aviation contributes significantly to the dispersion of UFPs. Unfortunately, we still don’t know the extent to which communities and residents are exposed in addition to the overall health effects of UFP inhalation.

“My amendment requires the Federal Aviation Administration to coordinate with the National Academy of Sciences and the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a comprehensive national study to fully understand the health effects of ultrafine particles and to what extent airport communities are exposed. We need answers to understand how UFPs affect communities around airports, including to what extent aviation contributes to the creation and diffusion of UFPs and whether sustainable fuels could help reduce the number of these particles in the atmosphere.

“I want to thank the elected officials, local leaders, and members of the community whose hard work to educate the community set the stage to address this critical issue. This amendment is a first step in getting answers to the many questions on UFPs, laying the groundwork for future efforts to reduce aviation emissions and protect the health of residents in airport adjacent communities based on the study’s recommendations.”

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Rep. Smith Statement Honoring Pride Month

June 30, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), a member of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, released the following statement in honor of LGBTQ+ Pride Month:

“Pride Month is a time to celebrate progress toward LGBTQ+ equality and honor the contributions of LGBTQ+ Americans to our society. Though we are unable to join together in our celebrations this year, I am proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community in the continued struggle for equality and to recommit to doing all I can to achieve that true equality.

“A rich history of activism underpins Pride Month. What we now associate with authenticity and pride originated from a stark history of LGBTQ+ people fighting for their lives at Stonewall Inn more than 50 years ago. It is this legacy of activism that reminds us what can be achieved when we come together in the fight against injustices of all kinds.

“Pride Month allows people to bravely embrace their identities that have for so long been marginalized and attacked. However, it’s clear that the LGBTQ+ community – especially LBGTQ+ people of color – continue to face staggering levels of violence and discrimination. Everyone has the right to live freely without fear of discrimination or harassment, we must come together to ensure that any future legislation includes these guarantees.

“As Pride Month comes to a close, I want to thank all of you who spoke up, pushed back, and fought for equality for the LGBTQ+ community. We will all march on together during this fight for equal rights for all.”

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