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Rep. Smith Statement on House Republican Resolution Denouncing Socialism

February 2, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement regarding the House Republican Resolution to ‘Denounce the Horrors of Socialism.’

“The Republican resolution on the floor today is another show of Speaker McCarthy and House Republicans’ inability to seriously legislate. Republicans clearly don’t understand the meaning of the word “socialism.” The fact of the matter is that the “socialist” policies that they would like to defund – like Social Security, Medicare, and the ACA – are immensely popular because they help expand the social safety net for people who are struggling. Of course, we all condemn and denounce the atrocities of regimes and dictatorships, but no one in Congress is looking to repeat those horrors. This absurd resolution is nothing but political theatre and a ridiculous waste of time instead of real legislation that will make a difference in the lives of the American people.”

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Rep. Smith Statement on the Terrorist Attack in Jerusalem

January 31, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement regarding the terrorist attack on a synagogue in Jerusalem that killed seven people and left several others injured. 

"The terrorist attack at a synagogue in Jerusalem on Friday was horrific and abhorrent. The dangerous rise in antisemitism and attacks on people trying to worship and practice their religion is unacceptable and must be condemned.

"Secretary Antony Blinken’s trip to the region comes at a critical time. Promoting dialogue and cooperation, including security cooperation between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel, is critical to restoring calm in the region and advancing long-term security.

"It's crucial for the U.S. and regional leaders to continue to look for ways to de-escalate and prevent more violence. Today, the House Armed Services Committee met with King Abdullah II of Jordan who briefed us on the constructive role that Jordan is playing in trying to find a long-term peaceful solution between Israel and the Palestinians. Palestinian leaders must take greater steps to prevent acts of terror and incitement of violence by militant groups, and the PA must immediately restore security cooperation with Israel. Additionally, Israel should not take actions like settlement expansion that jeopardize both the viability of a Palestinian state and the ultimate and necessary goal of a two state solution.

"Secretary Antony Blinken's visit comes at a time when U.S. leadership is needed."

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Rep. Smith Statement on the Murder of Tyre Nichols

January 28, 2023

SEATTLE, WA – Today, Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement after the City of Memphis released the body camera and surveillance video of the traffic stop and brutal beating that led to the death of Tyre Nichols. 

“Tyre Nichols should be alive today. The video we saw documenting the brutal beating he suffered at the hands of police was horrific. Swift action to arrest and charge the officers who were involved in his murder is absolutely necessary. But more must be done. We need to transform our approach to public safety, which includes drastic reforms to policing. Police training should be focused on de-escalation, rather than aggression, as it historically has been, so that what happened to Tyre Nichols and so many others is not repeated. Equally as important, we must invest in programs that train specialized professionals to respond to nonviolent 911 calls that don’t require police officers. These programs are successful in reducing unnecessary interactions between police and community members and pay special attention to vulnerable and under-represented communities, so that they get the treatment and care they deserve. In my district, the Health One program has saved countless lives and has enabled us to better respond to our public safety needs. We need more investments from the federal government to expand programs like this to communities across the country. Calls to abolish the criminal justice system entirely are the wrong approach and are distracting from the work that needs to be done to dramatically reform the system. House Democrats have previously passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which has some of the reforms and investments we need to be pushing for in Congress that will make our communities safer for everyone. My thoughts are with the friends and family of Tyre Nichols, who should not have to endure the grief they are experiencing right now. His tragic and unjust death is a result of the failure of our policing system. We can and should do better.” 

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U.S. Treasury Under Secretary Brian E. Nelson Visits 9th District for Roundtable with Local Money Service Businesses Hosted by Congressman Smith

January 11, 2023

SEATTLE, WA – On Tuesday, January 10th, as part of his visit to the Seattle area, Under Secretary of the Treasury Brian E. Nelson participated in a roundtable at the office of Congressman Adam Smith to discuss the challenges facing money services businesses (MSBs) who are unable to get banking access. Congressman Smith brought together Under Secretary Nelson and local MSBs from King County and the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions for the roundtable.

“Money service businesses make it possible for people here in Ninth District and around the country to send money to family and loved ones abroad, providing a lifeline to millions of people and communities around the world. The lack of access to banking services for MSBs is a dangerous problem that I have worked to address with stakeholders in the community for years. Not being able to obtain banking services increases costs and makes it incredibly difficult for these businesses to serve their customers – most often immigrant communities and communities of color. It also poses a huge public safety risk for these businesses and employees operating in cash. I appreciate the local MSBs who joined to share their stories and continue to work with my office so that we can make progress on this issue. And I thank Under Secretary Nelson for prioritizing this issue during his visit to the region. I look forward to our continued work together to advance solutions on behalf of MSBs in the Ninth District and across the country.”

See below for a recap of the de-risking roundtable.

Under Secretary Nelson, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, and local MSBs gathered for a conversation about the hurdles that many MSBs face in finding a bank that will serve them. MSB owners shared their stories about the challenges of obtaining banking services and the risks that it poses to their businesses and customers to be unbanked. Throughout the discussion, the MSBs made it clear that the lack of access to banking services is not only a financial obstacle, but a broader issue of racial equity, national security, and public safety. The Treasury Department will be releasing its National De-Risking Strategy with recommendations to tackle these challenges in the coming weeks, and Under Secretary Nelson shared that participating in this conversation and hearing these perspectives will help him as he prepares the report. The de-risking strategy being developed by Treasury was required as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.

In January 2022, Congressman Smith sent a letter to the Treasury Department and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) urging them to address the lack of banking access for MSBs. More information about that letter can be found here.

Rep. Smith Statement on the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party

January 10, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement after voting to establish the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

“China is undoubtedly our greatest competitor, and the United States must balance strategic competition and careful cooperation to advance our economic interests and tackle global security challenges. From climate change and public health, to the rise of authoritarianism and China’s aggression towards Taiwan, strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party cuts across multiple issue areas and committee jurisdictions in the House. The Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party has the potential to serve as a forum for policy debates and new ideas to address these cross-cutting issues. I believe that House Democrats’ participation on the Select Committee is the best way to make it as productive and useful as possible, and for that reason I voted today for its establishment. However, the chaos of last week’s Speaker’s race showed us the stranglehold that extremist Republicans have on the House majority, and I want to be very clear that this Committee should not be used as a platform for hateful or violent xenophobia or racism. The rise of anti-Asian hate over the past few years is directly correlated with this form of bigotry, and Democrats in Congress will be working diligently to ensure the Committee is not being used as a place to promote this vitriol. The United States can have a relationship with China that enables a more peaceful and prosperous world and a strong and thriving American economy. This Select Committee has the ability to add to Congress’ examination of challenges related to China if it remains bipartisan and focused on its mandate.”

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