Adam Smith

Smith was born in Washington, D.C. He earned his B.A. from Fordham University in 1987, and he earned his J.D. from the University of Washington in 1990.[1] His career experience includes working as an attorney, both in private practice, and as the city attorney for Seattle, Washington.[2] Before his election to the United States House of Representatives, Smith served as a member of the Washington State Senate from 1991 to 1996.[3]

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Energy

The United States must be committed to creating an energy policy that allows us to be independent from foreign sources, bring down costs for all Americans, and invest in new alternative energy technologies, all while fighting climate change.

In order to protect consumers from skyrocketing energy prices that are crippling many businesses in the Puget Sound region, we must implement policies that will make our energy sources more reliable and diverse.

Traditional fossil-fuel energy sources like natural gas, oil, and coal are in limited supply and must be used wisely. With that in mind, we must embrace the use of alternative, renewable energy sources and promote efficient use of our current sources. Wind and solar power, once thought to impractical on a mass-scale, have become increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels. We need to encourage greater research and development so that we can use these clean and renewable energy sources, as well as fuel cells, geothermal energy, and bio-fuels, to create a more self-sustainable America.

Not only will embracing new energy technology make our economy flourish and our environment cleaner, but it will also allow America to once again be a world leader in energy innovation. Instead of relying on oil imports from foreign sources we can develop and export the fuel cells, solar panels, smart grid infrastructure, and other innovative technologies that will continue to create good American jobs and help the rest of the world develop cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable sources of energy.

Adam’s work on Energy:

Consistently supported legislation to make renewable and alternative energies more affordable for consumers through tax credits and funding for research and development.

Introduced the High-Performance Buildings Act, which improves the energy costs and health of people living in affordable housing units.

Voted against the North American Energy and Infrastructure Act of 2015, which does not adequately invest in clean energy or address climate change.

Supported legislation that extended renewable energy tax credits beyond 2009.

Cosponsored legislation to develop stricter emissions standards for power plants.

Consistently supported legislation to increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, making cars more fuel-efficient, and backed passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act, which revised and improved fuel economy standards for the first time in several decades.

Sponsored the Department of Defense Energy Security Act of 2011, which seeks to increase the DoD’s energy security by focusing investment and research in alternative energy technologies for military equipment and operations.

Supported responsible funding increases for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program, which identifies and promotes energy efficient consumer products.

Education

A well-educated country yields endless rewards: a better workforce, a stronger economy, lower crime, and greater community engagement, just to name a few. It must be our goal to have the best public education system in the world, and I am proud to be a partner in those efforts.

We need an innovative approach to public education, one that focuses less on the process and more on the results. We must ensure American children are prepared for the increasingly competitive global economy and the challenges of the 21st century. I support freeing local schools from the unnecessary red tape and regulation that often accompanies federal funding.

We must strengthen our commitment to K-12 public education; I support increased funding for local schools and more efficient methods of sending federal dollars to local classrooms, so that the children who need the extra boost of federal funding receive it.

Higher education is just as important to the success of our nation. I am proud of the long tradition of first-rate higher education offered to Washingtonians, from the University of Washington, to Renton Technical College. We need to ensure that students have access to higher education, including financial aid through student loans and grants, and enough slots at public schools to accommodate their pursuits. While it is imperative that we continue to offer students financial aid and other resources to be able to pay for higher education in the short-term, my ultimate goal is College for All, so that working and middle-class families do not have to struggle to afford to send their child to college. This goal is achievable and sensible, and something that I continue to fight for in Congress.

Adam’s work on Education:

Co-sponsored H.R. 1880, the College for All Act of 2017.

Strongly supported the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which changed the disastrous policies of No Child Left Behind, to help more accurately reflect learning and performance.

Voted for legislation to increase student loans for college and to create the HOPE (Helping Others Pursue Education) Scholarship, which provided a $1,500 per year tax credit for each child enrolled in college.

Authored the Empowering Local Schools Act, which increased federal financial assistance to local schools with high numbers of children from low-income families.

Supported anti-bullying legislation and fought for language within the ESSA that guaranteed protection against bullying based on a child’s sexual identity, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, or ability.

Supported lowering interest rates on students loans to increase access to higher education.

Supported education savings accounts, which allow families to save money for their children’s college education tax-free.

Voted to expand training benefits for laid-off workers, and authored the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act to improve the retraining resources available to laid-off workers returning to school.

Gun Control

The United States government must protect its people from gun violence. In the past several years we have seen a steady increase in the amount of violent gun attacks that have left many Americans injured or killed. It is vividly clear that government must take action.

There are too many guns in our country that are easily accessible. We must enact universal background checks for all firearms and ban assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. There is truly no place for military-style, high-capacity weapons in civilian life.

Background checks are the first line of defense in keeping weapons out of the hands of individuals who should not have them. We must ensure that background checks are universal, in that they cover all forms of sales, and are fully completed before selling a weapon to an individual. Additionally, I support gun buy-back programs which have been successful in some cities in the United States and banning bump-stocks.

Finally, we must improve mental health treatment and resources to ensure that those who may use a weapon to harm themselves or others, are prevented from doing so.

We need to make certain that gun control policy is addressed quickly to prevent further tragedies.

Adam’s work on Gun Control:

Co-sponsored H.R. 5087, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2018

Participated in the National Walkout and March for Our Lives to bring further attention to gun violence

Supports legislation that would prevent ammunition being sold online

Co-sponsored H.R. 4240, the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2017

Supports legislation that would ensure a background check has been completed before a weapon is sold

Healthcare

The rising cost of healthcare and growing number of uninsured people is creating a crisis situation in Washington state and the United States. Spending for healthcare services continues to rise at an alarming rate. In 2001 healthcare spending was $1.4 trillion, and has since then more than doubled to $3.1 trillion in 2015. According to one report, between 2000 and 2008, the cumulative increase in health insurance premiums grew over three times as fast as wage increases, while healthcare spending is projected to grow at an average of 5.8% per year through 2024, an increase much higher than that of inflation or the cost of living.

Although many Americans have been able to obtain insurance through the Affordable Care Act, many still have reason to feel insecure about the quality of their health care and whether or not they will have insurance in the future. Nearly three out of four middle-income families are insured through their employer and many are concerned about being able to keep affordable care that meets their needs, should they lose their job.

I have consistently supported funding for community health centers. Community health centers reduce reliance on emergency rooms and provide preventative care for low-income and medically under-served individuals. Through these measures, it is estimated that health centers save our current health care system around $24 billion each year. Community health centers provide care to over 23 million people each year – 8 million of which are uninsured – saving $414 per patient for Medicaid and $297-$1,210 for Medicare.

We must make it a goal that every American has access to affordable, quality healthcare coverage. Through the establishment of Medicare for All, a universal system, Americans will have access to affordable and quality healthcare. Currently the uninsured must often forego preventative care and frequently seek medical attention through costly emergency services, thus increasing premiums for all. However, with the establishment of a universal system, no American will have to go without healthcare or worry about a medical bankruptcy.

Taking steps to cover all Americans with a universal system is our opportunity to drive down costs. Inefficiencies within the current Medicare system can also be reduced through improved payments for providers that reward quality rather than quantity. This will reward states like Washington for providing high-quality, low-cost care compared to other areas of the country that over-utilize unnecessary health services and drive up the cost of care nationally. Done the right way, we can incentivize these savings and healthy behaviors by implementing a public health insurance option.

Adam’s work on Healthcare:

Co-sponsored H.R. 676, the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act of 2017.

Voted for the Affordable Care Act, and supports reforms to expand access to Medicare for All.

Opposes cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, all of which are vital to older Americans, persons with disabilities, and persons with limited means.

Introduced the MediFair Act, which will make Washington state’s Medicare reimbursement rates more fair and expand coverage for Medicare patients.

Supported measures to lower healthcare costs by creating a system of subsidies to fund community health centers and preventative care for low-income families.

Voted to support expansion and improvement of State Children’s Health Program (SCHIP), which provided health care coverage for 11 million children and extended coverage to 4 million uninsured children who were eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid.

Co-sponsored and supported passage of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

Consistently supported increases in funding for the National Institutes of Health.

Co-sponsored H.R. 771, the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act of 2017.

Housing

It is clear that we face significant housing issues. Prices continue to grow higher, forcing individuals out of their homes and communities, and sometimes on to the streets. We must put in place comprehensive housing policy that protects affordable housing options.

To begin, we must protect homeowners from predatory and irresponsible lending practices that may ultimately lead to the foreclosure of homes. Reigning in banks from implementing disastrous lending policies is critical to ensuring affordable housing.

Additionally, we must spend more on programs like Section 8 housing and other federal government programs and subsidies. These programs provide critical services in assisting people who are struggling financially. Individuals must also have access to a living $15/hr minimum wage, which would provide more people with the opportunity to work towards saving for a home or paying their rent..

As a region, the Pacific Northwest has been successful in fostering public-private partnerships. We must continue this tradition to provide access to funding for additional affordable housing units. One of the most common things I hear in the community is that non-profit organizations are not able to obtain funding to build more affordable housing units. Public and private groups must come together so that we can fund housing growth to keep families in their neighborhoods.

We must also help homeless individuals through ensuring that government programs to assist them are accessible and robust, including increased outreach to the homeless, rental assistance, and emergency relief grants. Many shelters and non-profit programs have already reached their capacity, and it is the government’s duty to remedy the problem.

Adam’s Work on Housing:

Co-sponsor of H.R. 915, the Permanently Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2017

Supports legislation that would provide additional funding for rental assistance and government subsidy programs

Supports legislation that would increase outreach and general assistance to the homeless

Immigration reform

Reforming our immigration system is long overdue. Our current laws, regulations, and enforcement do not recognize the importance of sound immigration policies to our economy and national security. We cannot afford to wait any longer to reform our immigration system in a comprehensive way.

Immigration is one of the great strengths of our nation. People from all over the world have come to our country because they see opportunity in America and a chance to build a better life for themselves and their families. The hard work and talent of immigrants have helped grow our economy and have strengthened our country for all Americans.

Legal immigration is not an obstacle to growth, but rather supplements our economic competitiveness and American jobs by attracting needed workers, high-skilled entrepreneurs, and investors. This can all be accomplished while keeping families together in a way that is consistent with American values. It is time to address our immigration laws to create a better system that allows families to stay together, businesses to thrive, and keeps our nation safe.

I continue to be disturbed by President Trump’s actions on immigration. There is no place for separating families or bans on immigration from specific countries and religions. I stand with DACA recipients and strongly believe that we must honor our country’s commitment to them. I will always stand against policies rooted in racism and nativism.

Adam’s work on Immigration Reform:

Introduced the Accountability in Immigration Detention Act, which would improve conditions in detention centers, and help ensure access to legal representation and translation services.

Original cosponsor of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, which would open a legal pathway to citizenship for nearly 12 million undocumented people who lack legal status today, introduce a talent-based approach to immigration and visa programs, and make our borders more secure by adding up to 40,000 Border Patrol agents and upgrading border stations.

Supports legislation such as the DREAM Act, which would give students who were brought to the United States as children the chance to become citizens, either through pursuing a college education or serving in our Armed Forces.

Supports President Obama’s executive actions on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA), which would help keep families together and provide work permits to parents of American citizens who are seeking residence.

Signed discharge petition and joined Democratic leadership on the steps of the Capitol to try and force former House Speaker John Boehner to vote on immigration reform.

Wrote letters to President Obama and former Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, to provide greater deportation relief and give judges more judicial discretion.

LGBTQ+

All Americans, no matter who they are or whom they love, deserve full equality. I’m fighting in Congress to make this a reality. I support legislation that ensures LGBTQ+ folks are not being discriminated against in any form. People in the LGBTQ+ community must have complete and unobstructed access to healthcare, have the ability to shop in whatever stores they wish to, regardless of the owner’s personal beliefs, and have the freedom to use the restroom that matches their gender identity.

Additionally, I am appalled by the Trump Administration’s plan to ban transgender service members and recruits from serving in the military. As the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have been an outspoken leader in the fight to stop this policy. Service members and veterans should not be attacked for who they are by the country that they serve.

Particularly in the past few decades, we have seen significant, positive strides in the fight for the full equality for LGBTQ+ people, notably including marriage equality. I’m committed to continuing this important work and will always work in tandem with local LGBTQ+ advocates and organizations to understand how I can best advocate for our LGBTQ+ community in Congress.

Adam’s Work on LGBTQ+ Issues:

Co-sponsor of H.R. 2282, the Equality Act, which would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation as prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation

Longtime supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, even from my time in the State Senate in the 1990s

Strongly supported H.Res.405, which supported making June 26th LGBT Equality Day

Co-sponsored H.Res.332, which supports the ideals and goals of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia

National Security

Today, the actions of rogue states and groups that promote violent ideologies pose the most significant threat to our national security. In my role as the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have been working to ensure that our defense posture is capable of meeting the threats of today, as well as tomorrow. I am committed to crafting defense policies that safeguards our nation in a forward-thinking, effective manner.

While it is important to devote an adequate level of military resources to confront changing security threats posed by ISIS and more traditional state-based adversaries, we must also coordinate our military efforts with the strength of our diplomatic and civilian agencies. In the 21st century, the various components of the United States’ foreign policy must be part of a cooperative agenda such that our short-term security objectives are balanced by our long-term development goals.

It is also important that the men and women of our Armed forces receive the support and training they need to perform their missions. In my nearly two decades of experience on the House Armed Services Committee, I have been working diligently to ensure that our military personnel have the best equipment and resources to confront the threats they face today, and in the future. In a time when the Pentagon is looking for ways to reduce costs, we must carefully evaluate our policies to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and effectively, so that we might maintain a qualitative military advantage.

Adam’s work on National Security:

Committed to going after military waste and changing the AUMF to reduce the reach of the U.S. military in the world.

Believes that the United States is engaged in too many places throughout the world without Congressional approval, which is unacceptable.

We rely too much on the military in our national security and we must go after wasteful spending

Introduced and secured passage of The Veterans to Work Pilot Program Act, which expanded job opportunities for veterans.

Secured key funds for Puget Sound area defense projects, such as $1.6 million for critical trauma training for military medical personnel, $2 million to develop and test a new malaria vaccine for the military and critical funding for local schools serving the children of military families.

Supported record funding increases for the Department of Veterans Affairs and a provision to provide advanced appropriations for veterans healthcare to ensure a timely and predictable funding stream

Ranking Member of House Armed Services Committee, overseeing the:

Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces

Subcommittee on Military Personnel

Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

Subcommittee on Readiness

Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces

Subcommittee on Strategic Forces

Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities

Criminal Justice Reform

The American criminal justice system is fundamentally broken, and I believe we must dramatically change the way we handle criminal justice in the United States. Time has shown that the well-meaning reforms of the past have failed, and are responsible for the disproportionately high levels of incarceration for non-violent offenses in communities of color. The effect has not been increased safety, but perpetuation of cycles of poverty and families being torn apart.

I believe the justice system must balance the need to protect the innocent and ensure that only the guilty are held responsible, but that we must also move from a retributive justice system to a rehabilitative one that reintegrates those who have served their time back into our community.

As a former prosecutor, I understand the immense and important job taken on by law enforcement officers, prosecutors, public defenders and defense attorneys, judges, and corrections officers. Each plays a vital role in our justice system, and in keeping our communities safe. However, each also has the added responsibility of ensuring the they are enforcing and protecting the rule of law equally and fairly.

We have an opportunity to make our justice system a model of fairness and justice, that is why I have supported legislation that would end racial profiling, eliminate over-prosecution of minor offenses, promote the effective use of Body Worn Cameras for law enforcement, limit federal mandatory minimum sentences for drug sentences, increase funding for civil legal aid, and help people re-enter society once they have served their time.

Criminal justice reform will not only make our justice system more fair and end the cycle over over-incarceration in communities of color, but it would also save taxpayers money.

Adam’s work on Criminal Justice Reform:

Co-sponsored the SAFE Justice Act, which would reduce over prosecution for minor offenses, create drug treatment, mental health, and veterans’ treatment courts at the federal level, and allow federal judges to bypass mandatory minimum sentences.

Supported President Obama’s Executive Action to “Ban the Box,” which would stop federal agencies and contractors from asking about an applicants’s criminal history, helping those who have served their time build a career.

Co-sponsored the End Racial Profiling Act, which would prohibit law enforcement from engaging in racial profiling, and would also allow people harmed by racial profiling to have the right to file a lawsuit.

Co-sponsored the CAMERA Act, which would provide federal grants to law enforcement agencies for the purchase and safe use of body worn cameras and video storage.

Co-sponsored H.R. 3227, the Justice is Not For Sale Act, which would end all private prison contracts at the federal, state, and local levels.

Served from 1993-1995 as a prosecutor for the City of Seattle, focusing on drunk driving and domestic violence cases.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is one of the defining issues of our time. In order to avoid the most disastrous effects of our rapidly changing climate, we must move forward both quickly and decisively with strong, progressive environmental policies.

It is absolutely critical that we work to protect our air and water, our lush national parks, and to ensure environmental justice for all people. We must re-enter the Paris Climate Agreement, and firmly stand against dangerous environmental rollbacks, including fuel emission standards. In addition to opposing dangerous anti-environmental policies, we must also protect the viability of the Environmental Protection Agency.

We must also encourage the continued development of green technologies. Not only does green technology offer significant benefits to the environment, but provides for an economy of the future. I will continue to actively encourage the creation of jobs in renewable energy fields.

I will continue to work as an environmental advocate in the House, and to support policies that advance a progressive environmental agenda.

Adam’s work on Climate Change:

Worked with the Department of Defense to ensure that climate change would be recognized as a national threat

Supported legislation to protect Americans from pesticides and other chemicals

Sponsored the Mountains to Sound Greenway Act

Co-sponsored H.R. 2695, the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program Act of 2017

Supported multiple pieces of legislation that would ensure the protection of clean air and water

Supported legislation to protect our national parks

Co-sponsored H.R. 1812, the CLIMATE Act

VETERANS

It is our responsibility as a nation to provide our veterans and their families with the support and services that they need.

For our veterans and their families who have faithfully served our nation, I am dedicated to resolving the two most inequitable policies affecting these individuals: providing full concurrent receipt of retirement pay and disability benefits, and repealing the widow’s tax.

In addition, I am working to ensure that the VA remains capable of delivering quality healthcare that is capable of serving the unique needs of the veteran population. This includes ensuring that the VA is able to meet the demands of our newest veterans, those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Adam’s work on Veterans Issues:

Introduced and secured passage of the Veterans to Work Pilot Program Act, which expanded job opportunities for veterans.

Supported record funding increases for the Department of Veterans Affairs and a provision to provide advanced appropriations for veterans healthcare to ensure a timely and predictable funding stream.

SENIORS

I am a fervent supporter of measures that support our seniors. Programs like Social Security and Medicare are critical to many seniors, both in our 9th Congressional District and throughout the country. With millions of American seniors living off of these benefits, Congress must support legislation that protects these programs.

In Congress, I have a strong record of protecting the vitality of Social Security for the people who need it now, but also for our future generations. I have and will continue to consistently support measures to strengthen Social Security itself and the benefits it provides to its beneficiaries. Beneficiaries ultimately need increased benefits and more accurate cost of living adjustments.

Medicare is another critical program that must be protected and preserved. I’m supportive of ensuring that Medicare is affordable for all seniors, particularly for those on fixed incomes. Congress must make certain that we increase our commitment to the program, including through measures such as ensuring access to rehabilitation services.

I also have the privilege of meeting regularly with many great seniors groups in our district, where I have the opportunity to learn more about how to best support seniors.

Our seniors deserve to live a dignified life, and I will continue fighting for that.

Adam’s work on Seniors Issues:

Supported strengthening protections for Social Security beneficiaries

Co-sponsor of H.R. 807, the Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services of 2017

Co-sponsor of H.R. 1902, the Social Security 2100 Act

Supported expanding Social Security benefits

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

I am a strong proponent of campaign finance reform. Corporations are not people, and should not be treated as such. We must overturn the disastrous Citizens United ruling. Particularly in the wake of the Citizens United ruling, I have been an advocate of working towards the public funding of our elections and have personally chosen to not accept any money for my campaign from fossil fuel companies. Public funding of campaigns would allow for a much more just and e