Armed Services
As the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am committed to ensuring that our military personnel, veterans, and their families receive the support of our government in return for their years of faithful service. Working to ensure our military families are well cared for will remain my top priority.
In addition to pay and benefits, it is important we work to ensure that our military has the proper equipment, resources, and policies to meet the threats we face today and well into the future. However, in a time of mounting pressure on the Federal budget we must also ensure that every dollar spent on defense is done so in an effective and efficient manner. Simply spending more money does not make our country safer – spending more wisely and effectively does.
While we must ensure that our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines have the equipment and training they need to carry out their missions, we must do a better job of carefully examining our policies, requirements, and acquisition programs to improve efficiencies and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the Department of Defense.
To that end, I will continue to work to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as it is becoming woefully expensive to operate and the annual cost-per inmate greatly exceeds the cost of holding someone in a maximum security federal prison. It is of great importance that we work to restore civil liberties and due process for all persons. Our civilian law enforcement and justice systems have a proven track record of success when it comes to investigating and prosecuting suspected terrorists.
I am proud to serve as the Ranking Member of the Armed Service Committee and remain committed to supporting our local communities in Washington State and all member of the Armed Services who represent us bravely at home and abroad.
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More on Armed Services
Washington, DC- Today, 7 members of the Washington State Congressional Delegation applauded the release (link to report here) of the Washington Military Alliance’s report as an important step in gaining a better understanding of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) footprint in Washington State. DoD’s investment represents over 4 percent of the State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), so it is critical to evaluate the assets Washington has and how they fit into the DoD’s future plans.
House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement in commemoration of Veterans Day:
"In observance of Veterans Day, it is important to remember the sacrifice so many brave men and women have made to protect our country and ensure our freedom.
Every year, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (WA-09) nominates individuals from Washington’s 9th Congressional District to the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and the U.S. Naval Academy. Congressman Smith announced that he will be accepting applications through 5pm PST, Monday, November 26, 2012.
WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) today made the following statement recognizing African Immigrant Health and Heritage Month. This year, the theme for African Immigrant Health and Heritage Month honors those African immigrants who have served in our Armed Forces:
“Today marks the 11th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the United States. As we reflect on this tragic day in our history, my thoughts and prayers are with the innocent Americans who died, the heroic first responders who sacrificed their lives to save others, and the families who lost loved ones as a result of the senseless acts.