International Leadership & Foreign Affairs
I support a comprehensive national security approach, fully integrating and resourcing our diplomatic, development, and defense capabilities. We must execute a national security strategy that counters violent religious extremism and anti-American sentiment, builds partnerships around the world, work closely with friends and allies, and advances programs to create a more just, peaceful, and stable world. This means policies that understand and respect other nations and encourages self-determination, democracy, human rights, gender equality, economic development, and much greater access to education, health care, and jobs. This also means an increased focus on promoting the American values of democracy and an economy that also respects people and cultures.
As Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have unique insights into today’s foremost national security issues throughout the Middle East, including the war in Afghanistan, as well as our larger efforts to stop the spread of violent extremist groups and their ideology around the globe. Understanding the need for a holistic approach to national security, I recognize the importance of poverty reduction, access to education, sustainable global markets, diplomatic engagement, and good governance to enable our pursuit of stable international partners.
Diplomacy
- Preventing Iran from acquiring or developing nuclear weapons: Supported the multilaterally negotiated Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran, has condemned the Iranian regime’s objectionable behavior, and taken note of the constructive voices in Iran that seek global integration.
- Enhancing Peace and Stability in Somalia: Co-led a letter requesting $87.7 million in Economic Support Funds to support the formation of legitimate, durable institutions in Somalia and has continued to work closely with the Treasury Department and community members to find ways to permit the legal transfer of remittances.
- Supporting Refugees: In addition to vocally speaking out against hateful rhetoric towards refugees, I have asked the President to increase the number of refugees who can come to the United States. I have also requested additional funding to help resettle refugees.
Development
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Led a letter asking for funding the DRC’s Economic Support Fund to preserve and extend the stability and economic progress achieved in recent years. The letter recognizes the DRC government’s commitment toward security sector reform, pursuit of critical governance and rule of law reforms, and support for strengthening civil society organizations.
- Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC): Led a letter asking for $1 billion in funding for the MCC which has an effective model of reducing poverty and building sustained economic growth.
- I have requested funding and have advocated for programs which support International Family Planning, Maternal & Child Health, the Global Vaccine Initiative (GAVI), and Nutrition, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Vaccines for HIV and Malaria, Tuberculosis Funding, United Nations Population Fund, Polio Eradication.
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“The House Armed Services Committee is maintaining its bipartisan tradition. We worked through a lot of issues throughout the mark-up process, including a number of very controversial provisions. We crafted legislation the way it is supposed to be done. We held productive debates, disagreed, voted, and at the end of the process we passed a very significant piece of legislation.
“Terrorism is about spreading fear. As we combat violent extremism and the spread of dangerous propaganda, we must recognize that hateful ideology originates both overseas and at home. Since the 9/11 attacks, domestic terrorists have killed more people in the United States than foreign terrorist organizations.
Ranking Member Adam Smith, in consultation with Congressman James Clyburn, introduced a measure that would have withdrawn support for ROTC at The Citadel if the Confederate battle flag continued to fly. In order to avoid voting on that measure, Republicans introduced and passed a modified amendment that would allow the flag to continue flying if The Citadel’s Board of Visitors voted to remove the flag, even though such a vote cannot remove the flag under South Carolina law.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ranking Members Adam Smith, Robert C.
“Earth Day is an annual reminder that each individual has a role to play in protecting and preserving our environment. The Pacific Northwest has a proud history of supporting the environmental movement and I am honored to represent a district that truly understands the importance of curbing climate change and caring for our environment.
“In November 2015, the President took legal and necessary executive action to reform our broken immigration system by expanding both the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. In support of the President’s action, I joined members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus this morning on the steps of the Capitol.
Congressman Smith to Host Telephone Town Hall
Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith will host a Tele-Town Hall on Thursday, April 7, 2016.
America must lead on refugees. It is in our national security interest and central to our founding, character, and reputation. Syrian and Iraqi families fleeing brutal civil war and sectarian violence want a better life. Like refugees before them, they see the United States and the American people as their hope to be free from repression, persecution, and death. They see us this way because we have an admirable history of welcoming refugees. If we turn away refugees, we place ourselves at greater risk and abandon our core principles.
I extend my deepest sympathies to the victims, their families, and the Belgian people in light of today’s terrorist attacks. The cowardly violence in Brussels illustrates the danger that extreme ideologies continue to pose to the international community and our common humanity. I condemn in the strongest possible terms today’s inhuman attacks which deliberately targeted innocent people, and call for unity in our common efforts against terrorism and extremism.
“The family and friends of Nestora Salgado have been unrelenting in their pursuit of justice for Nestora. Today, after over two years of wrongful imprisonment, and a recent UN decision calling Nestora’s detention illegal and arbitrary, the false charges against Nestora have been dropped by Mexican authorities. Nestora has been released from prison and is now able to return home to the United States.