Congressman Adam Smith

Representing the 9th District of Washington

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.
  • Combating harmful cuts to U.S. diplomatic engagement: I have fought against draconian, misguided cuts proposed in the President’s budget request to Congress, cosigned letters to Secretary Tillerson strongly condemning what can only be seen as an effort to weaken our ability to promote peace abroad. 
  • 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

  • Co-Chair, Congressional Caucus on Effective Foreign Assistance:  Adam serves as a co-founder and co-chair of a bipartisan working group focused on highlighting the work of development, aid, and relief organizations and engaged on improving efficacy and transparency
  • Building Capacity, Promoting Stability: A strong proponent of organizations such as the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Adam led a letter asking for $1 billion in funding for the MCC, which uses innovative and effective models to reduce poverty and building sustained economic growth. 
  • Strengthening Global Health: The United States is uniquely positioned to help strengthen healthcare systems in developing nations. Congressman Smith has aggressively pursued strong funding for programs which support International Family Planning, Maternal & Child Health, the Global Vaccine Initiative (GAVI), Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Vaccines for HIV and Malaria, Tuberculosis Funding, United Nations Population Fund, and Polio Eradication.

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More on International Leadership & Foreign Affairs

Sep 18, 2018 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA), Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-CA), Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced the bicameral Hold the LYNE—or Low-Yield Nuclear Explosive—Act. The legislation would prohibit the research, develop, production, and deployment of a low-yield nuclear warheads for submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

Sep 12, 2018 Press Release

Washington, DC – Today, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement about the Trump administration’s certification regarding the Saudi-led coalition’s activities in Yemen:

Sep 6, 2018 Press Release

Washington, DC - House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA), House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita M. Lowey (D-NY), House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Ranking Member Peter J.

Sep 6, 2018 Press Release

Washington, D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (WA-09) Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17), CPC Co-Chair Mark Pocan (WI-02), and their colleagues Jim McGovern (MA-02), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), Michael Capuano (MA-07), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement announcing their commitment to introduce a privileged resolution to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from engaging in hostilities against Houthis in Yemen.

Jul 26, 2018 Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Smith, Khanna, O’Rourke, and Pocan made the following statements about major provisions on Yemen that House Armed Services Committee Democrats negotiated into the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA.) The bill passed the House today by a vote of 359-54.

Jul 24, 2018 Press Release

WASHINGTON — Today, Representatives Adam Smith (D-WA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Armed Services; Eliot L.

Jul 23, 2018 Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Today, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) made the following statement about the completion of negotiations on the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report:

Jul 17, 2018 Press Release

 

Washington, D.C. – Today, House Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) and Congressman Ted Yoho (FL-03), joined with leaders in the international development community to applaud the House of Representatives passage of H.R. 5105, the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act, known as the BUILD Act of 2018:

Jul 16, 2018 Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Today, House Armed Services Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement about President Trump’s meeting with President Vladimir Putin:

Jul 10, 2018 Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Today, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY), and 42 other Democrats from the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees released the following statement on President Trump’s attendance at the NATO Summit and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The members of the Armed Services Committee who released the statement are Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), Rep. Robert A. Brady (D-PA), Rep. Susan A. Davis (D-CA), Rep. James R. Langevin (D-RI), Rep.

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