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Smith’s statement on new congressional district maps.

admin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:16:53 +0000

Federal Way, WA – Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement today after the Washington State Redistricting Commission released new congressional district maps:

“I appreciate all of the time and hard work the redistricting commission put into producing these new congressional district maps.

“I am very pleased the new 9th Congressional District includes my hometown of SeaTac and much of the south sound region which I have represented as a state senator and a congressman. I’m excited to run in this very diverse district.

“In the coming weeks and months I look forward to the opportunity to meet with community leaders, local elected officials and new residents to listen and learn about the most important issues facing their communities. Regardless of how the congressional lines have changed, I will continue to work hard, promote policies that encourage job creation and economic growth and make sure the people of the 9th Congressional District are heard and well-represented in Congress.”

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Endorsement: Adam Smith for Congress (District 9) | Editorial

admin — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 16:31:32 +0000

October 15th – The Mirror recommends re-electing Adam Smith to the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith, a moderate Democrat, faces a formidable challenger in Dick Muri, a Republican currently serving on the Pierce County Council. The term “earmarks” is often used as a pejorative, when in fact they are essential to delivering federal money to local constituents. Muri vows to stop all earmarks, but as good as that sounds, it can be interpreted as a vow to not score money for District 9. Smith has had direct involvement with local issues such as the I-5 Triangle Project and potential flooding of the Howard Hanson Dam. Smith’s position on the House Armed Services Committee and his influence on national security are assets for District 9. The district includes a large retired military population, as well as U.S. Army and Air Force bases in Pierce County. Despite today’s anti-incumbent sentiment, Smith has earned another term for his contributions specific to the Federal Way area, as well as for holding a more realistic view of what the job entails.

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/fwm/opinion/105050794.html

PI.com: Send Smith back to Congress

admin — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:44:45 +0000

October 13th - U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., has chosen to be a work horse rather than a show horse in Congress.

Smith has risen in seniority on the House Armed Services Committee, and the Intelligence Committee, mastering complicated topics from terrorism to military procurement.

The 9th District of Washington stretches through suburbs of south King County, much of Pierce County, and extends into Thurston County. If the district had one more military installation, it would probably sink into Puget Sound.

Smith came to Congress in 1996 by unseating Rep. Randy Tate, subsequently a Christian Coalition leader, and has since held what was designed to be a marginal House seat. He’s done so by ringing thousands of doorbells, and patiently listened to harrangues at town meetings from perpetually dissatisfied liberals and Tea Party activists on the right.

He’s a strong supporter of the environment, gets kudos from Planned Parenthood — pro-choice activists helped put him in Congress — and even receives a fairly strong pro-business rating from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Smith was deeply involved in the 2004 and 2008 presidential races, at some risk. He became chair of Sen. John Kerry’s campaign in the state at a time when the Democrats “Deaniacs” were riding high. He did likewise for Barack Obama despite warnings about the Clintons’ retaliatory capabilities.

Pierce County Councilman Dick Muri is carrying the Republican banner against Smith this year. He is anti-abortion, wants to decrease corporate taxes and eliminate the estate tax. He’s weak on the environment, and opposes extending marriage to same-sex couples.

Colleagues have recognized Adam Smith as a lawmaker capable of heavy lifting. Seattlepi.com endorses Smith for re-election.

http://www.seattlepi.com/opinion/428050_picong9.html

Smith remains a good choice to represent 9th District in Congress

admin — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:58:55 +0000

October 13th – Voters in the 9th Congressional District of King, Pierce and eastern Thurston counties have an easy choice to make on Nov. 2, when they cast their General Election ballots.

Rep. Adam Smith, 45, a Democrat from Tacoma, should be returned to Congress for an eighth term.

His opponent is Republican Dick Muri, 56, from Steilacoom.

Make no mistake, Muri is a credible candidate. After a 22-year career in the U.S. military, Muri spent seven years on the Steilacoom School Board, was a coach for youth sports and he has served on the Pierce County Council since 2003. Those are solid credentials.

Muri’s political philosophy will appeal to a segment of the electorate — the people who want to shrink the size of government, cut the regulatory burden on business and cut taxes. He may be an ideologue, but his fiscal conservatism is a good fit with the party of “no.” The problem with Muri and others who share his views is that at the same time they are preaching fiscal restraint, they are talking about the need to spend tax dollars on, in Muri’s case:

• Transportation improvements along the Interstate 5 corridor.

• Flood control in portions of the 9th District.

• Schools and other services to the military men and women serving out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

It’s the old stand-by “cut someplace else, just don’t cut my pet projects.”

Muri criticizes federal spending levels and the mounting federal debt, but brags about funding health programs at the county level where local dollars are used to leverage federal and state money.

You can’t have it both ways. There’s a disconnect there.

By contrast, Smith has distinguished himself as a member of Congress. He’s a centrist and leader of the “new Democrats” movement — someone who is willing to reach across the political divide and work for sound public policies that help average Americans.

What impresses The Olympian’s editorial board about Smith is the depth of his thinking and knowledge, his ability to cut through the complexities of multiple issues and look for pragmatic answers to problems, and then follow through with solutions.

Smith’s 14 years’ experience in Congress, his intellect and his ability to articulate common sense solutions, serve the people of the 9th District extremely well. He honed his skills in the state Legislature and has built upon that base in the nation’s capital.

He’s able to explain in detail how this nation’s economy was on the brink of collapse two years ago. Had Congress not acted with TARP funds, Smith is convinced half of the largest banks in the nation would have failed. Yes, the economy is bumping along now, but where would it be now, without congressional action at the height of the crisis?

Smith notes, rightfully so, that Congress did more than bail out the banks. Members of Congress returned with Wall Street reforms that crack down on shady financial deals and bring more openness and transparency to an industry that desperately needs it.

As for Muri’s call for fiscal restraint and a balanced budget, Smith said stripping $1.3 trillion out of the federal budget at a time when the national economy is still on shaky grounds would be “economic suicide.” He says everything — including entitlement spending — must be on the table when Congress reconvenes and adopts a budget. The goal, over time, should be a balanced budget, which he has voted for in the past and will vote for in the future.

Smith admits the federal stimulus money could have been spent more efficiently, but reminds voters that when Congress infused the economy with money for shovel-ready projects, the nation was losing between 500,000 and 700,000 jobs a month and the economy was constricting at a rate of 6 percent per quarter. He’s convinced that congressional action stopped the nation from plunging over the brink. While unemployment is still too high, the economy has grown for four consecutive months and congressional action helped point the nation in the right direction, Smith said.

We agree. Smith understands the 9th Congressional District better than anyone. He works hard, is willing to compromise and work in a bipartisan fashion for programs and services that benefit his constituents. Voters should reward Smith, an excellent public servant, by returning him to Congress on Nov. 2.

Nearly $20 Million Announced for Small Business Lending in Washington State

admin — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:30:03 +0000

Washington, Oct 8 - Today, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) announced that $19,722,515 is being allocated for lending to small businesses in Washington State, a key step of implementing the just-passed Small Business Jobs Act. States can now apply for their allocation. This effort will spread $15 billion in new small business lending through innovative local programs that help entrepreneurs expand their businesses and create new jobs.

Congress recently passed the Small Business Jobs Act to spur economic growth and create new jobs by providing much-needed lending to millions of small businesses, and offering 8 new tax incentives to companies, so that they can expand, hire, and fuel our economy.

“Small businesses are the engine of our economy and are central to creating American jobs and rebuilding the economy for the future,” said Congressman Adam Smith. “This investment of nearly $20 million and new tax cuts will provide an important boost to small businesses and help them grow and flourish. I encourage local officials to move quickly on this opportunity.”

Through this part of the Small Business Jobs Act, states have the opportunity to apply for federal funds for programs that partner with private lenders to extend credit to small businesses. States are required to demonstrate a minimum “bang for the buck” of $10 in new private lending for every $1 in federal funding. Accordingly, the $1.5 billion investment from the federal government is expected to support $15 billion in additional private lending.

In addition to the State Small Business Credit Initiative, the Small Business Jobs Act will help America’s 27 million small businesses with eight tax cuts totaling $12 billion that went into effect last week. It will make small businesses more competitive with big corporations by spurring up to $300 billion in private sector lending for small businesses through community banks and extending and expanding existing Small Business Administration low-cost loans. Finally, this bill is fully paid for and will not add a dime to the deficit.

Smith Applauds Funding for Federal Way Police Department

admin — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:58:01 +0000

Washington, Sep 29 - Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) praised today’s announcement that the Federal Way Police Department will receive $1,036,292 from the Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program (CHP) to preserve four law enforcement jobs.

“This funding is crucial to ensuring that Federal Way remains a safe place to live, work and raise a family,” said Congressman Adam Smith. “In the current economic environment, cities and towns across the country face difficult choices when it comes to public safety funding. Today’s announcement will help relieve some of that pressure and allow Federal Way to continue to focus on its public safety priorities.”

The grant, which is the largest awarded in Washington State, is part of a $298 million announcement made by the Department of Justice COPS Office, COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The grants are designed to create and/or preserve law enforcement jobs. The grants were made to 379 different local law enforcement agencies in 51 states and territories.

CHP provides funding to address the full-time sworn officer needs of state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies nationwide. CHP grants go directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new and/or rehire career law enforcement officers in an effort and to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.

CHP also provides 100 percent funding for approved entry-level salaries and benefits for three years (36 months) for newly-hired, full-time sworn officer positions (including filling existing unfunded vacancies) or for rehired officers who have been laid off, or are scheduled to be laid off on a future date, as a result of local budget cuts. Any additional costs above the approved entry-level salaries and fringe benefits are the responsibility of the grantee agency.

“A safe community is a strong community and ensuring that our local law enforcement agencies have the tools and resources they need will continue to be a top priority of mine in Congress,” continued Smith.

Smith Again Votes to Support Small Businesses

admin — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:03:01 +0000

October 1st, 2010 – With Congressman Adam Smith’s support, Congress passed and the President signed into law legislation that will bolster access to capital for small businesses. The legislation, H.R. 5297, The Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010, creates a $30 billion fund that local community banks can access specifically for the purpose of small business lending.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and our communities – we must continue to support their efforts to grow and create jobs,” said Congressman Adam Smith. “I frequently hear from small businesses owners who simply do not have access to capital, or face lending terms that are completely untenable. If our economy is to recover, the lending environment must improve and this fund will help local banks to reengage in the type of small business lending that helps our local economy flourish.”

The bill also provides $12 billion in tax incentives targeted at small businesses. Most notably, it reinstates an expired tax provision that allows businesses to write off half the cost of new equipment purchased and placed in service this year.

On Monday, September 27th, the President signed the bill into law.

Poll Shows Smith Has Commanding 19 Point Lead

admin — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 04:39:47 +0000

For Immediate Release: September 21, 2010

Tacoma, WA – In a poll conducted September 18-20 of likely voters in Washington’s 9th Congressional District, Adam Smith holds a commanding lead of 19 points (54% to 35%) in a head-to-head match up with Dick Muri.

The poll was conducted by The Benenson Strategy Group, a highly respected national polling firm which used live interviews of 9th Congressional District voters to offer a comprehensive look at voters’ attitudes, not just a quick and automated phone survey.

These numbers are perfectly consistent with the actual vote in the August primary election and clearly refute the accuracy of the recently conducted automated poll done by King5.

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Adam’s statement in recognition of the 9th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks

admin — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:34:57 +0000

September 11th, 2010 – Adam released the following statement in recognition of the 9th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks:

“Today we must take time to reflect on the senseless attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001 and honor those civilians, first responders and military personnel who lost their lives as a result of the unforgivable acts committed that fateful day. We also keep those who lost loved ones in the attacks in our thoughts and prayers.

As we continue to face threats from around the world, we are fortunate to have brave men and women of our military willing to make personal sacrifices to keep America safe. We must stand united in our support of our active duty military personnel at home and abroad.”

Murray and Reichert snag endorsements from same union

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:39:49 +0000

September 7th, 2010 – WASHINGTON — Here’s a political pair not often mentioned in the same sentence: Democratic Sen. Patty Murray and Republican U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert are being endorsed by the same labor union.

Members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades are holding separate rallies Tuesday morning with Murray and Reichert in Seattle. The events are part of the union’s “It’s About Jobs!” national tour in support of candidates it believes would best help spur employment.

Murray and Reichert are hardly ideological kinsmen. Organized labor traditionally is a big Democratic supporter. The painters’ union did not endorse Reichert in 2008, though it did back him in 2006.

This year, however, Reichert won the union’s favor by backing prevailing wages on public building projects, which protects workers’ paychecks from contractors who may want to pay less.

“We are not following party lines. We are following the unemployment lines,” said Chris Sloan, the international union’s director of government affairs.

What’s more, Sloan added, Reichert is a former King County Sheriff and “knows what it means to be a member of a collective bargaining unit.”

The International Union of Painters has endorsed five other Congressional candidates from Washington, all of them Democrats: Reps. Jay Inslee, Norm Dicks, Rick Larsen and Adam Smith, as well as Denny Heck, who’s running for the 3rd District seat being vacated by Rep. Brian Baird.

At a press conference in Seatac Tuesday morning announcing the endorsement, Raymond Sesma, the union’s general vice president, said the union has disagreed with Reichert on some issues, but felt he could be a voice for them on issues like backing prevailing wages.

“It’s about creating jobs,” Sesma said.

Reichert said the painters told him Republicans and Democrats need to work together.

“One party alone can’t fix the economy,” he said. “One party alone can’t get people back to work.”

Read more here: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2012829956_murrayandreichertendorsedbysameunion.html