Ballotpedia, Adam Smith

Adam is from Washington. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Fordham University and his law degree from the University Of Washington.

Adam previously worked as the city prosecutor of Seattle, Washington and as a lawyer at Cromwell, Mendoza, and Belur. He also worked as a pro tem judge.

Adam Smith is a US representative in Congressional District 9. He was first elected in 1996 and is serving his 14th term. He previously served as state senator in Washington State Senator District 33. He is the chair of the House Armed Services Committee.

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Adam Smith Gov, Issues

Supports unions and co-sponsored H.R. 842, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.

Supports unions and as state representative, co-sponsored House Resolution (H.R.) 842, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.

Opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for insufficient protections for workers, the environment, and human rights, and voted against the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for the TPP in 2015.

Sponsored the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act of 2015, which provides job training, extended unemployment benefits, financial assistance, and health insurance to industry workers who have lost their jobs due to international trade.

Supports increasing taxes on the wealthy and corporations to fund investments in green energy, education, health care, child care, sustainable infrastructure, and affordable housing.

- Supports increasing the minimum wage.
- Supports unions and as state representative, co-sponsored House Resolution (H.R.) 842, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.
- Opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for insufficient protections for workers, the environment, and human rights, and voted against the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for the TPP in 2015.
- Sponsored the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act of 2015, which provides job training, extended unemployment benefits, financial assistance, and health insurance to industry workers who have lost their jobs due to international trade.
- Supports increasing taxes on the wealthy and corporations to fund investments in green energy, education, health care, child care, sustainable infrastructure, and affordable housing.

Economy

Supports transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and geothermal power.

Believes climate change is a national threat and worked with the Department of Defense to address it.

Supports developing and exporting innovative energy technologies like fuel cells and solar panels to create American jobs and promote global sustainability.

Opposed the Trump-era cuts to clean water standards.

Opposed President Trump-era cuts to clean water standards.

Supports the Green Climate Fund, believing it provides essential resources for resilient, low-emission development globally.

Advocates for reducing health and environmental impacts of aviation noise and emissions, particularly in low-income and minority communities near airports.

- Supports transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and geothermal power.
- Believes climate change is a national threat and worked with the Department of Defense to address it.
- Supports developing and exporting innovative energy technologies like fuel cells and solar panels to create American jobs and promote global sustainability.
- Opposed President Trump-era cuts to clean water standards.
- Supports the Green Climate Fund, believing it provides essential resources for resilient, low-emission development globally.
- Advocates for reducing health and environmental impacts of aviation noise and emissions, particularly in low-income and minority communities near airports.

Energy & the Environment

Supports abortion access and co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act to safeguard reproductive care.

Supports abortion access and as state representative, co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act to safeguard reproductive care.

Supports expanding and improving the State Children’s Health Program (SCHIP).

As a state representative, introduced the MediFair Act to make Washington state’s Medicare reimbursement rates more equitable and expand coverage for Medicare patients.

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

Supports stem cell research and co-sponsored the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

- Supports abortion access and as state representative, co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act to safeguard reproductive care.
- Supports expanding and improving the State Children’s Health Program (SCHIP).
- As a state representative, introduced the MediFair Act to make Washington state’s Medicare reimbursement rates more equitable and expand coverage for Medicare patients.
- Supports measures to lower healthcare costs by creating subsidies to fund community health centers and preventative care for low-income families.
- Supports stem cell research and co-sponsored the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

Healthcare

Supports the Voting Rights Act and opposes the Supreme Court's decision to invalidate Section Four, limiting federal oversight on voter ID laws and district redrawing, potentially disenfranchising minorities.

Said, "No one should be above the law, not even the President."

Opposed the Supreme Court's Trump v. United States regarding presidential immunity and said, "No one should be above the law, not even the President."

- Supports the Voting Rights Act and opposes the Supreme Court's decision to invalidate Section Four, limiting federal oversight on voter ID laws and district redrawing, potentially disenfranchising minorities.
- Opposed the Supreme Court's Trump v. United States regarding presidential immunity and said, "No one should be above the law, not even the President."

Voting & Elections

Supports gun control and banning "assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines."

Supports universal background checks for all gun sales, gun buy-back programs, and banning bump-stocks.

Supports legislation that would prevent ammunition being sold online.

Believes in improving mental health treatment and resources to prevent gun violence and self-harm.

Supports protecting citizens' rights and freedoms, condemning discrimination, hate, and violence.

- Supports gun control and banning "assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines."
- Supports universal background checks for all gun sales, gun buy-back programs, and banning bump-stocks.
- Supports legislation that would prevent ammunition being sold online.
- Believes in improving mental health treatment and resources to prevent gun violence and self-harm.
- Supports protecting citizens' rights and freedoms, condemning discrimination, hate, and violence.

Public Safety

Supports reducing federal oversight in local schools.

Supports lowering interest rates on student loans to increase access to higher education.

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

Supports access to higher education and financial aid through loans and grants, and aims for a "College for All" initiative to ease costs for working and middle-class families.

- Supports reducing federal oversight in local schools.
- Supports lowering interest rates on student loans to increase access to higher education.
- Supports education savings accounts, which allow families to save money for their children’s college education tax-free.
- Supports access to higher education and financial aid through loans and grants, and aims for a "College for All" initiative to ease costs for working and middle-class families.

Education

Supports DACA and opposes family separation and immigration bans based on country or religion.

Supports Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and opposes family separation and immigration bans based on country or religion.

Supports ending the use of private detention facilities in the U.S. immigration system.

As a state representative, cosponsored the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, which would create a legal pathway to citizenship for undocumented people, implement a talent-based immigration approach, and enhance border security by adding more Border Patrol agents and upgrading border stations.

As a state representative, co-sponsored the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, which would create a legal pathway to citizenship for undocumented people, implement a talent-based immigration approach, and enhance border security by adding more Border Patrol agents and upgrading border stations.

Supports increased funding for the VA, access to quality benefits, and job opportunities for veterans.

- Supports Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and opposes family separation and immigration bans based on country or religion.
- Supports ending the use of private detention facilities in the U.S. immigration system.
- As a state representative, co-sponsored the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, which would create a legal pathway to citizenship for undocumented people, implement a talent-based immigration approach, and enhance border security by adding more Border Patrol agents and upgrading border stations.
- Supports increased funding for the VA, access to quality benefits, and job opportunities for veterans.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

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Adam Smith

Adam is from Washington state and attended Tyee High School. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Fordham University and his law degree from the University Of Washington.

Adam Smith is the current US Representative for Congressional District 9 in Washington. He was first elected in 1996 and is serving his 14th term. He previously served as state senator in Washington State Senator District 33. Adam is the chair of the House Armed Services Committee.

Supports raising the minimum wage and mandating paid sick leave for workers.

Supports raising the minimum wage and providing paid sick leave.

As a state representative, helped constituent organizations receive $6.7 million in federal grants to support local businesses.

As state representative, opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for insufficient protections for workers, the environment, and human rights, and voted against the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for the TPP in 2015.

As state representative, sponsored the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act of 2015, which provides job training, extended unemployment benefits, financial assistance, and health insurance to industry workers who have lost their jobs due to international trade.

- Supports increasing the minimum wage.
- Supports unions and as state representative, co-sponsored House Resolution (H.R.) 842, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.
- As state representative, opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for insufficient protections for workers, the environment, and human rights, and voted against the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for the TPP in 2015.
- As state representative, sponsored the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act of 2015, which provides job training, extended unemployment benefits, financial assistance, and health insurance to industry workers who have lost their jobs due to international trade.
- Supports increasing taxes on the wealthy and corporations to fund investments in green energy, education, health care, child care, sustainable infrastructure, and affordable housing.

Supports protecting Americans from pesticides and other chemicals.

Co-sponsored the BREATHE Act to improve air quality standards.

- Supports transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and geothermal power.
- Believes climate change is a national threat and worked with the Department of Defense to address it.
- Supports developing and exporting innovative energy technologies like fuel cells and solar panels to create American jobs and promote global sustainability.
- Opposed the Trump-era cuts to clean water standards.
- Supports the Green Climate Fund, believing it provides essential resources for resilient, low-emission development globally.
- Advocates for reducing health and environmental impacts of aviation noise and emissions, particularly in low-income and minority communities near airports.

Supports increasing funding for the National Institutes of Health.

Supports accessible healthcare and has "secured federal funding for community health clinics across the 9th district."

Believes in protecting voting rights and ensuring fair elections.

Supports the 33rd Legislative District Democrats.

Supports initiatives like the Democracy Summer Fellowship to train young Democrats in voter registration, canvassing, and digital organizing to effect political change.

Supports voting rights and fair election practices.

Endorsed by the National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO, and the United Food and Commercial Workers.

Supports public funding of elections to create a "more just and equitable system" for candidates and the American people.

Supports gun control and participated in the National Walkout and March for Our Lives to raise awareness of gun violence.

Supports the election of Awale Farah to the Kent School Board.

Supports increased funding for K-12 public schools and more efficient methods of sending federal dollars to local schools.

Supports education for high school and college students.

As a House Representative, co-sponsored the Freedom of Religion Act to prohibit entry denial based on religion.

Supports President Obama’s executive actions on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA).

As a House Representative, introduced the Accountability in Immigration Detention Act to improve conditions in detention centers and ensure access to legal representation and translation services.

As a state representative, signed a discharge petition and joined Democratic leadership in an effort to force former House Speaker John Boehner to vote on immigration reform.

Supports unions and as a representative, co-sponsored House Resolution (H.R.) 842, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.

- Supports increasing the minimum wage.
- Supports unions and as a representative, co-sponsored House Resolution (H.R.) 842, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.
- Opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for insufficient protections for workers, the environment, and human rights, and voted against the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for the TPP in 2015.
- Sponsored the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act of 2015, which provides job training, extended unemployment benefits, financial assistance, and health insurance to industry workers who have lost their jobs due to international trade.
- Supports increasing taxes on the wealthy and corporations to fund investments in green energy, education, health care, child care, sustainable infrastructure, and affordable housing.

- Supports abortion access and co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act to safeguard reproductive care.
- Supports expanding and improving the State Children’s Health Program (SCHIP).
- As a state representative, introduced the MediFair Act to make Washington state’s Medicare reimbursement rates more equitable and expand coverage for Medicare patients.
- Supports measures to lower healthcare costs by creating subsidies to fund community health centers and preventative care for low-income families.
- Supports stem cell research and co-sponsored the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

- Supports DACA and opposes family separation and immigration bans based on country or religion.
- Supports ending the use of private detention facilities in the U.S. immigration system.
- As a state representative, co-sponsored the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, which would create a legal pathway to citizenship for undocumented people, implement a talent-based immigration approach, and enhance border security by adding more Border Patrol agents and upgrading border stations.
- Supports increased funding for the VA, access to quality benefits, and job opportunities for veterans.

As of October 8, 2024, Adam Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Adam Smith is the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee. He previously served as a prosecutor for the City of Seattle, focusing on drunk driving and domestic violence cases, and worked as a lawyer at Cromwell, Mendoza, and Belur.

Believes in addressing gun control policy quickly to prevent further tragedies.

Supports banning assault weapons, as evidenced by co-sponsoring H.R. 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2021.

- Your US Representative represents the interests of your district in the US House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. Washington currently has 10 US Representatives.
- US Representatives can author, sponsor, debate, and vote on bills that become national law.
- Representatives may serve on congressional committees. Committees focus on certain policy areas, such as transportation, education, or labor. They may also run for higher positions within their party, such as the Speaker of the House or Majority/Minority Leader.
- Representatives are elected to two-year terms. To hold this office, a candidate must be a legal resident of Washington for at least seven years before their election. US Representatives are paid a salary of $174,000/year.