|
As your voice in Washington, D.C., I am focused on creating broad-based opportunities for all, growing our economy, keeping our country strong and forward-looking, and making government work better for everyone.
Congressman Smith in Our Community
Growing up the son of a baggage handler at Sea-Tac Airport, I saw how my parents were able to raise a family and offer me opportunities for a bright future; in no small part because my father was a member of the Machinists union.
The economic stability the union helped to secure for my family enabled me to build a future, just as unions continue to open the door to the American dream for families today. Organized labor is one of the most important means by which working people can push back against economic forces that are increasingly rigged against them. Read my recent op-ed in The Stand: We must restore the freedom to join together, form unions, HERE.
This Labor Day, I had the honor of speaking at the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee event to honor the life and legacy of the civil rights icon. I thank the Committee for the invitation and the organizations in attendance for their work towards equality and racial justice.
Protecting Nutrition Assistance
Thank you to local high school students who visited my office to join in calling for Congress to protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP. Cuts to SNAP hurt the most vulnerable members of our community, children. Taking food away from children and families hurts the health and wellbeing of our entire community.
Local students visit the Renton, District Office to discuss SNAP
I had the opportunity to visit Northwest Harvest’s Cherry Street Food Bank where they assist as many as 3,000 people each week. During Hunger Action Month I joined in highlighting the importance of increasing resources for food banks and programs like SNAP to address hunger & food insecurity in our community.
Adam visits the Cherry Street Food Bank
Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act
My office recently held a roundtable with local Women’s Organizations such as King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, Planned Parenthood, and The Sophia Way. We discussed the need to protect healthcare for women and their families and increase support for shelters and domestic violence resources. I strongly support reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act to end the epidemic of violence against women and girls.
Women’s Roundtable Attendees Speak in Support of VAWA
Support for Early Learning
Early learning is critical to our children’s future – paving the way for their cognitive, social and emotional development. Thank you to the local parents and Puget Sound Educational Service District board members for sharing their stories with me. These personal experiences highlight why programs like Head Start are so important.
Local parents visit to share their stories
Legislative Update
Supporting Individuals Receiving Education and Workforce Training
For too many individuals, the barriers to receiving an education or obtaining the skills needed to succeed in this economy are insurmountable. The financial burden often goes beyond just the costs of tuition. Costs related to child care, transportation, or housing can have as much of a burden on individuals looking to gain the skills and education they need to succeed. Career and technical education and workforce training services serve as an onramp for individuals to enter the workforce and are critical to addressing our nation’s skills gap. Reducing the barriers that individuals face to obtain training and education will help ready our workforce for in-demand, good paying jobs.
Last week, I introduced the Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act. This legislation would establish a new grant program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), dedicated exclusively to providing support services for individuals receiving workforce training and education.
With persistent inequities in our society and an evolving economy, we must do more to help people obtain the education and skills they need to succeed. The Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act will provide wraparound services, such as assistance with child care or transportation, that are needed to help individuals complete education and training programs for in-demand jobs in our economy. Whether it’s a recently unemployed worker obtaining retraining services, an immigrant receiving English language classes, or a single parent looking to attend a technical school, we need to reduce the barriers that make career and technical education and training incredibly difficult or nearly impossible for so many people to achieve. Equal opportunity for all is only possible when every person in our country can access programs leading to high-quality and good-paying jobs.
Read more about the Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act HERE.
Protecting Social Security
Social Security is a vital program for seniors, survivors & the disabled. As a member of the Expand Social Security Caucus, I am committed to ensuring Social Security is strong for future generations to come. This program helps give seniors the dignity they deserve. It needs to be strengthened and expanded to make sure it’s there for everyone.
Making Social Security More Equitable for Retirees
Earlier this month, I introduced the Social Security Equity Act, legislation to provide relief to some of those workers and retirees who see their Social Security benefits reduced because of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The WEP reduces payments to many retirees who split their careers between jobs that were covered by Social Security and in positions where they earned even minimal public pension benefits.
Hard-working Americans should not experience a significant hit to their Social Security benefits because they happened to work for an employer that provided a pension, in addition to facing low wages, inconsistent work opportunities, or the need to take time away from work. By simply changing the WEP formula, Congress can make this aspect of Social Security less regressive and allow more retirees to collect full Social Security payments.
Learn more about the Social Security Equity Act in the Seattle Medium HERE.
Dignity for Detained Immigrants
One year ago, I introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. Now more than ever we need this bill so we can put an end to private contractors profiting off immoral and inhumane immigration policies. The current immigration detention system lacks even basic decency and is a stain on our values. From family separation, to mandatory detention, limited access to legal counsel, and inadequate health care treatment, the list goes on. We must act to fix this moral failure, put due process over profits, and treat all immigrants with the dignity they deserve.
The Trump Administration’s family separation policy resulted in over 10,000 young children being held in detention facilities across the country - the highest number ever recorded. Most of these privately-run facilities lack the resources to properly care for these children. Passing the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act will end private detention and allow Congressional authority to enforce standards and hold facilities accountable for the treatment of individuals in detention.
Building a More Peaceful World
As the first woman to serve as Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright brings a unique and valuable perspective to international diplomacy and development. I recently spoke with Secretary Albright about how we can collaborate to ensure that the United States has a comprehensive national security strategy and a holistic approach to maintaining our strong partnerships around the world.
Adam meets with Secretary Albright in Washington, D.C.
BUILD Act Passed into Law
This month, the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development (BUILD) Act of 2018 was signed into law. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation that I introduced with my colleagues Congressman Ted Yoho, Senator Chris Coons, and Senator Bob Corker, will strength U.S. foreign assistance and development.
Passage of the BUILD Act is an important step to modernizing U.S. international development finance and showing that the United States is committed to leading the international community in supporting less developed countries. This new institution will focus on sustainable, broad-based development programs supporting critically needed projects in communities across the world. It strengthens our ability to support economic growth that ensures people have the opportunity to live healthy lives and achieve their fullest potential. Make no mistake, this reform is only part of our commitment to providing help to those most in need around the world. We must take an all-in approach to our foreign assistance that includes robust direct assistance from the United States. I will continue to fight for these essential programs promoting health, peace, and stability that are vital to our national security.
The United States has a proud history of leading the international community in helping others during times of conflict, strife, and instability – times when people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Since World War II, the United States has invested and supported economic growth in countries all around the world to ensure that people have the opportunity to live healthy lives and achieve their fullest potential. Through our partnerships with friends and allies, we work to raise up local communities – strengthening institutions, combating hunger and disease, and ensuring that development projects have sustainable, long lasting impacts.
Read more about the BUILD Act HERE.
Adam speaks at CSIS, along with the Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance co-chair Rep.Ted Yoho about the need to continue bipartisan efforts to promote effective U.S foreign aid & development.
Ending U.S. Military Involvement in Yemen
Yemen is facing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world right now that has been significantly exacerbated by the civil war. The impact of the Saudi-coalition’s actions on the dire humanitarian crisis is undeniable. This is why I have joined with Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Mark Pocan in introducing a War Powers Resolution to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from engaging in the Saudi-led coalition’s conflict with the Houthis in Yemen.
The U.S. should be aggressively pushing a peaceful solution to end this civil war instead of supporting the Saudi-led coalition military campaign that has only destabilized the crisis further. We must make it clear that U.S. should not be choosing sides in this civil war while the people of Yemen continue to suffer.
Read more about our War Powers Resolution HERE.
Combating Climate Change
I agree with 97% of scientists and the latest UN report: Earth’s climate is warming. We must take action today to stop the impact of climate change.
I’m proud to have joined together with voices from around the globe in support of the Global Climate Action Summit goals. We need action at every level to make a difference in the fight to stop Climate Change.
Constituent Services Community Outreach
My office recently participated in OneAmerica’s Citizenship Day, a free legal clinic for immigrants to help complete the naturalization application, administered through the Washington New Americans citizenship program. We are in the community to serve as a resource if you or your family needs assistance with immigration services.
OneAmerica’s Citizenship Day Clinic
My office hosts Constituent Services Community Outreach hours throughout the region to become more accessible for those who need assistance. Come see staff for help with issues with federal agencies like the Social Security Administration or for resources to help with loan modifications and avoiding foreclosures. Also, if you need assistance with immigration services, or would like more information on federal grants, visit one of our Constituent Services Community Outreach locations and we can do our best to assist you.
For a full list of Constituent Service Community Outreach dates and times, visit my website or click HERE.
Constituent Services Community Outreach – We are in the community as a resource!
Military Service Academy Nominations
I have the honor of nominating several outstanding young men and women each year to the United States military academies. The academies provide an excellent education and an exceptional opportunity to serve our country.
The four service academies for which my office can make nominations:
The US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut does not require a nomination; however, my office can write a letter of recommendation upon request approval.
Each applicant must submit a completed nomination package to my district office in Renton by November 2, 2018. Visit my website to learn more!
.png)
|