Adam Smith — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Washington, 2026

Adam Smith voted against a 2026 Senate funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security due to concerns about its immigration enforcement authorities. He supports expanding the U.S. refugee admissions program and increasing its funding. Smith co-introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act to establish oversight and protect human rights in immigration detention. He also introduced bills to help immigrants enter health care professions.

“"We are witnessing appalling conditions for immigration detention and a clear disregard for basic human rights," said Smith. "No one should be subjected to overcrowded cells, denied medical care, or held in facilities that profit off of human suffering. This legislation establishes the oversight and guardrails needed to end these abuses and ensure that people are treated with dignity."”

Adam Smith strongly opposes federal subsidies for health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act, arguing they increase costs and reduce competition by allowing private industry to profit from taxpayer dollars. He advocates for direct financial assistance to buyers instead. This approach, he states, would foster a more competitive market and help control healthcare costs.

““If the federal government is going to continue to offer more bloated subsidies when it comes to health care and health care coverage — what stops these companies from accepting these bloated subsidies?” Smith asked.”

Congressman Adam Smith prioritizes combating climate change, citing it as an existential threat with harmful impacts. He advocates for an urgent transition away from fossil fuels and decarbonization, seeing it as an opportunity for job creation, economic growth, and public health improvement. Smith supports environmental justice, having cosponsored the Environmental Justice for All Act and advocated for increased EPA grants. He also introduced the Protecting Airport Communities from Particle Emissions Act.

“Combatting the existential threat of climate change is a top priority of mine in Congress. We are already seeing the harmful impacts and catastrophic consequences of climate change in communities here in Washington state. We need to urgently transition away from fossil fuels and decarbonize all aspects of our economy. While this may be a daunting challenge, it also presents an enormous opportunity for creating jobs and economic opportunity, safeguarding the environment, improving public health, and rectifying long-standing issues of environment justice. (Congressman Adam Smith, adamsmith.house.gov/issues/energy-and-environment)”

Representative Adam Smith supports abortion rights, advocating for federal protections. He co-sponsored the Women's Health Protection Act to codify Roe v. Wade and the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH) Act. Smith also supports the Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act and signed the Pro-Choice Caucus' discharge petition. He views abortion as a fundamental right tied to bodily autonomy and privacy.

“Today's ruling overturning Roe v. Wade means that millions of Americans will be stripped of their right to make deeply personal and medical decisions about their own bodies and futures. In a country built on the principle of freedom, this decision bulldozes over the freedom of millions. As a staunch advocate for reproductive rights and a woman's right to choose, I am enraged, saddened, and fearful. The Republican party has been working towards this day for decades, and they won't stop here. Republicans in the House and Senate have made it clear they intend to pass a federal abortion ban if they regain control of Congress, a proposal that the majority of Americans vehemently disagree with. This ban cannot become a reality. Central to Roe is the idea that any person should have the right to choose whether to get an abortion and the right to privacy in that decision without undue government interference. The Court's ruling today goes far beyond reproductive rights - it tramples Americans' right to privacy and puts all personal liberties at risk. The threats against our liberties are not theoretical. Justice Thomas is now calling on the court to reconsider landmark rulings that protect the right to contraception, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriage." - Representative Adam Smith, statement in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, June 2022.”

Adam Smith voted against the rule for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), citing insufficient debate and divisive amendments. He later supported the final FY26 NDAA, despite negotiation concerns, for its acquisition reforms, service member benefits, and defense technology investments. Smith also opposed Trump's 2026 preemptive military strikes against Iran, warning of escalation risks. Additionally, he supported a U.S.-backed ceasefire framework between Israel and Hamas.

““Overnight, the President ordered preemptive military strikes against Iran. Let me be clear that I oppose these preemptive strikes and am concerned the situation is prone to rapid escalation that puts Americans at risk and threatens to drag us into a war of choice with no strategic endgame." — U.S. Representative Adam Smith, statement in response to the Trump Administration employing U.S. military force against Iran (February 28, 2026).”

Adam Smith supports making postsecondary education affordable, advocating for tuition-free public colleges for low-income individuals and increased Pell Grant values. He has introduced legislation to reform the education system, including bills such as the Rebuild America’s Schools Act for a $100 billion investment in public schools. Smith aims to ensure equitable educational opportunities for all children and to reduce student debt burdens.

“Higher education is just as important to the success of our nation. I am proud of the long tradition of first-rate higher education offered to Washingtonians, from the University of Washington, to Renton Technical College. We need to ensure that students have access to higher education, including financial aid through student loans and grants, and enough slots at public schools to accommodate their pursuits. While it is imperative that we continue to offer students financial aid and other resources to be able to pay for higher education in the short-term, my ultimate goal is College for All, so that working and middle-class families do not have to struggle to afford to send their child to college. This goal is achievable and sensible, and something that I continue to fight for in”

Adam Smith advocates for universal background checks, gun buy-back programs, and the banning of bump-stocks, assault-style weapons, and high-capacity magazines. He voted in favor of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which included provisions for curtailing sales of military guns to the public. Smith states that the government must protect its people from gun violence and improve mental health treatment and resources to prevent harm.

“I intend to vote yes on final passage of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act when it comes to the House floor later this week. While I have concerns about how the Speaker and White House handled the final negotiations of the bill, the majority of this legislation reflects months of bipartisan negotiations done in good faith between the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. While I do not support everything included in this bill, on balance I believe it deserves support. [...] We were also successful in removing several partisan riders and poison pills included in the House-passed bill earlier this year. That includes mitigation of numerous attacks on LGBTQ+ individuals and DEI efforts; curtailing sales of military guns to the public; and excluding harmful provisions and other language that sought to restrict university research, which jeopardized U.S. innovation and fundamental research." - U.S. Representative Adam Smith, statement on FY2026 NDAA, December 8, 2025.”