Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Again

The House Democratic Caucus on Wednesday selected Rep. Adam Smith (Wash.) to continue to serve as ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee in the 113th Congress that begins in January. “Is has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee and represent the Democratic Caucus on matters relating to national security,” said Smith, who has led committee Democrats during the 112th Congress since 2011, in a Dec. 5 release. He added, “I am pleased that my colleagues selected me to serve another term, and as our country continues to face great challenges, I am committed to standing up and fighting for the national security goals and principles of our caucus.” Smith said HASC Chairman Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) “has been a great partner to work with on the committee,” and thanked him for his leadership and commitment to maintaining the committee’s “bipartisan tradition.” The House Republican Conference last month decided that McKeon would retain the committee’s leadership reins in the next Congress