Nick Smith, December 28, 2003

2003 has been an exciting and momentous year. Our policy in Iraq, from the run-up to war to the magnificent performance of our troops to the capture of Saddam Hussein and the democratization process where already, most Iraqis are economically better off, will have effects for decades. Our work in Afghanistan has stopped the Taliban and has resulted in a reduction in the terrorist recruitment and training in that country. We reached less positive turning points in our space policy with the loss of a the Columbia space shuttle, and in our entitlement programs with increased spending and the creation of a new prescription drug benefit in Medicare. The economy has been growing stronger, but the government ran a record deficit that will have to be reduced.

Looking ahead, we can expect an equally important 2004. There is much hard work to be done in Iraq and Afghanistan to create stable and responsible governments that can serve as models for other Arab countries. From my seat on the International Relations Committee, I will be involved in overseeing our efforts. Next week, I will be going to China, as a member of the Speaker’s inter-Parliamentary group to meet with government leaders and discuss such issues as fair trade, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and the current problem in North Korea,

I hope that we can move much closer in both Iraq and Afghanistan to relinquishing most responsibility for government and civil order. That means drafting Constitutions, training adequate police and military forces and handing them increasing responsibility. It means setting up conditions for conducting the election expected this summer in Afghanistan and moving toward elections in Iraq. If we can do these things, we’ll be closer to bringing most of our troops home. Even so, I expect some U.S. presence in both of these countries for at least the next ten years.

Our space policy is now at a crossroads and will be studied in my Science Committee. The Administration has recently suggested that one of NASA’s missions should be a return to the moon. Our committee will be evaluating that suggestion because the costs of manned space missions are so expensive at a time when we are trying to reduce deficit spending. We could do much more to advance science into new areas with much cheaper unmanned space exploration. But we will have to push hard to shift attitudes at NASA, and those Members who represent districts that benefit from the huge government expenditures on manned space exploration.

It now looks like the economy will gain momentum in 2004, with the consensus economic forecast for growth being very positive. I’m concerned, however, that the recovery could be thrown off track by profligate government spending. I’m pushing for budget reforms to reinstitute caps on spending and require the government to report unfunded liabilities where promised benefits in programs such as social security, Medicare, and government retirement are greater than the revenues needed to make those payments. We need to take action to stop piling debt for current needs on our children and grandchildren.

We certainly have some problems for 2004 that Congress and the government must address, but I’m optimistic that progress can and will be made in most areas. Finally, with the elections coming in August and November, we can also expect extensive discussion of these and other important issues in the months ahead. I encourage every voter to participate because the debate and your vote may have a significant effect on the direction that this country will be taking in the next several years.

Congressman Nick Smith, a Republican, represents Michigan's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.