NPR’s Scott Simon spoke with Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, about the month‑long war with Iran and the ongoing Department of Homeland Security funding fight.
On the partial government shutdown: Smith said the central dispute is over immigration‑enforcement policy, particularly reforms to ICE and Border Patrol practices after what he called instances of overly aggressive and unlawful actions, citing Minneapolis as a tragic example. He argued Democrats are willing to fund other DHS components—TSA, the Coast Guard, FEMA—while negotiating ICE reforms. The Senate unanimously approved such a measure, Smith said, but House Speaker Mike Johnson would not bring it to the floor because former President Trump had not signaled support. Smith contended that had it been voted on, it likely would have passed with near‑400 votes and restored TSA funding.
On Iran: Simon noted President Trump’s claim that Iran’s missile capacity had been “decimated,” while U.S. officials told NPR they could confirm only about a third of Iran’s missile arsenal had been destroyed. Smith said, in principle, he would like Iran to have no ballistic‑missile capability, but warned destroying that capability by force would carry enormous costs: a full‑scale Middle East war, global oil shocks, and still likely not eliminate the threat. He said even optimistic estimates of degradation—perhaps up to 75 percent—would leave Iran with some remaining ability to strike, and drones present an even harder challenge.
Smith described the conflict as expanding, noting Houthi attacks from Yemen and recent missile launches toward Israel, and argued continued military action is not accomplishing objectives. His preferred course is to stop the fighting, secure a ceasefire, and pursue negotiated settlement talks rather than escalate further.
