In a recent Slate podcast episode, Rep. Adam Smith, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, addresses the difficulties of congressional oversight amid current political dynamics. He highlights examples like strikes on Venezuela and ICE operations in Minneapolis to illustrate how oversight has diminished in function. Smith, representing Washington’s Ninth District, shares his views on what Congress and Democrats can do next.
Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, appeared on Slate's "What Next" podcast on January 14, 2026, to discuss the state of congressional oversight. As the representative for Washington’s Ninth Congressional District, Smith emphasized the committee's role in supervising the Department of Defense, which he continues to refer to by its traditional name despite ongoing debates.
The episode, hosted by Mary Harris, explores how effective oversight has become challenging in today's political environment. Smith points to specific instances, such as military strikes on Venezuela and surges in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in Minneapolis, to demonstrate that oversight is no longer a primary function of Congress. "Oversight isn’t a key function of Congress these days," he notes, underscoring the internal calls for reform coming from within the House itself.
Produced by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther, the podcast is part of Slate's daily news series aimed at making sense of overwhelming news cycles. Smith’s insights come at a time when Democrats are seeking strategies to navigate an increasingly ungovernable government structure. The discussion provides a window into potential paths forward for legislative accountability and Democratic responses in the coming sessions.
