Representative Adam Smith of Washington, the ranking Democrat on the US House Armed Services Committee, on Wednesday outlined a sweeping oversight agenda for the 120th Congress, placing the Iran conflict, military operations in Latin America, and Pentagon contracting practices at the top of his priorities.

Key Priorities Smith Has Outlined

Smith's statement called for more public testimony from senior Pentagon officials and the restoration of a dedicated subcommittee for oversight and investigations. The document laid out proposed priorities for committee Democrats but stopped short of announcing specific investigations or a fixed hearing timetable.

'My Democratic colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee and I are ready to hit the ground running in the 120th Congress and the top priority will be to conduct vigorous oversight of the Department of Defense and the Trump Administration,' Smith said.

Iran Conflict and 'Illegal War' Characterisation

Smith placed the Iran conflict near the head of his proposed agenda, characterising it as an 'illegal war' — a political and legal assessment offered without accompanying legal analysis in his statement. The framing reflects a sharp Democratic critique of the administration's military posture, though the statement did not propose specific hearings or legislative remedies tied to that claim.

Scrutiny of Contracts and Private Companies

Smith also alleged favouritism in government support for private businesses and demanded closer scrutiny of contracts and financial assistance. 'We must dive into any waste, fraud, and abuse by examining contracts and other financial support awarded to private companies,' he said. The statement did not name specific companies, contracts, or transactions under consideration.

Latin America, Troop Deployments and Politicisation Allegations

Among other oversight targets, Smith cited what he described as unauthorised military strikes in the Caribbean and Latin America, military deployments to US cities, and the alleged politicisation of the armed forces. He accused the administration of removing personnel on grounds of loyalty and ideology, though the statement named no individual cases and provided no supporting documentation for those allegations.

Defence Spending and Personnel Policy

On defence spending, Smith argued for a national security approach that would not require a budget exceeding $1 trillion or demand deep cuts to domestic programmes. He called for changing how Pentagon resources are spent and accounted for, insisting that investment in new weapons systems must reflect lessons from recent conflicts and deliver relevant capabilities more cost-effectively. 'Investment in new weapon systems must take lessons learned from recent conflicts and provide relevant capabilities in a more cost-effective manner,' he said.

Smith also backed bipartisan efforts to reform military procurement and stressed the need to support service members, civilian employees, and their families through improved benefits and living standards. He criticised what he described as the elevation of political loyalty over competence in senior military and civilian appointments. His proposals covered military operations, spending, and personnel policy but did not include draft legislation.

How much traction Smith's oversight agenda gains will depend on the composition and leadership dynamics of the 120th Congress when it convenes.