For his first term, Smith represented a vast district that stretched from his home in the state capital, Salem, all the way to the Idaho border. When the 1980 census gave Oregon another congressional district, Smith's home in Salem, along with much of the western portion of the old 2nd, was placed in the newly created 5th district. He was elected from this district in 1982 and was reelected three more times. While in the House, Smith served on the Budget, the Interior and Insular Affairs, and Veterans' Affairs committees.