{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"AZ\" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1602", "PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS LAUDS NSA REVIEW, URGES PRESIDENT OBAMA TO SWIFTLY UNDERTAKE NECESSARY REFORMS", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -- Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) today joined House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) in urging President Obama to follow the newly released recommendations of a presidential taskforce to reform National Security Agency surveillance programs to better protect Americans\u2019 civil liberties:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAs I\u2019ve said before, Senator Obama would not have supported this program under President Bush,\u201d Rep.Grijalva said. \u201cA secretive intelligence agency gathering millions of communications records and using them as it sees fit is the kind of excess many of us warned about after the Patriot Act became law. Continuing this program indefinitely gives the impression of being under constant siege and needing to know everything at all times to keep us safe. I find that a very troubling view of American security policy. We\u2019re being assured that this is limited, supervised and no big deal. When we heard the same under President Bush, we weren\u2019t comfortable taking his word for it and moving on. I feel the same today.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe report released yesterday demonstrates that the White House and the National Security Agency must make meaningful changes to safeguard the privacy of Americans,\u201d Rep. Ellison said. \u201cI hope the President takes the recommendations in the report seriously and requires the intelligence community to respect Americans\u2019 right to privacy.\u00a0 Our national security should not compromise the freedom guaranteed to each citizen in our constitution.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tRep. John Conyers, Jr. said,\u201cThe panel\u2019s lengthy report is a good first step towards meaningful reform. Perhaps most importantly, the panel explicitly rejects the false choice between security and liberty that has dominated the public debate for far too long. I welcome this report as a starting point in our work towards comprehensive surveillance reform.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tProtecting civil liberties is a key componentof the CPC\u2019s mission. This report, as well as constitutional questions raised by a recent federal court ruling, highlights the need for more robust oversight of domestic spying programs that have the potential to infringe on American civil liberties.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1604", "Grijalva Highlights Number of Arizonans Benefiting From Consumer Protections and Cost Savings Under the Affordable Care Act", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz. \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today released a year-end review of how the Affordable Care Act has benefited Arizona residents. The Affordable Care Act has already given millions of uninsured Americans access to affordable health insurance, helped Americans with insurance improve their coverage, and established new consumer protections and cost savings.\u00a0The review finds that, thanks to the Affordable Care Act:\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1,406,000 individuals in Arizona on private insurance have gained coverage for at least one free preventive health care service, such as a mammogram, birth control, or an immunization in 2011 and 2012. In addition, an additional 434,800 people with Medicare in Arizona have received at least one free preventive service at no out-of-pocket cost.\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The up to 2,794,000 individuals in Arizona with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, cancer or diabetes \u2013 including up to 411,000 children \u2013 will no longer have to worry about being denied coverage or charged higher prices because of their health status or history.\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Approximately 1,269,000 Arizonians have gained expanded mental health and substance use disorder benefits and/or federal parity protections.\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 948,000 uninsured Arizonians will have new health insurance options through private health plans in the Marketplace or Medicaid.\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As a result of new policies that make sure premium dollars work for the consumer, not just the insurer, in the past year insurance companies have sent rebates totaling $71 per family to approximately 424,000 consumers in Arizona.\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In the first ten months of 2013, 59,600 seniors and people with disabilities in Arizona have saved an average of $813 on prescription medications as the health care law closes Medicare\u2019s so-called \u201cdonut hole.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 69,000 young adults in Arizona have gained health insurance because they can now stay on their parents\u2019 health plans until age 26.\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Individuals no longer have to worry about having their health benefits cut off after they reach a lifetime limit on benefits, and starting in January, 2,091,000 Arizonians will no longer have to worry about annual limits, either.\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Community Health Centers in Arizona have received $84,457,000 to provide primary care, establish new sites, and renovate existing centers to expand access to quality health care.\u00a0Arizona has approximately 140 Community Health Center sites, which served about 423,000 individuals in 2012.\r\n\r\n\tAll information in the review comes from the Department of Health and Human Services.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cRepublicans are still fighting for complete repeal instead of acknowledging the progress that\u2019s been made and playing a constructive role in improving the law,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cWe can go back to the bad old days of arbitrary premiums, gender-based rate discrimination, expensive mammograms, and lots of healthy young people unable to get insurance without a trust fund.\u00a0I don\u2019t think the people of Southern Arizona want those days back. It\u2019s time to face reality, stop refighting old political battles, and get together to help working families across Arizona. This law is already making health insurance more affordable and accessible, and that progress will continue in 2014 and well beyond.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301013754/http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1601", "Rep. Grijalva Congratulates 17 Arizona Health Centers on Receiving Grants to Help Arizonans Sign Up for Better Health Insurance", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz. \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today congratulated the 17 Arizona health centers that received grants from the Department of Health and Human Services last week to help Arizonans enroll in new health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act exchange. The grants are part of $58 million in grants to 1,157 health centers across the nation.\n\n\tThe awards will help health centers expand the hours of current outreach and enrollment assistance workers and hire new or temporary workers.\u00a0Health centers around the country operate more than 9,000 service delivery sites nationwide and serve more than 21 million patients annually.\n\n\tThe funds are being issued by the Health Resources and Services Administration to complement other federal efforts to help Americans get access to affordable health insurance coverage. The new awards follow an earlier $150 million first round of health center investments to support outreach and enrollment activities.\n\n\t\u201cLocal health centers with a connection to their communities are a natural place for people to look for help and information, and these grants are going to the right place to make sure Arizonans get the full benefits of the Affordable Care Act,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cRather than voting over and over to repeal the law, I hope my Republican colleagues start helping their constituents get the assistance they\u2019re entitled to and the savings they deserve. These grants are part of making the law work, and I look forward to hearing the success stories they generate all over the state.\u201d\n\n\tFull information about Arizona recipients is available below.\n\n\tTotal: $3,502,914 to 17 health centers ($2,271,003 in Fiscal Year 13 plus $1,231,911 in Fiscal Year 14)\n\n\tArizona has 17 health centers with 140 sites that served 423,160 patients last year, 27.24 percent of them uninsured. With their FY13 Outreach and Enrollment funding, the health centers listed below expected to hire 45 additional workers, who will assist 61,638 people with enrollment into affordable health insurance coverage.\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tHealth Center\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tCity\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tFY 13 Award Amount\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tFY 14 Award Amount\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tADELANTE HEALTHCARE, INC.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tPhoenix\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$112,295\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$58,915\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tAJO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tAjo\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$64,995\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$28,815\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tCANYONLANDS COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tPage\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$106,663\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$55,331\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tCHIRICAHUA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, INC.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tDouglas\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$185,522\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$105,514\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tEL RIO SANTA CRUZ NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER, INC.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tTucson\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$290,077\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$172,049\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMARANA HEALTH CENTER, INC.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMarana\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$178,262\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$100,894\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMARICOPA, COUNTY OF\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tPhoenix\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$121,293\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$64,641\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMARIPOSA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, INC.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tNogales\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$98,578\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$50,186\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMOUNTAIN PARK HEALTH CENTER\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tPhoenix\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$202,627\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$116,399\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tNATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, INC.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tPhoenix\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$70,209\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$32,133\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tNORTH COUNTRY HEALTHCARE, INC.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tFlagstaff\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$176,535\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$99,795\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSUN LIFE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER, INC.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tCasa Grande\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$136,462\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$74,294\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSUNSET COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSomerton\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$127,541\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$68,617\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tTUBA CITY REGIONAL HEALTH CARE CORPORATION\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tTuba City\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$59,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$25,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tUNITED COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER-MARIA AUXILIADORA, INC.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tGreen Valley\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$77,546\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$36,802\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tWESLEY COMMUNITY CENTER INC.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tPhoenix\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$125,121\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$67,077\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tYAVAPAI COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tPrescott\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$138,277\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t$75,449", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1599", "Grijalva, Roybal-Allard, House Colleagues Request Meeting With Department of Homeland Security to Discuss Humanitarian Concerns", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)sent a letter with 37 other Members of Congress today to acting Secretary of Homeland Security Rand Beersrequesting a meeting to discussdangerous deportation practices, the significant recent increase in migrant deaths, and severely inadequate short-term custody conditions.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tCurrent enforcement policies, many instituted in the 1990s, have pushed migrants into the driest, most remote regions of the desert borderlands and put migrants at risk of inhumane treatmentby law enforcement. The letter, available at http://1.usa.gov/1gC37Z2, outlines the major concerns.\r\n\r\n\tMigrant Deaths\r\n\r\n\tIn recent years, an alarming number of migrants have died in the U.S. borderlands. Last year, the remains of 463 migrants were found in U.S. territory, the second-highest year for migrant deaths in the past 15 years.\u00a0In a five-month period, between October 2012 and February of 2013, CBP discovered the remains of 70 human bodies in the Rio Grande Valley sector alone.\r\n\r\n\tShort-term Custody\r\n\r\n\tMigrants are being subjected to inhumane conditions while in short-term Customs and Border Protection custody, including in holding cells at Border Patrol stations, checkpoints, ports of entry, and secondary inspection areas.\u00a0Complaints of CBP misconduct regularly mention verbal and physical abuse, denial of medical care, inadequate food and water, due process violations, exposure to extreme temperatures, extended use of bright lights, inadequate provision of space or bedding making sleep impossible, extreme overcrowding, and permanent confiscation of personal items including legal documents, medication and personal identification.\r\n\r\n\tDangerous Deportations\r\n\r\n\tCurrent CBP deportation practices often separate families and potentially place individuals at risk.\u00a0Specifically, current CBP deportation practices include repatriating Mexican migrants to border cities with extremely high levels of violence and criminal activity.\u00a0Migrants are frequently returned to Mexico in the middle of the night, when basic services are unavailable and most shelters are closed.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe have to ask ourselves whether this is how we want to spend our tax dollars,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cIt matters how we enforce our laws, and it matters who\u2019s getting harmed in the process. We should never turn a blind eye to needless suffering, especially if it\u2019s taking place in the name of security. Members of Congress have a duty to conduct proper oversight, and we believe a meeting is the right opportunity to start making some decisions about how CBP can best conduct its mission going forward.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI'm extremely concerned about reports of migrants being held in poor conditions at DHS facilities along our borders,\u201d Rep. Roybal-Allard said. \u201cEveryone in our government's custody -- citizen or immigrant, documented or undocumented -- deserves to be treated with basic human dignity and respect. I look forward to hearing directly from DHS about what steps the Department is taking in response to these serious allegations.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe full list of signers \u2013 all House Democrats \u2013 is below.\r\n\r\n\tRa\u00fal M. Grijalva\r\n\r\n\tLucille Roybal-Allard\r\n\r\n\tRuben Hinojosa\r\n\r\n\tCharles B. Rangel\r\n\r\n\tSam Farr\r\n\r\n\tYvette Clarke\r\n\r\n\tMike Honda\r\n\r\n\tBeto O'Rourke\r\n\r\n\tJan Schakowsky\r\n\r\n\tEddie Bernice Johnson\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee\r\n\r\n\tZoe Lofgren\r\n\r\n\tJohn Conyers\r\n\r\n\tLuis V. Gutierrez\r\n\r\n\tKeith Ellison\r\n\r\n\tMark Pocan\r\n\r\n\tGloria Negrete McLeod\r\n\r\n\tJames P. McGovern\r\n\r\n\tTony Cardenas\r\n\r\n\tLoretta Sanchez\r\n\r\n\tSheila Jackson-Lee\r\n\r\n\tJim Moran\r\n\r\n\tGwen Moore\r\n\r\n\tLloyd Doggett\r\n\r\n\tGrace Napolitano\r\n\r\n\tDina Titus\r\n\r\n\tMichelle Lujan Grisham\r\n\r\n\tRush Holt\r\n\r\n\tKaren Bass\r\n\r\n\tBobby L. Rush\r\n\r\n\tDonna M. Christensen\r\n\r\n\tEleanor Holmes Norton\r\n\r\n\tAnna G. Eshoo\r\n\r\n\tAlbio Sires\r\n\r\n\tMarc Veasey\r\n\r\n\tJuan Vargas\r\n\r\n\tFilemon Vela\r\n\r\n\tPeter Welch\r\n\r\n\tJoe Garcia", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1600", "Grijalva, Slaughter, McCollum Respond to FDA Decision to Re-Evaluate Allowance of \"Antibacterial\" Chemicals in Consumer Products", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva, Louise M. Slaughter and Betty McCollum responded today to the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s (FDA) decision to reevaluate the use of triclosan and triclocarban\u2013 dangerous antibacterial chemical ingredients found in soaps and body washes\u2013 unless industry can provide evidence that they are safe and effective.\r\n\r\n\tIn November 2010, the three representatives submitted a letter to the Commissioner of the FDA urging a revaluation of triclosan. In March 2011 Rep. Slaughter co-authored an opinion piece for Politico with now-Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) describing the negative hormonal and development impacts of triclosan spelled out in several animal studies.\r\n\r\n\tThe public comment period will last until June 2014, and additional data, information, and studies can be submitted to the FDA until December 2014.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cFew things on the market today need a more urgent and comprehensive review, and it\u2019s about time this one got started,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cI\u2019m glad, just like my colleagues on the Hill and consumer advocates around the country, that the FDA is taking the right steps. We can\u2019t always trust the invisible hand when it comes to product safety and chemical policy. We need good regulators and reasonable oversight. Today the FDA decided to protect the public, and it should be commended. I\u2019m going to watch carefully to make sure the process goes forward as it should.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThree years after we wrote to the FDA expressing concern regarding \u2018antibacterial\u2019 chemicals like triclosan and triclocarban contained in soaps and body washes, we are encouraged that the FDA is taking steps to ban them from use,\u201d Rep. Slaughter said. \u201cThese chemicals change the way our bodies respond to our own hormones, and their use contributes to antibiotic resistance, weakening the effects of antibiotics that we use to treat serious infections. I remain committed to ensuring that these dangerous chemicals are not used in household products, and will be keeping a close eye on the FDA as they move forward on this issue.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cTriclosan and triclocarban require a serious evaluation for the sake of our nation\u2019s environment and the public health of our citizens,\u201d Rep. McCollum said. \u201cIt is critical that the FDA take action to fully understand the consequences of what has become a pervasive chemical in consumer products.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301015850/http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1598", "More Than 400,000 Arizonans Get Rebates From Insurance Companies Thanks to Affordable Care Act Rule Limiting Profit on Premiums", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz. \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today highlighted the 424,000 Arizonans who received an average rebate of approximately $71 per familyfrom their insurance company this year thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA says insurance companies must spend at least 80percent of what they make in premiums \u2013 or 85percent in the large group market\u2013 on medical care and quality improvement efforts rather than overhead, profits and executive pay.\n\n\tInsurers who fail to meet that standard, known as the \u201cmedical loss ratio,\u201d have to send consumers a rebate to make up the difference. Insurers sent 8.5 million consumers an average rebate of approximately $100 per family nationwide this year.\n\n\tThe health care law requires insurance companies to publicly post and justify any proposed rate increase of 10 percent or more. Across the country, insurers are withdrawing or decreasing proposed rate hikes, benefiting\u00a0families and the economy.One high-profile instance over the summer led to Anthem Blue Cross of California dropping its request to participate in the Covered California state health care exchange because of state-level scrutiny of its rate increases.\n\n\t\u201cWhenever we try to make the market a little fairer for working people, we hear these doom-and-gloom predictions that putting money back in their hands is going to wreck the economy,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cAsk any of the hundreds of thousands of Arizonans who got a check back from their insurance company this year, and I think they\u2019ll tell you this rule is working.\u201d\n\n\tHouse Republicans have voted to repeal the ACA more than 40 times.\n\n\tThe full state-by-state rebate table is below.\n\n\tCONSUMERS RECEIVING 2012 REBATES FROM THEIR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN 2013[1]\n\n\t\u00a0\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tState\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tNumber of Individuals\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tAverage Premium Per Family\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tAlabama\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t1,500\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$248\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tAlaska\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t12,300\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $190\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tArizona\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t424,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$71\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tArkansas\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t121,200\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $49\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t1,433,800\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$71\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tColorado\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t150,500\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$134\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tConnecticut\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t47,600\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$168\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tDelaware\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t4,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$495\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tDistrict of Columbia\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t210,200\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$53\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tFlorida\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t614,200\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$132\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tGeorgia\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t247,900\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$82\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tHawaii\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t39,600\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $59\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tIdaho\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t28,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $152\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tIllinois\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t178,600\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$52\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tIndiana\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t273,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$157\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tIowa\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t1,800\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $111\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tKansas\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t83,700\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $71\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tKentucky\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t206,800\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$100\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tLouisiana\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t81,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $50\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMaine\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t8,800\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $106\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMaryland\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t150,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$143\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMassachusetts\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t173,500\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$457\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMichigan\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t222,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$138\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMinnesota\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t9,200\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$303\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMississippi\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t60,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$140\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMissouri\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t457,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $72\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMontana\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t13,300\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $173\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tNebraska\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t42,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $82\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tNevada\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t88,500\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $75\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tNew Hampshire\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t15,400\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$147\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tNew Jersey\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t220,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $104\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tNew Mexico\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t17,500\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$24\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tNew York\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t633,800\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$92\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tNorth Carolina\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t192,600\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $87\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tNorth Dakota\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t570\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $64\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tOhio\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t6,300\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $133\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tOklahoma\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t273,700\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $92\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tOregon\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t22,300\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$206\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tPennsylvania\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t123,600\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $77\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tRhode Island\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t1,300\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$43\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSouth Carolina\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t119,400\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $70\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSouth Dakota\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t800\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $70\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tTennessee\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t131,800\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$69\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tTexas\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t726,200\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$95\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tUtah\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t139,700\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$85\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tVermont\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t5,200\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $58\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tVirginia\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t236,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$88\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tWashington\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t3,000\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $512\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tWest Virginia\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t11,800\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$132\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tWisconsin\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t147,100\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0$46\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tWyoming\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t8,400\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 $284\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tSource - http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Data-Resources/Downloads/2012-mlr-rebates-by-state-and-market.pdf", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1595", "Grijalva Votes Against Unfair Budget Deal That Fails to Protect Unemployed, Fails to Create Jobs and Fails to Close Corporate Loopholes", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva last night voted against the year-end budget deal \u2013 created by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) \u2013 that passed the House despite failing to address most of the nation\u2019s pressing economic issues. Grijalva\u00a0hosted\u00a0a Wednesday press conference on Capitol Hill with working and retired Americans on the damage the deal could have done to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security if not for diligent advocacy by Congressional Progressive Caucus leaders and their allies.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe best way to help the American people is to create jobs and get more families back into this economy, and this deal doesn\u2019t do that,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cI don\u2019t see enough here that\u00a0helps\u00a0the people I represent.\u00a0This package\u00a0doesn\u2019t help people looking for jobs, it doesn\u2019t help people wondering what they\u2019re supposed to do when their unemployment insurance is cut off, and it doesn\u2019t create any new opportunities for working Americans. It used the flawed Budget Control Act as its starting point, and that meant the finished product wasn\u2019t strong enough to earn my support.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe sequester portion of the Budget Control Act passed in 2011 included a reduction in payment rates to Medicare health care providers that would have expired in 2021. Last night\u2019s budget deal extends those cuts to fiscal years 2022 and 2023. It also postpones, but does not eliminate, certain scheduled cuts to future budget years\u2019 federal education and job creation funding. Other cuts will go forward on schedule.\r\n\r\n\tIn addition to ignoring the impending end of unemployment insurance benefits for approximately 1.3 million Americans later this month, the deal falls well short of necessarily funding levels for major programs that help Southern Arizonans, Grijalva pointed out.\u00a0The graph at the right shows how far below historical funding levels this deal falls given its overall $1.012 trillion spending level for 2014 \u2013 more than half of which ($520.5 billion) will be spent on the military.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe started cutting too deeply years ago, and we\u2019ve just been cutting more ever since,\u201d Grijalva said.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0as though the only job Congress is here to do is make things tougher for people.\u00a0If we\u00a0want\u00a0an economy that really creates growth and opportunity, all we have to do is look at what we\u2019ve gotten from austerity economics to see we\u2019re not getting results.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva agreed with the negotiators\u2019 decision not to cut Medicaid or Social Security benefits at this point and said those programs \u201cshould be expanded rather than granted a last-second reprieve.\u201d However, he said, \u201cdoing less damage than you\u2019re threatening to do isn\u2019t the same thing as passing a good law. When Congress comes back in January, expanding job opportunities and helping working people succeed in this economy is going to stay my top priority, and I hope my colleagues say the same. We can\u2019t just check this box and say we\u2019ve done our bit for working families. Congress needs to continue a longer and very necessary conversation about economic inequality and job opportunity in this country, and I look forward to doing that as early as possible next year.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1592", "Grijalva Leads House Letter to President Obama Highlighting Conflicts of Interest in Preparation of Keystone XL Environmental Review", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today sent a letter co-signed by 24 other House Democratic colleagues to President Obama highlighting serious corporate conflicts of interest in the preparation of the pending Keystone XL environmental impact statement (EIS). The company conducting the analysis, Environmental Resources Management, seemingly failed to disclose previous contracts with TransCanada \u2013 the company seeking to build Keystone \u2013 in its bid to the State Department.\r\n\r\n\tIn its application, ERM vouched that it had \u201cno direct or indirect relationship ... with any business entity that could be affected in any way by the proposed work.\u201d In fact, the company worked with TransCanada in 2011 on the Alaska Petroleum Pipeline and has worked for more than a dozen oil companies with financial interests in seeing Keystone completed. Friends of the Earth has documented these conflicts in its comprehensive visual Keystone XL timeline \u201cA Polluted Process.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tAs the new House letter \u2013 available at http://1.usa.gov/1e8hyDV \u2013 reads in part, \u201cThe Department of State Office of Inspector General is conducting an ongoing investigation of these issues, and its findings are expected next January at the earliest. It would be unwise and premature for State to release an EIS prepared by Environmental Resources Management while it remains under investigation for lying to federal officials about its business connections and practices. We respectfully request that you delay the release of the draft Keystone XL EIS at least until the inspector general report is publicly available.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe issue has received increasing scrutiny for months, including coverage by Mother Jones in April; by Huffington Post in June; by the Christian Science Monitor, The Hill, Huffington Post, International Business Times and multiple other outlets in August; and Huffington Post again in October, among many other publications.\r\n\r\n\tAs the Members of Congress write, \u201cPublic comment on a draft EIS should be informed by all the relevant information. In this case, that standard cannot possibly be met before the Office of Inspector General finishes its work.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1593", "Grijalva Leads Letter to Interior Sec. Jewell Signed by 86 House Members Urging Continued Gray Wolf Endangered Species Protection", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today released a letter co-signed by 85 House Democratic and Republican colleagues urging Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell to continue offering Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection to gray wolves across the United States. The letter, available at http://1.usa.gov/1d9UUpD, says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should reconsider the proposal it released in June to continue ESA protections only for the Mexican gray wolf, which is classified as a distinct subspecies.\r\n\r\n\tThe letter reads in part:\r\n\r\n\tExcept for a few pockets of survivors, wolves were essentially eliminated from the western United States in the early 20th century. Millions of dollars have been spent to restore wolves to their native habitats. The protection afforded by the Endangered Species Act allowed their numbers to expand in the West and in the Great Lakes. Scientists have identified excellent, suitable habitats for introduction in the Pacific Northwest, California, Colorado, Utah and the Northeast. Maintaining federal protection for wolves is essential for continued species recovery.\r\n\r\n\tWe are concerned that the same prejudice towards wolves that led to their extirpation across most of the country is still present today. This attitude threatens to undo the gains achieved in the northern Rocky Mountains and western Great Lakes and may prevent their full recovery in additional areas of significant unoccupied suitable habitat. Federal policy must address this.\r\n\r\n\tThe letter also questions a related proposal to restrict Mexican gray wolf habitats within very strict boundaries in the Southwest:\r\n\r\n\tWe applaud the reclassification of the Mexican gray wolf in the Southwest as a distinct subspecies and its continued protection as an endangered population. However, we are concerned about a related proposal \u2013 released simultaneously \u2013 that undercuts this new listing by requiring the wolves to stay in specific boundaries, preventing needed natural dispersal. Recent peer-reviewed research indicates that Mexican wolves, with a current wild population of only 75 individuals, will need multiple populations in new areas and wide dispersal over time in order to recover.\r\n\r\n\tThe bipartisan letter is being sent to Jewell ahead of an expected decision next year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1589", "Grijalva Hosting Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Enrollment Fair Dec. 18 in Avondale – Public and Media are Welcome to Attend", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva is hosting an Affordable Care Act health insurance enrollment fair for constituents on Dec. 18 at 3:00 p.m. at Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale. Rep. Grijalva and trained health care navigators will offer information on identifying the best health insurance plan for a family\u2019s needs and how to benefit from any applicable federal subsidies.\r\n\r\n\tThe event is free and open to the public. Detailed information is below.\r\n\r\n\tIf You Go\r\n\r\n\tWhere: Estrella Mountain Community College, Estrella Hall \u2013 Avondale\r\n\r\n\tWhen: Dec. 18 at 3:00 p.m.\r\n\r\n\tInformation to Bring: Social Security numbers for the whole family; employer and income information; policy numbers for current coverage, if applicable\r\n\r\n\tFor more information, contact Jose Miranda in the Avondale office at (623) 536-3388 or Jose.Miranda@mail.house.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1588", "Grijalva Statement on Pending Budget Deal That Asks Federal Workers to Accept More Economic Sacrifices, Fails to Close Loopholes", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep.\u00a0Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva released the following statement\u00a0today after it was reported that a\u00a0pending budget deal hinges on\u00a0forcing\u00a0federal workers to pay more into\u00a0pension plans and ending an extension of unemployment insurance:\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cFederal employees work\u00a0every day to inspect\u00a0our food, deliver Social Security checks and ensure our loved ones arrive safely at airports around the country. Our thanks to them over the past few years\u00a0has\u00a0been a series of\u00a0pay freezes, furloughs\u00a0and reckless government shutdowns.\u00a0Federal workers\u2019 pay and pensionsshould not be on the table and neither should unemployment insurance, which temporarily fills the gap for families during hard times.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI\u00a0strongly oppose\u00a0a\u00a0budget deal that asks federal employees\u00a0to endure\u00a0another\u00a0pay cut, ends an important\u00a0economic\u00a0lifeline for out-of-work Americans, and preserves unfair corporate tax giveaways.\u00a0Congress should pass a budget deal that invests in jobs and the economy. American families should not be hurt in the process.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1581", "Grijalva, House Colleagues Leading Press Conference Thursday in Washington to Call for Pause in Destructive Immigrant Deportations", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva and several House colleagues are leading a press conference Dec. 5 on Capitol Hill to call on President Obama to pause the deportations of undocumented immigrants and create an application process for eligible migrants and residents hoping to stay in the country. The event will feature the release of a letter the Members are sending Obama in support of the 543 faith-based, labor, legal, civil rights and neighborhood organizations \u2013 including the AFL-CIO, MALDEF, United We Dream, and the National Day Labor Organizing Network \u2013 promoting the change.\r\n\r\n\tThe event will feature a discussion of various presidential authorities the Members and activists believe President Obama could exercise. The White House recently announced a halt to the deportations of family members of U.S. military servicemembers.\r\n\r\n\tThe press conference will feature Reps. Grijalva, Lloyd Doggett, Charlie Rangel, Luis Gutierrez, Rush Holt and Dina Titus. Copies of the letter will be available at the event.\r\n\r\n\tIf You Go\r\n\r\n\tWhen: 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on Thurs., Dec. 5\r\n\r\n\tWhere: House Triangle outside the U.S. Capitol (House Recording Studio B in the Capitol Visitor Center is the inclement weather backup)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1577", "Grijalva Highlights EPA Finding That Rosemont Mine Should Not Receive Water Permit Due to Likely Clean Water Act Violations", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today highlighted the recent Environmental Protection Agency finding that the proposed Rosemont Mine should not be given a Clean Water Act permit to operate in the Santa Rita Mountains near Tucson. Grijalva has publicly agreed with Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, a local advocacy group, that not enough scientific analysis has been done to justify building the mine.\r\n\r\n\tSave the Scenic Santa Ritas in a Nov. 20 press release publicized a letter from the EPA to the Army Corps of Engineers, dated Nov. 7, in which the agency declares that \u201cdegradation [from the mine] would be a substantial and unacceptable impact to aquatic resources of national importance, including the \u2018Outstanding Waters\u2019 of Davidson Canyon and Cienega Creek.\u201d The EPA recommends the Army Corps not issue the Clean Water Act permit that Rosemont\u2019s parent company, Augusta Resource, needs to operate the mine.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI\u2019ve said all along, and I\u2019m not alone, that good science should be more important in this decision than slick marketing brochures and political spin,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cAugusta Resource tried to manipulate elections, gin up a phony local support campaign, and paper over serious environmental risks with a big advertising budget. Thankfully the EPA has done the hard and thorough research Augusta has tried to prevent, and the results are as clear as it gets. This mine would be an ecological disaster and violate the Clean Water Act. If Augusta has better data, let\u2019s see it.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tAs the Tucson Weekly reported last year in a feature on the history of the proposed mining site:\r\n\r\n\tNot only was [Augusta] touting a \u201821st century mine,\u2019 but it also fueled a cutting-edge spin campaign, with at least two local public-relations firms on its payroll at any given time. It regularly bought sponsorships on the local public-broadcasting station, and inundated Tucson\u2019s business community with the message that this mine would prove a perfect antidote to hard times. Augusta went so far as to fashion a surreal logo with a pigtailed little girl gazing toward the sky. . . . Later, the company began targeting areas of town with letters seemingly signed by neighbors who supported the mine. The effort suffered a setback, though, when it turned out that the letters had actually been written by Augusta\u2019s in-house PR crew.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe EPA has done the most careful, substantive and meaningful scientific analysis to date of the mine\u2019s potential impacts,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cThis should be the standard as this process moves forward. From now on, science is going to trump spin and substance is going to trump salesmanship. If Augusta wants to move forward on that basis, let\u2019s get started. Otherwise Southern Arizona needs to move on to better economic ideas.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1579", "Grijalva Extends Internship Applications Deadline, Highlights University of Arizona Scholarship for D.C.-Based Internship Program", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva is accepting applications until January 31 to serve as an intern in his Washington, D.C., and Southern Arizona district offices during the spring 2014 school semester. This is an extension of a previously announced deadline.\r\n\r\n\tApplicants from the University of Arizona have the opportunity to apply for a Federal Relations DC Intern Scholarship. The scholarship offers $500 per month for living expenses and a tuition award. To apply and receive further information, please contact the University of Arizona Office of Federal Relations at (520) 621-3108 or Shanley@email.arizona.edu.\r\n\r\n\tInterns in the Washington office work closely with legislative and media staff, answer office phones, distribute mail, and communicate with constituents. Preference is given to students and individuals from Arizona\u2019s 3rd Congressional District, although all qualified applicants are carefully considered. Interns other than the scholarship recipient are unpaid and are responsible for lodging and transportation.\r\n\r\n\tAnyone interested in working in the Washington, D.C., office should submit a cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample to Cristina Villa, Rep. Grijalva\u2019s internship coordinator, at Cristina.Villa@mail.house.gov. Interns at the Tucson, Somerton, and Avondale offices help staff provide constituent services to the people of the Third Congressional District. Interns also perform administrative tasks and may be asked to work on special projects for public outreach, events and otherneeds of the office. Internships for the Tucson, Somerton, and Avondale offices are available at the beginning of each semester.There is no hard deadline, but earlier applications may be given priority.\r\n\r\n\tTucson District Office \u2013 Submit an application form, cover letter, resume, and a short writing sample to Sayanna Molina at Sayanna.Molina@mail.house.gov.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tSomerton District Office \u2013 Submit an application form, cover letter, resume, and a short writing sample to Martha Garcia at\u00a0Martha.Garcia@mail.house.gov.\r\n\r\n\tAvondale\u00a0District Office\u00a0\u2013 Submit an application form, cover letter, resume and a short writing sample to Jose Miranda at Jose.Miranda@mail.house.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1575", "Grijalva Highlights Post-9/11 GI Bill Helping Millionth Beneficiary Since Passage – Calls for Continued Funding for Veterans Benefits", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz. \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today highlighted the Department of Veterans Affairs announcement that 1 million veterans, servicemembers, and family members have benefited from the Post-9/11 GI Bill since the program\u2019s inception in August 2009. The Veterans Benefits Administration, which administers the program, has distributed more than $30 billion in tuition and education-related payments to veterans, servicemembers, and their families, and to the universities, colleges, and trade schools they attend.\r\n\r\n\tThe VA announced that Steven Ferraro, who attends Middlesex County College in Edison, N.J., has been identified as the millionth Post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiary. Ferraro served in the Army from 2003 until earlier this year and deployed to Iraq in 2008 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a father of three majoring in communications.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cVeterans Day isn\u2019t just an occasion to remember the sacrifices Americans have made,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cIt\u2019s a time to consider whether we\u2019re really helping our current servicemembers succeed. The Post-9/11 GI Bill gives servicemembers and veterans the career and educational opportunities they deserve, and I\u2019m proud to have supported its passage.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe law was passed as part of H.R. 2642 in 2008. Rep. Grijalva was a cosponsor of the standalone version of the bill.\r\n\r\n\tAccording to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are approximately 527,400 veterans currently living in Arizona. You can see a state-by-state breakdown at http://1.usa.gov/17J8ZNp.\r\n\r\n\tThe Post-9/11 GI Bill is a comprehensive education benefit created by Congress in 2008. Veterans and servicemembers who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001, are eligible. On average, VA processes the initial claims for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits in 23 days.\r\n\r\n\tGI Bill benefits are tiered based on the number of days served on active duty, giving activated National Guard and Reserve members the same benefits as all other active duty members. These benefits include:\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Up to the full amount of tuition and fees for a state-operated college or university.\u00a0 The Yellow Ribbon Program may provide additional assistance for students attending private institutions or who are charged out-of-state tuition and fees;\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Monthly housing allowance, which is based upon the location of the school; and\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Annual books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000.\r\n\r\n\tThe Post-9/11 GI Bill also provides work-study programs, tutorial assistance and license and certification test reimbursement.\r\n\r\n\tThe law builds on the great legacy of the original GI Bill, giving Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families a chance to improve their lives and invest in their future through higher education. For more information on VA education benefits, go to http://www.gibill.va.gov/.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1571", "Grijalva Speaking at Public Forum Friday, Nov. 1, on Affordable Care Act Hosted by Mariposa Community Health Center in Nogales", "2013-10-31", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva will speak at a community forum on Friday, Nov. 1, in Nogales to provide important updates and information on the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace for Southern Arizona residents. The forum is being hosted by Mariposa Community Health Center.\r\n\r\n\tThe forum will feature a presentation by Herb Schultz, Regional Director of the Department of Health and Human Services, highlighting how the Affordable Care Act is expanding health care coverage for Arizonans, ensuring consumer protections, improving coverage quality and lowering costs. Schultz will provide updates on the Health Insurance Marketplace for individuals and small business owners.\r\n\r\n\tJames Welden, Chief Executive Officer at Mariposa Community Health Center, will share specific information for Nogales residents on local outreach efforts, as well as eligibility and enrollment resources to help navigate the marketplace.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe Affordable Care Act means no more health insurance denials for pre-existing conditions, no annual or lifetime limits on coverage, and no higher rates for women compared to men,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cIt\u2019s important to me to make sure the people of Southern Arizona know that and that they understand how to benefit. Everyone should forget the hot air and know how the law really works. Many Arizonans are eligible for benefits or subsidies they may not have known were available. I\u2019m happy to be part of that conversation, and my office is here to help as many people as possible.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThis event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited\r\n\r\n\tIf You Go\r\n\r\n\tWhen: Friday, Nov. 1, at 6:00 p.m.\r\n\r\n\tWhere: Holiday Inn Express, 850 W. Shell Drive in Nogales.\r\n\r\n\tTo RSVP and for questions: Contact Adriana Perez in Rep. Grijalva\u2019s office at Adriana.Perez@mail.house.gov\u00a0or call Rep. Grijalva\u2019s Tucson office at (520) 622-6788.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141205230120/http://www.sinema.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=478279E4-064D-4EE2-ACEB-336366E894C8", "Sinema, Murphy Push for Better Mental Health Care for Veterans with Classified Experiences", "2013-10-31", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Sinema, Murphy Push for Better Mental Health Care for Veterans with Classified Experiences\nWASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA) introduced the Classified Veterans Access to Care Act. \u00a0 The legislation aims to prevent the estimated 22 veteran deaths resulting from suicide each day by ensuring that veterans with classified experiences have access to appropriate mental health care at the Department of Veterans Affairs. \u00a0Joining Representatives Sinema and Murphy in cosponsoring the bill are Representatives Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Dan Benishek (R-MI), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HA), and Duncan Hunter (R-CA).\n\u00a0   Arizona Iraq Veteran Daniel Somers committed suicide in June 2013. \u00a0Somers had served two tours in Iraq and was diagnosed with both a traumatic brain injury and PTSD upon returning home. \u00a0Daniel's experiences in Iraq were classified and could not be discussed in a group setting, but the VA offered Somers only group therapy sessions \u2014 denying him effective mental health treatment. \u00a0The Classified Veterans Access to Care Act\u00a0ensures that veterans with classified experiences have appropriate access to mental health services from the Department of Veterans Affairs.\u00a0   \u00a0   \u201cNo one who returns home from serving our country should ever feel like she or he has nowhere to turn,\u201d said Sinema.\u00a0 \u201cOur bill offers a reasonable solution that ensures all veterans experiencing combat-related mental health wounds have appropriate access to comprehensive mental health care.\"    \u201cDaniel Somers\u2019 tragic suicide was made even more heartbreaking because the Department of Veterans Affairs failed in its mission to provide him with the best possible psychological care,\u201d said Rep. Tim Murphy, who serves as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve Medical Service Corps as a psychologist. \u201cWe owe it to Daniel and others who have sacrificed on our behalf to ensure the VA provides veterans with consistent, quality care in a setting they can trust. VA regulations shouldn\u2019t discriminate based on mission, and that\u2019s what this bill will address.\u201d\nThe Classified Veterans Access to Care Act ensures the VA's process identifies veterans with classified experiences and transitions them to individualized therapeutic treatment in an expedited fashion.\u00a0 The bill directs the Secretary of VA to include the opportunity, on the appropriate medical and benefits information and forms, for a veteran to indicate if he or she participated in a classified mission during military service. The legislation also directs the Secretary of the VA to develop and disseminate guidance to the necessary VHA personnel, including VA mental health professionals, to engage and direct individuals with classified experiences seeking mental health counseling to appropriate care settings.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1569", "Grijalva Statement on End of Government Shutdown: \"Let's Get Serious About Creating Jobs, End Government Through Blackmail\"", "2013-10-17", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today released the following statement on the end of the government shutdown.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cLast night I voted with the majority of my colleagues to pay our bills, open our government and avoid a first-ever national default.\u00a0My highest priority is protecting the people of Southern Arizona, and this deal was the best way to stop the economic damage they\u2019ve suffered. Closing Saguaro National Park, the Grand Canyon and the rest of our economic magnets and expecting small businesses to suck it up is not a serious way to govern, and it had to end.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThere were principles at stake during this shutdown that shouldn\u2019t be forgotten now that it\u2019s over. Federal government workers provide vital services to the country, and they should never again be used as a bargaining chip. Neither should the livelihoods of the many business owners who depend on public lands, federal services or other factors that were impacted during the shutdown. This will have ripple effects for a long time to come. Not everybody\u2019s life gets to go back to normal today.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cUnfortunately, last night\u2019s deal funds the government at too low a level to sustain an economic recovery. Since 2010, Congress has enacted $2.5 trillion in deficit reduction measures, largely at the expense of working people and retirees.\u00a0Extending these cuts much further could cost the economy as many as 1.6 million jobs in 2014 and will set back education, infrastructure and other national priorities for years.\u00a0We have to change course, and quickly.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe House Republican majority has made it clear that it\u2019s not finished making unpopular demands. I expect to hear shortly that we have to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaidbenefits or risk immediate collapse. We can\u2019t keep dancing this same dance. Let\u2019s get serious about creating jobs and doing what works. We\u2019ve tried things the Republican way. We just saw what that looks like.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cDemocrats have already made huge budget concessions. Locking in sequester-level budgeting any longer will cost us too much revenue and not create nearly enough jobs. It will do nothing to make our tax code more fair. As the next round of negotiations moves forward, I\u2019ll continue to stand for what\u2019s best for my constituents and to stand with the American people who oppose government through blackmail.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1568", "Reps. Grijalva, Honda, Hank Johnson Urge Secretary Kerry to Speak Against Militarization of Civil Society Ahead of Honduran Election", "2013-10-16", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva, Mike Honda and Hank Johnson yesterday sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry urging the State Department to monitor the potential militarization of the electoral process ahead of Honduras\u2019 Nov. 24 presidential vote. The lawmakers highlight a \u201cpattern of concerted attacks targeting human rights defenders and the opposition\u201d and call on State Department officials \u201c to guarantee a level playing field in the weeks preceding the election, and to be entirely neutral in its public and private messages to this country.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tAs the letter points out, \u201cIn November 2009, while the military coup in Honduras was still in force and basic civil liberties violently repressed, the State Department announced it would recognize the outcome of the presidential election even before the ballots had been counted\u201d \u2013 a move that damaged our credibility in the region and signaled a lack of oversight. The letter urges Kerry not to repeat that mistake and to watch the next several weeks closely for signs of intimidation or excessive government force.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIgnoring repression and closing our eyes to anti-democratic abuses are not in anyone\u2019s interest, least of all ours,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cTaking serious steps to ensure the peaceful transition of power will pay dividends for us and for the people of Honduras. We can play a positive role in the regionby being constructive watchdogs and helping ensure that the will of the people is fairly expressed. We can\u2019t afford a repeat of the disaster that hit Honduras a few years ago, and we\u2019re asking Secretary Kerry to make sure we don\u2019t see one.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe United States cannot turn a blind eye to attacks on civil liberties, human rights and the democratic process in Honduras,\u201d Rep. Johnson said. \u201cThe right to elect the next president in a free and fair election process must be guaranteed to Hondurans. Violence, repression and anti-democratic actions have no place in Honduras or anywhere in the region.\u00a0These actions do not serve Hondurans, and do not serve our country\u2019s best interest. It is for this reason that I have joined my colleagues in urging Secretary Kerry to communicate this message to the Honduran government, and to do everything within his power to support a fair, free and transparent elections process in November.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAmidst serious allegations of attacks on human right and civil liberties, the United States cannot remain silent and idle,\u201d Rep. Honda said.\u00a0\u201cThat is why I am proud to join my colleagues in urging Secretary Kerry to support fairness and equal access to the democratic process.\u00a0 Doing so will benefit Honduras, our bilateral relations, and our global neighborhood.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe full text of the letter is below.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t^^^\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 October 15, 2013\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe Honorable John Kerry\r\n\r\n\tSecretary of State\r\n\r\n\tU.S. Department of State\r\n\r\n\t2201 C Street, NW\r\n\r\n\tWashington, DC 20520\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tDear Secretary Kerry:\r\n\r\n\tWe are writing to express our concern about U.S. policy and the approaching November 24 elections in Honduras.\u00a0 The evidence so far indicates that the freedom and fairness of this election is very much at risk, as human rights abuses under the existing government continue to threaten basic civil liberties, opposition candidates do not enjoy a level playing field, and state security forces are taking on an increasingly central, and ominous role in context of the election.\r\n\r\n\tWe are particularly alarmed to learn that the ruling party, and its presidential candidate Mr. Juan Orlando Hernandez, now dominates all the key institutions of the government, including the country's electoral authority and the military, which distributes the ballots--leaving scarce recourse for Honduran citizens should fraud be committed in the electoral process, or human rights violations continue to threaten open debate.\u00a0 This is particularly troubling given the long history of electoral fraud in Honduras, including allegations of widespread fraud during the primary elections in November of 2012.\r\n\r\n\tIn light of these facts, we fear the country currently lacks conditions to guarantee a free and fair election process.\u00a0 For instance, in a recent report on Honduras, the International Federation of Human Rights expresses great concern in regards to the \"absolute dysfunction\" of the Honduran justice system, the \"politicization of justice for electoral ends,\" and the concentration of power.\r\n\r\n\tWe are also troubled to learn about acts of violence and intimidation against leaders of the opposition parties, especially members of LIBRE.\u00a0 According to COFADEH, Honduras' leading human rights group, at least sixteen activists and candidates from LIBRE have been assassinated since June of 2012. Furthermore, it has been brought to our attention that the Honduras government has failed to effectively investigate and prosecute those responsible for these assassinations.\r\n\r\n\tWe also note with great concern the promotion of increasing militarization of the police as it is threatened civil liberties, including freedom of speech and freedom of association in Honduras.\u00a0 For instance, Honduran media reported that the military blocked peaceful marches of the opposition this past Independence Day, September 15, and members of the Army's Engineers' Battalion shot and killed an indigenous activist, Tom\u00e1s Garc\u00eda, at a peaceful protest in July. It has come to our attention that the governing party candidate has based much of his campaign on a new hybrid military police, 5,000-strong, under the control of the military.\u00a0 The candidate himself led the push for its creation by the Honduran Congress this past August, promising \"a soldier on every corner.\"\u00a0 These new troops are already engaging in police work and are visible in the streets, wearing black helmets and masks with only their eyes visible.\r\n\r\n\tWe welcome the recent statement from the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa expressing the U.S. neutral political position with respect to the elections, and its willingness to work with whichever candidate wins. However, we are concerned that the Embassy has not spoken forcefully about the militarization of the police under the impetus of one of the candidates, expressed concern with the National Party's concentration of institutional power through illegal means, and condemned the ongoing intimidation against the members of the opposition.\r\n\r\n\tWe are of the opinion that our government would lose credibility in Honduras and the region should it be perceived as taking sides in the election or turning a blind eye to fraud and unfair electoral conditions.\u00a0 Many in the region are well aware that in the past, the United States government has indeed supported specific candidates in Latin American elections, particularly in Central America.\u00a0 In November 2009, while the military coup in Honduras was still in force and basic civil liberties violently repressed, the State Department announced it would recognize the outcome of the presidential election even before the ballots had been counted.\u00a0 It also appears that the State Department has largely countenanced the concentration of institutional power in Honduran government in the past year, in the hands of the ruling party candidate, through illegal means.\r\n\r\n\tWe request the Department of State to use every available means to ensure free and fair elections in Honduras on November 24, to guarantee a level playing field in the weeks preceding the election, and to be entirely neutral in its public and private messages to this country.\u00a0 In addition, we request the Department of State to speak forcefully against the pattern of concerted attacks targeting human rights defenders and the opposition.\r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tRep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva\r\n\r\n\tRep. Hank Johnson\r\n\r\n\tRep. Mike Honda", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1567", "Grijalva Letter Calls on Interior Sec. Jewell, Agriculture Sec. Vilsack to Halt Extraction on Federal Lands Until Visitors Can Return", "2013-10-03", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Grijalva sent a letter (text below) to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Oct. 3 urging the end of mining, drilling and other extractive activities on federal lands until employees and visitors are no longer locked out. The letter highlights the risk of environmental damage, the shortage of manpower available to respond to emergencies, and the economic damage being done to small businesses \u2013 such as concessionaires and outdoor guides \u2013 currently unable to access the public lands on which they rely for income.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t^^^\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tOct. 3, 2013\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe Honorable Sally Jewell\r\n\r\n\tSecretary of the Interior\r\n\r\n\tDepartment of the Interior\r\n\r\n\t1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe Honorable Tom Vilsack\r\n\r\n\tSecretary of Agriculture\r\n\r\n\tDepartment of Agriculture\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. 20250\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tDear Secretary Jewell and Secretary Vilsack,\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tDespite the federal government shutdown making national parks, monuments, wildlife refuges\r\n\r\n\tand many other important sites unavailable to the public, oil and gas drilling and other extraction\r\n\r\n\tactivities continue on our federal public lands. The lack of oversight of these potentially\r\n\r\n\thazardous activities greatly concerns me, especially because of the scarcity of manpower to\r\n\r\n\trespond to emergencies, pollution issues or other rapid response needs.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tI am equally concerned about the many businesses that rely on our public lands. Concessionaires\r\n\r\n\tthat operate facilities within our public parks and other federal lands have been locked out by the\r\n\r\n\tshutdown. So have river and trail guides who rely on public lands and waterways to make a\r\n\r\n\tliving. Small businesses cannot afford to be cut off from their main - in some cases sole - source\r\n\r\n\tof income.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThis disparity greatly disturbs me, as does the ongoing environmental risk to sensitive outdoor\r\n\r\n\tareas. I urgently request the immediate cessation of mining, drilling and other extractive\r\n\r\n\tactivities on our federal public lands until we end the shutdown and cease the lockout of federal\r\n\r\n\temployees and visitors.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tVery respectfully,\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tRep. Raul M. Grijalva\r\n\r\n\tRanking Member, House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1566", "Grijalva Highlights New Health Care Insurance Exchange Operating in Arizona, Encourages Public to Learn About Available Benefits", "2013-10-02", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva released the following statement today marking the opening of the new Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace in Arizona.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cYesterday, despite a partisan government shutdown, new health care marketplaces opened in Southern Arizona and around the country thanks to the Affordable Care Act. These marketplaces will provide uninsured individuals with the opportunity to find affordable health insurance that meets their needs.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cArizonans looking for coverage will be able to choose from several affordable choices explained in easy-to-understand language \u2013 in fact, Arizona features the highest number of average insurance options for a given resident of any state in the country with one hundred and six. It\u2019s estimated that more than half of those shopping in the new marketplace will qualify for discounts on their monthly premium.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThanks to the Affordable Care Act, there will be no more health insurance denials for pre-existing conditions, no annual or lifetime limits on coverage, and no higher rates for women compared to men. Everyone should take a minute to understand how the law really works. Many Arizonans are eligible for benefits or subsidies they may not have known were available.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThere\u2019s no need to rush through the process. The current open enrollment period runs through the end of next March. Arizonans looking for health coverage should go to www.healthcare.gov and enter their ZIP code to compare their options. It\u2019s that simple. If constituents have questions, they can call 1-800-318-2596 for toll free answers any time of day.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1565", "Rep. Grijalva Statement on Government Shutdown: \"Let's Remember All the People Put Out of Work Today and End This Charade\"", "2013-10-01", "2013", "2013-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva put out the following statement today as the federal government shut down most operations and services around the country.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAs the federal government closes down today, let\u2019s remember the eight hundred thousand1 federal employees unnecessarily out of a job. Let\u2019s remember the air traffic safety inspectors, National Park Service and public lands employees, Small Business Administration loan processors and many others sent home without a paycheck. Let\u2019s remember the three hundred million dollars a day this is costing our country in lost economic output. That\u2019s where our attention belongs, and that\u2019s where my thoughts are today. Let\u2019s remember all the people put out of work and end this charade.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe impacts of this shutdown will worsen as long as Republicans refuse to negotiate. What we\u2019re seeing now is just a taste of what we\u2019ll see in a week or a month. This is happening because a small group of radicals insist on having their way despite the damage to our constituents and our system of government. The fact that Speaker Boehner has allowed them to control the majority of the House of Representatives despite their small numbers speaks volumes.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI have consistently favored normal funding for our government and have opposed a shutdown from the beginning. The most productive way to move forward would be for a bipartisan, bicameral conference to discuss the entire budgeting process and decide not only how to end this destructive shutdown, but to adequately fund government services and operations for the long term. We cannot continue to starve the federal government and expect miracles at the other end of the rainbow. Austerity has failed and is unpopular. It\u2019s time to start a real recovery based on investments in our future. We\u2019ve tried mindless cuts and finger-pointing at working families. Somehow, those haven\u2019t worked. We should be creating jobs, not shooting ourselves in the foot. That\u2019s not a controversial or partisan position, it\u2019s public common sense, and yet here we are governing by catastrophe because a few people didn\u2019t get their way.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI challenge my colleagues across the aisle to explain to their constituents why their small businesses can\u2019t get new loans. I\u2019d like to hear the answer as much as they would. So would the millions of Americans whose livelihoods are threatened every day our federal government doesn\u2019t function. If this is the best the Republicans have to offer at this point, they should just say so and let the rest of us fix the mess we\u2019re in.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t1 \u2013 Source: Bloomberg News at http://bit.ly/1c1q8lP.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1563", "Grijalva Congratulates Southern Arizona Recipients of Infrastructure, Health, Social Service Grants, Highlights Application Deadlines", "2013-09-30", "2013", "2013-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva congratulated several Southern Arizona recipients of recent grants and federal awards that will improve the lives of local constituents and highlighted upcoming grant application deadlines. Details are below.\r\n\r\n\tAwarded Grants and Contracts\r\n\r\n\tDate: Sept. 30\r\n\r\n\tRecipient: Tucson-based West Point Contractors, Inc.\r\n\r\n\tGranting Organization: Army Corps of Engineers\r\n\r\n\tAmount: $3.99 million\r\n\r\n\tPurpose: To construct a bridge over the Nogales Wash in the Chula Vista neighborhood north of Nogales, Ariz. Construction is scheduled to begin in October and finish in June of 2014.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tDate: Sept. 30\r\n\r\n\tRecipient: University of Arizona\r\n\r\n\tGranting Organization: Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Community Services\r\n\r\n\tAmount: $585,504\r\n\r\n\tPurpose: The grant comes through the Assets for Independence program to help low-income students afford a medical education. You can learn more from HHS at http://1.usa.gov/18mb0LR.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tDate: Sept. 30\r\n\r\n\tRecipient: Nogales Community Development Corporation\r\n\r\n\tGranting Organization: HHS Office of Community Services\r\n\r\n\tAmount: $800,000\r\n\r\n\tPurpose: The Community Economic Development program is a federal grant effort funding Community Development Corporations that address the economic needs of low-income individuals and families through sustainable business development and employment opportunities. You can learn more at http://1.usa.gov/14Z3PZN.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tDate: Sept. 30\r\n\r\n\tRecipient: Tohono O\u2019odham Community Action (two grants)\r\n\r\n\tGranting Organization: HHS Office of Community Services\r\n\r\n\tAmounts: $300,000 (local food grant), $159,650 (native nutrition program grant)\r\n\r\n\tPurpose: The recipient got two recent HHS grants. The local food grant of $300,000 will help fund the group\u2019s project to create a locally-based alternative to the current Tohono O\u2019odham school lunch provider. The grant will help establish a local school lunch provider business with local employees based on local traditional foods. The effort will include a cultural education component stressing the history of traditional foods and Tohono O\u2019odham heritage and community. A separate but related grant for a native nutrition program will help the Tohono O\u2019odham continue training young farmers, provide a commercial kitchen with a storage area for farmers to store food, market local produce, and provide venues for farmers markets and other food-related spaces.\r\n\r\n\tFor more information: Nina Sajovec Altshul at (520) 561-7001 or nina@tocaonline.org.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tDate: Sept. 25\r\n\r\n\tRecipient: Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation\r\n\r\n\tGranting Organization: HHS Center for Substance Abuse Prevention\r\n\r\n\tAmounts: $116,000\r\n\r\n\tPurpose: The grant will fund a program to use new media strategies to reduce HIV/AIDS rates among Latino and minority LGBTQ youth.\r\n\r\n\tFor more information: Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation at (520) 628-7223.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tUpcoming Grant Deadlines\r\n\r\n\tSeveral grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities are accepting applications until early December.\r\n\r\n\tSustaining Cultural Heritage Collections(Deadline: December 3) \u2013 grants awarded to cultural institutions to aid them in the preservation and maintenance of their collections. Institutions that most commonly apply for this grant are libraries, museums and archives. This grant is given with the intention to help these institutions become more self-sufficient and strike a balance between their long-term costs of maintaining their collections and their overall efficiency. Learn more about this grant program by contacting program officers at preservation@neh.gov or (202) 606-8570.\r\n\r\n\tCollaborative Research Grants(Deadline: December 5) \u2013 grants awarded to researchers and scholars who are conducting research to further an understanding of the humanities or add to scholarly work on any humanities subject. This grant is awarded to teams of two or more scholars doing either full-time or part-time activities for a period of 1-3 years. The results of this research must then be presented to a scholarly and public audience at the end of that period. Learn more about this grant program by contacting program officers at collaborative@neh.gov or (202) 606-8200.\r\n\r\n\tScholarly Editions and Translations Grants(Deadline: December 5) \u2013 grants awarded to editors or translators of pre-existing texts or documents of value to the humanities. This grant is awarded to teams of at least one editor or translator and one other staff member doing either full-time or part-time activities for a period of 1-3 years. Projects funded by these grants usually include literary, philosophical or historical materials, however other types of work have been granted funding. Learn more about this grant program by contacting program officers at editions@neh.gov or (202) 606-8200.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1562", "Arizona Expected to Have Most Insurance Options, Lowest Average Premiums Nationwide as Affordable Care Act Exchanges Start Up", "2013-09-25", "2013", "2013-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 A new report released today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finds that Arizona consumers will be able to choose from an average of 106 health plans (with a high of 111 in Phoenix) in the soon-to-be-established health insurance marketplace known as the exchange. Premiums nationwide will be around 16 percent lower than originally projected by the Congressional Budget Office \u2013 with about 95 percent of eligible uninsured Americans living in states with lower than expected premiums \u2013 even before accounting for financial assistance.\r\n\r\n\tAs Talking Points Memo explained today:\r\n\r\n\tOn average, people will have a choice of 56 different insurance plans -- depending on which state you live in, though, that figure could range from seven (in Alabama) to 106 (in Arizona). The average number of insurers in a state is eight, though that again ranges from one to 13 in different states.\r\n\r\n\tAs for premiums, before tax credits kick in, they will average 16 percent below the Congressional Budget Office's original estimates for a silver-level plan (which covers 70 percent of costs). The number of insurers in a state is directly tied to how low premiums will be, Lambrew noted. Arizona, with an average of 106 plans to choose from, had the lowest average premium for a 27-year-old adult: $166. Wyoming, with an average of 16 plans, had the highest average premium at $342.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis is the best news Arizona could have heard, and I sincerely hope we start hearing some honesty for a change from certain circles about how this law is designed to help people,\u201d said Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva, who voted for the Affordable Care Act in 2010. \u201cMore affordable health care is good for Arizonans, good for Americans and good for our economy. The law is getting people affordable insurance, cutting down on medical bankruptcy, and giving some help to a workforce afraid to change jobs because of health insurance instability. The dead-ender opponents of health care reform should explain why they object to Arizonans getting a better deal than they had previously.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe are excited to see that rates in the Arizona Marketplace are even lower than originally projected,\u201d said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. \u201cIn the past, consumers were too often denied or priced out of quality health insurance options, but thanks to the Affordable Care Act consumers will be able to choose from a number of new coverage options at a price that is affordable.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tWhen the exchange opens on Oct. 1, consumers will be able to apply for premium assistance and compare plans side-by-side based on pricing, quality and benefits. That date marks the beginning of a six-month open enrollment period that runs through March 2014. The new plans will kick in as early as next Jan. 1.\r\n\r\n\tToday\u2019s report finds that individuals in Arizona will have an average of 106 qualified health plan choices through the exchange. Plans in the Marketplace will be categorized as either \u201cgold,\u201d \u201csilver,\u201d or \u201cbronze.\u201d Young adults will also have the option of purchasing a \u201ccatastrophic\u201d plan, increasing their number of choices.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tAccording to HHS data reviewable at http://1.usa.gov/1916bom, a 27-year old living in Arizona who makes $25,000 per year will pay $120 per month for the lowest cost bronze plan and $145 per month for the second-lowest-cost silver plan if he or she takes advantage of available tax credits. For a family of four in Arizona with an income of $50,000 per year, the most affordable bronze plan would cost only $192 per month.\r\n\r\n\tConsumers can get help finding Marketplace coverage through a number of different resources. They can get more information through\u00a0HealthCare.gov or\u00a0cuidadodesalud.gov.\u00a0 They can participate in an online web chat or call 1-800-318-2596 toll free (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) to speak with a trained customer service representative with translation services available in 150 languages.\r\n\r\n\tThere will also be people in local communities who can provide in-person help with coverage choices. Those will include Navigators and other assisters, community health centers across the country, local libraries, and hundreds of Champions for Coverage that have signed up to help consumers learn about their options.\r\n\r\n\tTo become a Champion for Coverage, visit http://marketplace.cms.gov/help-us/champion.html.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1558", "Grijalva, Vela Introduce Immigration Reform Bill to Push Continued Action in the House, Draw Distinctions With GOP Approach", "2013-09-20", "2013", "2013-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva and Filemon Vela today introduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America\u2019s Security and Prosperity (CIR ASAP) Act of 2013, a bill closely mirroring the 2009 version introduced by Rep. Solomon Ortiz. Grijalva and Vela co-chair the Congressional Border Caucus.\r\n\r\n\tA side-by-side comparison of the CIR ASAP bill and S. 744 on key issues is available below. A more detailed explanation of the bill is available at\u00a0http://1.usa.gov/15coq9V.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe House discussion on immigration reform hasn\u2019t been an honest debate about good policy, it\u2019s been a one-sided refusal to take the issue seriously,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cThere are millions of American families waiting every day for better laws that will keep them together, provide their children with a better future, and help our economy. The conversation they need Washington to have has been hijacked by a small group that has shown no interest in their welfare. We\u2019re tired of hearing this is a question of triple-layer border fences and militarizing our neighborhoods for our own good. I ask my colleagues whether they\u2019d want their own children to pass teams of armed soldiers on their way to school every day for the next decade. They should consider what they\u2019re doing to our border communities and start negotiating fairly instead of treating this as a military exercise.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva pointed out that Democrats have already substantially compromised since the last major immigration reform discussions took place in 2009, as evidenced by the distance between the previous CIR ASAP bill and today\u2019s Senate immigration overhaul.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cMy Republican colleagues driving this piecemeal, enforcement-only approach in the House seem to presume they can fix our immigration system if only they\u2019re given enough bullets,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cThe country doesn\u2019t feel that way, the Latino community doesn\u2019t feel that way, and the Democratic Party doesn\u2019t feel that way. Republicans have to stop holding their breath and making unrealistic demands. We\u2019re no closer to a House bill than we were when the Senate approved its version months ago. It\u2019s time for people to see there\u2019s a more serious option on the table and for Congress to keep moving forward on immigration reform. This is not an issue that\u2019s going away just because some people refuse to pay attention.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cCongress must act now to pass comprehensive immigration reform,\u201d Rep. Vela said. \u201cCongressman Grijalva and I are proud to introduce the first comprehensive immigration reform bill in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 113th Congress. This bill provides a reasonable pathway to citizenship, invests in our ports of entry to enhance security and trade, and implements commonsense border security measures without conditioning legal residency status on border security triggers.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tAccording to a July Wall Street Journal poll (available at http://on.wsj.com/1aZ1FOC), \u201cIf Congress fails to enact immigration reform, 44% of Americans think Republicans would be the most to blame, while only 14% say Democrats.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t^^^\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tSide-by-Side Policy Comparison\r\n\r\n\tBorder Surge\r\n\r\n\tS. 744:\u00a0Requires DHS to add at least 19,200 Border Patrol agents and mandates a total of 700 miles of fencing.\r\n\r\n\tCIR ASAP:\u00a0Directs Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and submit to Congress a National Strategy for Border Security. Increase the number of Customs and Border Protection Officers by not fewer than 5,000 and does not require additional fencing.\r\n\r\n\tLegalization path eligibility\r\n\r\n\tS.744:\u00a0Immigrants who entered the United States before December 31, 2011 and have been physically present in the U.S. since that time will be eligible to apply for Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI) status, leaving out millions of people.\r\n\r\n\tCIR ASAP:Immigrants who can establish presence in the U.S. on the day of introduction will be eligible for conditional immigrant visa.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t*Both paths require the applicant to pass a background check, pay any assessed tax liability, pay appropriate fees and a fine, and not to have been convicted of serious criminal activity.\r\n\r\n\tPathway to Citizenship\r\n\r\n\tS. 744:\u00a0RPI status would be valid for six years and after 10 years, and only if all family and employment backlogs are cleared and the border security triggers are met, these individuals will be able to apply for legal permanent residency (LPR). After 3 years of being a resident, they may apply for naturalization, making the total path to citizenship a 13-year wait.\r\n\r\n\tCIR ASAP:\u00a0Those who qualify would receive a conditional nonimmigrant visa which is valid for six years and will be able to naturalize under current law (up to 5 years), making the total path to citizenship about an 11-year wait.\r\n\r\n\tEnvironmental Impacts\r\n\r\n\tS. 744:\u00a0Allows Homeland Security officials to access all federal lands in order to capture drug traffickers, human smugglers, and other unlawful actors attempting to cross through federally protected lands. Waives important environmental laws and regulations within 100 miles of the U.S. border.\r\n\r\n\tCIR ASAP:\u00a0Maintains current laws and prioritizes mitigating adverse impacts to federal, tribal, state, local and private lands, waters, wildlife and habitats by promoting cross-agency development of comprehensive monitoring and mitigation of ecological and environmental impacts of border security infrastructure and activity.\r\n\r\n\tPort of Entry Infrastructure\r\n\r\n\tS. 744: Provides for the establishment of a grant program to construct transportation and infrastructure improvements at southern and northern border ports of entry to facilitate safe, secure, and efficient cross-border movement of people, vehicles, and cargo. Adds 3,500 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.\r\n\r\n\tCIR ASAP:\u00a0Appropriates $1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018 to make improvements to existing ports of entry in the United States to improve border security and for other purposes. Increase Agriculture Specialists by 1, 200 and Border Security Support Personnel at the port of entry by 350.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1556", "Grijalva Hosting Ad Hoc Hearing, Press Conference Friday in Nogales on Humanitarian, Economic Aspects of Immigration Reform", "2013-09-10", "2013", "2013-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva and several members of the Congressional Border Caucus, which he co-chairs, will hold an ad hoc hearing this Friday in Nogales, Ariz., to discuss the economic and humanitarian aspects of comprehensive immigration reform.\u00a0The event starts at 1:00 p.m. Arizona time and will be followed by a tour of the Port of Entry and press conference.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tRep. Grijalva and his colleagues will highlight the human voices of border communities that will be affected by any comprehensive immigration reform legislation. The event will focus on the need for legislation that respects human rights, ends the humanitarian crisis of migrant deaths, and expands our understanding of \u201cnational security\u201d to include economic prosperity. Grijalva has introduced bills in this and previous Congresses to modernize border ports of entry and bolster trade with Mexico, which supports 6 million American jobs.\r\n\r\n\tThe ad hoc hearing will consist of a panel of national and local experts who will provide testimony and answer questions. The event is free and open to the media. Written materials will be available for reporters at the ad hoc hearing.\r\n\r\n\tIF YOU GO\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tWhat:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ad hoc hearing and press conference with Rep. Grijalva and Congressional Border Caucus representatives\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tWhen:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Friday, Sept. 13\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ad Hoc Hearing \u00a01:00 \u2013 3:00 p.m.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Press Conference 3:30 \u2013 4:00 p.m.\r\n\r\n\tWhere: \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Hearing is at Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at 2150 N. Congress Dr. in Nogales, Ariz.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Press conference is at Santa Cruz County Old Courthouse in Nogalesat 21 E. Court St. (NE corner of Court and Morley)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1555", "Grijalva Statement on Impending Congressional Vote to Bomb Syria: \"International Involvement Means We Have Much Better Options\"", "2013-09-09", "2013", "2013-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today released the following statement on the impending Congressional vote on whether to authorize the use of military force in Syria.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWhen we hear about human rights violations, war crimes, and the murder of civilians \u2013 which is exactly what we face in Syria today \u2013 we feel a strong urge to punish the guilty and respond with violence. The images we have all seen of children being burned and families being destroyed provoke our national conscience and demand our outrage and sympathy. They remind us of the terrible violence perpetrated by other criminal regimes and our shared responsibility to enforce international laws.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI cannot hope to understand the suffering of the Syrian people harmed by the ongoing conflict there. But emotions and first impressions cannot rule our foreign policy. If Congress is asked to vote to authorize military force, I will vote no \u2013 not because I doubt terrible violence is occurring in Syria, but because a hastily organized missile strike with minimal international support will only make things worse. The considerable level of international involvement means we have much better options.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe news today that Syria, at Russia\u2019s urging, is willing to puts its chemical weapons under international control suggests a way forward. Syria\u2019s offer makes any bombing campaign aimed at neutralizing its chemical stockpile unnecessary. Once these weapons are in hand, we should refer the atrocities already committed by the Assad regime to the International Criminal Court for potential indictment and prosecution. The Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation should be fully engaged in talks about regime change and the future of Syria. We cannot hope to broker a transitional process that ends Assad\u2019s rule and prioritizes the needs of the Syrian people through unwanted military force.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI want to see justice done and war criminals prosecuted. I am not an isolationist. I believe the United States can help shape a positive future for the global community. But the idea that firing a few missiles will help the good guys win the war and end things happily is a dangerous, unrealistic basis for our role in world affairs. The United Nations exists for a reason. We have seen what happens when we go it alone in the Middle East. Once the initial high of military commitment has worn off, we find ourselves in a trap of our own making.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe\u2019re sometimes told we have exhausted our diplomatic options. On the contrary, we have yet to offer a resolution to the UN Security Council regarding potential action in Syria. Even if we had incontrovertible evidence that the Assad government committed the recently reported chemical attack, we should present it to the world than instigating a unilateral bombing campaign. Given that Russia and China, Syria\u2019s major sponsors to date, abstained from the resolution to use force in Libya, it seems clear to me that we are far from exhausting our legal and diplomatic options.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIf we\u2019re serious about a better long-term outcome in Syria, we should abandon our pointless threats to bomb Damascus \u2013 threats that have achieved nothing so far \u2013 and engage with responsible parties who share our interest in ending the conflict and the Assad regime. President Assad has earned the scorn and condemnation of the world community. In the final hour, he will have no friend willing to stand with him. Rather than throwing our military weight around for the sake of short-term headlines, the United States can help broker and oversee the lawful prosecution of Mr. Assad and his accomplices and ensure a peaceful transition to a better Syria. Such a role would not be forgotten by the Syrian people.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1554", "Grijalva Will Headline Sept. 4 Press Conference at BLM Horse Facility Near Reno to Call for Wild Horse & Burro Management Reforms", "2013-08-28", "2013", "2013-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva, the ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation, will tour and hold a press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Palomino Valley National Adoption Center to discuss the current state and future of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program.\r\n\r\n\tUnder the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, the BLM is responsible for managing and preserving wild horses and burros around the country. Over the past few decades, BLM has used a number of controversial management techniques to meet herd quotas required by the law. Approximately 39,000 wild horses and burros roam land managed by the BLM and another 40,000 more are held in BLM facilities like Palomino Valley \u2013 the largest holding facility managed by the federal government.\r\n\r\n\tThe BLM program currently prioritizes roundups over alternatives that reduce the need for expensive stockpiling. More than half of BLM\u2019s wild horse management budget is spent to provide care for animals in long-term holding facilities.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe National Academy of Sciences (NAS) recently released \u2018Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program: A Way Forward,\u2019 which found that federal efforts waste taxpayer money and need major reforms. You can read the full report at http://bit.ly/12t8bta.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI\u2019ve been asking for changes for years, and NAS has confirmed that we can save taxpayer money and horses\u2019 lives at the same time by improving this program,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cWe have the information we need. Now it\u2019s time to do something with it.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tCongressman Grijalva will be joined by Neda DeMayo, CEO of Return to Freedom American Wild Horse Sanctuary, and Emmy-nominated actress and advocate Wendie Malick. Ahead of the Sept. 9 meeting of the BLM\u2019s Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board in Washington DC, the speakers will discuss the need to implement the findings of the NAS study and the future of the Restore Our American Mustangs (ROAM) Act.\r\n\r\n\tIf You Go\r\n\r\n\tWhat: Press conference to discuss wild horse and burro management policy and potential Congressional activity\r\n\r\n\tWhen: Wednesday, Sept. 4 at approximately 2:45 p.m. (Nevada time)\r\n\r\n\tContact: Clara Ortiz at (520) 622-6788 or clara.ortiz@mail.house.gov\r\n\r\n\tWhere: Palomino Valley National Adoption Center (near Reno, NV)\r\n\r\n\tThe facility is located approximately 20 miles north of Reno/Sparks. From Interstate 80, take Exit 18 (Pyramid Way/State Road 445) \u2013 PVC is north about 20 miles. Turn east on Ironwood Road to reach the facility.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1551", "Grijalva Asks Napolitano to Explain How Much DHS Pays Private Contractors Each Year to Incarcerate Often Non-Violent Immigrants", "2013-08-16", "2013", "2013-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva yesterday wrote a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano asking her to publicize how much the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has paid private contractors in each of the past three years to incarcerate often non-violent undocumented immigrants. Grijalva\u2019s letter, available at http://1.usa.gov/16htlIW, also asks for more information about why DHS recently spent approximately $15 million to build just 21 houses and lease 20 park-model trailer homes in the unincorporated area of Ajo, Ariz., where standard housing costs are much lower than DHS was apparently willing to spend.\r\n\r\n\tAs the letter reads, \u201cThe cost of these detentions [. . .] is surely high and getting higher each year. I respectfully request that you release the total yearly cost to DHS of detaining undocumented immigrants in private detention facilities for the past three years and break down the expenditures by state. These figures should be readily available to DHS policymakers for planning and budgeting purposes, and there is no reason Congress should not base its discussion on an accurate assessment of how much the status quo is costing us.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva\u2019s concern about DHS housing costs arose from a recent report by Brenna Goth of the Arizona Republic that first revealed the overpayments. A statement to the Republic from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) emphasized that CBP does not use housing as a recruiting tool to find job applicants, calling into question why a small housing project would be worth so much to DHS.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva asks for responses to his queries by Sept. 9, \u201cwhen Congress will be back in session and the country\u2019s attention will be firmly on improving our immigration policies.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1545", "Grijalva Greeting Sunnyside Girls Softball Team at Tucson Airport Today to Congratulate Them on Little League World Series Title", "2013-08-15", "2013", "2013-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today congratulated Tucson\u2019s Sunnyside Little League girls softball team on winning the 12-and-under Little League World Series. The team won the title yesterday by defeating a team from McLean, Va., 9-0 in Portland, making them the first team since 1990 to win the tournament from the West Region.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAll the players, coaches, families and supporters who helped build this team deserve to celebrate, and I\u2019m excited to congratulate the team in person when they arrive home today,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cThis is a truly national victory for Tucson that many in the community will remember for a long time.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tRep. Grijalva will meet the team at Tucson International Airport at approximately 2:30 p.m. Arizona time.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1546", "Grijalva Congratulates Four Arizona Recipients of Affordable Care Act 'Navigator' Awards to Help Residents Get Health Coverage", "2013-08-15", "2013", "2013-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today announced that $2,129,523 has been awarded in Navigator grants to Arizona health care organizations to provide public information on how to choose and enroll in Health Insurance Marketplace plans this fall through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Arizona organizations were eligible for federal funds to assist consumers because Gov. Jan Brewer and the State Legislature chose not to establish a statewide insurance exchange.\r\n\r\n\tRecipients include:\r\n\r\n\tArizona Association of Community Health Centers\r\n\r\n\tAnticipated grant amount: $1,344,096\r\n\r\n\tThe Association plans a statewide enrollment outreach effort.\r\n\r\n\tGreater Phoenix Urban League, Inc.\r\n\r\n\tAnticipated grant amount: $523,773\r\n\r\n\tThe League plans a statewide enrollment outreach effort.\r\n\r\n\tCenter for Rural Health, University of Arizona\r\n\r\n\tAnticipated grant amount: $190,268\r\n\r\n\tThe Center for Rural Health particularly aims to reduce the numbers of Asian American and Pacific Islander uninsured in Pima County.\r\n\r\n\tCampesinos Sin Fronteras, Inc.\r\n\r\n\tAnticipated grant amount: $71,386\r\n\r\n\tCampesinos Sin Fronteras will focus on enrollment assistance to uninsured individuals in Yuma County.\r\n\r\n\tThese and other Navigator agencies around the country will provide unbiased information about the ACA\u2019s Health Insurance Marketplaces, qualified health plans, and public programs such as Medicaid and the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program. They will be required to follow strict privacy standards and trained in protecting customer information.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cMillions of Americans, and many thousands of Arizonans, will finally have access to affordable health insurance starting in October, and they should have the information they need to get the most benefit from the law,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cNavigators will help explain how to choose a plan, how to get the subsidies many families are entitled to, and how to enroll in any plan a family chooses. It\u2019s an important public service, and today\u2019s grant recipients should be commended for pursuing and making use of these funds.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tFor a list of the organizations in our state that were awarded Navigator grants, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1547", "Reps. Grijalva, Miller Write to Department of Education Urging Immediate Steps to Remedy Lack of English Language Learner Data", "2013-08-15", "2013", "2013-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Reps. George Miller and Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today sent a letter to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan urging him to collect data on English Language Learner (ELL) enrollment in charter schools, which have grown in popularity around the country in recent years. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report \u2013 available at http://1.usa.gov/14OcQHs \u2013 found that many charter schools are not reporting such data, calling into question whether they meet current standards of educational quality and accessibility.\r\n\r\n\tGAO experts and the Department of Education have found significant gaps in some charter school reporting on student performance data, including reading and math proficiency rates and graduation rates for all students.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tMiller and Grijalva recently asked the GAO to examine how enrollment levels of ELLs in charter schools compare to traditional public schools. The GAO was unable to conduct the study due to data quality issues, saying that several factors \u2013 including lack of reporting and definitional issues \u2013 may account for the gaps in charter school data collection and student performance evaluation.\r\n\r\n\tThe failure of public charter schools to submit school-level data can affect the validity of state and local educational agency enrollment figures, which the Elementary and Secondary Education Act requires to be collected.\r\n\r\n\tIn today\u2019s letter \u2013 available at http://1.usa.gov/1cQJ2fi \u2013 Miller and Grijalva wrote: \u201cIt is imperative that the Department have reliable and accurate data for all public schools, local education agencies, and states in fulfilling our mission to equitably serve all children and families.\u00a0 All public schools must be treated equally, with respect to federal funding received and student populations served, not based on school type or reform priority.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tSome charter schools provide students with a rigorous education and present innovative education approaches. However, they seem not to be serving several unique student populations, including English Language Learners.\r\n\r\n\tAdditionally, GAO found that:\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 37 percent of charter schools in the 2010-2011 school year had blank answers to survey questions aimed at assessing ELL enrollment.\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For the 2010-2011 school year, between 80 and 100 percent of charter schools in five states did not report ELL enrollment.\r\n\r\n\tIn addition to today\u2019s letter to Secretary Duncan, Miller and Grijalva wrote to the National Association of Charter School Authorizers and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools \u2013 both of which you can read at http://1.usa.gov/18yf2Qt \u2013 urging members to work in partnership with the Department of Education and other education stakeholders to improve charter school reporting on ELL enrollment and school performance.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1549", "Reps. Grijalva, Barber Urge Forest Service Not to Release Premature \"Final\" Environmental Impact Statement on Rosemont Mine", "2013-08-15", "2013", "2013-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz. \u2013 Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva and Ron Barber today sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack urging the Forest Service, which is under the authority of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), not to release a final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed Rosemont Mine project near Tucson without addressing several known shortcomings in the version available for public comment. The public comment period closes today, leading to widespread concerns that the draft will not substantially change before it is finalized.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva and Barber write in the letter, which is reviewable at http://1.usa.gov/16SHSMm, that the Forest Service \u201chas no obligation to rush through an environmental assessment,\u201d especially because the draft \u201cis missing essential elements [such as] analysis of endangered species impacts, consultation with Native American communities regarding impacts to historical and cultural sites, Clean Water Act permits, and responses to [earlier] public comments.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tAuthorities at the Coronado National Forest, where some waste from the proposed mine may be dumped, seem tempted to fast track analysis of other federal agencies\u2019 comments in order to issue a record of decision by Sept. 27, the letter says. New rules on approving such documents go into effect the following day \u2013 rules that Forest Service officials may be trying to avoid at the Rosemont site.\r\n\r\n\tAs today\u2019s letter says, \u201cThe Forest Service has no obligation to rush through an environmental assessment. The agency\u2019s duty, first and foremost, is to assess the proposed mine\u2019s impacts on Arizona\u2019s natural resources, water supplies, and public health. Such a review should take the time that is appropriate to ensure full input from the public and stakeholders. The impacts of this study will be permanent and demand full and careful review.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva is the ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation. Barber sits on the House Committee on Small Business.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1544", "Rep. Grijalva Joins Comite de Bien Estar in San Luis to Celebrate $1.3 Million USDA Grant for Home Construction Technical Assistance", "2013-08-09", "2013", "2013-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "San Luis, Ariz. \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today announced a $1,361,760 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to the non-profit social assistance group Comite de Bien Estar to identify, screen and prepare candidates for USDA\u2019s Mutual Self-Help Housing Program. Under the program, families provide a substantial portion of the labor involved in building their own homes, reducing the purchase cost putting affordable housing within reach for low-income families.\r\n\r\n\tComite de Bien Estar Administrator Marco A. \u201cTony\u201d Reyes and USDA Rural Development State Director Alan Stephens were also at the San Luis event (see attached picture) to speak about the importance of housing and USDA assistance to rural communities.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIf we really want improved housing and a better economy, we need these kinds of innovative partnerships, more smartly targeted grants, and a lot of hard work,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThis project, and many others like it, is about meeting realistic goals and helping working Americans take ownership of their futures. When people see the human face of government efforts to expand home ownership, they support programs and grants like the one we\u2019re announcing today.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe program brings different families together to work on each other\u2019s house,\u201d Stephens said. \u201cThat builds and strengthens the ties of community. The families build friendships and community as they build homes.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tStephens thanked Rep. Grijalva for his longtime support of housing and other programs that help Arizona\u2019s rural communities. He also praised the long and productive relationship between USDA Rural Development and Comite de Bien Estar, which have jointly built more than 525 homes in the area since forming a partnership in 1999.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1542", "Reps. Grijalva, Heck Introduce Bill to Protect Funding for Continuing Technical Education Programs – Arizona, Nevada Hit Hard by Cuts", "2013-08-02", "2013", "2013-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Reps. Joe Heck (R-NV) and Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today joined to introduce the bipartisan Career and Technical Education Equity Act, which prevents future career and technical education (CTE) funding cuts of more than 10 percent per year. Nevada, Arizona and many other states face drastic underfunding for CTE programs thanks to an influx of new residents and an outdated funding formula.\r\n\r\n\tA \u201chold harmless\u201d provision in the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, under which CTE programs are funded, ensures that states do not receive less funding than the baseline established in 1998. However, states such as Nevada and Arizona, which have seen rapid population growth since 1998, are facing disproportionate cuts to CTE funding and will not be able to adequately fund their CTE programs on 1998 levels. Despite the importance of preparing high school and college students for in-demand jobs, funding for CTE programs continues to decrease due to sluggish economic growth and the consequences of sequestration.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe bill protects critical CTE funding by requiring that states receive at least 90% of the funding amount allocated the previous year. This key reform will help states and local CTE programs train and prepare workers for the future without fear of sudden funding downturns.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cCareer and technical education programs prepare students for the in-demand, good-paying jobs that are critical to our continued economic recovery,\u201d Rep. Joe Heck said. \u201cI have heard from administrators and educators around my district that the current funding formula will make it very difficult for the state of Nevada to carry out already-established CTE programs. States like Nevada should not be punished simply because we have experienced population growth. This bill will protect CTE funding and continue to provide Nevada's students with opportunities to learn the skills to help them find in-demand jobs.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cCareer technical education prepares millions of Americans to succeed and gives them access to the modern job skills they need,\u201d Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva said. \u201cKeeping up to date professionally and intellectually helps us stay competitive and build a stronger economy. We shouldn\u2019t cut funding for programs that mean the difference between getting ahead and falling behind for workers all over the country. Cutting CTE in Arizona by 20 percent is an avoidable disaster waiting to happen. This bill is the right way to make sure that doesn\u2019t happen.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tA copy of the bill, along with a \u201cDear Colleague\u201d letter on the bill, is attached.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1540", "Grijalva Votes Against Bill to Charge Students More Over Time, Calls for Better Interest Rates for Students and Less Focus on Profits", "2013-08-01", "2013", "2013-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva released the following statement today after voting against the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act, which passed the House of Representatives and now heads to the White House for likely approval.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis bill means students will pay $715 million more down the road than they would if current rates, which recently doubled for new borrowers, stayed untouched.\u00a0Today we reverse the July 1 student loan interest rate hike at the cost of ultimately charging students more over the next decade.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe need to make student loans more accessible to students and easier to pay back. In this country, in our economy, students should not have to agonize over whether to go to college because of our nation\u2019scrushing student debt problem.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tRep. Grijalva supported Rep. John Tierney\u2019s (D-Mass.) bill to tie the student loan interest rate to the current Federal Reserve lending rate, which is currently 0.75 percent. Grijalva also signed a discharge petition and indicated his support for H.R. 2574, which would set the interest rate for any subsidized Stafford loan made between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014 at 3.4 percent.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe shouldn\u2019t charge students more to borrow for college than we charge banks,\u201d Grijalva said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1541", "Grijalva Will Join Introduction of Resolution Tomorrow Marking Anniversary of Attack on Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin", "2013-08-01", "2013", "2013-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva, a member of the American-Sikh Congressional Caucus, will join colleagues tomorrow in introducing a resolution commemorating the one-year anniversary of the hate-based shooting at a Gurdwara \u2013 a Sikh place of worship \u2013 in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.\r\n\r\n\tOn August 5, 2012, an armed gunman walked into the Oak Creek Gurdwara and opened fire, severely injuring four and killing six, including the head of the temple. Rep. Grijalva participated in an interfaith healing event at Tucson\u2019s Khalsa Montessori School one week later.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis country has a long history \u2013 sometimes slow, sometimes painful \u2013 of overcoming hatred, prejudice and fear,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cSo many Americans believe in diversity and tolerance as sources of strength that we can forget how strong feelings can be on the other side. The right response is not to fight anger with anger. It is to set a more worthwhile example. Congress has a chance to do that tomorrow.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe American-Sikh Congressional Caucus was founded in Aprilof this year to better represent the Sikh community across the country. Members of the Sikh community have faced growing discrimination and persecution, especially by those who mistakenly associate Sikhs with the 9/11 attacks.\r\n\r\n\tThe language of the resolution is below.\r\n\r\n\t***\r\n\r\n\tWhereas, on Sunday, August 5, 2012, a mass shooting took place fueled by intolerance killing six worshipers at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, a Gurdwara, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin;\r\n\r\n\tWhereas, \u00a0the attack occurred as members of the congregation prepared\u00a0langar, a free\u00a0 community meal served to all visitors to Gurdwaras, regardless of their race, religion, sex, or social background;\r\n\r\n\tWhereas, four individuals were injured including a responding officer, Lt. Brian Murphy,\u00a0who was shot fifteen times at close range;\r\n\r\n\tWhereas, Lt. Brian Murphy and all first responders to the Oak Creek Gurdwara, demonstrated great courage in their quick response to the shooting, ultimately saving lives;\r\n\r\n\tWhereas, American Sikhs have endured high levels of stereotyping, bullying, and violence, all of which\u00a0rose dramatically in the wake of the September 11th attacks;\r\n\r\n\tWhereas, the Associated Press reported that more than 700 such incidents of intolerance targeting American Sikhs took place over the last decade;\r\n\r\n\tWhereas, the Oak Creek shooting was one of the most lethal attacks on an American place of worship since the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church and another sad example of violence and intolerance against Sikhs;\r\n\r\n\tWhereas, the Sikh community responded to the shooting in Oak Creek with compassion, and stayed true to the Sikh principle of Chardi Kala, remaining in high spirits;\r\n\r\n\tWhereas, although the effects of this shooting will be felt for years to come, the Oak Creek community will continue to overcome the tragedy and become stronger than before with a renewed sense of oneness, understanding, and cooperation;\r\n\r\n\tWhereas, the August 5, 2012 shooting was not just a Sikh tragedy, but an American tragedy: Now, therefore, be it\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Resolved, That the House of Representatives\u2014\r\n\r\n\t(1)\u00a0\u00a0 condemns in the strongest possible terms the horrific attack which occurred at the Sikh temple in Wisconsin on August 5, 2012;\r\n\r\n\t(2)\u00a0\u00a0 honors the memory of Suveg Singh Khattra, Satwant Singh Kaleka, Ranjit Singh, Sita Singh, Paramjit Kaur, and Prakash Singh who died in the attack;\r\n\r\n\t(3)\u00a0\u00a0 offers its heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones of those who died in the attack;\r\n\r\n\t(4)\u00a0\u00a0 applauds the bravery of Lt. Brian Murphy and other first responders who prevented the gunman from potentially taking more lives and quickly treated wounded individuals and,\r\n\r\n\t5) condemns intolerance, including religious and racial discrimination, and calls for continued vigilance against violence.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1537", "CPC Co-Chairs: Defense Bill is Fundamentally Flawed", "2013-07-25", "2013", "2013-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement after House Republicans passed the FY2014 Defense Appropriations Act, a bill to fund the Department of Defense for the next fiscal year:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cRepublicans passed a bloated defense budget today that spends money on weapons programs the Pentagon doesn\u2019t want. This comes a week after they voted to cut funding to feed America\u2019s neediest children. The United States needs a leaner but more capable military able to defeat 21st-century threats. We also need to invest in jobs, education and affordable healthcare for working families. Republicans wrongly decided today that we can\u2019t have both.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe Republican bill spends $47 billion more than the sequester-prescribed cap on defense spending allows and includes an additional $85 billion for overseas contingency operations, primarily to fund the war in Afghanistan.The bill increases spending on outdated programs and does little to help the 650,000 civilian Defense Department employees already being furloughed.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis bill is a missed opportunity to invest in what we need and cut what we don\u2019t. In real terms, we actually spend more on defense today than we did on average during the Cold War. The Cold War is over. Our troops are out of Iraq. The war in Afghanistan is winding down. The security landscape we face today is radically different from 30 years ago, yet Republicans still want to spend like it\u2019s 1985.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cRepublicans have asked working Americans to give up early education for their children, routine doctors appointments for their families and income security for their grandparents, while they spend billions on programs the Department of Defense doesn't want or need. Preparing for wars that have already ended won't feed our children. Investing in working families will.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1535", "Rep. Grijalva on Today's House Passage of Student Success Act: \"Get Ready for Fewer Functioning Schools and Less Student Support\"", "2013-07-19", "2013", "2013-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva, a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, released the following statement this morning after the House passed the badly misnamed Student Success Act (H.R. 5).\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis bill rolls back forty-five years of progress in giving disadvantaged and low-income children a good education. If we expect American students to succeed, in this country or in the global economy, our first priority has to be adequately funding their education. Instead, this bill makes almost gleefully destructive cuts in education funding and shifts taxpayer dollars to private entities. It is an ideological exercise in bad governance.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAmong many other glaring flaws, this bill directs less teacher training funds to students in poverty, eliminates requirements that schools improve the education of English Language Learners each year, removes existing accountability rules that have led to higher high school graduation rates, and allows students with disabilities to be taught to separate and lower standards. It eliminates dedicated funding for after-school, school safety, and social support programs. It also leaves untouched a federal loophole that allows districts to spend more money in wealthier schools than in poorer ones.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cOutside the Republican Party in Washington, this bill has no constituency. It is designed to please a niche political base, not to advance the cause of education in this country. It is opposed by the White House, by business leaders, by the civil rights community, by organized labor, by disability advocates and by leading education organizations. There was no reason to pass this bill except to tick a box on a badly prioritized to-do list.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe have been debating bills of this kind for more than a decade now. If we\u2019ve learned anything, it\u2019s that shoving ideology down students\u2019 throats hasn\u2019t done anyone any good. The Student Success Act walks away from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act\u2019s historic commitment to giving each of America\u2019s children a high-quality education. Continuing any further down this path will be disastrous, and I hope the people who supported the bill today explain back home why they voted the way they did.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1529", "Pelosi, Grijalva, Border Caucus Members Lay Out Priorities on Security, Trade, Humanitarian Issues in Pending Immigration Reform Bill", "2013-07-10", "2013", "2013-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congressional Border Caucus members Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva, Filemon Vela and Beto O\u2019Rourke today called for a greater focus on border community needs in Congress\u2019 ongoing immigration reform efforts and highlighted bipartisan solutions that could be included in any reform bill.\r\n\r\n\tThe group spoke at a press conference earlier today at the U.S. Capitol. High-quality video of the event is at http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/DemocratsonI.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cDemocrats are committed to immigration reform that is comprehensive, that represents a reasonable compromise for both parties, and that affords all immigrants a fair shot at the American Dream,\u201d Leader Pelosi said. \u201cWe remain committed to sensible, bipartisan solutions to secure our border and to ensure growth and opportunity among our border communities \u2013 all as part of commonsense reform that reaffirms our values and honors our tradition as a nation of immigrants.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cPreventing needless human suffering shouldn\u2019t be a political issue, and there are several bipartisan humanitarian solutions on the table that deserve more consideration,\u201d said Rep. Grijalva, who co-chairs the Border Caucus. \u201cAny successful immigration reform bill will reduce deaths in our Southwestern desert region, provide meaningful oversight of law enforcement practices, and make sure the border remains as safe a place to raise a family as it is today. There are ways Democrats and Republicans can work together to achieve those goals, and I look forward to making sure it happens.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe United States, Mexico, and Canada form the world\u2019s largest free trade area, with about one-third of the world\u2019s total gross domestic product (GDP). Trade between the US and Mexico has more than tripled since 1994,\u201d Rep. Vela said. \u201cAs co-chair of the Border Caucus, I firmly believe that any comprehensive immigration reform bill must recognize this economic and cultural unity. Instead of mandating the construction of additional barriers, we should invest in boosting our trade relationship, which will create more jobs and improve the American economy.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe need comprehensive immigration reform that is humane, rational, and fiscally responsible,\u201d Rep. O\u2019Rourke said. \u201cThe border should be viewed as an opportunity, not a threat. More than five hundred billion dollars worth of trade crosses our ports of entry every year and that helps support six million jobs nationwide. Rather than militarize our border against a threat that does not exist, we should realize our full economic potential and invest those resources to improve and modernize our ports of entry. If we focus on the positive aspects the border has to offer, we have the very real possibility of crafting legislation that will grow our economy and create jobs.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe 12-member Congressional Border Caucus includes representatives from Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California and advocates for the needs and interests of border communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1527", "As Republicans Bring Education Bill to House Floor Next Week, Grijalva Highlights Recently Introduced Package of Education Reforms", "2013-07-09", "2013", "2013-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Ahead of next week\u2019s expected House vote on the Student Success Act (H.R. 5), a Republican successor to the No Child Left Behind law, Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today highlighted the package of educational reforms he introduced just before last week\u2019s holiday recess. The package of three bills, introduced June 26, would assist English language learner students and their families, improve funding and support for school libraries, and make dual-language programs available in low-income communities.\r\n\r\n\tThe package includes:\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the Families Learning and Understanding English Together (FLUEnT) Act to improve family bilingual education support and emphasize English language acquisition\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the Strengthening Kids\u2019 Interest in Learning and Libraries\u00a0(SKILLS) Act to provide every school with a qualified librarian\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the Providing Resources to Improve Dual Language Education (PRIDE) Act to improve access to dual-language educational programs for younger students\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva separately introduced the Success in the Middle Act on June 11, a bill that would create new education-specific federal grants for states based on their proportion of low income children aged 5 to 17, among other factors. That bill, which focuses resources on middle schools with students at high risk of academic failure, already has 11 House cosponsors.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cOur schools need meaningful needs-based reforms, not top-down ideology,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cIdentifying what works and where it works is the best way to get the results we need. These bills are about responding to the specific needs of under-represented communities. More politics is the last thing our students want in their lives, as we\u2019ve seen with the student loan rate disaster. They deserve to have the resources they need to succeed and live the lives they choose. My bills are about providing that opportunity.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe House Republican majority is expected to bring the Student Success Act to the House floor next week \u2013 a bill that consolidates and reduces support for English language learners, ignores chronic school underfunding, and fails to address a host of other pertinent questions. The bill passed on a party-line vote by the House Education and the Workforce Committee earlier this year. As the Huffington Post wrote in June:\r\n\r\n\tUnder the legislation, schools would not have to meet federally prescribed performance goals -- a proposal markedly different from current law, the Obama administration's waiver system and a competing bill offered up by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). Kline\u2019s bill also consolidates a slew of programs specifically devoted to things like English language learners and neglected children into Title I, a program devoted to helping schools with poor students. [. . .]\r\n\r\n\tHe also added that continuing to restrict Title I money primarily for the use of poor students is a good backstop. \u201cWe don't let [school administrators] spend it for other things, but we let them move it around so they can get what they need,\u201d he said.\r\n\r\n\tA coalition of civil rights and business groups, including the Education Trust, La Raza and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, circulated a statement that lashes into Kline's bill. \u201cWe believe the legislation falls short of the lessons learned\u201d from [No Child Left Behind]\u2019s shortcomings, the groups wrote. \u201cWe are disappointed that the legislation does not demand targeted support and real improvement for students stuck in low-performing schools.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI can\u2019t support the bill the majority is bringing up next week, and neither should my colleagues,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cThis isn\u2019t an attempt to make schools perform better or help underachieving communities get the help they need.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva supported the Democratic alternative bill introduced by Rep. George Miller during the Committee vote and has said he will vote for it again when it is introduced on the floor as an alternative to H.R. 5.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1528", "Grijalva Highlights Record of Support for Soldiers and Veterans as Sequester Cuts Start Furlough Process for Thousands of Arizonans", "2013-07-09", "2013", "2013-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 As more than 8,000 Arizonans in the defense industry face furloughs beginning this week thanks to the Budget Control Act\u2019s sequestration provision, Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva highlighted his record of support for active and retired military personnel and pointed to collapsing support for austerity economics across the country. The sequester went into effect in March of this year and is expected to cost the economy at least 750,000 jobs, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva, who voted against the Budget Control Act of 2011 and has opposed the sequester from the beginning, called on House Republicans to reject austerity economics as a proven failure and pointed to the collection of bills he has supported this Congress to improve the lives of current and former soldiers.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe men and women who will take home less pay, have less money to save for their families, and who will face reduced economic opportunity because of the sequester aren\u2019t interested in Washington excuses,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cThe people who voted for this cannot have it both ways. They either didn\u2019t take the time to realize this would happen when they got their way, or they knew it and supported the sequester anyway. Neither explanation holds much water when you\u2019re told you won\u2019t receive a paycheck this week or when your claims aren\u2019t being processed.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva pointed out that assistance efforts like the Army Wounded Warrior Program, Marine for Life, Navy Safe Harbor and military health care programs are staffed by civilians, some of whom could be furloughed in Arizona and elsewhere around the country.\r\n\r\n\tRep. Grijalva recently agreed to cosponsor each of the following bills to address veterans benefit issues and the VA backlog.\r\n\r\n\tH.R. 1623\u00a0(the VA Claims Efficiency Through Information Act) by Rep. Gloria Negrete-McLeod requires the VA to better detail the backlog, timeliness and accuracy of VA regional offices and their relative ability to adjudicate specific medical conditions.\r\n\r\n\tH.R.1759\u00a0(the Require Detailed Reporting on VA Information Requests to Federal Agencies Act) by Rep. Raul Ruiz requires the VA to track all information requests to other federal entities and to provide quarterly updates to Congress in regards to the timeliness of other agencies in fulfilling their information requests. Veterans\u2019 claims are often untimely because the VA is waiting for other agencies to provide information.\r\n\r\n\tH.R. 1809\u00a0by Rep. Beto O'Rourke educates veterans on how to increase the timeliness of their benefits claims.\r\n\r\n\tH.R.1824\u00a0(the VA Regional Office Accountability Act) by Rep. Grace Meng requires annual reports on VA regional offices that are not meeting their timeliness and accuracy goals. Reports would explain why an office did not meet the goal, what it needs to meet it, and how failure to meet the goal was considered in regards to the VARO Director\u2019s performance appraisal.\r\n\r\n\tH.R. 1980\u00a0(the Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act) by Rep. Tim Walz directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs not to request a full VA medical examination when a benefits claimant submits private medical evidence that is competent and credible for rating purposes, thereby conserving resources and enabling quicker, more accurate rating decisions for veterans.\r\n\r\n\tH.R. 2088\u00a0(the Claims Adjudication Centers of Excellence Act) by Rep. Mike Michaud requires the Veterans Benefits Administration to specialize claims processing by condition, reduce the time it takes to adjudicate difficult conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and decrease the error rates on difficult claims.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1523", "Grijalva Expresses Deepest Sorrow and Sympathy For Families of 19 Firefighters Killed Battling Yarnell Hill Fire in Central Arizona", "2013-07-01", "2013", "2013-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva this morning expressed his deepest sorrow and sympathy for the families of the 19 firefighters killed battling the Yarnell Hill fire southwest of Prescott, Ariz.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cFirefighters dedicate their careers to keeping the rest of us safe, and their bravery in the cause of protecting the public is sometimes taken for granted,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cIt takes more courage and professionalism than we imagine to face a wall of fire with nothing but a small shelter for protection. These nineteen men died protecting other families\u2019 homes, doing what they believed in. Our gratitude for their efforts and our sorrow at their loss cannot easily be measured in words.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva expressed his hope and belief that the people of Prescott and the surrounding area will remember the firefighters\u2019 sacrifice after the fire has been contained.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cPeople call them first responders, but firefighters are often the only responders,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cThey are men and women just like us who choose to dedicate their lives to protecting others. The nineteen men killed yesterday will be remembered not just for the lives and homes they saved, but for their willingness to brave that risk knowing the dangers, just as all firefighters do. I and my office are ready to assist their families, and the others affected by this terrible fire, in any way we can.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1524", "Grijalva Calls on Republicans to Support Bill That Keeps Student Loan Rate at 3.4 Percent, Stop Pushing Alternatives That Won't Pass", "2013-07-01", "2013", "2013-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today called on House and Senate Republicans to support the Keep Student Loans Affordable Act (H.R. 2574), which maintains the 3.4 percent interest rate on subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans that existed until this morning. The new rate of 6.8 percent will mean an estimated additional $2,600 in costs for approximately 7 million students, according to the Congressional Joint Economic Committee.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva is supporting an effort to file a discharge petition on the bill, which would force Speaker of the House John Boehner to schedule a vote on it. A discharge petition needs 218 signatures, a bare majority of the House, to be successful. Even 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney supported extending the 3.4 percent rate for another year, Grijalva pointed out.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis was never meant to be controversial or get mired in politics,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cThis is about preventing financial hardship for students all over the country. They\u2019re going to school, just as we tell them they should, and don\u2019t need us to inflict any extra financial hardships on them now. We have a solution in our hands, and no purpose is served by playing games with this.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva has already signed the discharge petition and indicated his support for H.R. 2574, which would set the interest rate for any subsidized Stafford loan made between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014 at 3.4 percent.\r\n\r\n\tThe House passed a Republican bill earlier this year that would greatly increase costs for families over time, according to the non-partisan Congressional Research Service. As the Associated Press reported in May:\r\n\r\n\tStudents who max out their subsidized Stafford loans over four years would pay $8,331 in interest payments under the Republican bill, and $3,450 if rates were kept at 3.4 percent. If rates were allowed to double in July, that amount would be $7,284 over the typical 10-year window to repay the maximum $19,000. [. . .] For students who borrow the maximum subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans, they would pay $12,374 in interest under the Republican bill. The interest charges would be $10,867 if subsidized loans were allowed to double in July, or $7,033 if rates stay the same. The maximum available in subsidized and unsubsidized amounts is $27,000.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe\u2019re not saving taxpayers money by charging students more,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cWe\u2019re just making it harder for families and students to figure out how to afford college. If Republicans think no one\u2019s paying attention to how this is going down, they\u2019re in for a very rude awakening.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1519", "Grijalva Introduces Right to Rent Act of 2013 to Address Ongoing, Deepening Foreclosure Crisis in Arizona and Across the Country", "2013-06-28", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today introduced the Right to Rent Act of 2013 (H.R. 2580), an updated version of a bill he originally introduced in 2009 to allow families facing foreclosure to remain in their homes as renters by paying fair market value each month.\r\n\r\n\tThe Right to Rent Act provides a strong incentive for banks or other lenders to modify mortgages to avoid becoming landlords. The bill allows a single-family homeowner who has resided in the home for at least 2 years \u2013 and purchased before 2007 at or below the median home price for that metropolitan area \u2013 to rent the home for up to five years. The provision is meant to help homeowners hit by the housing bubble of the last decade, rather than to bail out speculators.\r\n\r\n\tIf a lender chooses to pursue foreclosure, the family has 25 business days to choose to rent and stay in the home as tenants, preventing the social problems, crime and lowered property values that often follow vacancies. This allows children to continue attending school and provides families adequate time to prepare a transition to a more permanent situation.\r\n\r\n\tThe proposal requires no additional tax dollars or federal agencies and provides immediate relief for millions of homeowners in foreclosure. The bill, designed to prevent empty neighborhoods and homelessness, has historically been referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.\r\n\r\n\tOriginal cosponsors of the bill include Reps. Yvette Clarke, Lacy Clay, John Conyers, Keith Ellison, Rub\u00e9n Hinojosa, Rush Holt, Marcy Kaptur, Barbara Lee, Eleanor Holmes Norton and Frederica Wilson.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cHousing shouldn\u2019t be a politically charged issue \u2013 this is a basic question of fixing a problem we can\u2019t ignore,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cDemocrat, Republican or independent, we\u2019re all here in Congress to represent our constituents and make sure the federal government is acting in their best interests. Right now, we can\u2019t afford to pretend those interests are served by us doing nothing.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe foreclosure crisis is especially acute in communities of color, and has shown few signs of improving. According to Wasted Wealth, a report released in May by The Alliance for a Just Society based on an analysis of nationwide 2012 data:\r\n\r\n\tThe most devastating impacts of the ongoing foreclosure crisis were in majority communities of color and racially diverse communities: ZIP codes with majority people of color populations saw 17 foreclosures per thousand households with an average of $2,200 in lost wealth per household. These outcomes persisted in racially diverse communities (populations over 16% people of color) where the foreclosure rate was 15 per thousand households and average wealth loss per household was $2,000. In sharp contrast, segregated white communities experienced only 10 foreclosures per thousand households and a wealth loss of $1,300 per household.\r\n\r\n\tThe full report is available at http://bit.ly/1cvlfNC.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1520", "Grijalva Introduce Propuesta de Ley \"Derecho de Rentar del 2013\" con enfoque en la Crisis de Ejecuci\u00f3n Hipotecaria en Arizona y el Pa\u00eds", "2013-06-28", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 El Congresista Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva hoy introdujo la propuesta de ley \u201cDerecho de Rentar de 2013\u201d (H.R. 2580), una versi\u00f3n moderna de la propuesta que originalmente introdujo en 2009 que permite a familias con ejecuci\u00f3n hipotecaria quedarse en sus hogares como rentero y pagan el valor justo cada mes.\r\n\r\n\tLa propuesta de ley \u201cDerecho de Rentar\u201d provee un gran incentive para bancos y otros prestadores que modifiquen hipotecas para evitar que se conviertan en gerentes de rentas.\u00a0 La propuesta permite a familias que han residido en el hogar por m\u00e1s de 2 a\u00f1os- y comprador la propiedad antes del 2007 al precio del Mercado por esa \u00e1rea- que renten el hogar por hasta 5 a\u00f1os.\u00a0 La propuesta es dirigida en ayudar a due\u00f1os de casa afectados por la crisis de viviendas en vez de ayuda financiera a los especuladores de comercio.\r\n\r\n\tSi un prestador prefiere la ejecuci\u00f3n hipotecaria, la familia tiene 25 d\u00edas de negocio para rentar y quedarse en el hogar como renteros, previene problemas sociales, crimen, y bajos valores de propiedades de siguen despu\u00e9s de tal vacancias.\u00a0 Esto permite que ni\u00f1os contin\u00faen en sus escuelas y provee a familias bastante tiempos para planear a una situaci\u00f3n permanente.\u00a0 Adem\u00e1s, la propuesta previene vecindarios vac\u00edos y desamparados.\r\n\r\n\tLa propuesta no requiere fondos adicionales de agencias federales y ofrece ayuda inmediata para millones de personas en ejecuci\u00f3n hipotecaria.\u00a0 La propuesta ha sido hist\u00f3ricamente referido al Comit\u00e9 de servicios Financieros.\r\n\r\n\tLos patrocinadores originales son los diputados Yvette Clarke, Lacy Clay, John Conyers, Keith Ellison, Rub\u00e9n Hinojosa, Rush Holt, Marcy Kaptur, Barbara Lee, Eleanor Holmes Norton y Frederica Wilson.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cNuestras viviendas no deben ser un tema pol\u00edtico.\u00a0 No debemos ignorar este problema,\u201d dijo Grijalva. \u201cDem\u00f3crata, Republicano o independiente, todos estamos aqu\u00ed para representar a nuestra gente y asegurar que el gobierno federal act\u00fae en sus mejores intereses.\u00a0 En este momento, no debemos pretender que esos intereses son servidos con hacer nada.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tLa crisis de ejecuciones hipotecaria es m\u00e1s grande en comunidades de minor\u00edas y no aparece mejorarse.\u00a0 De acuerdo a un reporte de Wasted Wealth en mayo por La Alianza por Una Sociedad Justa basada en informaci\u00f3n nacional del 2012:\r\n\r\n\tLos impactos m\u00e1s devastadores en la crisis de viviendas son en comunidades de minor\u00edas y racialmente diversas.\u00a0 C\u00f3digos Postales con poblaciones de minor\u00edas mostraban 17 por cada mil viviendas \u00a0con una p\u00e9rdida de $2,200 por hogar.\u00a0 Estos resultados continuaron en comunidades diversas raciales (poblaciones con m\u00e1s de 16% minor\u00edas) donde la ejecuci\u00f3n hipotecaria era 15 por cada mil viviendas.\u00a0 Por lo contrario, comunidades blancas sufrieron solo 10 de cada mil viviendas con una p\u00e9rdida de $1,300 por hogar.\r\n\r\n\tEl reporte complete es disponible en http://bit.ly/1cvlfNC.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1521", "El Congresista Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva es reconocido durante la Gran Semana al Aire Libre en Am\u00e9rica por sus esfuerzo en proteger las tierras y aguas de nuestro pa\u00eds", "2013-06-28", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON (junio 28, 2013) \u2013 El Congresista Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-Tucson) fue reconocido como uno de los campeones de la Gran Semana al Aire Libre en Am\u00e9rica (junio 24-27, 2013).\r\n\r\n\tLa Coalici\u00f3n de Arizona Silvestre (Arizona Wilderness Coalition ), El Instituto Sonorense (Sonoran Institute), La Sociedad Silvestre (Wilderness Society), y otras organizaciones han reconocido al Congresista Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva por sus trabajo y esfuerzo en proteger los espacios abiertos y sitios verdes de importancia en conectar a nuestra gente espacios de aire libre.\r\n\r\n\tEsta primavera, el Congresista Grijalva introduje la propuesta de ley Arizona Sonoran Desert Heritage Act (H.R. 1799) que protege a 954,000 acres de sitios silvestres al oeste de Phoenix.Esta legislaci\u00f3n preserva a sitios silvestres claves y de recreaci\u00f3n, protege a la base militar Luke Air Force Base y Barry M. Goldwater Range, y varios sitios ambientales para ayudar oportunidades econ\u00f3micas a las comunidades de valle oeste de Phoenix.\r\n\r\n\tAdem\u00e1s, el congresista tuvo un papel importante en crear un permanente Sistema Nacional de Conservaci\u00f3n de Tierras, el sistema m\u00e1s agresivo en los \u00faltimos 40 a\u00f1os del departamento del Interior.En el \u00faltimo congreso, el Congresista Grijalva lucho por la protecci\u00f3n de Gran Ca\u00f1\u00f3n contra la amenaza minera de uranio.Tambi\u00e9n lucho contra la propuesta H.R. 1505 que pon\u00eda en peligro a 49 millones de acres de tierras p\u00fablicas entre las fronteras de M\u00e9xico y Canad\u00e1, y es proponente de la expansi\u00f3n del Parque Nacional Saguaro y de retener la integridad ecol\u00f3gica de las Monta\u00f1as Santa Rita en Tucson.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cLa protecci\u00f3n de nuestras tierras p\u00fablicas, aguas, y calidad de aire tiene que ser una prioridad de Washington, y yo lo he hecho durante toda mi Carrera,\" dijo el Congresista Grijalva.\u201cNo solo se trata del aprecio de aire libre, pero de qu\u00e9 tipo de pa\u00eds queremos vivir. Yo creo como millones de estadounidenses que la protecci\u00f3n de nuestros espacios abiertos y preciosos pero delicadas tierras crean un futuro mejor para nuestros hijos y futuras generaciones.No debemos combatir las necesidades de nuestro ambiente contra intereses pol\u00edtico.Estoy orgulloso en compartiresos valores con las distintas organizaciones ambientales de nuestro pa\u00eds, y estoy muy honrado y orgulloso en recibir este reconocimiento.\"\r\n\r\n\t\u201cLa Coalici\u00f3n Silvestre de Arizona, el Instituto Sonorense, la Sociedad Silvestre, y muchos de los Apis\u00f3nense que representamos agradecemos la lucha del Congresista Grijalva por las tierras, medio ambiente y el pueblo, dijo Mike Quigley de la Sociedad Silvestre en Tucson.\u201cGrijalva siempre ha sido y ser\u00e1 el campe\u00f3n de nuestros espacios libres, siempre trabajando para asegurar que nuestras tierras y aguas sean protegidas para que futuras generaciones lo disfruten.\"\r\n\r\n\tLa Gran Semana Al Aire Libre en Am\u00e9rica ofreci\u00f3 una oportunidad a activistas en tomar acci\u00f3n en un varios temas de conservaci\u00f3n, desde espacios silvestres ha protecci\u00f3n de monumentos nacionales y comunicaci\u00f3n con j\u00f3venes urbanos sobre el aire libre.Este es un ejemplo de la tradici\u00f3n he historia de conservaci\u00f3n de Los Estados Unidos.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1522", "Arizona Wilderness Coalition, Wilderness Society, Other Groups Honor Grijalva as Conservation Champion at Great Outdoors Ceremony", "2013-06-28", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva was honored as one of America\u2019s Great Outdoors Congressional Champions at a June 26 ceremony in Washington, D.C., as part of Great Outdoors America Week.\r\n\r\n\tThe Arizona Wilderness Coalition, the Sonoran Institute, The Wilderness Society (TWS) and other participating groups honored Rep. Grijalva for working to protect America\u2019s public lands and wilderness areas.\r\n\r\n\tRep. Grijalva introduced the Arizona Sonoran Desert Heritage Act (H.R. 1799) April 26 to protect roughly 954,000 acres of critical wildlife habitat and recreation areas west of Phoenix. The legislation would preserve wildlife and recreation areas, safeguard the viability of Luke Air Force Base and the Barry M. Goldwater Range, and boost economic opportunities for West Valley communities.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva has also played an integral role in creating a permanent National Landscape Conservation System within the Department of the Interior; successfully pushed to withdraw approximately 1 million acres around the Grand Canyon from new mining claims; opposed H.R. 1505, a bill that waives a series of critical environmental laws on 49 million acres of public lands within 100 miles of the Mexican and Canadian borders; supported the expansion of Saguaro National Park in cooperation with willing partners; and stood against the unpopular Rosemont Mine proposal, which would damage the ecology of the Santa Rita Mountains outside Tucson.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cProtecting our country\u2019s public lands, waters and air quality has to be one of Washington\u2019s top priorities, and I\u2019ve made it mine throughout my career,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cIt\u2019s not just a question of appreciation for the outdoors, it\u2019s a question of what kind of country we want to live in. I believe, like millions of other Americans, that protecting our sensitive and beautiful public spaces creates a better future for our children and their children. We can\u2019t pit the needs of our environment against other political interests. They have to go hand in hand. I\u2019m proud to share those values with the Wilderness Society, I\u2019m greatly appreciative of the work they do, and I\u2019m very humbled by this award.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe Arizona Wilderness Coalition, the Sonoran Institute, The Wilderness Society, and the many Arizonans we represent are thankful for Rep. Ra\u00fal Grijalva\u2019s continued commitment to Arizona\u2019s people, land, and wildlife,\u201d said Mike Quigley of The Wilderness Society in Tucson. \u201cRep. Grijalva has been and remains a tireless champion of America\u2019s great outdoors\u2014working to make sure that all our lands and waters are protected for future generations to enjoy.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGreat Outdoors America Week offered an opportunity for advocates to take direct action on a number of conservation issues, ranging from wilderness and national monument protection to reconnecting inner-city kids to the great outdoors. Great Outdoors America Week serves as another example of the long-standing, bipartisan tradition of conservation in the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1518", "Grijalva Hails Historic Senate Vote Approving Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill, Urges Speaker Boehner to Follow Up Quickly", "2013-06-27", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today hailed the Senate\u2019s historic 68-32 vote to approve a comprehensive immigration reform package and urged Speaker of the House John Boehner to bring a truly bipartisan House bill to the floor for a vote. While he said he had reservations about parts of the Senate bill, he believes the process has to be allowed to move forward rather than held up for purely partisan reasons.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis is a time to move together on a bipartisan basis and really do the people\u2019s business,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cSpeaker Boehner can show some leadership or keep playing the same political games that have Congress\u2019 approval rating at a historic low. The American people are watching every step of this process very closely, and the next step is letting the House take a vote. Hiding and making excuses are not on the table.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva said he was disappointed in the Corker-Hoeven amendment, passed by the Senate earlier this week, that will lead to overspending on ineffective border security measures.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe amendment is a classic case of excess, overreach, overreaction, and wasting taxpayer money, and I reject the idea that it\u2019s the only way to make this country safe,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cThe American people deserve a real debate about the merits of this militarize-the-border approach, because after years of trying it, we don\u2019t have much to show for it.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe need to start hiring more officers at ports of entry to increase cross-border commerce and create jobs. We need to start considering the impacts our current law enforcement approaches are having on border communities. We\u2019ve been treating immigration reform as a pure \u2018lack of resources\u2019 question for political reasons long enough. Let\u2019s look at the real issues at stake for a change. Speaker Boehner can take that important step any time he chooses.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1516", "CPC Co-Chairs: Supreme Court Decisions Fulfill Promise in Constitution", "2013-06-26", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Reps.\u00a0Ra\u00fal\u00a0M.\u00a0Grijalva\u00a0(D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement after the Supreme Court overturned the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and invalidated a challenge to a lower-court ruling on Proposition 8, allowing same sex marriage to resume in the state of California:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe celebrate today\u2019s decision by the Supreme Court to respect the right of all Americans to marry who they love. The road to today\u2019s victories started 44 years ago at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, where the gay community made a public stand against institutional discrimination. Since that day, LGBT Americans have worked tirelessly for equal rights under the law. The decisions made by the Supreme Court today reaffirm those rights and move our country closer to fulfilling the promise in our Constitution of equal rights for all.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWhile today\u2019s rulings were a positive step forward, yesterday\u2019s Supreme Court decision to weaken the Voting Rights Act endangers voting rights and is a troubling step backward. We should celebrate the victory for marriage equality by working together to defend the voices of millions of Americans who may face increased discrimination at the polls after yesterday\u2019s decision. Senator Harry Reid has already vowed that the Senate will act quickly to fix the problems created by yesterday\u2019s ruling. The House should follow his lead as soon as possible.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1512", "Grijalva Calls Obama Climate Plan a Good First Step, Expects Keystone XL Decision to \"Set an Important Environmental Tone\"", "2013-06-25", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Note: This press release was updated.\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today called President Obama\u2019s newly announced climate change prevention plan \u201ca good first step\u201d and said he was encouraged by the president proactively addressing the issue. Grijalva, the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulations and a leading environmental voice in Congress, saluted the president for taking the initiative and presenting a clear agenda to the nation.\r\n\r\n\tIn the speech, President Obama said the Keystone XL pipeline proposal should be blocked if it adds significant greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Grijalva said he hopes that in making a final decision, the president carefully considers the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s public comments on the project, released in April, suggesting that the State Department\u2019s controversial draft environmental impact statement had not fully accounted for the pipeline\u2019s likely atmospheric impacts.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis decision will set a tone on environmental policy in Washington for years to come,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cThe fate of this project will define much of the legacy of this administration and others to follow. I\u2019m encouraged by the president\u2019s clear and genuine interest in preventing more damage to our atmosphere, and I hope that consideration is foremost in his mind when the final decision is made.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva has been a leading Congressional opponent of Keystone XL and sent a letter to President Obama on May 25, co-signed by 29 of his colleagues, urging the president to reject the pipeline. That letter read in part, \u201cKeystone XL will increase global demand for tar sands, which produce far more climate-heating emissions than conventional oil. There is a better way forward, and we call on you to continue leading the way.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cToday\u2019s speech is what leading the way really looks like,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cWhile I have reservations about certain aspects of his plan, I believe there is much the nation can agree on and put into practice in short order, and that\u2019s what we need right now. The time for false choices and outdated rhetoric is over. We really can clean up the world we live in and put more people on the job. It\u2019s time to start doing that.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva cited the end of public financing for new coal plants as just one example of a workable, uncontroversial goal laid out by the president today.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva has been a vocal leader on combating climate change both in Congress and in working with outside groups. He voted in favor of the 2009 American Clean Energy and Security Act passed by the House, which would have established a first-time cap-and-trade emissions reduction system. He promoted the expansion of the Department of the Interior\u2019s climate research program to include universities, especially those able to leverage access to national forests and public lands, and in 2010 successfully advocated for the creation of the Southwest Climate Center at the University of Arizona, which was announced following a round of competitive proposals.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva called for Congress to follow up on the president\u2019s action items, work more closely with the White House on the issue, and adopt a proactive stance going forward. Over the long term, Grijalva said, others should follow and expand on the themes of today\u2019s speech.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cToday opened a new phase of our national conversation about the balance between extractive industries and the public interest. We\u2019re not going to look the other way any longer when environmental risks present themselves. We\u2019re not going to kid ourselves about the consequences of our choices. We\u2019re going to start doing the hard work of building a new economy that works for everyone and doesn\u2019t profit from pollution, and we\u2019re going to do it together.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1514", "Grijalva Expresses Disappointment at Narrow Supreme Court Ruling Unraveling Decades-Old Voting Rights Act Preclearance Provision", "2013-06-25", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today expressed his deep disappointment in the Supreme Court\u2019s 5-4 decision in Shelby County v. Holder effectively gutting Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. The decision overturned the current formula for deciding which states and localities must get preclearance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) before altering the borders of their elective districts and left it to Congress to create a new formula \u2013 a dim prospect in light of the House majority\u2019s intransigence on a host of other important national issues.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis ruling doesn\u2019t invite a better, more updated formula, it invites gridlock,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cToday the majority on the Court washed its hands of evidence of discrimination, declared the current remedies invalid, and intentionally left it to a damaged institution to invent a new solution from scratch. That\u2019s not going to sit well with millions of Americans who face disenfranchisement.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva noted that DOJ has blocked hundreds of proposed changes to electoral boundaries under Section 5 over the past several decades.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWhat about this law is broken?\u201d he asked. \u201cWhat about this law isn\u2019t working? It\u2019s doing exactly what it was intended to do \u2013 prevent discrimination and disenfranchisement. This is a political decision that will undermine confidence in our electoral process. Now people who experience problems will only be able to go to court after they\u2019ve been denied their rights. This is a recipe for preventable legal trouble on a national scale. In that sense, this ruling is a disaster waiting to happen.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tCongress reauthorized the current Voting Rights Act preclearance formula just seven years ago. Today\u2019s decision renders that act of Congress invalid.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe proved in 2006, as we have several times previously, that preventing racial voting discrimination is a bipartisan goal,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cI hope it remains a bipartisan goal and that Congress acts on this as soon as possible. Trust in government, as we\u2019ve seen, is not inexhaustible. We need to take this seriously before any more Americans lose faith.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1515", "Former Oregon Lawmakers Join Groundswell of Endorsements for Grijalva as Next Ranking Member of Natural Resources Committee", "2013-06-25", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 In the latest sign of strong momentum for Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva to be the next ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, four former Oregon lawmakers, including former Rep. Jim Weaver, signed a letter circulated yesterday by environmental groups supporting Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva for ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee. The letter was also signed by former County Commissioners Bill Fleenor, Jerry Rust and Rob Handy.\r\n\r\n\tWeaver held his seat from 1974 to 1986 immediately before Rep. Peter DeFazio, who is also seeking the ranking member position, took it over. He sat on the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, the predecessor of today\u2019s Natural Resources Committee, which was chaired by longtime Arizona Rep. Mo Udall beginning in 1977.\r\n\r\n\tWeaver, once DeFazio\u2019s boss during his Congressional tenure, served six terms in the House and established a strong pro-environment record, especially through his profile as a national spokesman against the construction of further nuclear power plants. He sat on the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, the predecessor of today\u2019s Natural Resources Committee. Weaver was also an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War and received early support from the pro-equality Human Rights Campaign.\r\n\r\n\tThe letter was already previously signed by 178 environmental, conservation and outdoor groups and individuals \u2013 including the Alliance for Ethical Business, Center for Biological Diversity, CREDO Action, Gulf Restoration Network and the Western Lands Project \u2013 and sent to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi endorsing Grijalva. The updated letter is available at http://1.usa.gov/12nSBYJ.\r\n\r\n\tThe environmental letter reads in part, \u201cThe Natural Resources Committee needs unwavering leadership that represents the diversity and strength of the Democratic party \u2013 someone who has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to work with all stakeholders while standing up to industry special interests. We believe Rep. Grijalva will bring to the position of Ranking Member the positive and collaborative approach needed to find solutions to these critical environmental issues.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThese gentlemen\u2019s support means a great deal to me, and I believe they\u2019re not alone. This is a time to step forward on the big environmental issues we face, as the president is doing today, and I\u2019m looking forward to bringing a vision shared by millions of Americans to the full committee as the next ranking member.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1511", "National Latino Group, 187 Environmental Groups Endorse Grijalva to be Next Ranking Member of House Natural Resources Committee", "2013-06-24", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 In the latest sign of strong momentum for Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva to be the next ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, the national League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) passed a resolution over the weekend declaring its unqualified support for Grijalva and calling on House Democrats to vote for him in the upcoming contest to replace Rep. Ed Markey, who is widely expected to be elected to the Senate on June 25. The support follows last week\u2019s endorsement by the California branch of LULAC and by the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, an umbrella group of 36 Latino policy and professional groups around the country.\r\n\r\n\tSeparately, a letter signed by 187 environmental, conservation and outdoor groups and individuals \u2013 including the Alliance for Ethical Business, Center for Biological Diversity, CREDO Action, Gulf Restoration Network and the Western Lands Project \u2013 was sent this morning to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi endorsing Grijalva. That letter is available at http://1.usa.gov/10NEeD6.\r\n\r\n\tThe environmental letter reads in part, \u201cThe Natural Resources Committee needs unwavering leadership that represents the diversity and strength of the Democratic party \u2013 someone who has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to work with all stakeholders while standing up to industry special interests. We believe Rep. Grijalva will bring to the position of Ranking Member the positive and collaborative approach needed to find solutions to these critical environmental issues.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tPrior coverage of the Latino groups\u2019 support for Grijalva is available at http://bit.ly/11W73Y3. In its June 20 letter, NHLA praised Grijalva\u2019s \u201cunderstanding of the many policy, political, social, economic, environmental, and demographic factors\u201d important to conservation, immigration and other national issues.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIt\u2019s greatly humbling to know that so many groups and individuals share my vision of conservation and environmental protection for this country,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cI believe in the importance of this committee\u2019s jurisdiction with all my heart, and I\u2019m proud to be in the running for this post. As other groups have said so often before, this is about more one person. It\u2019s about the conservation community embracing new constituencies and expanding its reach. This is the right time to do it.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tFor more information about LULAC\u2019s endorsement, call Paloma Zuleta at (202) 812-4477.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1508", "Grijalva, Markey, Holt Introduce Mining Reform Bill to Increase Transparency, Collect Royalties Following GAO Report on Failures", "2013-06-21", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva, Ed Markey and Rush Holt yesterday introduced the Abandoned Mine Lands Cleanup and Taxpayer Fairness Act, a bill to modernize U.S. mining law and establish a royalty program to increase taxpayer return on investment. The bill is a response to the findings of a Government Accountability Office report Grijalva and Sen. Tom Udall requested in 2011 and received earlier this year. You can read more about the report at http://1.usa.gov/VCsOZS.\r\n\r\n\tThe bill addresses shortcomings identified by GAO in several key areas. Among other provisions, the bill:\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Establishes a 12.5 percent federal royalty on the gross income derived from any mining claim, to be deposited at the U.S. Treasury. This figure matches the federal royalty already charged on the proceeds of onshore oil and gas projects.\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Requires thorough record-keeping for developing, producing, processing, transporting, purchasing, or selling locatable minerals. The bill allows for audits and reporting requirements to be determined by the Secretary of the Interior.1\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Protects certain sensitive places \u2013 such as federally designated Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and roadless areas, among others \u2013 from future mining development, and creates a process for states and Native American tribes to submit proposals to withdraw any area from future claims. It prevents new mining permits from being granted in National Parks or National Monuments.\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Establishes an Abandoned Mine Cleanup Fund, to be disbursed by the Secretary of the Interior as follows: 30 percent to state or Indian territories based on a formula reflecting existing production; another 30 percent to state or Indian territories based on a formula reflecting historical production; 30 percent to high-priority abandoned sites regardless of location; and 10 percent in awarded grants.\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue regulations on reclamation standards.\r\n\r\n\tThe full language of the bill is available at http://1.usa.gov/19nx3lg.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis is about improving our financial picture, our environment and our corporate governance practices all at the same time,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cThis industry has been enjoying outdated loopholes and keeping billions of dollars that other industries have paid back to the public. We need to start reclaiming land, cleaning up our landscapes and reinvesting in jobs, and this bill is the right way to go. The public demands action on the economy. This is what action looks like.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIt\u2019s time for a modern mining law that recognizes that some places need to be protected from mining, gives taxpayers a fair return, and ensures that companies act responsibly today and in the future,\u201d said Lauren Pagel, policy director for Earthworks. This bill stops multi-billion-dollar giveaways to foreign mining companies, gives the public a say in where mining should occur on public land, and protects our increasingly scarce drinking water. It says enough is enough. And we couldn\u2019t agree more.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t1 - As the GAO report found, \u201cFederal agencies generally do not collect data from hardrock mine operators on the amount and value of hardrock minerals extracted from federal land because there is no federal royalty that would necessitate doing so. For example, as we reported in 2008, Interior\u2019s U.S. Geological Survey collects extensive data on mineral production through its annual surveys, but it does not collect data that would allow it to determine what proportion of this production came from federal land.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1506", "Grijalva Leads Letter to Interior Secretary Jewell Calling for Reforms of Wild Horse Program – Identical Citizen Letter Delivered Today", "2013-06-20", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today sent a letter, co-signed by a bipartisan group of 29 other House Members, to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell asking for review and reform of the Bureau of Land Management\u2019s (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program. An identical letter signed by more than 30,000 Americans \u2013 including celebrities such as Robert Redford, Carole King, Ali MacGraw, Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris, Noah Wylie, Wendie Malick, Betty White and Valerie Bertinelli \u2013 is being delivered this morning to the Department of Interior. You can read Grijalva\u2019s letter at http://1.usa.gov/1awLk0s.\r\n\r\n\tThe BLM program currently prioritizes roundups over alternatives that reduce the need for expensive stockpiling, and today 60 percent of U.S. wild horses live in government warehousing facilities. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) recently released \u2018Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program: A Way Forward,\u2019 which found that federal efforts waste taxpayer money and need major reforms. You can read the full report at http://bit.ly/12t8bta.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI\u2019ve been asking for changes for years, and NAS has confirmed that we can save taxpayer money and horses\u2019 lives at the same time by improving this program,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cWe have the information we need. Now it\u2019s time to do something with it.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tSecretary Jewell, Grijalva said, \u201chas shown a true commitment to the conservation of America\u2019s unique natural heritage, and I hope she gives America\u2019s wild horses the attention they deserve. Congress had the wisdom to pass the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act in 1971. We can\u2019t let mismanagement and waste be the only legacy of that far-sighted decision.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1503", "Grijalva Highlights Newly Open \"Request for Proposals\" Period for Sustainable Environmental Projects Along U.S.-Mexico Border", "2013-06-18", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 The Border Environment Cooperation Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) Region 9 U.S.-Mexico Border 2020 Program have announced a Requests for Proposals (RFP) for projects along the border that will help meet the Program\u2019s environmental and public health protection goals. Eligible participants can learn more at http://www.epa.gov/border2020.\r\n\r\n\tRegion 9 includes Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Islands and encompasses 148 Tribal nations. A separate RFP will go out next month for Region 6, which includes New Mexico, Texas and several non-border states.\r\n\r\n\tLocal and state governments, educational and research institutions, community organizations, non-governmental organizations and Tribal nations can present proposals; for-profit institutions are not eligible to apply.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cOur southwestern border has some of the most unique environmental needs in the country, and this effort is important if we\u2019re going to meet those needs,\u201d Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva said. \u201cEveryone with a stake in the outcome should apply to participate, whether through a small-scale program or a multi-state project. We\u2019ll get better results the more we cooperate.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1504", "Rep. Grijalva Statement on Unconstitutional Republican Abortion Bill: \"This Shouldn't be Driven by Men Who Dismiss Rape Victims\"", "2013-06-18", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) released the following statement today after House Republicans passed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, a bill that prohibits abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cRepublicans are once again trying to restrict the rights of American women to make medical decisions. It\u2019s obvious they haven\u2019t listened to the American people in pursuing this unconstitutional waste of time. It\u2019s less obvious who they think they\u2019re serving with this.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWomen who seek these services are often in extreme economic straits or have discovered serious health risks in their pregnancy. In defending the bill, the author said the incidence of pregnancies from sexual violence is \u2018very low.\u2019 I suggest he tell that to the 30,000 women across the country who give birth as a result of rape each year.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAfter receiving heavy public condemnation, Republicans introduced an exception for victims of rape. This is too little, too late. We cannot allow the conversation we have about reproductive health to be driven by men who so easily dismiss victims of rape. The women and men of this country are watching this debate. Last-minute fig leaves aren\u2019t going to cut it.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cDespite their endless promises to the contrary, Republicans won\u2019t focus on job creation. The House has now voted 37 times to repeal Obamacare, which prevents insurance companies from charging women more for the same coverage they offer men. Now we\u2019re voting on a bill to restrict women\u2019s rights to make health care decisions. Where are the jobs?\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIt\u2019s time to stop hurting America\u2019s women and put people back to work.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1502", "Grijalva Disappointed in Newly Finalized BLM Decision to Approve SunZia Energy Transmission Route on San Pedro Riparian Corridor", "2013-06-17", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today expressed deep disappointment with the Bureau of Land Management\u2019s (BLM) newly finalized Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a power transmission line projected to pass through several sensitive riparian areas along the San Pedro River in Southern Arizona.\r\n\r\n\tThe project, proposed by SunZia Transmission, LLC, will result in the construction and operation of up to two 500-kilovolt transmission lines connecting a new substation in Socorro or Lincoln County, N.M., with the Pinal Central Substation in Pinal County. The EIS released on Friday confirms that the BLM\u2019s preferred route will pass through the San Pedro, a plan Grijalva and local stakeholders have opposed for more than a year.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis route will damage a precious Southern Arizona resource and harm sensitive species. It\u2019s that simple,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cI\u2019m not alone in wondering why we can\u2019t focus more on following existing transmission routes. The BLM\u2019s proposal is inconsistent with its conservation goals in the San Pedro Watershed. The benefits of building this project specifically along this route do not outweigh the risks to wildlife and sensitive ecosystems that it presents.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tHe also cited concerns about the impacts on rural communities from the construction of a 1,400-foot-wide transmission corridor with up to eight 135-foot towers every mile.\r\n\r\n\tThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently assessing the San Pedro for its conservation value \u2013 a process that could contradict BLM\u2019s findings. More information about that effort is available at http://1.usa.gov/18S83Wx.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe have to protect the San Pedro River and keep in mind the communities that call this unique place home,\u201d Grijalva said.\u201cThese considerations were often forgotten or ignored in the past, to the detriment of entire regions of the country. The public demands a route with the fewest negative impacts to archaeological resources, migratory birds and rural communities. I don\u2019t believe this route fits the bill.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1501", "Grijalva Statement on Arizona Medicaid Expansion: \"Illness Doesn't Care About Politics, and Today The Simple Facts Have Prevailed\"", "2013-06-14", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva released the following statement this morning following the Arizona State Legislature\u2019s passage yesterday of a bill to expand Medicaid eligibility through the Affordable Care Act.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cOver the last few years, an ideological governor and Legislature ignored economic common sense and the will of the voters and chipped away at our health care programs. Yesterday they realized that illness and injury don\u2019t care about politics. The simple facts have prevailed, and our state will be much better for it.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe people of Arizona have been fighting for the right to basic health since long before they voted to expand Medicaid in 2000.\u00a0I\u2019m very glad the Legislature considered the economic consequences of forcing sick people to seek care in emergency rooms and made the right decision.\u00a0Improving access to quality health care is an issue that should unite people in this country, not divide them. Yesterday\u2019s move unites us.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am proud and very happy that Arizona has taken this momentous step forward. I hope this is a sign of things to come.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1499", "Grijalva Responds to Steve King's Cries of Being Invaded: \"Talk to Them, Steve – You'll Learn Something About the United States\"", "2013-06-13", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today released the following statement in response to Rep. Steve King\u2019s public cries of distress over being visited by DREAM Act-eligible students at his Washington, D.C., office.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cPoor Steve King. When Dreamers come to his office to address his attacks on them, he calls them invaders and hides under his desk.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cDon\u2019t be afraid, Steve. They\u2019re just like you. They love this country. They want the American promise to be available to everyone.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cTalk to them, Steve. You\u2019ll learn something about the United States.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1500", "Grijalva Clarifies Yesterday's Banking Vote – Accidentally Reversed Position on Two Bills, Does Not Support Gutting Dodd-Frank", "2013-06-13", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva read a brief statement on the House floor today clarifying yesterday\u2019s recorded vote on a Republican bill to gut the Dodd-Frank banking reform law. Grijalva inadvertently voted in favor of the Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act and against the Democratic alternative (known as a Motion to Recommit). He clarified today that his votes were unintentional and that he opposes the Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva\u2019s statement does not change the way his vote is counted on passage of the bill, but his statement will be noted in the debate history.\r\n\r\n\tHis full statement is below. His request to have the statement appear after roll call votes refers to its placement in the official Congressional record of the proceedings.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI ask unanimous consent for my statement to appear immediately after Roll Call vote 217 and 218. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, June 12, I inadvertently switched my recorded votes for roll call 217 and 218. The votes were on the Motion to Recommit with Instructions and on passage of the Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act, respectively. My intended vote should be noted as a \u2018yea\u2019 on roll call 217 and a \u2018nay\u2019 on roll call 218.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1496", "Grijalva Office Hosting Immigration Reform Informational Event on Pascua Yaqui Nation This Tuesday, June 11, With Nuns on the Bus", "2013-06-10", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz.\u00a0\u2013 The Tucson district office of Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva is hosting an informational event this Tuesday, June 11, to explain the effects of immigration reform on Native American communities and the country as a whole. The event will take place in conjunction with Nuns on the Bus, a group of Catholic Sisters traveling across the country in support of immigrants and legal reform.\r\n\r\n\tThe event is free and open to the public. Pascua Yaqui Chairman Peter Yucupicio and Tohono O\u2019odham Chairman Ned Norris will be among the speakers.\r\n\r\n\tIf You Go\r\n\r\n\tWhen: Tuesday, June 11, at 6:00 p.m.\r\n\r\n\tWhere: Pascua Yaqui Nation Albert D. Garcia Justice Center, 7777 S. Camino Huivisim (Building C)\r\n\r\n\tDirections from Tucson: Go west on Valencia Rd. to Yaqui Nation, turn south on Camino de Oeste, turn west onto West Calle Torim, then take an immediate left onto Camino Huivisim\r\n\r\n\tFor more information: Call Ruben Reyes in Rep. Grijalva\u2019s Tucson office at (520) 622-6788 or e-mail him at ruben.reyes@mail.house.gov", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1493", "Grijalva Calls NSA Domestic Surveillance Overreach \"A Serious Breach of Faith Between the Government and the American People\"", "2013-06-07", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz. \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today called the National Security Agency\u2019s overreaching domestic surveillance programs \u201ca serious breach of faith between the federal government and the American people\u201d and called on the administration to curtail and explain the excessive records sweeps documented over the past 48 hours.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cSenator Obama would not have supported this program under President Bush,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cA secretive intelligence agency gathering millions of phone records and using them as it sees fit is the kind of excess many of us warned about after the Patriot Act became law. Continuing this program indefinitely gives the impression of being under constant siege and needing to know everything at all times to keep us safe, which I find a very troubling view of American security policy.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva called for the court decisions approving the program \u2013 which is not limited to Verizon Business Networks and did not originate in April of this year, according to multiple reports \u2013 to be released so Congress and the public can understand the scope of the effort.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe\u2019re being assured that this is limited, supervised and no big deal,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cWhen we heard the same under President Bush, we weren\u2019t comfortable taking his word for it and moving on. I feel the same today.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1495", "Grijalva Questions Fish and Wildlife Service Decision to Remove Wolves From Endangered Species List Across Most of Western U.S.", "2013-06-07", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz. \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today questioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service\u2019s (FWS) newly proposed rule to remove Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for most gray wolves in the lower 48 states.\r\n\r\n\tThe gray wolf was classified as an endangered and threatened species under the ESA in 1973, the same year Congress passed the law. Thanks to those increased protections, wolf populations have increased throughout the West since becoming nearly extinct in the 1950s.\r\n\r\n\tAfter rumors about a proposed rule led to a temporary pause by the agency earlier this year, FWS announced today that it will transfer the management of Northern gray wolves to state wildlife management agencies. The rule declares the Mexican gray wolf a distinct subspecies that will continue to receive ESA protection.\r\n\r\n\tAccording to FWS, the Mexican gray wolf is the most genetically distinct of the U.S. gray wolf population. A small pack reintroduced in 1998 lives in the Blue Range Wolf Recover Area, an area that spans New Mexico and Arizona.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWolves are an integral part of the North American ecosystem, and their reintroduction\u00a0has invigorated landscapes in ways that we didn\u2019t anticipate,\u201d said Rep. Grijalva. \u201cI\u2019m very disappointed by this proposed rule. After years of progress, now is not the right time to hand over this delicate and complicated multi-state effort to local agencies. Federal protections are working, and they should continue until a scientific consensus determines the gray wolf is fully recovered throughout its former habitat.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tFWS claims that the decision is based on the best available science, but many scientists close to the recovery effort warn that the gray wolf is a long way from full recovery and express concern that FWS has ignored suitable habitat in many regions of the country. Their position is outlined in the attached letter, which you can read online at http://1.usa.gov/ZyN58Q.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva\u2019s concerns with the proposal are detailed in a recent letter he sent to FWS. You can read it at http://1.usa.gov/17vcNA4.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1490", "Grijalva Urges More Funding to Address the Backlog of Veterans Benefits Claims – Highlights Yesterday's Vote to Hire More Staff", "2013-06-05", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C \u2013 Rep. Raul M. Grijalva today highlighted yesterday\u2019s House vote on the Democratic alternative to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 2216). The alternative, formally known as a Motion to Recommit, would have added $9.2 million in nationwide funding \u2013 double the figure in the Republican version of the bill \u2013 to hire 94 more claims processors to help reduce the chronic veterans disability claims backlog. The increase would be offset by unused military construction funds.\r\n\r\n\tThere are currently more than 900,000 veterans disability claims waiting to be processed. The average wait time is 9 months, and for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is closer to 11 months, as explained in March by CNN. You can read more at http://bit.ly/18Xdi6y.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cSoldiers and veterans don\u2019t deserve to be ignored when they ask for the benefits they worked and fought so hard to earn,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cI\u2019ve heard all kinds of heartbreaking stories from Southern Arizonans about how the backlog has affected their lives. Late treatments, less income, lower quality housing and fewer services aren\u2019t what they signed up for or what they were promised.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva voted for the Democratic alternative, which did not pass. The Republican version with the lower funding level passed the House and now goes to the Senate.\r\n\r\n\tVeterans can learn more about disability benefits at http://www.ebenefits.va.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1491", "Grijalva Reacts to National Academy of Sciences Report on BLM Wild Horse and Burro Management: \"A Needed Wakeup Call\"", "2013-06-05", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Following today\u2019s release of the long-awaited National Academy of Sciences report on the Wild Horse and Burro Program at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva released the following statement:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe National Academies report highlights and expands upon many of my concerns with the Bureau\u2019s Wild Horse and Burro Program.\u00a0BLM cannot continue to spend 70 percent of the program\u2019s budget on roundups and long-term corralling. These\u00a0unsustainable practices are a waste of taxpayer money and jeopardize the health and safety of wild horses across the West.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe fact that current management practices are actually increasing population growth is one of the biggest takeaways. This report is a needed wakeup call that should lead to the corrective actions I\u2019ve been requesting for years. Contraception can lower herd size and prevent the terrible practice of \u00a0\u2018warehousing\u2019 wild horses. There\u2019s no reason not to start meaningful contraception efforts immediately.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe report finds that the entire program needs to be reevaluated, and I will continue to communicate the importance of reform to Secretary Jewell and leadership at the BLM as we move forward.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe report,\u00a0\u2018Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program: A Way Forward,\u2019 published by the National Research Council, a\u00a0division\u00a0of NAS, can be found at http://bit.ly/12t8bta.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1492", "Grijalva Introduces Resolution Recognizing the Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps – Others Join Him to Salute 80th Anniversary", "2013-06-05", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today introduced a House Resolution recognizing the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps on the occasion of its 80th anniversary. Reps. Betty McCollum, Keith Ellison, Rick Nolan, and Ann McLane Kuster are original cosponsors.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tAs part of the New Deal, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt\u00a0established\u00a0the Civilian Conservation Corps\u00a0to boost civil works projects and provide employment for low-skilled workers during the Great Depression. Participants were paid to do natural resource conservation and infrastructure improvement jobs on public lands across the country.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe owe a great\u00a0debt\u00a0to the Civilian\u00a0Conservation\u00a0Corps, and every American should remember how important it\u2019s been to his or her community,\u201d Grijalva\u00a0said. \u201cThe CCC built some of America\u2019s greatest parks, helped clean up our\u00a0environment, improved public access to the great outdoors on a monumental scale, and\u00a0engaged millions of youth in conservation, education, and workforce training projects. Americans\u00a0still\u00a0benefit\u00a0each year\u00a0from\u00a0the what the\u00a0Corps did for this country, and today\u2019s Corps Network continues that important legacy.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe young people of the CCC preserved and restored habitats around the country and educated local communities about the importance of protecting our environment for future generations,\u201d Rep. Ellison said. \u201cThe creation of the CCC at such an important time in our nation\u2019s history is a testament to the value of America\u2019s natural resources to our heritage.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAmerica is truly better off today because of the generations who have contributed to the work of the CCC,\u201d Rep. McCollum said.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cMy father, Hank Nolan, served in the CCC, and that program helped keep our family and a great many of our neighbors going through some very tough years,\u201d Rep. Nolan said. \u201cSo it\u2019s an honor for me to join my colleagues in sponsoring this bill.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tIn addition to the Resolution, Rep. Grijalva earlier this year introduced the Public Lands Service Corps Act (H.R. 1351). The bill enhances federal support for the Public Lands Service Corps, a descendant of the CCC that trains youth and\u00a0young\u00a0adults to conduct conservation and\u00a0maintenance work on public lands. The Corps provides youth jobs at many of the country\u2019s most visited landscapes, including trail maintenance, wildlife monitoring, and forest fire mitigation.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva\u2019s bill updates approved Corps activities to match current needs and land management trends. It also emphasizes outreach to new participants from underrepresented portions of the population, establishes coordinating offices for the program at the Interior Department and U.S. Forest Service, and authorizes\u00a0National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) participation. NOAA is responsible for the\u00a0management\u00a0of the National Marine Sanctuaries System.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1489", "Grijalva Cites Impacts on Tribes in Opposing Gosar Bill to Outlaw Presidential Declarations of New National Monuments in Arizona", "2013-06-04", "2013", "2013-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today expressed serious concerns about Rep. Paul Gosar\u2019s newly introduced Arizona Land Sovereignty Act (H.R. 1495), which would prohibit presidents from designating any new national monuments in Arizona. Presidents have had the authority to designate new national monuments to protect sensitive cultural or environmental resources since the non-controversial passage of the Antiquities Act in 1906.\r\n\r\n\tGosar\u2019s bill is especially misplaced in Arizona, Grijalva said, because 16 of the state\u2019s 18 current national monuments were presidentially designated, including several of the nation\u2019s most visited. Organ Pipe, Montezuma Castle and Canyon de Chelly \u2013 each created by presidential order \u2013 are among the\u00a020 most visited national monuments\u00a0in the country. All but three of the state\u2019s monuments were created to protect Native American rock art, artifacts, ruins, quarries, habitations or other cultural resources.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThere\u2019s a point at which we have to wonder whose interest is being served here,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cWith all due respect to my colleague Rep. Gosar, this bill smacks of special interests and trying to score cheap political points. The Antiquities Act has done more than any other law to preserve thousands of years of Native American heritage. Suddenly we\u2019re supposed to believe it\u2019s a federal emergency worthy of Congressional meddling.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGosar\u2019s bill, among others, will be discussed at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulations on Thursday.\r\n\r\n\tArizona\u2019s national monuments include:\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sonoran Desert National Monument (created by President Bill Clinton)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ironwood Forest National Monument (created by President Bill Clinton)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Casa Grande Ruins National Monument (created by President Woodrow Wilson)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tonto National Monument (created by President Theodore Roosevelt)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Agua Fria National Monument (created by President Bill Clinton)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Montezuma Castle National Monument (created by President Theodore Roosevelt)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tuzigoot National Monument (created by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Walnut Canyon National Monument (created by President Woodrow Wilson)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sunset Crater National Monument (created by President Herbert Hoover)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Wupatki National Monument (created by president Calvin Coolidge)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Canyon de Chelly National Monument (created by President Herbert Hoover)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (created by President Bill Clinton)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Navajo National Monument (created by President William Howard Taft)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vermilion Cliffs National Monument (created by President Bill Clinton)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pipe Spring National Monument (created by President Warren Harding)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Organ Pipe National Monument (created by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hohokam Pima National Monument (created by Congress in 1972)\r\n\r\n\t-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Chiricahua National Monument (created by Congress in 1924)\r\n\r\n\tOf those, only Chiricahua, Sunset Crater and Vermilion Cliffs were not designated at least in part to preserve Native American historical and cultural treasures. Future potential designations in Arizona would likely serve the same function, Grijalva said.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI just don\u2019t see what real problem this bill is trying to solve, and I don\u2019t think I\u2019m alone,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cOur national and cultural heritage truly is supposed to be beyond politics. This has nothing to do with Democrats and Republicans \u2013 it\u2019s about preserving a successful, hundred-year-plus-old system of protecting our most important ecological and historic sites for the future. If that\u2019s upsetting to Rep. Gosar, this is not the way to go about addressing it.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1488", "Grijalva Congratulates Southern Arizona Recipients of Interior Department Grants to Train Youth in Conservation and Land Management", "2013-05-24", "2013", "2013-05", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson, Ariz.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Grijalva today congratulated Youth & Wildlife Conservation as Las Cienegas Grasslands and the Arizona Youth Conservation Engagement Pathway Pilot Project on being among the 22 recipients of new Interior Department grants to train and employ youth on public lands. The grants are part of the Obama administration\u2019s 21st Century Conservation Service Corps and will employ 600 young people between the ages of 15 and 25 in conservation and land management.\r\n\r\n\tSpecific details about the projects, which were funded on a competitive basis, are available here.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI\u2019m excited to see the Interior Department investing in the future of stewardship, especially so close to home,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cOur public lands are our national heritage, and people coming out of high school and college should be encouraged to pursue these kinds of careers. Without skilled managers, interpreters and promoters, our public lands will be at risk of degradation and lack of public interest, and that would be a terrible legacy to leave our grandchildren.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tAs Tom Kiernan, the president of the National Parks Conservation Association, recently explained in a Huffington Post op-ed, \u201cBefore grappling with the new federal mandate tocut 5 percent of its entire operating budget, the [National Park Service] was already suffering from a funding shortfall in the hundreds of millions of dollars, had already taken a 15 percent cut in the last decade, and already has a staggering $12 billion maintenance backlog.\u201d You can read that entire piece at http://huff.to/Z5o0lJ.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva sponsors the Public Lands Service Corps Act, which reforms and updates that Public Lands Corps program to employ youth in public lands conservation across the country.\u00a0Corps participants carry out a variety of work at many of the country\u2019s most visited landscapes, including trail maintenance, wildlife monitoring, and forest fire mitigation.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva\u2019s bill updates Public Lands Corps employee activities to be in line with current needs and land management trends. It also emphasizes outreach to new participants from underrepresented portions of the population, establishes coordinating offices for the program at the Interior Department and U.S. Forest Service, and authorizes\u00a0National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) participation. NOAA is responsible for the\u00a0management\u00a0of \u00a0the National Marine Sanctuaries System.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe all want to see the president\u2019s Twenty-First Century Conservation Service Corps succeed, and I hope other take this success as an opportunity to look at my bill and see what a win-win it could be for our public lands and our economy,\u201d Grijalva said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1485", "Grijalva Leads Letter to EPA, Other Agencies Calling for End to Clean Water Act Loopholes That Allow Mining Company Pollution", "2013-05-23", "2013", "2013-05", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva, Rush Holt and Colleen Hanabusa today wrote the heads of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), White House Council on Environmental Quality and Army of Corps of Engineers (ACE) to ask for a review of Clean Water Act implementing regulations. Loopholes currently allow mining companies to discharge waste into nearby waters in spite of the law\u2019s intent.\r\n\r\n\tThe letter \u2013 signed by 11 other Members of Congress \u2013 asks the EPA and ACE to close two specific loopholes in the rules they currently use to enforce the Clean Water Act. One states that\u00a0\u201cwaste treatment systems\u201d are not waters of the United States, allowing mining\u00a0operations\u00a0to treat rivers, lakes,\u00a0and streams as dumping grounds for untreated toxic waste.\u00a0The second was created by a 2002 regulatory rewrite that redefined \u201cfill,\u201d the leftover waste from\u00a0hard rock\u00a0and coal\u00a0mining operations, and\u00a0shifted oversight of fill disposal to Section 404 of the CWA. Scrutiny under Section 404 is much more lenient than a separate pollution standard that was designed to regulate dumping of industrial waste products.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cBecause of these two loopholes, the industry gets a\u00a0free\u00a0pass to contaminate our waters,\u00a0and minority populations are\u00a0bearing\u00a0the brunt of this,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThe administration can address this quickly without cost to taxpayers.\u00a0This is a crisis that doesn\u2019t have to exist.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cToo often mining companies are given sweetheart deals at the expense of local communities and the environment,\u201d Rep. Holt said. \u201cThe Clean Water Act loopholes addressed in this letter can and should be fixed administratively. Expedited action will help to ensure that low-income and native communities are protected from unsafe drinking water that has been tainted by toxic mining waste.\"\r\n\r\n\t\u201cClosing these loopholes will allow us to fulfill our obligation to protect America\u2019s rivers, lakes, and wetlands,\u201d Rep. Hanabusa said. \u201cThe intent of the Clean Water Act is clear: to ensure that clean water is available for consumption, agriculture, and recreation. While responsible mining operations serve our nation\u2019s needs, it cannot come at a devastating cost to our rural and Native American communities.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tAs\u00a0documented\u00a0in Honoring the River, a\u00a0recently released report by the Tribal Partnerships Program of the National Wildlife Federation,\u00a0Tribal\u00a0communities across the west have a long\u00a0history of\u00a0dealing\u00a0with mining pollution.\r\n\r\n\tThe text of the letter is included below.\r\n\r\n\t^^^\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tMay 22, 2013\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tNancy Sutley, Chair\r\n\t\t\t\t\tCEQ\r\n\t\t\t\t\t722 Jackson Place NW Washington, DC 20503\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tBob Perciasepe\r\n\t\t\t\t\tActing Administrator\r\n\t\t\t\t\tEPA\r\n\t\t\t\t\t1200 Pennsylvania Av. NW\r\n\t\t\t\t\tWashington, DC 20460\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJo-Ellen Darcy\r\n\t\t\t\t\tAsst. Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)\r\n\t\t\t\t\t108 Army Pentagon\r\n\t\t\t\t\tWashington, DC 20310\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tDear Ms. Sutley, Mr. Perciasepe, and Ms. Darcy:\r\n\r\n\tWe are writing to urge the closing of two loopholes in the Clean Water Act\u2019s (CWA) implementing regulations. These loopholes allow hardrock mines to store untreated industrial waste in the nation\u2019s rivers, lakes, and wetlands, and addressing them will promote the protection of America\u2019s waters and support responsible mining practices.\r\n\r\n\tAccording to EPA estimates, the hardrock mining industry is the biggest producer of toxic waste in the country.The agency calculates that mining is responsible for polluting 40% of the headwaters in western watersheds.These are watersheds that provide drinking water to millions of Americans, including many Native American communities, and it would be irresponsible to ignore the inherent risks associated with mining when an administrative solution exists.\r\n\r\n\tDeveloping large mines is often complex and controversial, but there are certain practices that everyone should agree are unacceptable.In particular, hardrock mines should never be allowed to discharge untreated tailing and other industrial waste into our waters.Aquatic ecosystems are valuable and fragile resources, especially in the arid states of the Southwest and other areas across the West.Waters are also natural conduits that can carry pollution for miles if a tailings dam is improperly built, fails, or deteriorates with age.Nobody wants chemicals, heavy metals, or acid drainage\u2014 all by-products of modern mining\u2014to taint the waters in which our families fish, drink, and swim.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tUnfortunately, there are currently two loopholes in the Clean Water Act\u2019s regulations that allow many hardrock mines to cut costs by discharging untreated industrial waste into a nearby river valley or wetland. Modern mines produce millions, sometimes billions of tons of waste, frequently containing toxic chemicals such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead.Some hardrock mining operations have used these loopholes to avoid complying with pollution standards adopted decades ago by EPA.\r\n\r\n\tPlease take immediate steps to close the CWA\u2019s mining loopholes by revising EPA and Corps regulations to (1) clarify that the waste treatment system exclusion applies only to manmade waters and (2) exclude waste discharges that are subject to effluent limitations from the definition of \u201cfill material.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThank you for your attention to this matter.We look forward to your reply.\r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t_________________\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tRa\u00fal M. Grijalva\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t_________________\r\n\t\t\t\t\tColleen Hanabusa\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t_________________\r\n\t\t\t\t\tRush Holt\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t_________________\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJan Schakowsky\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t_________________\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMike Honda\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t_________________\r\n\t\t\t\t\tAlcee L. Hastings\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t_________________\r\n\t\t\t\t\tBarbara Lee\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t_________________\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJared Huffman\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t_________________\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Conyers\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t_________________\r\n\t\t\t\t\tLouise Slaughter\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t_________________\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPaul Tonko\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t_________________\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDonna Edwards\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t_________________\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJared Polis\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t_________________\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMark Pocan\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tcc:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gina McCarthy, Environmental Protection Agency  \r\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bob Sussman, Environmental Protection Agency  \r\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nancy Stoner, Environmental Protection Agency  \r\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Terrence \u201cRock\u201d Salt, Department of the Army (Civil Works)  \r\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Meg Gaffney-Smith, Army Corps of Engineers", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1487", "Grijalva Letter to Obama Urging Keystone XL Pipeline Rejection Gets More Democrats Than Voted Yesterday to Approve the Project", "2013-05-23", "2013", "2013-05", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today sent a letter\u00a0to President Obama\u00a0urging him to deny a permit for the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. The letter \u2013 co-signed by 29 Members of Congress, all Democrats \u2013 highlights the impact the pipeline would have on the environment and explains why pipeline supporters\u2019 job creation claims are completely inaccurate.\r\n\r\n\tOnly 18 Democrats voted yesterday in favor of H.R. 3, a Republican-passed bill that approves the project, bypasses a customary review of environmental and health impacts, and ignores the protocol established by the National Environmental Policy Act. President Obama, citing the bill\u2019s erosion of decades of well-established review, has issued a veto threat for H.R. 3.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva\u2019s letter is attached and the text is included below. A PDF is available at http://1.usa.gov/16cfE1f.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe president has to make this decision, and our letter and message are more timely than ever now that Republicans are forcing the issue,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cThe American people don't support this project, and President Obama needs to know he has the backing in Congress to do the right thing and reject the proposal. We\u2019ve made too much progress on reducing carbon emissions and improving fuel efficiency to take any more giant steps backwards.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tTar sands oil, which Keystone XL would carry if approved, produce 40 percent more carbon pollution than conventional oils. Supporters often point to a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) prepared by the State Department concluded that Keystone XL would not impact climate change because Albertan tar sands oil would come to market whether or not Keystone XL is approved. A thorough analysis by the Environmental Protection Agency concluded that, at the very least, full comprehension of the climate impacts requires more analysis than the State Department provided. In its analysis, EPA found that additional carbon emission from tar sands crude production could amount to 935 metric tons over the next 50 years.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThere's no way to know if these Canadian tar sands will find another route to market if Keystone XL isn\u2019t built,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cWhat we do know is that tar sands production is a major source of carbon pollution and driver of climate change. Why should we be the ones to condone this activity? Why\u00a0should the American people bear this burden? We have an opportunity to stop a major source of climate change, and we need to seize it.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe proposed Keystone XL pipeline will transport Canadian tar sands crude oil through the middle of the United States, ending at Port Arthur, Texas, a major oil refinery and export hub. Many pipeline backers claim Keystone XL will decrease the price of gasoline for American consumers and provide thousands of long-term jobs. In fact, the State Department\u2019s DSEIS found that the project will only create 35 permanent jobs, and a recent study prepared by Cornell University found that\u00a0construction\u00a0of the\u00a0pipeline would actually siphon jobs from other, more sustainable, industries than it will create.\r\n\r\n\t^^^\r\n\r\n\tDear President Obama:\r\n\r\n\tWe stand with millions of Americans concerned about the strength of our economy, gas prices, and the safety of our water supply in urging you to reject the Keystone XL pipeline.\r\n\r\n\tWhen you strip away the rhetoric, the facts are clear: Keystone XL will export Canadian oil through our country \u2014 not to our country. As an export pipeline, Keystone XL does not reduce our dependence on foreign oil. It does not protect American families from increasing gas prices or price spikes on the global market. The history of tar sands pipelines is full of failed promises, difficult cleanups and environmental damage. Tar sands crude is both more toxic and more difficult to clean up than conventional oil. A 2010 spill involving tar sands crude on the Kalamazoo River has still not been remedied.\r\n\r\n\tThe climate impacts are perhaps even greater than the immediate damage to water sources, and will be felt by every American for decades to come. The State Department\u2019s conclusion that we might as well approve Keystone XL because the tar sands will inevitably be burned is not only untrue, it is a stunning breach of our national security. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is hardly alone in the military community in declaring that climate change \u201chas a dramatic impact on national security.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tKeystone XL will increase global demand for tar sands, which produce far more climate-heating emissions than conventional oil. There is a better way forward, and we call on you to continue leading the way. The only way to reduce high gas prices is to use less fuel. We applaud your administration\u2019s historic efforts to increase vehicle fuel efficiency, your investments in sustainable technologies, and your inspiring call in the State of the Union Address to fund research to move our vehicles away from oil altogether. Rejecting Keystone XL should be another part of your positive environmental legacy.\r\n\r\n\tEfforts already under way are saving Americans money at the pump and creating new engineering and manufacturing jobs. Approving Keystone would put many of these advances in jeopardy. It would mean a return to the dirty economy of the past rather than a step toward the clean economy of the future.\r\n\r\n\tThe costs of approving Keystone XL far outweigh any benefits. The American people are depending on your leadership. This dirty pipeline is not in our national interest, and we urge you to reject it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1483", "Grijalva Joins Homeowners' Calls for More Federal Action on Lending Reform, Expresses Support for Activists Protesting in Washington", "2013-05-22", "2013", "2013-05", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today called on the Department of Justice, the Federal Housing Finance Agency and other federal entities to prosecute banking fraud, help homeowners facing wrongful foreclosures, and stabilize the economy. Protests in Washington, D.C., yesterday by homeowner activists resulted in several tazing incidents and 17 arrests, leading Grijalva to question why public protests are needed to draw attention to one of the main causes of our weak economy.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIt\u2019s ridiculous that homeowners are facing more legal trouble than the people who destroyed our economy in the first place,\u201d Grijalva asked. \u201cWe know what happened. The whole tragic history of illegal foreclosure robo-signings and gigantic banker bonuses is public record. And yet here we are arresting working people who want their homes and their livelihoods intact.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tAs CNBC reported earlier this month in an article headlined \u201cForeclosure Crisis Still Has Millions in Its Grip,\u201d the recently negotiated federal settlement with big banks has done nothing to improve the economy or end most homeowners\u2019 difficulties:\r\n\r\n\tMore than two years after regulators confirmed widespread reports of abusive mortgage practices, the government is making only halting progress in fixing the problem, according to homeowners, their attorneys, housing counselors and public officials. It's not only a dilemma for the people caught in the foreclosure noose; it's also holding back a broader housing recovery and slowing the nation's economic recovery.\r\n\r\n\tThe scope of the systemic failure has been widely known for much longer, following widespread reports of lax procedures; flawed, inaccurate or missing documentation; and poor communication with borrowers. In April, 2011, the nation\u2019s top bank regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, issued a sweeping enforcement action to address \u201cfailures and deficiencies\u201d and ordered 14 lenders to fix them \u201cswiftly and comprehensively.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cNone of this is a secret, so why are we locking up hard-working Americans who just want us to follow through and put our economy back on track?\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cWhere are Republican leaders calling for stronger measures to protect homeowners? Why is widespread mortgage fraud being rewarded with bonuses instead of jail time? These are fair questions that have been answered with tazings and arrests. It\u2019s high time Washington does the country a favor by taking the foreclosure crisis seriously. At a bare minimum, we need principal reductions to reflect our current economic reality and serious penalties for the people who knowingly caused this disaster in the first place.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1484", "Grijalva Highlights $300,000 Grant for Goodyear, Ariz., to Recharge West Salt River Aquifer – Part of $20.8 Million National Effort", "2013-05-22", "2013", "2013-05", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today highlighted a new $300,000 grant for the City of Goodyear, Ariz., to help recharge the West Salt River Aquifer. The grant is one of 44 projects in 11 states that will receive a total of $20.8 million in WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants from the Bureau of Reclamation.\r\n\r\n\tThe grants will aid in conserving water for more than 400,000 people, according to federal estimates.\r\n\r\n\tGoodyearwill install five new injection wells so that available reclaimed water can be used to recharge the West Salt River Aquifer.\u00a0The project is expected to result in water savings of 2,800 acre-feet annually by allowing for the storage of a locally available supply that can be used to meet future demands.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cDrought and our ever-growing population are recipes for serious trouble in the near future, and local governments need these grants to plan ahead,\u201dGrijalva said. \u201cThis is timely federal assistance, and I congratulate Goodyear on pursuing and getting these funds to help the community prepare.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tAny entity receiving these funds must provide at least a 50percent match.\u00a0Eligible entities include states, Native American tribes, irrigation districts, water districts or other organizations with water or power delivery authority in the 17 Western states, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands.\r\n\r\n\tThe complete list of projects is available at http://www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/weeg.To learn more about WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants, please visit www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/weeg.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1481", "Grijalva Urges Interior Secretary to Cancel Pending Rule That Would End Endangered Species Act Protections for Many U.S. Wolves", "2013-05-17", "2013", "2013-05", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today sent a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell urging her to cancel a pending rule that would cancel endangered species status for most U.S. wolf populations. The letter is attached and the text is available below.\r\n\r\n\tThe rule was scheduled to be released this week but has not yet been published in the federal register. Grijalva calls on Jewell and the Interior Department not to release it and maintain full Endangered Species Act protections for wolf populations currently covered by the law.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cToday we stand at a crossroads for wolf recovery,\u201d Grijalva writes. \u201cPopulations have grown substantially in the Great Lakes and the Northern Rockies. Individual wolves have dispersed into California, the Pacific Northwest, the Southern Rocky Mountains and the Northeast. Now is the time to support full wolf recovery, not shut down our efforts. With your leadership, our great country has a real opportunity to recover wolves on a national level[.]\u201d\r\n\r\n\tAs USA Today reported in April, \u201cIf the rule is enacted, it would transfer control of wolves to state wildlife agencies by removing them from the federal list of endangered species. The government has been considering such a move since at least 2011, but previously held off given concerns among scientists and wildlife advocates who warn it could effectively halt the species' expansion.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva, the ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulations, supports continued Endangered Species Act protections for wolves where scientifically appropriate throughout the country.\r\n\r\n\t^^^\r\n\r\n\tDear Secretary Jewell:\r\n\r\n\tIt is my understanding that the Department of Interior this week decided to withhold publication of a proposed rule that would have removed gray wolves outside the Southwest from the endangered species list. If true, this is welcome news and a wise decision. Such a rule would end federal recovery efforts for certain endangered wolves and cause irreparable harm.\r\n\r\n\tToday we stand at a crossroads for wolf recovery. Populations have grown substantially in the Great Lakes and the Northern Rockies. Individual wolves have dispersed into California, the Pacific Northwest, the Southern Rocky Mountains and the Northeast. Now is the time to support full wolf recovery, not shut down our efforts. With your leadership, our great country has a real opportunity to recover wolves on a national level with vibrant populations in California, the Pacific Northwest, the Southern Rocky Mountains, and the Northeast, not just isolated, relic populations in the Great Lakes, Northern Rockies and the Southwest.\r\n\r\n\tI strongly urge you and your Department to use this current pause to cancel the scientifically flawed delisting proposal developed by your predecessor and preserve opportunities for wolves to recover in additional parts of the United States.\r\n\r\n\tThe fate of wolves in the United States is in your hands. We urge you to work with all interested Americans to ensure conservation for the gray wolf across multiple ecosystems as required by the Endangered Species Act. Our mutual respect for America\u2019s natural heritage demands nothing less.\r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\tRep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva\r\n\r\n\tMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1478", "Grijalva Supports Department of Veterans Affairs Decision to Mandate Overtime for Claims Processors in Tucson, Other Benefits Offices", "2013-05-16", "2013", "2013-05", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva today announced his full support for new Department of Veterans Affairs efforts to reduce the nationwide veterans benefits claims backlog. The VA announced this week that it will mandate overtime work by claims processors in each of its 56 regional benefits offices.\r\n\r\n\tThis is the second recent step the VA has taken to reduce the department\u2019s severe claims backlog. The VA has placed an emphasis on settling high-priority claims such as those by homeless veterans, those claiming financial hardship, the terminally ill, former prisoners of war, Medal of Honor recipients, and veterans filing Fully developed Claims, which are explained at http://www.benefits.va.gov/transformation/fastclaims/.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cSoldiers and veterans don\u2019t deserve to be ignored when they ask for the benefits they worked and fought so hard to earn,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cI\u2019ve heard all kinds of heartbreaking stories from Southern Arizonans about how the backlog has affected their lives. Late treatments, less income, lower quality housing and fewer services aren\u2019t what they signed up for or what they were promised. This is a good step by the VA and I hope it\u2019s a sign of more to come.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe VA expects to treat around 5.5 million veterans in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam this year, the majority of whom have medical issues due to their military service. The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson serves more than 170,000 veterans in eight counties in Southern Arizona and one county in Western New Mexico.\r\n\r\n\tClaims for wounded soldiers separating from the military for medical reasons will continue to be handled separately on a priority basis with the Department of Defense through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System.\r\n\r\n\tVeterans can learn more about disability benefits at http://www.ebenefits.va.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1479", "Grijalva Recognizes Tucson Social Security Admin. Interim District Manager Sylvia Johnson For Public Service Recognition Week", "2013-05-16", "2013", "2013-05", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva last week selected Sylvia P. Johnson as Southern Arizona\u2019s highlighted employee in honor of Public Service Recognition Week, when Americans honor the dedication of our public servants and celebrate excellence in government. The event is hosted each year by the Public Employees Roundtable, a non-partisan coalition committed to supporting public service in Washington, D.C., and around the country.\r\n\r\n\tSylvia began her career in the Tucson District Office as a Claims Development Clerk in 1985.\u00a0She was promoted to service representative for the Nogales Branch Office in 1988 and to SSI claims representative in July 1995.\u00a0In April 2003, she was selected as a management support specialist. Sylvia has been the District Manager for the Nogales Social Security office since April 2007.\r\n\r\n\tSylvia is now acting as the interim district manager for the South Tucson District while still managing the Nogales office. In December 2003 and August 2007, she was awarded the Regional Commissioner\u2019s Citation for her exemplary work.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe too easily forget that government employees of all kinds are doing harder jobs, working longer hours, and going with fewer thank-yous than many of their friends and neighbors. It\u2019s a shame that some people have made serving the public a political issue, as though helping veterans and retirees is one step removed from tyranny. Sylvia has exemplified the best of public service for many years, and she\u2019s earned this recognition and much more. I thank her once again for her dedication, her hard work, and her years of public service.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tMs. Johnson was not immediately available when the decision was made last week. Rep. Grijalva\u2019s office will offer her a certificate of thanks at a future date.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1480", "House Republicans Look Other Way on Oil Company Payments to Foreign Nations, Block Disclosure Requirements for Industry", "2013-05-16", "2013", "2013-05", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 House Republicans voted today to allow secret payments from oil companies to foreign nations as part of their efforts to expand new drilling deals between the United States and foreign countries. The legislation passed by the Republican majority on the House Natural Resources Committee leaves the door open for abuse and bribery as oil companies jockey for advantage.\r\n\r\n\tThe Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreements Authorization Act approved earlier today establishes a new oil drilling arrangement between the United States and Mexico. The bill includes a provision waiving a section of the Dodd-Frank financial reform law that mandates disclosure of corporate payments to foreign nations. Dodd-Frank applies the rule to any country that shares a border with America, including Russia and Mexico.\r\n\r\n\tRep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva offered an amendment to the bill during committee discussion to put the disclosure requirements back in the legislation. Republicans voted it down.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cHouse Republicans said today that we don\u2019t need to know how oil companies secure their drilling rights,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cBig oil is making record profits and has been throwing around more money every year. If payments to countries like Mexico and Russia are allowed to happen under the table, we may never know how much the market is being skewed.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe Dodd-Frank requirement, formally called the SEC Natural Resource Extraction disclosure rule, is intended to protect investors by informing them when a company makes payments to a government that could expose the company to civil liability or criminal sanctions. It aims to increase transparency in the developing world and end the cycles of government corruption in many countries with abundant mineral resources.\r\n\r\n\tThe American Petroleum Institute (API) opposes the Dodd-Frank requirement on disclosing foreign payments and has taken the Securities and Exchange Commission to court to block it. Last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously ruled against API and sent the case to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for further proceedings.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1477", "Rep. Grijalva Hosting Public Health Forum to Explain Affordable Care Act Policy Changes - Event is Free and Open to the Public May 29", "2013-05-13", "2013", "2013-05", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva is hosting a public health forum in Tucson on Wed., May 29, to explain Affordable Care Act health care policy changes. The event, which will focus on opportunities for women and young people, is free and open to Southern Arizonans of all ages who RSVP with Adriana Perez at adriana.perez@mail.house.gov.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva will speak at the event alongside local and national health experts. Attendees can ask questions, learn about opportunities to improve their health, and get information on finding affordable coverage.\r\n\r\n\tThanks to the Affordable Care Act, the following improvements \u2013 among many others \u2013 have already been made or will soon be made to the health insurance industry:\r\n\r\n\t\u2022 Women can now access a wide range of free preventive services they previously would have had to pay for, often out of pocket.\r\n\r\n\t\u2022 Young people can stay on their parents\u2019 health insurance until age 26.\r\n\r\n\t\u2022 Starting next year, no new insurance plans will be able to charge women higher premiums than men for the same coverage.\r\n\r\n\t\u2022 Also starting next year, no new insurance plans will be able to drop coverage for women who become pregnant. Many companies now consider pregnancy a \u201cpre-existing condition\u201d on which to base the decision to cancel coverage. Beginning in January 2014, no new health insurance policy can be denied on the basis of pregnancy or any other pre-existing condition.\r\n\r\n\tA full list of Affordable Care Act changes to the health industry, along with implementation dates and deadlines, is available at http://www.healthcare.gov/law/timeline/index.html.\r\n\r\n\tThe Tucson event is taking place in cooperation with El Rio Community Health Center. Anyone with questions should call Jessie Baxter in Rep. Grijalva\u2019s Tucson district office at (520) 622-6788.\r\n\r\n\tIf You Go\r\n\r\n\tWhat: Public forum on upcoming Affordable Care Act policy changes\r\n\r\n\tWhen: 3:00 p.m. on Wed., May 29\r\n\r\n\tWho: Rep. Grijalva, local health experts, Department of Health and Human Services officials\r\n\r\n\tWhere: El Pueblo Neighborhood Center, 101 W. Irvington in Tucson", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1476", "Grijalva Introduces Saguaro National Park Boundary Expansion and Study Act – Reps. Barber, Kirkpatrick are Original Cosponsors", "2013-05-10", "2013", "2013-05", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva, the ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulations, introduced the Saguaro National Park Boundary Expansion and Study Act of 2013 yesterday afternoon. Reps. Ron Barber and Ann Kirkpatrick are original cosponsors.\r\n\r\n\tThis year\u2019s version of the bill, which has been introduced in previous Congresses, seeks to expand the boundaries of the park to includes 2,525 acres identified by the Park Superintendent for their resource values and ecological characteristics. New additions will enhance current ecological protections and create a permanent wildlife corridor to the Santa Cruz River from Saguaro National Park through the Sweetwater Preserve. Expanding the boundaries of the park based on resource value and the identification of willing landowners prevents incongruous development and contributes to the lasting integrity of the Park.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cSaguaro National Park is one of the things that makes Tucson and Southern Arizona such a special to live,\u201d Grijalva said. \u201cNot many major cities are lucky enough to be surrounded by a National Park, and we have to do what we can prevent encroachment. Land with critical resource values and important historical and cultural resources should be part of the park.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cArizona\u2019s environmental treasures are also economic drivers,\u201d Kirkpatrick said. \u201cSaguaro National Park is one of Southern Arizona\u2019s great destinations of southwestern beauty, and it draws more than 600,000 recreation visitors a year. Conservation efforts that help our national parks help all of us.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cSaguaro National Park is a jewel of Tucson and Southern Arizona. I am a strong supporter of this expansion and urge my colleagues in the House to support this bill and quickly move it through the legislative process,\u201d Barber said. \u201cI am especially pleased that the bill has such a wide breadth of support from the private property owners in the surrounding areas. Our open spaces in southern Arizona are important to preserve for both the enjoyment of future generations and the future of our tourism industry and economy.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tSaguaro National Park is a treasured open space that bookends the Tucson metropolitan area, creating a natural buffer between the city and the surrounding desert landscape. Providing a glimpse at a unique ecosystem and ample opportunity for outdoor recreation, the Park is enjoyed all year by local residents and visitors from all over the world. It is an important conservation effort that contributes to the protection of wildlife, ecological, historical, and cultural resources.\r\n\r\n\tAll owners of private lands included in the proposal support introduction of the legislation and have acknowledged their willingness to work with the National Park Service to incorporate their parcels into the Park. Once passed, NPS would gain the authority to acquire private parcels by donation, trade, or purchase. Most NPS acquisitions are financed through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a federal program established in 1964 that collect fees from offshore drilling in order fund land acquisition and conservation. The bill does not cost any federal money\r\n\r\n\tThe legislation is supported by many members of the local community and is accompanied by letters of support from Mayor of Tucson Jonathan Rothschild, Pima County Supervisors Ray Carroll and Sharon Bronson, the Sierra Club, the National Parks Conservation Association, Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, Tucson Mountains Association, Friends of Saguaro National Park, and several other local conservation groups.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 80, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "AZ", "p2": "2013"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=AZ&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 80, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AZ&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=AZ&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 80, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=AZ&year=2013&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=AZ&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "AZ", "label": "AZ", "count": 80, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=AZ&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "2013", "label": "2013", "count": 80, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=AZ", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 182.5437038205564, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}