{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"AZ\" and year = 2016 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinemas-sgt-daniel-somers-classified-veterans-access-to-care-act-signed-into-law/", "Sinema's Sgt. Daniel Somers Classified Veterans Access to Care Act Signed Into Law", "2016-12-21", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  \r\n\tDecember 21, 2016  \r\n\tContact: Macey Matthews  \r\n\tPhone: 202-225-9888  \r\n\tEmail: macey.matthews@mail.house.gov\r\n\r\n\tSinema\u2019s Sgt. Daniel Somers Classified Veterans Access to Care Act Signed Into Law\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The President of the United States signed into law the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 6416), a package of legislation that includes Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema\u2019s\u00a0Sergeant Daniel Somers Classified Veterans Access to Care Act.\r\n\r\n\tSinema, working closely with Sgt. Somers\u2019 parents,\u00a0introduced the Sgt. Daniel Somers Classified Veterans Access to Care Act in honor of Arizona Army Veteran Sergeant Daniel Somers.\u00a0 Sgt. Somers served two tours in Iraq and was diagnosed with both a traumatic brain injury and PTSD upon returning home. He sought treatment from the Phoenix VA but was tragically unable to get the care he needed. He lost his life to suicide in June 2013.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe VA has a responsibility to care for our veterans when they return home \u2013 and that includes treating the invisible wounds of war,\u201d said Sinema.\u00a0 \u201cThe Sgt. Daniel Somers Classified Veterans Access to Care Act ensures all veterans have access to appropriate mental health care. We have worked with Howard and Jean Somers for more than three years to pass this bill.\u00a0Finally, this important piece of legislation is now law.\u00a0There is still more work to do, and we will not rest until every veteran receives the care he or she has earned.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cOur son, Daniel, was one of the\u00a0thousands\u00a0of veterans who did not receive the care he needed,\u00a0\u201c said Howard and Jean Somers. \"Now we\u2019re working every day to fix the\u00a0system and improve the lives of all veterans and\u00a0military\u00a0families. We worked closely \u00a0with Congresswoman Sinema to introduce the Sgt. Daniel Somers Classified Veterans Access to Care Act and are proud to see this important bill signed into law. Our work\u00a0will not\u00a0end here. We\u00a0will\u00a0continue working with lawmakers, veterans organizations,\u00a0the VA\u00a0and DoD,\u00a0to ensure all veterans\u00a0and members of the military receive the\u00a0physical and\u00a0mental health care that they need and deserve.\"\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-congratulates-city-phoenix-housing-department-grant", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Congratulates the City of Phoenix Housing Department on Grant Award to Expand Educational Opportunities", "2016-12-12", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Phoenix, AZ \u2013 The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that the City of Phoenix Housing Department has been awarded a $452,000 grant to help low-income youth and their families to apply for federal student aid for college.\nThe \u201cEducation Navigators\u201d program allocates grant funding to provide youth living in public housing with individual assistance to help them pursue post-secondary educational opportunities. Education Navigators are deployed to public housing sites and provide support with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), financial literacy and college readiness, postsecondary program applications, and post-acceptance assistance.\nRep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:\n\u201cAt a time when many young people are struggling to enter the job market, this grant award will help expand access to education and training opportunities. This new funding will help our local youth to obtain the guidance and support they need to pursue further education and a career, putting them on a path to success.\n\u201cI want to congratulate the City of Phoenix Housing Department on receiving this significant award, which will help young people in our community to realize their full potential.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-faa-flight-path-language-included-senate", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on FAA Flight Path Language Included in the Senate NDAA", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, the Senate passed a bill that includes an amendment that will require the Federal Aviation Administration to re-evaluate the flight path changes implemented at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport in 2014.\nRep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:\n\u201cThe aircraft noise resulting from flight path changes at Sky Harbor has caused severe disruptions for many of my constituents - eroding their quality of life, impacting their health, lowering their property values, and disrupting their businesses.\n\u201cThe language in the NDAA is a step in the right direction toward holding the FAA accountable for the consequences of their opaque decision-making process and making sure they are responsive to our concerns.\n\u201cI want to thank Senators Flake and McCain for taking steps to address this ongoing problem. I am committed to working with them and my colleagues in the House until the FAA takes action and peace and quiet is restored to the greater Phoenix Metropolitan area.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-votes-to-support-arizona-defense-jobs-give-troops-pay-raise/", "Sinema Votes to Support Arizona Defense Jobs, Give Troops Pay Raise", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema joined a bipartisan majority to pass the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, which authorizes funding and sets defense policy for the coming year.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe\u2019re working every day to defeat the terrorist threat and keep our communities and families safe,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation responsibly funds our military to ensure our men and women in uniform have the tools they need to protect our\u00a0country.\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe bill\u00a0gives our troops a pay raise, funds programs like the\u00a0Apache,\u00a0A-10 and F-35 that support good Arizona jobs, and protects and improves the benefits our servicemembers have earned. By working together, we can keep our country safe and support servicemembers, veterans, and their families.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2259", "106 Members of Congress Call on Obama to Protect Immigrants' Private Data", "2016-12-05", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, 106 Members of Congress sent a letter to President Obama requesting that he take action to protect the names and private information of those who enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The letter, led by Reps. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Judy Chu (CA-27), Zoe Lofgren (CA-29), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), and Luis Gutierrez (IL-04), specifically suggests an Executive Order that would prohibit the use of DACA enrollees\u2019 information for purposes other than originally intended, including for purposes of deportation. The letter was endorsed by National Immigration Law Center (NILC), the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), and Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). The authors of the letter released the following statements:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe men and women who courageously stepped out of the shadows to apply for DACA must not be punished,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThe federal government promised to ensure their safety; we cannot waver on that commitment or allow the next administration to undermine it. The safety of every DACA applicant is at stake. I urge President Obama to ensure this program and the information it has collected are never used to harm the very people it intended to help.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWhen the government offered protection to immigrants if they worked hard, laid roots, went to school, and followed the laws, thousands acted on trust. Now that they\u2019ve handed us names, addresses, birth certificates, and biometric information, we have to honor that trust,\u201d said Rep. Judy Chu. \u201cFurther, President-elect Trump has said that his priority is to deport those who are a danger to our country. By qualifying for DACA, these immigrants are by definition not a threat to our country, but rather assets. I urge President Obama to take immediate executive action to protect these Dreamers before he leaves office.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe President, along with many Democratic Members of Congress, urged these young immigrants to come out of the shadows, and to register with the government on the premise that they may live without fear of deportation,\u201d said Rep. Lofgren. \u201cNow, with that assurance shattered, those of us who urged for and help implement the DACA program have a moral responsibility to do what we can to protect these young people from deportation under a Trump administration.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cTo misuse personal DACA information to tear away young men and women from the only home they know, the United States, would be more than legally misguided: it would be categorically wrong,\u201d said Rep. Roybal-Allard. \u201cThe DACA application, which recipients signed in good faith, clearly states that no information \u2018can be shared for the sole purpose of removal.\u2019\u00a0 It would be unconscionable to remove young Americans covered under DACA from the U.S.\u00a0 I strongly urge President Obama to use his executive authority to protect them.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe are going to do everything we can to protect the DREAMers who came forward to register under DACA, but that is only the beginning,\u201d said Rep. Gutierrez. \u201cIf the new President is contemplating mass deportation of immigrants, he will have to go through us first.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe letter was signed by: Reps. Judy Chu (CA-27), Luis Gutierrez (IL-04), Lucille Roybal \u2013 Allard (CA-40), Mike Honda (CA-17), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Jerold Nadler (NY-10), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Mike Doyle (PA-14), Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (FL-23), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Susan Davis (CA-53), Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Xavier Becerra (CA-34), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Grace Meng (NY-06), Joseph Crowley (NY-14), Katherine M. Clark (MA-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Beto O\u2019Rourke (TX-16), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), Tammy Duckworth (IL-08), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), Bill Keating (MA-09), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Ruben Kihuen (NV-04) (Elect), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Jim Costa (CA-16), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Karen Bass (CA-37), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Bill Foster (IL-11), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Jared Polis (CO-02), Mark Takano (CA-41), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Tony Cardenas (CA-29), G.K. Butterfield (NC-01), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), David Price (NC-04), John Conyers (MI-13), Adam Schiff (CA-28), Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Alcee Hastings (FL-20), Al Green (TX-09), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Donna Edwards (MD-04), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Donald Payne Jr. (NJ-10), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Eric Swalwell (CA-15), Alma Adams (NC-12), Joseph Kennedy Jr. (MA-04), Don Beyer (VA-08), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ben Ray Lujan (NM-03), Earl Perlmutter (CO-07), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), John Garamendi (CA-03), Elliot Engel (NY-16), Gene Green (TX-29), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Ted Deutch (FL-21), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Albio Sires (NJ-08), Doris Matsui (CA-06), Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), Peter Welch (VT-AL), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Mike Thompson (CA-05), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Anna Eshoo (CA-18), John Lewis (GA-05), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Gregorio Sablan (N. Mariana-DD), Filemon Vela (TX-34), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01), Cedric Richmond (LA-02), William Lacy Clay (MO-01), Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Brad Sherman (CA-30), Jose Serrano (NY-15), Adam Smith (WA-09), John Yarmuth (KY-03), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Norma Torres (CA-35), Mike Quigley (IL-5), Sam Farr (CA-20), David Cicilline (RI-01), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Keith Ellison (MN-05), Bobby Rush (IL-01).\r\n\r\n\tThe letter can be found here and is pasted below:\r\n\r\n\tThe Honorable Barack Obama  \r\n\tPresident of the United States  \r\n\tThe White House  \r\n\t1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW  \r\n\tWashington, DC 20500\r\n\r\n\tDear President Obama:\r\n\r\n\tWe write to express our concerns about the potential misuse of the personal information of enrollees in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. \u00a0We urge you to consider taking executive action to prevent DACA enrollees\u2019 personal information from being used for purposes other than originally intended, including for the purposes of removal.\r\n\r\n\tWhen your Administration first introduced the DACA program in 2012, it gave hope to many children of immigrants\u2014commonly referred to as \u201cDreamers\u201d\u2014who were brought to this country at very young ages.\u00a0 Since the implementation of DACA, we have been able to see firsthand the profound effect that the program has had on the lives of the children and young adults it protects. Over 740,000 young Dreamers have been issued Social Security numbers and work permits, and many have used the benefits provided under DACA to seek job opportunities openly for the very first time. The DACA program allowed these individuals to enjoy many of the essential benefits, privileges, and responsibilities of American society that they had been denied for so long. Dreamers granted deferred action under DACA were freed from the constant fear of deportation to countries that many of them do not even know and do not call home; they responded by enriching their communities and becoming civically engaged in American life.\r\n\r\n\tAs a condition of receiving the guarantees of DACA, these children and young adults submitted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) numerous sources of information to verify identity, including fingerprints and other biometric data. \u00a0They also underwent background checks and provided their home addresses, where family members may also reside. \u00a0Other sensitive information, such as documentation of an arrest or charge of a misdemeanor in the United States or any other country, was also requested of applicants for DACA. \u00a0In asking these undocumented youth for extensive personally identifying information, the Administration effectively asked them to place their trust in the government. \u00a0Now many of those same Dreamers are wondering whether their trust was misplaced, fearing for their future in the United States, and questioning whether they can or should seek protection under DACA.\r\n\r\n\tCountless community advocates, organizers, and public servants have promoted the DACA program to Dreamers on the premise that the information they supply to DHS would not be used to deport them in the future. \u00a0We cannot stand by and allow the Trump Administration to exploit the trust these young Americans placed in us and the government.\r\n\r\n\tWe believe that when government makes promises it should keep them. \u00a0We urge you to do everything within your power to safeguard the personal identifying information of DACA enrollees, including issuing an Executive Order prohibiting the use of DACA enrollee information for purposes other than originally intended. \u00a0While this program is a significant part of the Administration\u2019s legacy, it is more importantly a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of young Dreamers looking to lead productive and peaceful lives as members of American society.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-nomination-general-james-mattis-defense", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Nomination of General James Mattis as Defense Secretary", "2016-12-05", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Rep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement on President-elect Donald Trump\u2019s announcement that he will nominate General James Mattis as Defense Secretary:\n\u201cAs a fellow Marine, I greatly admire General James Mattis\u2019 dedication and leadership. We all should be incredibly grateful for his many years of service to our nation.\n\u201cAs a veteran, I believe strongly in the principle of civilian leadership of the military. Current law requires that a military officer be out of active duty for at least seven years before taking the job of defense secretary. I do not believe this long-standing check should be cast aside, and I will oppose a waiver of this rule, even for someone as exceptionally qualified as General Mattis.\u201d\nRep. Ruben Gallego is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and served in Iraq with the combat unit Lima 3/25. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressional-hispanic-caucus-selects-leadership-team-115th-congress", "Congressional Hispanic Caucus Selects Leadership Team for the 115th Congress", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Yesterday, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) selected its leadership team for the 115th Congress.\u00a0Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham will chair the CHC, Congressman Joaquin Castro, Congressman Ruben Gallego, and Congressman Pete Aguilar will join her on the leadership team.\n\u00a0\n115th Congress -- CHC Leadership Team\n\u00a0\nCHC Chair: Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01)\n\u00a0\nCHC First Vice Chair: Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20)\n\u00a0\nCHC Second Vice Chair: Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-07)\n\u00a0\nCHC Whip: Congressman Pete Aguilar (CA-31)\n\u00a0\nCHC Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham: \u201cI want to thank my colleagues for entrusting me with the great responsibility of leading the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in the 115th Congress. As the next Chairwoman, I intend to continue building on the many accomplishments we have achieved this Congress and ensure that the Caucus is leading the fight to support Hispanic communities and protect families across this country.\n\u201cCHC will face many challenges given the outcome of the presidential election and the political environment in the next Congress. However, now more than ever, the CHC needs to demonstrate unity and strength in order to effectively combat dangerous rhetoric and regressive policies proposed by President-elect Trump aimed to tear families apart and hurt the communities we represent.\n\u201cHispanics represent $1.9 trillion in purchasing power, and we will shape the future of our great nation. Hispanic businesses have been a driving force in my home state of New Mexico; we have specifically seen significant growth among Hispanic women entrepreneurs. It\u2019s up to the CHC to develop a strong economic agenda to highlight the economic impact of Hispanic communities and create more opportunities for Hispanic-owned business and entrepreneurs.\n\u201cI am proud to say that CHC received unprecedented support from voters in this election, which increased our membership to a record-breaking total of 31 Caucus members.\u00a0 We must build off this momentum and support, and I believe that the CHC has an obligation to step up and lead during these uncertain times.\u201d\nCHC First Vice Chair Joaquin Castro: \u201cI am grateful to my CHC colleagues for entrusting me with this new responsibility. As we look ahead to the 115th Congress, great challenges loom. We will need to contend with a new administration and a President who displayed appalling hostility toward the Hispanic community throughout his campaign. More than ever, the CHC must be united, determined, and strategic in its efforts to improve educational outcomes, expand economic opportunity, and pass meaningful immigration reform. I am eager to tackle these and other matters with my fellow Caucus members. I thank outgoing CHC Chair Linda S\u00e1nchez for her leadership, and I look forward to working with incoming CHC Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham to advance our Caucus\u2019 goals in Congress.\u201d\nCHC Second Vice Chair Ruben Gallego: \u201cI am honored to have been elected to serve as 2nd Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for the 115th Congress. I look forward to working with my fellow CHC members and Congressional leadership on issues that are important to the Latino community, including expanding educational and economic opportunities, protecting immigrant families, and making sure our seniors and veterans have the care they need and the benefits they have earned.\u201d\nCHC Whip Pete Aguilar: \u201cI\u2019m grateful to have been chosen to serve as the Whip of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The CHC\u2019s priorities include comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship, creating good-paying jobs, accessing affordable health care, and investing in quality education for our kids \u2013 all issues that are significant in my community. He added, \u201cSan Bernardino is representative of many of the regions throughout the nation that would benefit from these priorities, so I\u2019m glad to take on a new role to help push those policies forward.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###\n\u00a0\nThe Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2258", "Grijalva, Sanders Condemn Continued Use of For-Profit Prisons & Detention Centers", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) reacted today to the release of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC), report of the subcommittee on Privatized Immigration Detention Facilities.\r\n\r\n\tThe Department of Justice (DOJ) announced in August that as a result of an internal review finding that private prison facilities are less effective and more dangerous than those run by the government, DOJ would phase out its contracts with for-profit prison companies. Less than two weeks later, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it would conduct a similar internal review of its reliance on the industry.\r\n\r\n\tThe lawmakers\u2019 statements today come amid reports that DOJ renewed contracts after their claim in August that they would substantially reduce them, and as DHS announced that it will not end its use private for-profit detention as a result of the HSAC subcommittee report.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cTo see the Obama Administration waver on something with such clear moral and ethical implications about our values as a nation is unacceptable,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThis administration has allowed incarceration and detention profiteers to flourish under its leadership, with revolving doors between agencies and corporations ensuring lucrative contracts and cozy lobbying ties. The federal government cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of adults and children, their inadequate care, and the erosion of justice in our society. And now, just when the administration had the opportunity to move our nation in the right direction, they\u2019ve decided to double down on for-profit captivity.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe already know that the next administration will embrace for-profit incarceration; Trump is clear in his support for the industry, as is the industry\u2019s support for Trump, too,\u201d Grijalva continued. \u201cThe Obama Administration should be minimizing any precedent for Trump to point to once he\u2019s in office. Instead, they\u2019re laying the groundwork for him to embrace profit-driven incarceration and detention to an extent we have never seen before.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cDue in large part to private detention centers, incarceration has been a source of major profits for private corporations,\u201d Senator Sanders said. \u201cBut study after study after study has shown private prisons and detention centers are not cheaper, they are not safer and they do not provide better outcomes for either the prisoners or the state.\u00a0We have got to end the private prison racket in America as quickly as possible.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tRep. Grijalva and Senator Sanders have been tireless opponent of the for-profit prison industry for years. In December 2015, they joined forces to introduce the Justice Is Not For Sale Act, legislation that would end the federal government\u2019s use of private detention facilities and implement justice reforms to help address mass incarceration in the United States. In addition, in September 2016, they jointly sent a letter to Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch urging her to push further in DOJ\u2019s reliance on private prison contracts in directing the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to follow the Bureau of Prisons\u2019 (BOP) lead in phasing out these contracts as they come up for renewal.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-democrats-pass-key-leadership-reforms", "House Democrats Pass Key Leadership Reforms", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, House Democrats passed two motions, introduced by Reps. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Seth Moulton (MA-06), and Kathleen Rice (NY-04), requiring key leadership positions to be elected by Members of the Caucus, instead of appointed by the Democratic Leader. The Caucus will now directly elect the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, as well as three co-chairs of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee.\nReps. Gallego, Moulton, and Rice issued the following joint statement:\n\u201cIn the wake of the 2016 election, it is more clear than ever that the Democratic Caucus needs to bring more voices into leadership, with new ideas that will help us to forge a strong path forward, evolve as a Party and earn back the support of the American people.\n\u201cThe conversations we have had over the past few weeks about the future of our Caucus were difficult and contentious, but also necessary and inspiring. As a result, our Members worked together to select a leadership team and make dramatic reforms that will increase the diversity of our leadership team and make our leadership accountable to our Members.\n\u201cIn order to be successful, all Members of the Democratic Caucus need to play a role in recruitment, messaging, fundraising and strategy. The changes adopted today are a true victory that will help us to empower our Members and make our Caucus stronger.\n\u201cDemocrats can\u2019t afford to back down in the face of a Donald Trump presidency and the regressive agenda he stands for. Today\u2019s outcome was a good first step towards our goal of reclaiming the majority in 2018.\u201d\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2257", "Grijalva Responds to 15th Death of Immigrant Held at Eloy", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) responded today to the death of a 36-year-old woman being held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at Eloy Detention Center, a for-profit detention center in Arizona. Raquel Calder\u00f3n de Hildago is the third detainee to die in the past two months in ICE facilities, and the 15th immigrant fatality at Eloy since 2003.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am disturbed to learn of yet another life lost in Eloy Detention Center,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cRaquel Calder\u00f3n de Hildago is the latest victim in a long and tragic history of fatal neglect at for-profit prisons and detention centers. Sadly, Eloy plays a leading role in establishing this troubling history, and its continued operation outside of Phoenix is tarnishing our state.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cTransparency and accountability about the rising number of detainee deaths is desperately needed for the families seeking closure, and for our nation to ultimately end this public health crisis. The Department of Homeland Security should make public the results of its investigation into Raquel\u2019s death at the earliest possible opportunity. They should do the same with the results of any other death investigations that are not yet public. It is also imperative that the Homeland Security Advisory Council subcommittee\u2019s evaluation of private detention facilities take into consideration the grave record of care and the resulting deaths in these facilities. This latest heartbreak is another reason why our federal government should cut ties with the for-profit prison industry once and for all.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tRep. Grijalva has consistently called for accountability and action following deaths at the Eloy Detention Center. In July 2014, he called for the release of DHS\u2019s internal reviews of the Eloy facility after Jos\u00e9 de Jes\u00fas Deniz Sahag\u00fan was found dead in his solitary confinement cell. Grijalva later shared Deniz Sahag\u00fan\u2019s story in an op-ed raising awareness about medical neglect at for-profit detention centers.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva also joined forces with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to introduce the Justice Is Not For Sale Act, legislation that would end the federal government\u2019s use of private detention facilities and implement justice reforms to help address mass incarceration in the United States.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinemasupported-legislation-to-advance-medical-innovation-passes-house/", "Sinema-Supported Legislation to Advance Medical Innovation Passes House", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, the House of Representatives passed the 21st Century Cures Act, bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema, to accelerate the development of new medical treatments, cut red tape for\u00a0biomedical innovation,\u00a0and improve community\u00a0mental health services.\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cToo many American families have watched their loved ones struggle with diseases that have no cure,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cThe 21st Century Cures Act is a\u00a0creative, bipartisan solution that allows innovators to focus on life-saving discoveries, rather than government bureaucracy.\u00a0This health reform legislation is the type of commonsense solution that will lead to lower cost and better quality care for Arizona families.\u201d\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tThe 21st Century Cures Act modernizes research programs at the National Institute of Health and the drug approval process at the Food and Drug Administration to accelerate bringing cures to market while protecting patients. This legislation promotes promising medical breakthroughs to address some of our most costly health challenges including, $1.8 billion for the cancer \u201cmoonshot\u201d program, $1 billion over two years to combat the opioid epidemic, and $1.6 billion for brain-related diseases like Alzheimer\u2019s. The bill also restructures behavior health programs to improve the quality of care delivered to individuals facing mental health crises.\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-backs-tim-ryan-democratic-leader", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Backs Tim Ryan for Democratic Leader", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego announced his support for Rep. Tim Ryan to serve as the next Democratic Leader.\nRep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:\n\u201cOne of the unmistakable messages of the 2016 election is that the American people are fed up with business as usual in Washington. At this critical juncture, we face a choice \u2013 will we preserve a broken status quo or will we set our party on a new course?\n\u201cI believe we must do more than simply paper over the cracks. We can\u2019t just say the right things \u2013 we must take concrete steps to move our party in the right direction. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to announce my support for Congressman Tim Ryan for Democratic Leader.\n\u201cCongressman Ryan has been a relentless advocate for working families and progressive policies. He is young and energetic, and I believe he will lead our Caucus in standing up to President-elect Trump and his administration and their plans to roll back civil liberties and our country\u2019s social advancement.\n\u201cCongressman Ryan has also proposed far-reaching reforms on how our Caucus is governed. These reforms will bring more voices into leadership, with new ideas that will help us to energize the diverse base of our party. He has emphasized accountability, and demonstrated that he is willing to be answerable to our Members.\n\u201cNancy Pelosi helped deliver great progressive victories like the Affordable Care Act during her Speakership. She has steered the Democratic Caucus through a series of tough fights, and I respect and admire her long record of dedicated service to our party and our country. I was heartened to read that she is now heeding the younger voices in our caucus. However, let\u2019s be clear: these changes are necessary but not sufficient.\n\u201cWe can\u2019t walk away from the 2016 election without learning an important lesson. What we\u2019re doing now is not working. We have an opportunity for change, and we should take it. I encourage my Democratic colleagues to join me in supporting Tim Ryan for Democratic Leader.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2256", "Grijalva, Huffman Demand Accountability for Brutal Law Enforcement Tactics at DAPL", "2016-11-28", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representatives Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Jared Huffman (D-CA) today requested an immediate meeting with White House and Department of Justice officials to demand accountability for alarming treatment of Water Protectors and peaceful demonstrators at the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota, and to denounce the closure of the Oceti Sakowin camp. The lawmakers, who jointly led 21 Members of Congress in urging President Obama to deescalate the tension at Standing Rock in a November 14 letter, noted today that circumstances since then have only deteriorated:\r\n\r\n\t\u201c[H]eadlines of mass injuries, frigid water being sprayed at demonstrators in sub-freezing temperatures, and of rubber bullets and similar anti-riot weapons being fired at peaceful, unarmed civilians, make it clear that this situation is only getting worse.\u00a0 Additionally, the Army Corps of Engineers letter announcing the closure of the Oceti Sakowin camp to demonstrators represents a concerning and disappointing course of action by the federal government. \u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe question the plan and reasoning given by the Army Corps of Engineers to close the Oceti Sakowin camp to the Water Protectors. The members of the Standing Rock Sioux and the hundreds of Americans who join them in opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline are constitutionally protected in their right to peaceably assemble.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe full text of Reps. Grijalva and Huffman\u2019s meeting request is available here.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2254", "Grijalva Denounces Hostilities Against Dakota Access Water Protectors", "2016-11-21", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today in response to reports that tear gas, freezing water and rubber bullets were used Sunday night against a crowd of approximately 400 Water Protectors and demonstrators at the Dakota Access Pipeline. The altercation injured more than 150 demonstrators and one law enforcement officer.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe escalating violence targeting peaceful demonstrators at the Dakota Access Pipeline is utterly unacceptable,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cBy attacking with the kind of force intended to quell riots, local and state law enforcement are acting like a hired security firm for a private corporation whose pipeline threatens\u00a0Native American burial and sacred sites, and\u00a0clean drinking water. Every American watching these events unfold should rightly be wondering: whose side are they on?\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAs a nation, we deserve better than what is happening at Standing Rock right now,\u201d Grijalva continued. \u201cI will continue to urge President Obama to ensure the safety and Constitutional rights of the Water Protectors in North Dakota, and of every American who chooses to exercise their Constitutionally protected right to assemble peacefully.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva\u2019s remarks come just days after he and 22 of his Congressional colleagues wrote to President Obama outlining actions the federal government can take to immediately de-escalate growing tensions and protect the safety, rights and civil liberties of water protectors. Among many measure, the letter called for: denial of the easement, which the Army Corps of Engineers must issue for drilling to commence; the deployment of observers from the Department of Justice; withdrawal of National Guard and other law enforcement personnel deployed around the camp.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/not-every-congressional-democrat-shares-leadership-s-desire-work-trump", "Not every congressional Democrat shares leaderships desire to work with Trump", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Democrats in Congress appear to be taking the idea of \u201cgive Trump a chance\u201d seriously, with Jennifer Steinhauser reporting on a surprisingly wide consensus ranging from Chuck Schumer to Elizabeth Warren that\u00a0Democrats should try to work with Trump on an infrastructure bill\u00a0and perhaps other priorities in order to distance him from congressional Republican leaders.\nJonathan Chait says this is political malpractice, and\u00a0Brad Plumer\u2019s explainer on the actual content of Trump\u2019s infrastructure plan\u00a0reveals that it actually has nothing in common with liberal ideas on infrastructure. Rather than spend new money on important priorities that only the public sector can execute, Trump is proposing tax cuts for private companies that are already investing in profitable private infrastructure schemes.\nOutgoing Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid has struck a very different tone, but he\u2019ll be gone come January. But last night, Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego \u2014 who, similarly to Reid, represents a heavily Latino constituency in a region of the country where Democrats are gaining ground \u2014 gave a speech that was much more along Reid\u2019s lines. He ran down the record of Trump\u2019s\u00a0bigoted statements, his\u00a0dishonesty, his\u00a0self-confessed sexual assaults, his\u00a0mismanagement of charitable funds,\u00a0his lack of financial disclosure, and his\u00a0conflicts of interest, and concluded that it would be ridiculous for Democrats to trust him to manage a series of infrastructure public-private partnerships:\n \n\tGiven everything we know about Donald Trump \u2014 and everything we don\u2019t know \u2014 I was alarmed by the words of senior leaders from both the progressive and centrist wings of the party regarding their openness to working with Donald Trump on infrastructure.\n\tUnder ordinary circumstances, we would welcome a plan to invest in infrastructure \u2014 even if that plan came from the other side of the aisle. Especially if it came from the other side of the aisle!\n\tBut Donald Trump is not an ordinary politician. He is a con artist. He has refused to give the American people reason to believe that he is not in this to enrich himself. In fact, he has bucked tradition by maintaining his family's interest in a private corporation.\n\tAnd, unfortunately, his infrastructure plan is really a privatization scheme, rife with graft and corruption, whose real purpose is to enrich the Trump family and his supporters. He is not reaching out. He is reaching his hand into America's pockets, just as he has his whole career. And we must not let him do it.\n\tThis strikes me as a better approach. As everyone endlessly repeated throughout the 2016 campaign, both Trump and Hillary Clinton were unusually unpopular nominees. Clinton, in the end, proved slightly less unpopular but lost the Electoral College anyway. That leaves the country with an unusually unpopular president-elect who also happens to\u00a0pose an unusual risk to American institutions.\n\tObviously if Trump happens to miraculously roll out a fantastic infrastructure proposal, members of Congress from both parties should take that seriously. But there\u2019s no reason to be bending over backward to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially when he hasn\u2019t even begun to address the obvious conflict-of-interest problems.\n\tCSPAN_11-16-2016_19.36.37.mp4", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2262", "Rep. Grijalva Leads Lawmakers' Call for End to Circus Captivity for Exotic Animals", "2016-11-16", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Representative Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today introduced the Traveling Exotic Animal & Public Safety Protection Act, legislation that would prohibittraveling circuses from holding exotic animals such as lions, tigers and elephants in captivity. Studies over the past 20 years have shown that the mobile accommodations circuses rely on cannot provide animals with the facilities needed to maintain their health and welfare. Furthermore, placing stressed exotic animals in close proximity to audiences creates a public safety risk that has claimed the lives of circus workers and attendees alike.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe captivity of exotic animals has proven over the years to be torturous to some of the most majestic creatures on Earth, and downright dangerous for the people who come to see them,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cA growing public understandingof the detrimental impacts on animals and the risks posed to attendees has already changed the face of circuses in America. It is imperative that we meet the call to end this practice once and for all.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe legislation comes as the lawmakers host a Lion Arc film screening and panel on Capitol Hill. The film covers the dramatic rescue of 25 lions from circus captivity in Bolivia after similar legislation to the Traveling Exotic Animal & Public Safety Protection Act passed into law there.\r\n\r\n\tThe Traveling Exotic Animal & Public Safety Protection Act follows actions by Ringling Brothers to retire their circus elephants and SeaWorld to end performing Orca shows and breeding.\u00a0 Thirty-four diverse countries around the world and 63 cities and counties in the United States already prohibit use of animals in circuses.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-joins-house-colleagues-asking-president-elect-trump", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Joins House Colleagues Asking President-Elect Trump to Reverse Bannon Appointment", "2016-11-16", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear President-elect Trump:\nImmediately following your victory, many Americans were optimistic and hopeful that you would take the steps necessary to unify our country following the divisive and contentious election.\u00a0 In your election night speech you said, \u201cNow it\u2019s time for America to bind the wounds of division.\u00a0 It is time for us to come together as one united people.\u201d\u00a0 Unfortunately, your appointment of Stephen Bannon, whose ties to the White Nationalist movement have been well-documented, directly undermines your ability to unite the country.\u00a0 As elected representatives of millions of Americans from diverse backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities, we strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to appoint Mr. Bannon to White House Chief Strategist.\nSince the election there have been a number of incidents across the country in which minorities, including Muslim Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Jewish Americans, have been the targets of violence, harassment and intimidation. Mr. Bannon\u2019s appointment sends the wrong message to people who have engaged in those types of activities, indicating that they will not only be tolerated, but endorsed by your Administration.\u00a0 Millions of Americans have expressed fear and concern about how they will be treated by the Trump Administration and your appointment of Mr. Bannon only exacerbates and validates their concerns.\nAs the Executive Chairman of Breitbart News, Mr. Bannon repeatedly and aggressively pushed stories that promote anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and racism. During an interview last summer, Mr. Bannon bragged that Breitbart was \u201cthe platform for the alt-right,\u201d a movement that upholds White Nationalism while strongly rejecting diversity in any form. Under Mr. Bannon\u2019s leadership, Breitbart has referred to a leading Republican who opposed your election as a \u201cRenegade Jew,\u201d suggested \u201cYoung Muslims in the West are a ticking time bomb,\u201d declared that the \u201cConfederate flag proclaims a glorious heritage,\u201d and praised the alt-right as a \u201csmarter\u201d version of \u201cold-school racist skinheads.\u201d\nDisturbingly, leading white nationalists like former KKK Grand Dragon David Duke, American Nazi Party Chairman Rocky J. Suhadya, Richard Spencer, Peter Brimelow, and Brad Griffin have praised the news of Mr. Bannon\u2019s appointment.\u00a0 We believe it should concern you that civil rights groups, including the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center, are widely opposed to Mr. Bannon\u2019s appointment.\nWe strongly believe that Mr. Bannon\u2019s appointment will not allow the country to heal and come together as one. As one of your top advisors, the White House chief strategist will help set the tone for your administration. The person in this role must be prepared to serve the interests of all Americans, not those of a select few.\nOnce again, we strongly urge you to rescind this appointment immediately and build a diverse White House staff who are committed to the core American values of inclusiveness, diversity and tolerance.\nSincerely,\nDavid N. Cicilline (RI-1)\nAlma Adams (NC-12)\nPete Aguilar (CA-31)\nKaren Bass (CA-37)\nJoyce Beatty (OH-3)\nXavier Becerra (CA-34)\nAmi Bera (CA-7)\nDonald Beyer (VA-8)\nSanford Bishop (GA-2)\nEarl Blumenauer (OR-3)\nSuzanne Bonamici (OR-1)\nMadeleine Bordallo (Guam)\nBrendan Boyle (PA-13)\nRobert Brady (PA-1)\nJulia Brownley (CA-26)\nCheri Bustos (IL-17)\nG.K. Butterfield (NC-1)\nMichael Capuano (MA-7)\nTony Cardenas (CA-29)\nJohn Carney (DE-At large)\nAndre Carson (IN-7)\nMatt Cartwright (PA-17)\nKathy Castor (FL-14)\nJoaquin Castro (TX-20)\nJudy Chu (CA-27)\nKatherine Clark (MA-5)\nYvette Clarke (NY-9)\nWilliam Lacy Clay (MO-1)\nEmanuel Cleaver (MO-5)\nJames Clyburn (SC-6)\nSteve Cohen (TN-9)\nGerald Connolly (VA-11)\nJohn Conyers (MI-13)\nJim Cooper (TN-5)\nJoe Courtney (CT-2)\nJoseph Crowley (NY-14)\nElijah Cummings (MD-7)\nDanny Davis (IL-7)\nSusan Davis (CA-53)\nPeter DeFazio (OR-4)\nDiana DeGette (CO-1)\nJohn Delaney (MD-6)\nRosa DeLauro (CT-3)\nSuzan DelBene (WA-1)\nMark DeSaulnier (CA-11)\nTed Deutch (FL-21)\nDebbie Dingell (MI-12)\nLloyd Doggett (TX-35)\nMichael Doyle (PA-14)\nTammy Duckworth (IL-8)\nDonna Edwards (MD-4)\nKeith Ellison (MN-5)\nEliot Engel (NY-16)\nAnna Eshoo (CA-18)\nElizabeth Esty (CT-5)\nDwight Evans (PA-2)\nSam Farr (CA-20)\nBill Foster (IL-11)\nLois Frankel (FL-22)\nMarcia Fudge (OH-11)\nRuben Gallego (AZ-7)\nJohn Garamendi (CA-3)\nGwen Graham (FL-2)\nAl Green (TX-9)\nGene Green (TX-29)\nRaul Grijalva (AZ-3)\nLuis Gutierrez (IL-4)\nJanice Hahn (CA-44)\nColleen Hanabusa (HI-1)\nAlcee Hastings (FL-20)\nDenny Heck (WA-10)\nBrian Higgins (NY-26)\nJames Himes (CT-4)\nRuben Hinojosa (TX-15)\nMichael Honda (CA-17)\nJared Huffman (CA-2)\nSteve Israel (NY-3)\nSheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)\nHakeem Jeffries (NY-8)\nEddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30)\nHank Johnson \u00a0(GA-4)\nMarcy Kaptur (OH-9)\nWilliam Keating (MA-9)\nRobin Kelly (IL-2)\nJoseph Kennedy (MA-4)\nDan Kildee (MI-5)\nDerek Kilmer (WA-6)\nRon Kind (WI-3)\nAnn Marie Kuster (NH-2)\nJames Langevin (RI-2)\nRick Larsen (WA-2)\nJohn Larson (CT-1)\nBrenda Lawrence (MI-14)\nBarbara Lee (CA-13)\nSander Levin (MI-9)\nJohn Lewis (GA-5)\nTed Lieu (CA-33)\nDave Loebsack (IA-2)\nZoe Lofgren (CA-19)\nAlan Lowenthal (CA-47)\nNita Lowey (NY-17)\nBen Ray Lujan (NM-3)\nMichelle Lujan Grisham (NM-1)\nStephen Lynch (MA-8)\nCarolyn Maloney (NY-12)\nSean Patrick Maloney (NY-18)\nDoris Matsui (CA-6)\nBetty McCollum (MN-4)\nJim McDermott (WA-7)\nJames McGovern (MA-2)\nJerry McNerney (CA-9)\nGregory Meeks (NY-5)\nGrace Meng (NY-6)\nGwen Moore (WI-4)\nSeth Moulton (MA-6)\nPatrick Murphy (FL-18)\nJerrold Nadler (NY-10)\nGrace Napolitano (CA-32)\nRichard Neal (MA-1)\nRichard Nolan (MN-8)\nDonald Norcross (NJ-1)\nEleanor Holmes Norton (DC)\nBeto O'Rourke (TX-16)\nFrank Pallone (NJ-6)\nBill Pascrell (NJ-9)\nDonald Payne Jr. (NJ-10)\nEd Perlmutter (CO-7)\nScott Peters (CA-52)\nChellie Pingree (ME-1)\nMark Pocan (WI-2)\nJared Polis (CO-2)\nDavid Price (NC-4)\nMike Quigley (IL-5)\nKathleen Rice (NY-4)\nCedric Richmond (LA-2)\nLucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40)\nRaul Ruiz (CA-36)\nTim Ryan (OH-13)\nLinda Sanchez (CA-38)\nJohn Sarbanes (MD-3)\nJan Schakowsky (IL-9)\nAdam Schiff (CA-28)\nKurt Schrader (OR-5)\nBobby Scott (VA-3)\nJose Serrano (NY-15)\nTerri Sewell (AL-7)\nAlbio Sires (NJ-8)\nLouise McIntosh Slaughter (NY-25)\nAdam Smith (WA-9)\nJackie Speier (CA-14)\nEric Swalwell (CA-15)\nMark Takano (CA-41)\nBennie Thompson (MS-2)\nMike Thompson (CA-5)\nDina Titus (NV-1)\nPaul Tonko (NY-20)\nNorma Torres (CA-35)\nNiki Tsongas (MA-3)\nChris Van Hollen (MD-8)\nJuan Vargas (CA-51)\nMarc Veasey (TX-33)\nNydia Velazquez (NY-7)\nTimothy Walz (MN-1)\nDebbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)\nMaxine Waters (CA-43)\nBonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12)\nPeter Welch (VT-At large)\nFrederica Wilson (FL-24)\nJohn Yarmuth (KY-3)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-young-support-bipartisan-legislation-to-combat-caller-id-scams/", "Sinema, Young Support Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Caller ID Scams", "2016-11-16", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09) and Congressman David Young (IA-03), co-chairs of the\u00a0Bipartisan Task Force to Combat Identity Theft and Fraud, applauded the passage of the\u00a0Anti-Spoofing Act of 2015, bipartisan legislation introduced by Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06) to crack down on telephone scams that defraud millions of American families.\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tCaller ID spoofing changes the names and phone numbers displayed on recipients\u2019 caller IDs to make it appear they are calling from a trusted source like a government agency, bank, police department, or hospital. Scammers then collect personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims.\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cScammers often use fraudulent caller IDs\u00a0to trick victims into\u00a0giving personal information or money,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cThis legislation is a bipartisan,\u00a0commonsense\u00a0solution that puts an end to this manipulative practice and protects Arizonans from financial scams and fraud.\u201d\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cScammers and fraudsters too often steal folks\u2019 personal information and hard-earned money by nefariously posing as government agencies or other organizations and demanding payment or information over the phone,\u201d Congressman Young said. \u201cAs cofounder of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force to Combat Identity Theft and Fraud, I\u2019m pleased to support this legislation, which prohibits falsified caller ID information and strengthens existing safeguards for consumers in Iowa and across the country.\u201d\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Millions of unsuspecting Americans continue to get ripped off through this unconscionable scam,\u201d said Congresswoman Meng. \u201cWe must do all we can to combat it and my bill would go a long way towards accomplishing that critical goal. I\u2019ve heard heartbreaking stories of individuals losing thousands of dollars because scammers duped them into believing that they would be arrested or fined if they failed to immediately pay up. We cannot allow these con artists to keep preying upon innocent consumers. I applaud the House for passing my legislation and I call on the Senate to immediately approve it as well.\u00a0Many thanks to the\u00a0Task Force to Combat Identity Theft and Fraud for\u00a0its support, and for highlighting the need to act on these types of crimes.\"\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2252", "Reps. Grijalva, Huffman, 21 Members of Congress, Recommend Steps to President Obama to Deescalate Tensions at Dakota Access Pipeline", "2016-11-15", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 President Obama should take concrete steps to reduce the tensions at the Dakota Access Pipeline, argued Representatives Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and 21 members of Congress today in a letter to the White House. The lawmakers recommend that the federal government deny the easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline to cross Lake Oahe, deploy observers to ensure water protectors and journalists are safe and their rights are upheld, and urge the state of North Dakota to stand down from its escalation of the use of force. The letter follows today\u2019s announcement by the Army Corps of Engineers that the agency will continue consultations with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe before making a final decision on the fate of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe EMAC is intended to help aid the victims of natural disasters -- not to help suppress our Constitutionally protected right to peacefully assemble,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cIts use in this way, and the escalating\u00a0law enforcement\u00a0and National Guard presence in response to unarmed demonstrations, betrays our values as a nation and aids a private corporation whose pipeline threatens\u00a0Native American burial and sacred sites, and\u00a0clean drinking water.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe Army Corps is right to continue consulting with the Standing Rock Sioux \u2013 these consultations cannot succeed in the current atmosphere. Justice Department observers should be sent to the area without delay to ensure that this badly needed dialogue \u2013 which should have started much sooner \u2013 is not marred by civil rights abuses occurring just down the road.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe Dakota Access Pipeline has been a call to action for those who believe in protecting the climate and tribal lands and rights,\u201d said Rep. Huffman. \u00a0\u201cFortunately, President Obama can immediately ease this conflict by prohibiting the easement of the pipeline and sending observers from the Department of Justice to protect civil rights. In the coming months, President-elect Trump \u2013 who has personally invested in this pipeline company \u2013 will undoubtedly signal an oil and gas industry takeover of the White House. This will be one of the many battles we must fight and we must stand together to protect the environment, sacred tribal lands, freedom of the press, and the right to peaceful assembly.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe signatories on the letter along with Congressman Grijalva and Huffman are Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), John Conyers (D-MI), Sam Farr (D-CA), Mike Honda (D-CA), Henry C. \u201cHank\u201d Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), John Lewis (D-GA), Ted W. Lieu (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI),\u00a0 and Luis V. Guti\u00e9rrez (D-IL).\r\n\r\n\tA copy of the letter is available here.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-congratulates-colombia-reaching-new-peace-deal", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Congratulates Colombia on Reaching New Peace Deal", "2016-11-14", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Yesterday, the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) signed a revised peace deal designed to end more than 50 years of violence which has claimed more than 220,000 lives and displaced over 6 million people.\nAn earlier peace deal was unexpectedly rejected by Colombian voters during a national referendum in October.\nRep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:\n\u201cI want to congratulate President Juan Manuel Santos for quickly and successfully renegotiating a peace deal that will bring an end to the suffering and violence that the people of Colombia have endured for more than half a century.\n\u201cThe new agreement addresses key concerns of those who opposed the original accord and goes even further to provide reparations to victims.\n\u201cA successful peace negotiation is a victory for the Colombian people. I remain committed to ensuring that Colombia can continue to count on strong support from Congress as our ally takes critical steps toward a lasting peace.\u201d\n\u00a0\nCongressman Ruben Gallego is the first Colombian-American Member of Congress.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-hosts-roundtable-discussion-with-azbio-life-science-innovators/", "Sinema Hosts Roundtable Discussion with AZBio, Life Science Innovators", "2016-11-03", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sinema Hosts Roundtable Discussion with AZBio, Life Science Innovators\r\n\r\n\tPHOENIX \u2013 Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema hosted a Funding Innovation Roundtable with AZBio and Arizona Life Science Innovators to discuss advancing Arizona\u2019s bioscience industry.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe bioscience industry\u2019s life-saving and life-changing innovations improve the health and quality of life for Arizonans and families across the country,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cWe heard that these companies need more flexibility to focus on research and development instead of costly, unnecessary regulations. We\u2019re focused on working across the aisle to cut red tape and ensure bioscience innovators have the tools and support they need to thrive.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIt was an honor to have the opportunity for Congresswoman Sinema to join us at the Funding Innovation Roundtable and to share her insights and ideas with award winning Arizona life science leaders from\u00a0Pinnacle Transplant Technologies,\u00a0NeoLight,\u00a0Smart Brain Aging, and\u00a0Beacon Biomedical,\u201d said Joan Koerber-Walker, president & CEO of AZBio.\u00a0 \u201cNot only did these great companies get to interact with one of the most respected life science innovation champions in Washington, D.C., but our assembled audience of life science innovators and investors did too. \u00a0They all walked away with a better understanding of what it is really like to get things done in our nation\u2019s capital and a knowledge that there are leaders like Congresswoman Sinema who are committed to making life better for people here in Arizona and around the country, just as our life science industry members do in their labs, factories, and offices.\" \u00a0\r\n\r\n\tIn May, the House of Representatives passed the\u00a0Fostering Innovation Act, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Sinema, to provide commonsense regulatory relief for companies on the cutting edge of scientific and medical research.\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Sinema received AZBio\u2019s 2016 Public Service Award for her work to support and advance Arizona\u2019s medical and bioscience industries.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2248", "Grijalva Requests Official Action from Republican Chairman to Prevent Cherrybell Closure", "2016-11-01", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today sent a letter to Chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC) of the House Subcommittee on Government Operation \u2013 which holds jurisdiction over the United States Postal Service (USPS) \u2013 asking him to officially announce his support for ongoing efforts to save the Cherrybell Processing Center in Tucson. The letter follows Chairman Meadows\u2019 tour of the facility last week, where he heard from local elected officials and community leaders about the importance of protecting the facility. While local officials from both political parties released statements following the visit expressing optimism about keeping the facility open, the Chairman has yet to officially commit to supporting legislative language that will prevent the consolidation.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am glad that here in Tucson, the fight to protect Cherrybell, its employees, and the countless people who rely on its operation every day has become a powerful bipartisan effort,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cBut this support must extend to the national level, where unfortunately Republicans have often supported downsizing, limiting postal services and imposing harsh requirements funding on USPS.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cEnding the uncertainty of closure, which threatens jobs and delivery service in Tucson and countless other localities around the country, will require follow through and action on the part of the Committee Chairman,\u201d Grijalva continued. \u201cIt will require leaders in the Republican Party to challenge their Party\u2019s orthodoxy and call for an end to inadequate proposals that fall short of preventing harmful postal closures.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cFor the people of Tucson and the workers at Cherrybell, it is critical to turn words into actions.\u00a0 I encourage Chairman Meadows and other Republicans to commit\u00a0to supporting legislation to prevent consolidations. The closures have not only disrupted service and cost jobs, but they have actually cost money instead of seeing the intended savings. This is a clear cut issue and it should be supported by an overwhelming majority of Congress.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe full text of Rep. Grijalva\u2019s letter is available here.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2246", "Rep. Grijalva: AZ Must Protect Voting Rights", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tucson \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement after news that 98 state and national organizations sent a letter to Arizona Secretary of States Michele Reagan urging her to create plans to prevent voting discrimination in Arizona. The request comes just days before Americans take to the polls for the first time in 50 years to elect a president without a fully operable Voting Rights Act.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cArizona\u2019s botched primary election in March already made the state a poster case for voter disenfranchisement,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cWe can\u2019t afford a similar disaster on Election Day. So many voices within our state and around the country are calling on state election officials to ensure every Arizonan can cast their ballot free from intimidation or hardship. They must be heard.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tIn response to Arizona\u2019s botched primary in March, Rep. Grijalva introduced legislation in Congress requiring the Election Assistance Commission to work with state election officials in establishing minimum federal standards for voter accessibility, such as wait-times, and the location and operation of polling places.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cOur primary debacle was a result of the Supreme Court\u2019s decision undermining key parts of the Voting Rights Act,\u201d Grijalva continued. \u201cArizonans know firsthand how harmful that decision was, and do not want a repeat or the possibility of something worse. The people are demanding assurances from election officials, and they deserve to have them.\r\n\r\n\t\"We cannot allow our Democracy to be undermined by those that think voter intimidation and disenfranchisement should be commonplace, and I thank those organizations that have called for the protection of voters in Arizona.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2244", "Grijalva Announces $1.5 M Grant for Tohono O'odham Nation", "2016-10-25", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today congratulating the Tohono O\u2019odham Nation on being rewarded nearly $1.5 million in grant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The funds, which were part of $13 million announced by EPA for Arizona tribes, will pay for the connection of two existing community drinking water systems and upgrade arsenic treatment. The project will provide treated water to 73 tribal homes on the Tohono O\u2019odham Nation Reservation.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to see my friends at the Tohono O\u2019odham Nation receiving this tremendous grant award from EPA,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThese funds will help provide vital clean water to 73 homes, and help continue the great strides already being made on the Nation\u2019s land. I congratulate the Tohono O\u2019odham Nation and commend EPA on providing these funds to such a worthy and important cause.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2245", "Grijalva Responds to DOD Revoking Veteran Enlistment Bonuses", "2016-10-25", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today after recent news that the California National Guard is ordering veterans to repay large enlistment bonuses that were offered without proper authorization as long as a decade ago. Veterans who received the bonuses to entice reenlistment are now being told to pay them back with interest or face the threat of wage garnishments and tax liens for non-compliance.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cDOD must act swiftly to stop this unjust retroactive punishment targeting our veterans for the improper behavior of recruiters,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cOur veterans earn every bonus and benefit offered to them through their service in uniform. This money was offered in exchange for tremendous sacrifice on behalf of each service member and their families. They upheld their side of the bargain, and they expect \u2013 and deserve \u2013 for the federal government to do the same.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAsking veterans to repay money promised to them after years have passed is cruel, and the threat of ruining their credit over this is appalling. I cannot think of a more harmful message to send, nor a more disruptive and undeserved burden to place on anyone relying on the Department of Defense to keep their word. \u00a0Congress should pass legislation to ensure our veterans are never again penalized for the DOD\u2019s mistakes and going forward we must prioritize service members pay and benefits within our vast military budget.\u201d \u00a0\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-congratulates-friendly-house-grant-award-provide", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Congratulates Friendly House on Grant Award to Provide Opportunities to Disconnected Youth", "2016-10-12", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 The Department of Labor will award Friendly House $911,494 through its YouthBuild program to provide job training and educational opportunities to youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who wish to pursue careers in construction.\nParticipants in the YouthBuild program will earn industry-recognized certifications and gain construction skills training to build houses for homeless or low-income families in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The Southwest Skills Center at Estrella Community College will also partner with Friendly House for this project.\nFriendly House also received a $1 million grant from the Department of Labor in July that will allow them to provide workforce development and adult education services to disconnected youth who wish to pursue careers in criminal justice.\nRep. Gallego said, \u201cThe YouthBuild program will help young people\u00a0to gain the education and skills they need to obtain a good job and help them to become engaged in their community. I want to congratulate Friendly House on receiving this significant award, and thank them for the work they are doing in our community to expand access to education and training opportunities and to help disconnected youth realize their full potential.\u201d\nFriendly House President & CEO Martin Quintana said, \u201cWe are excited to have been awarded this grant. It will enable Friendly House to serve young adults that are interested in becoming involved in the construction field. During the last 97 years, Friendly House has established solid relationships and an excellent program reputation in the community, which we believe played a key role in being awarded this funding opportunity. This is the second Department of Labor grant awarded to Friendly House in the past three months. We have been blessed with this opportunity to work with and serve our community.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-and-southwest-human-development-bring-two-little-free-libraries-to-sunnyslopes-windrose-villas/", "Sinema and Southwest Human Development Bring Two Little Free Libraries to Sunnyslope's Windrose Villas", "2016-10-12", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SUNNYSLOPE, Ariz. \u2013 Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema and Southwest Human Development opened two Little Free Libraries at Sunnyslope\u2019s Windrose Villas. Before serving in Congress, Congresswoman Sinema worked as a social worker at Shaw Butte Elementary School and served Windrose Villas families.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI started my career as a social worker in Sunnyslope and worked every day to help families at Windrose Villas,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cI ran for office to help families in Sunnyslope and all across Arizona have the chance to achieve the American Dream. Access to books is an important part of academic success, and I\u2019m honored to work with Southwest Human Development to open these libraries for Windrose families.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe Little Free Library program encourages communities to build and install free-standing, outdoor boxes that provide a free neighborhood book exchange. Southwest Human Development plans to build 100 Little Free Libraries across the Valley by the end of the year.\r\n\r\n\tIn addition to the Little Free Libraries, Dunlap & Magee Property Management, in partnership with the City of Phoenix Housing Department and the Arizona Multihousing Association, has launched the Raise a Reader program at Windrose Villas.\u00a0 This free 10-15 week early literacy and family engagement program helps parents and children develop, practice, and sustain interactive reading routines.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tApproximately 60 Shaw Butte Elementary School students currently live at Windrose Villas.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-congratulates-city-phoenix-2-million-transit-grant", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Congratulates City of Phoenix on $2 Million Transit Grant", "2016-10-11", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 The Department of Transportation announced today that the City of Phoenix has been awarded a $2 million grant by the department\u2019s Federal Transit Administration to plan for additional development in the South Central Light Rail Extension Corridor.\nThe grant will allow the city to plan for improved pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, while preserving local housing affordability and assisting local small businesses.\u00a0 The city\u2019s planning efforts will involve key partners, including Valley Metro, the Maricopa Association of Governments, and local housing and economic development organizations.\nRep. Gallego released the following statement:\n\u201cThanks to this new funding, Phoenix residents will soon have safer ways to walk or bike to work and school. By providing easier access to bus and light rail lines, the project will help link members of the South Central community to employment centers, schools, hospitals, and other vital public services.\n\u201cI want to congratulate the City of Phoenix on receiving this significant award, which will help it to make great strides in its mission to transform the South Central corridor in order to make this neighborhood a better place to live and work.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-visits-northern-arizona-universitys-veterans-success-center/", "Sinema Visits Northern Arizona University's Veterans Success Center", "2016-10-11", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Flagstaff, Ariz. \u2013 This week, Congresswoman Sinema visited Northern Arizona University\u2019s (NAU) Veterans Success Center (VSC) and met with Student Veterans of America representatives.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIt is our responsibility to ensure veterans have the resources and support they need when they return home,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cNAU\u2019s Veterans Success Center helps student veterans succeed in the classroom and step right into good paying jobs after graduation. We\u2019ll keep working to ensure all veterans and military families have access to the American Dream.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tNAU\u2019s Veterans Success Center serves as a support network where student veterans meet and connect with other veterans.\u00a0 VSC staff provides direct service and referrals to campus and community resources focused on successful transitions, academic success, retention, and career development.\r\n\r\n\tStudent Veterans of America provides veterans with the resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education. The NAU chapter was recognized as the July 2014 \u201cSchool Chapter of the Month\u201d for its significant contributions to student veteran educational success and community involvement.\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Sinema introduced the Servicemember Higher Education Protection Act, bipartisan legislation to streamline and improve the federal financial aid process for Arizona servicemembers and their families.\u00a0\u00a0The Servicemember Higher Education Protection Act also has the support of leaders within the veterans community, including the Student Veterans of America.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-congratulates-colombian-president-juan-manuel-santos", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Congratulates Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos for Receiving the Nobel Peace Prize", "2016-10-07", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for his work to negotiate a peace deal to end a half-century of conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).\nRep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:\n\u201cI want to congratulate President Juan Manuel Santos on being awarded the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize, a well-deserved recognition of his bold leadership and continued determination throughout the long and arduous peace process.\n\u201cThough challenges remain, I am confident that both parties will reach a deal that will address the remaining concerns of the Colombian people. I recently had the privilege of traveling to Colombia to witness the vote on the peace deal, and was struck by the Colombian people\u2019s commitment to achieving peace, and their resilience and capacity for forgiveness.\n\u201cAfter standing with Colombia through decades of war, the United States must continue to stand with the Colombian people as they continue to work for a just and lasting peace. As the first Colombian American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, I remain committed to strengthening the ties between our nations and ensuring that the Colombian government can continue to count on strong support from Congress at this critical juncture in their nation\u2019s history.\u201d\n\u00a0\nCongressman Ruben Gallego is the first Colombian-American Member of Congress.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-visits-goodwill-of-central-arizona-through-kyrsten-means-business-program/", "Sinema Visits Goodwill of Central Arizona through Kyrsten Means Business Program", "2016-10-07", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PHOENIX \u2013 Through her Kyrsten Means Business Program,\u00a0Congresswoman\u00a0Kyrsten Sinema this week heard from employees at Goodwill of Central Arizona, an Arizona Veteran Supportive Employer.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cVeterans make great employees \u2013 something Goodwill of Central Arizona knows firsthand,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cGoodwill is committed to creating a supportive work environment where veterans have the opportunity to grow and succeed and can continue their public service by making our community a better place to live. We are proud to have them in Arizona\u2019s Ninth Congressional District.\u201dGoodwill of Central Arizona operates more than 70 stores and donation centers and 19 Goodwill career centers. They are also an\u00a0Arizona Veteran Supportive Employer\u00a0(AVSE). AVSEs are Arizona businesses and organizations committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining servicemembers, veterans, and military families members. Goodwill supported 2,500 Arizona veterans through employment, skills training, and housing services last year. Congresswoman Sinema invites AVSEs to her\u00a0Veterans Resource Clinics\u00a0to connect Arizona veterans directly with potential employers.\u00a0In Congress, Congresswoman Sinema supports legislation to improve job opportunities for Arizona veterans. She cosponsored the\u00a0Border Jobs for Veterans Act\u00a0to recruit and hire veterans as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at understaffed U.S. ports of entry. The bill was signed into law October 2015.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-sen-mccain-s-decision-abandon-misguided", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Sen. McCains Decision to Abandon Misguided Changes to the Veterans Preference Program", "2016-10-06", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Senator John McCain said on Tuesday that he would remove language in the National Defense Authorization Act that would have undermined the long-standing veteran preference in federal hiring.\nThe highly controversial language formerly backed by Sen. McCain would have prevented veterans from benefitting from the preference system if they were already employed by the federal government.\nIn June, the House of Representatives approved an amendment to the financial services appropriations bill introduced by Rep. Ruben Gallego that was designed to protect that program. Rep. Gallego\u2019s amendment received the support of the vast majority of the House, with a 409 to 14 vote.\nRep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:\n\u201cI strongly believe veterans who served our nation in uniform deserve the chance to serve our nation in the federal government. Under McCain\u2019s proposal, if a particular job wasn\u2019t a good fit, or if a veteran wanted to move up the ladder at a different agency, he or she would have been deprived of this benefit.\n\u201cWhen I returned from Iraq, I saw friends and fellow Marines struggle to find employment and readjust to civilian life. The veterans preference system has helped many courageous Americans to find good jobs when they return from war so that they can provide for their families. It helps to create a fair playing field by compensating veterans for the time they spent fighting overseas instead of working in government or the private sector.\n\u201cI want to thank the veterans organizations that fought to protect this important system. I also want to thank my colleagues, Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick, Mark Takano and Pete Aguilar, for helping me lead that fight in the House of Representatives.\n\u201cOur veterans earn this preference through their hard work and sacrifice. I am glad that Sen. McCain has finally abandoned his misguided efforts to put this program at risk.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-statement-on-vaoig-report-on-management-issues-at-the-phoenix-va/", "Sinema Statement on VAOIG Report on Management Issues at the Phoenix VA", "2016-10-05", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PHOENIX \u2013 Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema released the following statement in response to the VA Office of Inspector General (VAOIG) report detailing continued failures at the Phoenix VA:\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cIt\u2019s been more than two years since we learned about the tragic failures at the Phoenix VA \u2013 issues that should have been fixed immediately. This report shows an unacceptable lack of progress.\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cThe Phoenix VA needs stable, competent leadership to change its culture and address these problems once and for all. If they cannot find this kind of leadership within the VA, it\u2019s time to look elsewhere. We cannot wait any longer.\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cThe VA cannot continue to sweep these problems under the rug.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I passed legislation in the House of Representatives to require the VA to address problems identified by the VAOIG and ensure individual managers are held accountable if issues remain unresolved. We need this legislation signed into law to ensure these warning are not ignored again.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2243", "Grijalva Reacts to Changes in Arizona Medicaid Program", "2016-10-03", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) reacted to approval by Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the continued operation of Arizona\u2019s Medicaid program with changes. CMS denied several changes requested by the state, including lifetime limits on coverage, work requirements, new cost-sharing for those below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and six month lock-out periods. However, they permitted the state to move forward with a proposal known as the\u00a0AHCCCS Choice Accountability Responsibility Engagement (CARE), which will set up health accounts and impose additional cost-sharing on those between 100-138% of FPL with potential\u00a0dis-enrollment\u00a0for lack of payment.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am thankful for CMS\u2019s leadership in preventing some extremely harmful changes to our Medicaid program, however allowing low income individuals who can\u2019t afford additional payments to be disenrolled could have severe\u00a0consequences,\u201d\u00a0Rep. Grijalva said.\u00a0\u201cThe benefits of expanding Medicaid are clear \u2013 to reverse course and go back down a road that will erode the program is a disservice to the people of Arizona.\u00a0 Medicaid dollars should go to care, they shouldn't be wasted on operation of CARE accounts or\u00a0unnecessary enrollment burdens.\"\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe state\u2019s insistence on pushing policies that punish low income individuals only serves to endorse failed economic theories. I call on Arizona to work with CMS to ensure punitive new financial requirements don\u2019t lead to mass disenrollment of our expansion population,\u201d\u00a0Rep. Grijalva said.\r\n\r\n\tCongressman Grijalva has been a leading voice calling for CMS to reject many of the proposed changes to the\u00a0Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System\u00a0(AHCCCS)\u00a0\u00a0program. In October 2015,\u00a0he urged CMS to reject Arizona\u2019s new Medicaid waiver request on grounds that the state did not adequately fulfill its obligation to allow for meaningful public input, the full text of the letter is available\u00a0here.\u00a0In December 2015, he led Arizona lawmakers in submitting formal comments urging the rejection of harmful changes,\u00a0the full text of the comments are available\u00a0here.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-colombian-vote-reject-peace-deal", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on the Colombian Vote to Reject the Peace Deal", "2016-10-03", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Voters in Colombia rejected a landmark peace agreement\u00a0between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).\nRep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement:\n\u201cThough I was surprised at the outcome of yesterday\u2019s vote, I know that the Colombian people are committed to finding a path to a just and lasting peace. It is extremely encouraging that both the Colombian government and the FARC have indicated that they will continue to work to achieve that goal.\n\u201cI had the great privilege of traveling to Colombia to witness the vote, and it was inspiring to see the democratic process in action.\u00a0 Based on my conversations with Colombians on both sides of the referendum, I came away more impressed than ever with their resilience and capacity for forgiveness.\u00a0 \u00a0\n\u201cAs a combat veteran, I know firsthand that the emotional wounds of war heal slowly.\u00a0 After more than half a century of violence, the United States has a responsibility to continue to support Colombia as its leaders seek a way forward. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that we provide that critical assistance in the difficult months ahead.\u201d\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-leads-bipartisan-letter-support-colombia-peace-process", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Leads Bipartisan Letter of Support for Colombia Peace Process", "2016-09-30", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego sent a letter to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos to congratulate him for concluding the peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and to express support for continued American assistance to Colombia as the government begins the difficult work of implementing the agreement.\nThe full letter can be found here.\nThe letter was signed by 63 Members of Congress: Reps. Gallego, Byrne, Rooney, Poe, Issa, Gosar, Buddy Carter, Engel, Lowey, Adam Smith, Conyers, McGovern, Farr, Hank Johnson, McDermott, Cicilline, Pocan, Keating, Wasserman Schultz, Dingell, Crowley, Serrano, Ruppersberger, Torres, Beyer, Takano, David Price, Honda, DeFazio, Norton, DeSaulnier, Yarmuth, Castor, Schakowsky, Hastings, Lowenthal, Cardenas, Frankel, Cartwright, Israel, Van Hollen, Lee, Edwards, Meeks, Castro, Garamendi, Capuano, Titus, Waters, Polis, Gutierrez, Watson Coleman, Deutch, Grayson, Himes, Linda Sanchez, Doggett, Welch, Pingree, Ellison, Grijalva, Rush, and O\u2019Rourke. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nRep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) said, \u201cThe historic peace agreement signed this week will put an end to suffering and violence that the people of Colombia have endured for over half a century. But significant challenges remain, and Congress must support Colombia during the implementation and reconciliation process. At this critical moment, Democrats and Republicans should come together to ensure that America is just as committed to helping Colombia secure peace as we were to helping Colombia wage war.\u201d\nRep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL) said, \u201cI applaud the signing of the Colombia peace agreement. This is a major achievement and a significant step toward peace and stability in the region. Colombia is a strong partner of the United States, and I am committed to continuing to support our neighbors in Colombia as the process moves forward.\u201d\n\u201cWe are happy to see bipartisan U.S. Congressional support for the Colombia\u2019s peace accord and commitment by U.S. lawmakers to provide robust assistance as post-accord implementation moves forward,\u201d said Gimena Sanchez, Senior Associate, Washington Office on Latin America.\n\u201cThe peace accords offer Colombians a second chance on this earth: to build a nation in which ideas are defended with words, not weapons. The United States should stand by and support Colombia as it implements these accords so that a just and lasting peace takes root,\u201d said Lisa Haugaard, Executive Director, Latin America Working Group.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-salmon-demand-answers-on-appointment-of-new-phoenix-va-director/", "Sinema, Salmon Demand Answers on Appointment of New Phoenix VA Director", "2016-09-30", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PHOENIX \u2014 Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09) and Congressman Matt Salmon (AZ-05) today sent a letter to President Obama calling for a reassessment of Ms. Rima Ann Nelson\u2019s appointment as permanent Director of the Phoenix VA.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cVeterans in Phoenix deserve the best possible director to lead and fix the Phoenix VA Medical Center,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cCongressman Salmon and I sent this letter because, despite recent progress,\u00a0too many\u00a0Arizona veterans\u00a0have lost faith in the Phoenix VA. The new director must take immediate steps to rebuild trust with the veterans community. Our veterans deserve answers, and we\u2019ll keep fighting until we get them.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWhen I first heard of the VA\u2019s latest appointment in Phoenix, I immediately felt it must be some sort of a cruel joke.\u00a0 After working with the Phoenix veteran community for years, I know they deserve better,\u201d said Congressman Salmon. \u201cI\u2019m glad to be joined by Congresswoman Sinema in writing this letter to the President in the hopes that we can secure for Arizona\u2019s veterans the care they deserve and not import the problems faced by other VA hospitals.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tRead the full letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2240", "Grijalva, Schakowsky Call for Moratorium on For-Profit Detention Contracts & Transparency in DHS Review", "2016-09-29", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representatives Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson calling for a moratorium on for-profit detention centers and transparency in the \u00a0upcoming review by a subcommittee of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) over Immigration and Customs Enforcement\u2019s (ICE) reliance on for-profit immigrant detention centers.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am glad that an HSAC subcommittee is finally reviewing ICE\u2019s reliance on for-profit detention centers, but the credibility of the review depends entirely on its transparency and objectivity,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cOur nation\u2019s values hang in the balance of their findings. We cannot afford for this process to be undermined by an opaque investigation or by the influence of people who are financially invested in the outcome. Furthermore, the very fact that the policy is under review should mean a total moratorium on new contracts until the results are known.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIt\u2019s long past time that United States stopped using private corporations to run immigration detention facilities across the United States,\u201d said Rep. Schakowsky. \u201cThese private corporations profit from millions of taxpayer dollars while allowing inhuman conditions to persist including severe overcrowding including of women and children.\u00a0 Many of those detained are refugees fleeing horrific violence.\u00a0 I was pleased when the Department of Homeland Security announced a review of private immigration facilities in August, but I strongly urge them to shut them down entirely and to follow the lead of the Department of Justice who ended their contracts with private prisons. That is why I am proud to stand with Representative Raul Grijalva and Senator Bernie Sanders in leading the fight to shut these detention facilities down once and for all.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe full text of the letter is available here.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/leaders-future-forum-introduce-bill-provide-student-debt-relief-young", "Leaders of the Future Forum Introduce Bill to Provide Student Debt Relief for Young Entrepreneurs", "2016-09-29", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Yesterday, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) introduced the Relief and Investment for Student Entrepreneurs (RISE) Act. The bill will make it easier for millennials to launch new business ventures by offering a 3-year deferment period for federal student loans, interest-free, to entrepreneurs who have earned a college degree in the past five years.\nThe bill also incentivizes job creation in economically-challenged communities by enabling young people who start businesses in those areas to receive up to $17,500 in student loan relief.\nRep. Ruben Gallego said, \u201cFor far too many young people, crushing student loan debt has put the dream of starting a small business on hold. By relieving some of that burden, we can help grow our economy and bring jobs to areas where Americans are struggling to find work. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to introduce the RISE Act. Entrepreneurship has long been driving force in our economy, and we shouldn\u2019t let student debt stand in the way of job creation.\u201d\nRep. Eric Swalwell said, \u201cAs chair of Future Forum, a group of young Democratic Members of Congress focused on the issues and opportunities important to millennials, I have heard a familiar refrain from young people across the nation \u2013 that the weight of student loan debt is holding them back from making major life decisions, like starting a business or buying a home. The RISE Act helps to encourage young people to pursue new business ventures by lightening the heavy burden of student debt. It takes an important step toward preserving the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit so characteristic of our nation, and I appreciate the opportunity to lend my support.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2239", "Grijalva Announces $2M in Grants Promoting Diversity in Education", "2016-09-27", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today announced nearly $2 million in grants from the Department of Education\u2019s Hispanic-Serving Institutions STEM Program that have been awarded to the Yuma/La Paz Counties Community College District and the Pima County Community College District \u2013 East Campus. The funds, which will help both institutions develop and carry out activities to improve and expand the institution\u2019s capacity to serve Hispanic and other low-income students, are budgeted from October 2016 through September 2017. Both grants are anticipated to extend for 5 years, which would bring considerably more funding in the years to come.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am pleased to see the Department of Education recognize the good work that both of these school districts are doing by providing growth opportunities and professional development to students who otherwise would have neither,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cEducation is the single greatest avenue to upward mobility in our society, but only for those with access to it. We must ensure equal opportunity in our schools so the next generation of leaders is every bit as diverse as the American people.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-congratulates-city-phoenix-housing-department-2", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Congratulates the City of Phoenix Housing Department on $2 Million Grant Award", "2016-09-27", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that the City of Phoenix Housing Department has been awarded a $2 million grant through its Jobs-Plus Initiative Program. The grant will help low-income public housing residents to secure higher paying jobs by connecting them with employment opportunities, educational advancement, and financial literacy services.\nRep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:\n\u201cAt a time when many working families are struggling to make ends meet, this grant award will help Phoenix residents to obtain the training and skills they need to find and compete for higher paying jobs.\n\u201cI want to congratulate the City of Phoenix Housing Department on receiving this significant award, which will help put more hardworking people on the path to success.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2234", "Rep. Grijalva Urges Federal Funding for Nogales Sanitation Project", "2016-09-26", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today filed an amendment to the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (H.R. 5303) to require the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission to provide resources for Nogales Sanitation Project, including the International Outfall Interceptor (IOI), a major sewage line that runs from Nogales, Sonora under the Nogales Wash to a treatment plant in Rio Rico, Arizona. The amendment needs to gain approval from the Republican majority on the Rules Committee to receive a vote on the House floor.\r\n\r\n\tThe Army Corps of Engineers recommended a critical update to address issues of uncontrolled storm waters transporting garbage and contaminants to the U.S. city of Nogales. The pollutants pose public health risks and are exacerbated by annual storms and the unique problems associated with an international sewer line.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cFor too long, the people of Nogales have faced unnecessary health risks from uncontrolled waters and pollutants flowing through the Santa Cruz River,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThe amendment I submitted today would help ease the financial burden the City of Nogales faces in addressing this situation, and ensure the federal government upholds its responsibility to protect our citizens.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tPrior to the ban on earmarks, Rep. Grijalva worked each year since 2004 to secure funding for the Nogales Wash / Chula Vista and International Outflow Inceptor projects through the appropriations process.\u00a0 He included an authorization for additional appropriations in his Border Infrastructure and Jobs Act, first introduced in 2011.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2235", "Grijalva Congratulates UofA, Local Tribal Partners in Grant Award to Prepare Teachers & Administrators", "2016-09-26", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today congratulated the Arizona Board of Regents and the University of Arizona for receiving more than $300,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Education Indian Education Professional Development Program. The budget period will run from October 2016 through the end of September 2017, but is expected to ultimately become a four-year grant. Rep. Grijalva released the following statement:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am thrilled to see the good work that the University of Arizona is doing to promote academic capacity within Tribal communities is being bolstered by the Department of Education,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThis grant will help build capacity within tribal communities by training and preparing members to serve as educators, including in the Tohono O\u2019odham Baboquivari Indian Oasis School District, Gila River Community Schools, Sacaton Public School District, Pascua Yaqui Tribal Education Department, Tohono O\u2019odham Community College and Tucson Unified School District. I congratulate the U of A and all of their partners in developing and implementing this program with an indigenous focus, and look forward to the bright young minds it will undoubtedly create.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-signing-colombia-peace-agreement", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on the Signing of the Colombia Peace Agreement", "2016-09-26", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) will sign a landmark peace agreement. If ratified by the Colombian people, the agreement will end more than 50 years of violent conflict that claimed more than 220,000 lives and displaced over 6 million people.\nRep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:\n\u201cThe historic peace agreement signed today will put an end to the suffering and violence that the people of Colombia have endured for over half a century. This milestone is indicative not only of the Colombian government\u2019s commitment to peace, but also of the Colombian people\u2019s remarkable capacity for healing and forgiveness. I want to congratulate President Juan Manuel Santos, who demonstrated bold leadership throughout this long and arduous process.\n\u201cDespite this success, significant challenges remain. It is important that the Colombian government now ensures that the peace agreement is carried out in a manner that will promote the rights of the victims and honor their demands for truth and justice.\n\u201cAfter standing with Colombia through decades of war, the United States must continue to stand with the Colombian people as they work to build a just and lasting peace. Robust assistance will be critical to implementing this agreement, and I remain committed to ensuring that the Colombian government can continue to count on strong support from Congress at this important time in their history.\u201d\nCongressman Ruben Gallego is the first Colombian-American Member of Congress.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2232", "Grijalva, Sanders Call for US Marshalls Service to End Reliance on For-Profit Prison Industry", "2016-09-19", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) today sent a letter to Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch urging she direct the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to follow the Bureau of Prisons\u2019 (BOP) lead in phasing out private prison contracts as they come up for renewal.\r\n\r\n\tThe letter reads in part:\r\n\r\n\tWe ask that you use your existing authority to hold USMS facilities to the same standards as BOP by immediately initiating a review of privately operated prison and detention centers under their jurisdiction and beginning a phase-out of all for-profit prison contracts moving forward.\r\n\r\n\tRep. Grijalva released the following statement:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe Department of Justice\u2019s decision directing the Bureau of Prisons to sever ties with the private prison industry was a vital and necessary first step towards ending our nation\u2019s involvement with this morally reprehensible industry,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cBut it was exactly that \u2013 a first step. The DOJ should immediately build on this progress and review the U.S. Marshal Service\u2019s for-profit prison contracts. They should disassociate from captivity profiteering immediately. A larger portion of USMS\u2019s prison population sleeps on privately operated beds than BOP\u2019s, making their use of private contractors an even greater concern. Until they, and others like the Department of Homeland Security do, our nation will remain ensnared in financial dealings that undermine our values and promote human suffering. That is simply unacceptable.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe full text of the letter is available here.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-congratulates-city-phoenix-federal-safer-grant-hire-50", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Congratulates City of Phoenix on Federal SAFER Grant to Hire 50 Firefighters", "2016-09-15", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 The City of Phoenix Fire Department was awarded more than $9 million by FEMA\u2019s Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grants program to hire 50 firefighters over the next two years.\nRep. Gallego released the following statement:\n\u201cPhoenix firefighters regularly put their own safety on the line to protect the lives and property of our city\u2019s residents. This new grant will allow the City of Phoenix Fire Department to hire dozens of new firefighters to help keep our community safe and improve our emergency services.\n\u201cI want to congratulate the City of Phoenix Fire Department on receiving this significant award, and thank Fire Chief Kara Kalkbrenner for her leadership in making sure that her department can quickly and effectively respond to calls for assistance.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-passing-gov-rose-mofford", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on the Passing of Gov. Rose Mofford", "2016-09-15", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Rep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement on the passing of former Arizona Gov. Rose Mofford:\n\u201cI am saddened to hear of the passing of Gov. Rose Mofford, Arizona\u2019s first female governor and a true public servant. Gov. Mofford demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the people of Arizona over more than 50 years of service, and served as a role model to many of our leaders. Her ability to transcend partisanship for the sake of bettering our communities is something to which we should all aspire.\n\u201cAs we mourn her loss, we also celebrate Gov. Mofford\u2019s life, leadership and legacy. My prayers are with her family and friends during this time.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-statement-on-passing-of-governor-mofford/", "Sinema Statement on Passing of Governor Mofford", "2016-09-15", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PHOENIX \u2013 Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema released the following statement on the death of Governor Rose Mofford:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cGovernor Mofford embodied the true meaning of public service \u2013 a tireless, thoughtful leader who always put the people of Arizona first. She was a trailblazer and an Arizona legend. She was a dear friend and role model for me. Governor Mofford\u2019s legacy will live on in Arizona forever.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-supports-legislation-to-hold-va-accountable-fire-poorperforming-employees/", "Sinema Supports Legislation to Hold VA Accountable, Fire Poor-Performing Employees", "2016-09-15", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema voted with a bipartisan majority to pass the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016, legislation reforming the VA benefits claim process and giving the Secretary of Veterans Affairs new authority to hold VA employees accountable and improve performance at the VA.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIt took more than two years to remove three leaders responsible for the tragedies at the Phoenix VA,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cIt\u2019s outrageous that it takes this long to fire employees responsible for the poor treatment of veterans. Today\u2019s legislation gives the Secretary of the VA the authority to hold employees accountable and change the culture of the VA to finally put veterans first.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 authorizes the VA to remove or demote a VA employee based on performance or misconduct. It also strengthens protections for whistleblowers and allows the VA secretary to recoup bonuses from poor-performing employees.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-mcsally-legislation-to-stop-tax-hike-on-arizona-seniors-middle-class-families-passes-house/", "Sinema, McSally Legislation to Stop Tax Hike on Arizona Seniors, Middle Class Families Passes House", "2016-09-14", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, the House of Representatives passed the Halt Tax Increases on the Middle Class and Seniors Act (H.R. 3590), legislation introduced by Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema and Congresswoman Martha McSally to prevent a tax increase on out-of-pocket medical expenses for Arizona seniors and middle class families.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cArizonans continue to struggle with increasing health care costs,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema.\u00a0 \u201cThis commonsense legislation allows Arizona seniors and families to deduct more of their out-of-pocket health care expenses, a relief sorely needed during tough economic times.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cMany Arizona seniors have saved their entire lives in the hopes of a secure retirement. It would be completely unfair now to hand them the bill for the runaway spending of the past few years,\u201d said Congresswoman McSally. \u201cOur bill stops this looming tax hike before it hits seniors and rolls it back on middle class families already being squeezed by it.\"\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cMany Arizona seniors already face high out of pocket medical costs,\u201d said AARP Arizona State Director Dana Marie Kennedy. \u201cIncreasing this tax deduction threshold on them will only cost them more.\u00a0 AARP is proud of the bipartisan work of Congresswoman McSally and Congresswoman Sinema to preserve this important medical deduction and help ensure seniors in Arizona with high health care costs do not also get hit with tax hikes.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tPreviously, taxpayers could deduct out-of-pocket medical expenses that exceed 7.5 percent of their adjusted growth income (AGI). The Affordable Care Act increased this threshold to 10 percent for individuals under 65.\u00a0 For individuals 65 and older, the increase is scheduled to occur in 2017. The Halt Tax Increases on the Middle Class and Seniors Act prevents that increase and returns the AGI threshold to 7.5 percent for all individuals.\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\tCongresswoman Sinema spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of the bill:\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\twatch\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Sinema full remarks here: \r\n\r\n\tThank you Congresswoman McSally for working with me to introduce this bipartisan legislation.\r\n\r\n\tI rise today in support of H.R. 3590, the Halt Tax Increases on the Middle Class and Seniors Act.\r\n\r\n\tAs the cost of healthcare shifts onto households, Congress must act to make sure that hardworking families can make ends meet.\r\n\r\n\tH.R. 3590 provides commonsense and needed relief for hardworking Arizona families.\r\n\r\n\tThis legislation returns the adjusted gross income threshold for claiming the medical expense deduction to 7.5 percent and prevents a looming tax hike on seniors.\r\n\r\n\tAccording to a 2014 CRS report, medical expenses are the second largest deduction for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of under $50,000.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tMiddle income families who itemize deductions are more likely and more able to claim this deduction than high income earners.\r\n\r\n\tAccording to 2014 IRS data, 98% of those claiming this deduction have incomes less than $200,000, and 84% claiming this deduction make less than $100,000. More than half (54%) of those who claim this deduction earn less than $55,000.\r\n\r\n\tIf we talk dollars, 94% of the dollars that went back to hardworking families to cover medical expenses went to filers who make under $200,000.\r\n\r\n\tWhile the annual growth in healthcare spending has slowed to historically low rates, the out of pocket costs for hardworking families continue to rise.\r\n\r\n\tThis legislation provides modest relief for middle class families and seniors, which is why it is strongly supported by AARP.\r\n\r\n\tAgain, I thank my colleague from Arizona for her bipartisan work on this bill. \u00a0\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-hosts-fourth-bipartisan-special-order-hour-on-veteran-suicide-prevention/", "Sinema Hosts Fourth Bipartisan Special Order Hour on Veteran Suicide Prevention", "2016-09-13", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema hosted the fourth annual bipartisan special order hour in the U.S. House of Representatives to raise awareness of veteran suicide. \r\n\r\n\t\u201cTypically, time in the House chamber is split \u2013 Republicans have one hour and Democrats have another,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema in her remarks. \u201cThis issue is too important to be overshadowed by partisan politics. That\u2019s why tonight we\u2019ve brought together members from both sides of the aisle \u2013 to show our commitment to solving this problem together and finding real solutions for our veterans.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Sinema introduced the Sergeant Daniel Somers Classified Veterans Access to Care Act to fix VA mental health care and ensure veterans with classified experiences have appropriate access to mental health services. The bill passed the House of Representatives in February.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cNo one who returns home from serving our country should ever feel like he or she has nowhere to turn,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cI am committed to working on both sides of the aisle to ensure no veteran feels trapped like Sgt. Somers did and all our veterans have access to appropriate mental health care.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tWatch here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2230", "Grijalva Congratulates Pascua Yaqui on Significant Health Grant", "2016-09-09", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today congratulating the Pascua Yaqui Tribe on receiving a $120,000 grant award from Indian Health Service (IHS) to help fund the tribe\u2019s ability to provide health care to tribal membership and to operate and manage health care programs which were previously run by IHS.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cCongratulations to my friends in the Pascua Yaqui Tribe for receiving this significant and well-deserved award,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThese funds will help the Pascua Yaqui Health Department serve the medical needs of their membership, and bolster their self-reliance as a tribe. With just eight tribes across the country receiving these awards, I am glad that IHS recognized the Pascua Yaqui as the strong investment that they are.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2227", "Grijalva Responds to Teenager's Preventable Suicide in AZ Prison", "2016-09-07", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today expressed condolences over news that an 18-year-old inmate at Perryville Prison in Arizona committed suicide after being held in solitary confinement despite suffering from multiple mental illnesses. Mariam Abdullah took her own life on July 19th, merely a month after aging out of the minors unit and moving to the adult facility. Mariam met with an attorney from Prison Law Office on May 24th and complained that she was not receiving the programming, unstructured out-of-cell time and mental health services required by law. In a letter dated June 7th, the Prison Law Office relayed these concerns to Arizona Assistant Attorney General Lucy Rand, but no response was ever received. Rep. Grijalva released the following statement:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cMy heart breaks for young Mariam, for her family and her friends,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cI extend my deepest condolences, but no amount of sympathy can give back the life that was lost here as a result of callous indifference and neglect. Our nation\u2019s heavy-handed reliance on incarceration is welldocumented and continues to erode our ideals for a moral and justsociety. It promotes a culture within the system that ultimately allowed for this young girl to suffer in isolation while her medical needs went ignored.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cSolitary confinement is cruel and unusual punishment, period. We can do better in Arizona and around the country than to rely on such inhumane treatment \u2013 especially when the person in isolation is a child at the time. I urge the State of Arizona, and the officials whose actions and lack thereof directly impacted Mariam\u2019s fate, to learn from this tragedy. There is a dire need for immediate evaluation of both mental and physical health standards and conditions in Arizona. Furthermore, it\u2019s beyond time to end the use of unjustified and damaging solitary confinement, once and for all.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tRep. Grijalva has long advocated for the end of solitary confinement. He is a co-sponsor of the Protecting Youth from Solitary Confinement Act (H.R. 2823) and the Solitary Confinement Study and Reform Act (H.R. 3399) which would establish a national commission to study the use of solitary confinement. The commission would issue a report and a set of best practices for the Department of Justice to consider in creating a separate and independent set of rules for federal prisons to follow.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/gallego-touts-local-businesses-state-district-speech", "Gallego touts local businesses in State of the District speech", "2016-09-06", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman also calls for education reform, transportation infrastructure improvements\nU.S. Rep.\u00a0Ruben Gallego said Thursday that fostering local business is not only important to the economy but to the Arizona community, as well.\n\u201cWhat people are looking for right now is attachment, an attachment to something in their city,\u201d Gallego\u00a0said in his first State of the District speech in Phoenix. \u201cWhen we look at what that means is that people form attachments to local businesses and local organizations.\u201d`\nGallego, D-Ariz., spoke\u00a0to about 70\u00a0local business leaders at the Vintage 45 event space in downtown Phoenix's warehouse district\u00a0on how the district's\u00a0state could affect\u00a0them now and in the future. His speech was presented\u00a0in partnership with Local First Arizona.\n\u201cLocal First has always been a resource for me in terms of thinking about legislation and policy that actually enables our local businesses not only to survive, but to thrive,\u201d Gallego said.\n Education reform \nGallego, who represents Arizona's 7th Congressional District, informed leaders not just about issues affecting their businesses, but also about issues that could effect residents throughout the district and state. One such issue is education reform.\n\u201cWe must ensure that a college degree is obtainable for every American that wants one,\u201d Gallego said. \u201cThe skyrocketing price of higher education is holding our students and our country back.\u201d\nWhile in Congress Gallego has been a proponent of legislation that supports a path to a debt-free higher education. He said he believes the social and economic consequences caused by student loan debt are harmful to the nation\u2019s future.\n\u201cForty\u00a0million Americans are currently burdened by student loans, with an average balance of $29,000,\u201d Gallego said. \u201cThis debt is preventing young people from buying homes, starting families and launching new businesses.\u201d\n Public transportation \nIn addition to education, Gallego emphasized the importance of public transportation systems and the impacts they have on the city. He called it\u00a0a national problem that many Phoenix residents and businesses struggle with daily.\n\u201cBusinesses that promise on time delivery can no longer be hamstrung by congested roads and rail-systems,\u201d Gallego said. \u201cOur 21st\u00a0century economy desperately needs a 21st\u00a0transportation infrastructure.\u201d\nGallego said he continues to address this need for new infrastructure in\u00a0his work in Washington.\n\u201cI am proud to say I hope to secure more than $17 million in federal funding projects that will make Phoenix a better place to live and an easier place to get around,\u201d Gallego said.\nIn addition to advocating for federal funding, Gallego said he is aware of the specific transportation needs of his home district. One of the areas he is invested in is the light rail extension.\n\u201cI am also a very strong supporter of the Phoenix to Scottsdale light rail extension\u00a0that will link members of that community to employment centers and vital public services,\u201d Gallego said.\n Reactions \nOne of the entrepreneurs who attended the event, Ben Smith of Unexpected Art Gallery, said he\u00a0was especially pleased with the level of knowledge Gallego had on the subject of issues faced by Phoenix businesses.\n\u201cI liked knowing that he has helped a lot of local businesses and that he has grown through that whole industry,\" Smith said. \"It is very refreshing. Also for us, being Phoenix based, it helps knowing that there is someone who gets our local economy.\u201d\nThroughout Gallego\u2019s update, he honed in on what local business leaders need to know about the federal government that could affect them on a local level.\n\u201cIt is really important that the congressman demonstrated that he is aware of a variety of issues,\u201d Local First Executive Director\u00a0Kimber Lanning\u00a0said. \u201cThere was a diverse array brought up here that can affect businesses, and he was able to bring us up to speed about what is happening.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gallegos-labor-day-statement", "Rep. Gallego's Labor Day Statement", "2016-09-06", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement in celebration of Labor Day:\n\"On Labor Day, let's celebrate the hardworking men and women of America and reflect on the tremendous progress that the labor movement has made to improve the lives of working families.\n\"Let's thank those who sacrificed and who sometimes were threatened or fired for standing up for the idea that Americans should have the ability to work hard and provide for their families, and do so with dignity and security.\n\"And let's commit to keep fighting - for a higher minimum wage, for policies that will allow hardworking immigrants to come out of the shadows, and for fair trade agreements that will protect American workers and grow our economy.\n\"Those who are able to work should be able to find good jobs with safe working conditions and fair pay that allow them to take care of their families and improve their quality of life. That's the American Dream that we celebrate this and every Labor Day.\"\n\"On Labor Day, let's celebrate the hardworking men and women of America and reflect on the tremendous progress that the labor movement has made to improve the lives of working families.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2225", "Grijalva, Schweikert Lead Bipartisan Call to Fund Memorial for 2011 Attack Targeting Former Rep. Gabby Giffords", "2016-09-01", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) was today joined by Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) in leading 31 fellow Members of Congress in sending a bipartisan letter to President Barack Obama asking him to work with federal agencies to help identify and secure federal resources to assist the Tucson community create a permanent memorial for the victims of the January 8, 2011 attack targeting former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her constituents.\r\n\r\n\tThe lawmakers\u2019 letter envisions \u201ca memorial that is not only a tribute to the fallen, but to the local and national response to a heartbreaking tragedy. It will be a place where visitors young and old can learn, not only about one horrific event, but about the resilience of a community and the durability of American democracy.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe January 8th Memorial is an important and necessary part of the Tucson community\u2019s healing process,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cWe want to pay tribute to our neighbors who were lost that day, and to those who survived but will carry the scars and memories for the rest of their lives. But we also want to honor the solidarity that shone immediately here in Tucson and around the country. As Americans who pride ourselves on our differences, we can at times lose sight of our common cause. This attack, in all of its horror, remains a reminder that when it matters most, we are one people.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe January 8th Memorial is incredibly important to Arizona,\u201d Rep. Schweikert said.\u00a0\u201cIt pays tribute to the commitment that community always comes first!\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe full text of the lawmakers\u2019 letter is available here.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2226", "Grijalva Praises Proposal for Federal Title I Education Funds", "2016-09-01", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) reacted today to the proposed regulations announced by the Department of Education ensuring federal funds provided through Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), must supplement \u2013 and may not supplant \u2013 state and local funds.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am glad to see the Department of Education proposing a regulation to ensure Title I funds will be used to supplement state and local funds in public education,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cRecent data from the United States Census Bureau shows Arizona spending less than $8,000 per student in state funds towards their public schools. It is a sad indictment that too often, we provide so little for the education of children who are so much in need. The ESSA has tremendous potential to help our kids learn, but its success is dependent on how well each state implements it. We must stop short-changing our children\u2019s futures, and that starts by implementing Supplement-not-Supplant rule proposed this week.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-ruben-gallego-delivers-first-state-district-speech-arizona-s", "Congressman Ruben Gallego Delivers First State of the District Speech in Arizonas 7th District", "2016-09-01", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Phoenix, AZ \u2013 Today, Congressman Ruben Gallego delivered the first-ever \u201cState of the District\u201d speech for Arizona\u2019s 7th Congressional District, highlighting issues affecting local businesses and Arizona\u2019s economy.\nCongressman Gallego provided an update on his work in Congress during his first term, including expanding access to mental health care services for veterans and tackling student loan debt with a debt-free college plan. He spoke about his efforts to boost local transportation and infrastructure improvements that will create middle class jobs in Phoenix and spur local economic development.\nCongressman Gallego also addressed upcoming challenges that he said he plans to tackle in the coming months and years. Those plans include working with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to lead the fight for comprehensive immigration reform and repairing and expanding the social safety net for those who become ill or lose their jobs.\nThe event took place this morning at The Vintage 45 in the historic Downtown Warehouse District. It was organized by Local First Arizona, a statewide non-profit organization working to strengthen communities by supporting and growing locally owned businesses.\nFor a full transcript of Congressman Gallego\u2019s remarks as prepared, please contact Christina Carr at christina.carr@mail.house.gov.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-helps-chicanos-por-la-causa-secure-800k-grant-economic", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Helps Chicanos Por La Causa Secure $800K Grant for Economic Development", "2016-08-31", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 The Department of Health and Human Services announced today that Chicanos Por La Causa has been awarded an $800,000 grant by the Administration for Children and Families\u2019 Community Economic Development program to support job creation and economic development in Arizona.\nThe new funding will help CPLC provide comprehensive assistance for local entrepreneurs to establish and grow current operations. The project expects to create 40 new full-time employment opportunities, most of which will be designated for low-income Arizonans.\nRep. Ruben Gallego sent a letter in April to Mark Greenberg, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, in support of CPLC\u2019s grant application.\nRep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:\n\u201cAt a time\u00a0when working families are struggling to make ends meet, this project will allow CPLC to invest in and help grow local businesses that will create jobs for low-income Arizonans.\n\u201cI want to congratulate CPLC on receiving this significant award, which will help the organization to continue its important economic and community development work in Arizona.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-va-grants-address-veteran-homelessness", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on VA Grants to Address Veteran Homelessness", "2016-08-31", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced more than $300 million in grant awards under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program to help low-income veteran families prevent homelessness.\nVeterans\u2019 support programs in Arizona will receive more than $8 million in funding under the program to support outreach, case management, and other assistance to prevent veteran homelessness and rapidly re-house those who do become homeless.\nRep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:\n\u201cWhen I returned from Iraq, I saw friends and fellow Marines struggle to find employment and steady housing. Readjusting to civilian life isn\u2019t easy. Too many veterans and their families find themselves without a place to live as they tackle the mental, physical and social challenges that veterans face when they return from combat duty.\n\u201cI am glad that this new funding from the VA will help the many Arizona organizations who are working so hard to help prevent and eliminate veteran homelessness.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2223", "Grijalva, Sanders Respond to DHS Review of For-Profit Prison Use", "2016-08-29", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) issued statements today after Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced that the agency will review its use of private detention facilities.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am glad the Department of Homeland Security is reviewing its reliance on the for-profit prison industry to detain immigrants to our country,\u201d Grijalva said.\u00a0\u201cThis step is a tacit admission that the corporations who profit by locking up desperate adults and children undermine our decency as a nation. DOJ\u2019s announcement last week that it would cut ties with incarceration profiteers was welcome, but long overdue. I hope that DHS\u2019s review is a signal that they will follow suit. Until they do, their association with this industry will continue to besmirch their reputation as servants of the American people, and prolong the black eye that for-profit detention has given our nation\u2019s reputation around the world.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva and Sanders asked the Department of Homeland Security last week to end its use of private, for-profit detention facilities.\r\n\r\n\tThey also joined forces last September to introduce the Justice Is Not For Sale Act, which would ban private prisons, end family detention and remove Immigration and Custom Enforcement\u2019s (ICE) daily mandate to fill 34,000 beds with detainees.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe Department of Homeland Security should follow the lead of the Department of Justice and phase out for-profit, privately run immigration detention facilities. These private prisons cost more and are less humane,\u201d Sanders said.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-historic-peace-deal-between-colombian", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on the Historic Peace Deal Between The Colombian Government and FARC", "2016-08-24", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, the Colombian government and the FARC rebel group signed a historic peace accord, ending more than five decades of conflict in the country.\nRep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:\n\u201cThe peace deal announced today between the Colombian government and the FARC rebel group marks the end of the longest running conflict in our hemisphere.\u00a0\n\"This deal is the result of many years of hard work and compromise, and I thank the negotiators for paying special attention to the rights of victims on all sides. As with any major conflict, there will be challenges ahead as Colombia recovers from this time of turmoil and it is my hope that the nation will come together as they welcome this long-awaited peace.\n\"I extend my congratulations to President Santos for his bold leadership in seeking a fair and just end to this conflict. I also call on Congress to commit to strong support of our ally during this critical juncture in Colombian history.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-visits-ability-dynamics-through-kyrsten-means-business-program1/", "Sinema Visits General Dynamics Missions Systems", "2016-08-24", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Scottsdale, Ariz. \u2013 Through her Kyrsten Means Business Program, Congresswoman Sinema heard from employees and toured the facilities at Scottsdale\u2019s General Dynamics, an AZ-09 aerospace and defense company. \r\n\u201cGeneral Dynamics is a leading producer of new, innovative technology,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cTheir groundbreaking equipment is used on the battlefield to improve communication and keep our troops safe.\u00a0 They also continue to create high-tech, high wage jobs for Arizona families. We\u2019ll continue working to support defense companies like General Dynamics to protect our country and improve our economy.\u201d\r\nThe equipment built in Scottsdale defends networks against dynamic threats by developing, deploying and sustaining encryption products, systems, and services. General Dynamics has established a global presence in secure communications systems, command and control systems, imagery sensors and cyber products.\r\nScottsdale is a top facility for design, engineering, production and testing. The facility has approximately 2,300 employees manufacturing some of the nations most advanced equipment, including the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) and Manpack Radio.\r\nThe WIN-T delivers voice and data communications wherever and whenever soldiers need them without the need for fixed infrastructure. The AN/PRC-155 Manpack radio is the U.S. Army\u2019s first fielded two-channel, software defined radio that connects to the new Mobile User Objective Satellite (MUOS) network, providing soldiers with clear, smartphone-like voice communications wherever they are deployed. Congresswoman Sinema has been a champion for full or increased funding to the WIN-T and Manpack Radio programs.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-huffman-gallego-and-ellison-applaud-department-veterans-affairs", "Reps. Huffman, Gallego, and Ellison Applaud Department of Veterans Affairs for Banning the Large-Scale Display of Confederate Flags on VA Cemeteries", "2016-08-23", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.- The large-scale display of Confederate flags in national veterans cemeteries will no longer be allowed, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced in a letter to Congress. The policy change came at the urging of Reps. Jared Huffman (D-CA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Keith Ellison (D-MN), and 82 other members of Congress.\u00a0\nUnder this new policy, Confederate flags will never be allowed to be displayed from any flagpole in a VA national cemetery. This new change to National Cemetery Administration policy will be implemented consistent with an amendment to the VA funding bill for fiscal year 2017 offered earlier this year by Reps. Huffman, Gallego, and Ellison.\n\u201cThe Confederate flag is a symbol of racism and hatred, and it is a painful reminder of a terrible time in our history,\u201d said Rep. Gallego. \u201cI\u2019m pleased to hear that the VA is taking this first step to ban this symbol of intolerance in VA cemeteries where we honor American heroes. The Confederate flag does not represent the values our veterans fought to defend, and we shouldn\u2019t permit it to be displayed at all in places where we pay tribute to their sacrifices.\u201d\n\u201cThis month we have seen the Confederate battle flag sold and displayed at Donald Trump rallies and proudly unfurled at a so-called \u2018White Lives Matter\u2019 protest.\u00a0 While racist individuals and groups continue to embrace the Confederate battle flag, it has never been more clear that this anachronistic symbol of hatred, slavery, and insurrection should not be promoted or gratuitously displayed on federal property,\u201d said Rep. Huffman. \u201cThat\u2019s why I am so grateful that the Department of Veterans Affairs responded to our letter and to public concerns and decided to prohibit the large-scale display of Confederate flags on our national veterans cemeteries.\u201d\n\u201cFor decades, the Confederate battle flag has been the symbol of racist groups and individuals like the Ku Klux Klan and Dylann Roof, who murdered nine worshipers at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina,\u201d said Rep. Ellison. \u201cBut the Confederate battle flag is more than a symbol of racism \u2013 it is also a symbol of treason. We must not forget or dishonor the brave men and women who died during the Civil War fighting for liberty and freedom. The flag of their enemies should not fly over their graves. The announcement by the Department of Veterans Affairs ending large-scale displays of the Confederate battle flag will ensure that their sacrifices continue to be honored.\u201d\nDespite the House\u2019s overwhelming approval of the Huffman-Gallego-Ellison amendment during floor consideration of the VA appropriations bill, a final version of the legislation omitted the prohibition on Confederate flag displays and was approved by party-line vote.\nThe policy change does not apply to individual gravesites.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2220", "Grijalva, Sanders Ask DHS to End For-Profit Prison Use", "2016-08-22", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 \u2013 Following the Department of Justice\u2019s recent decision to end its use of for-profit prisons, Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) asked the Department of Homeland Security Monday to end its use of private, for-profit detention facilities.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cGiven the impact on detainees, the high cost to taxpayers and the Department of Justice\u2019s recent decision, we believe the Department of Homeland Security can and should immediately begin phasing out for-profit, privately run immigration detention facilities,\u201d Grijalva and Sanders wrote in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson. \u201cAs each contract comes to the end of its term, the department should either decline to renew the contract or substantially reduce its scope.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tCommunity-based alternatives to detention are more cost-effective and provide the necessary resources to ensure undocumented immigrants complete immigration proceedings. Individuals in alternatives to detention appear in court 99 percent of the time and comply with removal 84 percent of the time. Increasing the use of alternatives to detention could save the federal government more than $1.4 billion a year.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tGrijlava and Sanders introduced legislation last year with Reps. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) and Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) to ban private prisons.\r\n\r\n\tTo read the letter, click here.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2218", "Grijalva, Sanders Respond to DOJ Announcement Ending Reliance on Private Prisons", "2016-08-18", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) today released statements responding to the Department of Justice announcement that it will end its use of private prison.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe Department of Justice announcement that it is ending its reliance on for-profit prison corporations is welcome news, but it is long overdue,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cIt is not breaking news that these facilities that have fueled mass incarceration in our country are more costly, less effective and more dangerous than those run by the government. I\u2019m glad that DOJ has finally recognized these facts, but their actions alone are not enough. Until DHS and state governments around the country break ties with these corporations, justice in this country will continue to be undermined by private profit motives, and innocent people will continue to suffer.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis isn\u2019t simply unjust detainment \u2013 this is the exploitation of human captivity \u2013 including young children \u2013 for the sake of money. People die in these facilities because companies refuse to pay for adequate medical care. People starve because they have no other means of taking a stand against the injustices inmates face besides hunger strikes. These corporations are eroding the moral fabric of our nation. I urge all government actors with ties to this morally bankrupt industry to follow DOJ\u2019s lead and end their contracts without delay.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva and Sanders joined forces to introduce the Justice Is Not For Sale Act in September of 2015, which would ban private prisons, end family detention and remove Immigration and Custom Enforcement\u2019s (ICE) daily mandate to fill 34,000 beds with detainees. In addition, the bill would reinstate the federal parole system, require ICE to improve monitoring of detention facilities, require ICE to use Alternatives to Detention, and increase oversight to prevent companies from overcharging inmates and their families for services like banking and telephone calls.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cOur criminal justice system is broken and in need of major reforms,\u201d Senator Sanders said. \u201cThe Justice Department\u2019s plan to end its use of private prisons is an important step in the right direction. It is exactly what I campaigned on as a candidate for president.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIt is an international embarrassment that we put more people behind bars than any other country on earth. Due in large part to private prisons, incarceration has been a source of major profits to private corporations. Study after study after study has shown private prisons are not cheaper, they are not safer, and they do not provide better outcomes for either the prisoners or the state.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe have got to end the private prison racket in America as quickly as possible. Our focus should be on keeping people out of jail and making sure they stay out when they are released.\u00a0 This means funding jobs and education not more jails and incarceration.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-visits-ability-dynamics-through-kyrsten-means-business-program2/", "Sinema Visits Ability Dynamics through Kyrsten Means Business Program", "2016-08-18", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TEMPE, Ariz. \u2013 Through her Kyrsten Means Business Program, Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema heard from employees at Tempe\u2019s Ability Dynamics, a medical device company that manufactures and distributes innovative prosthetic feet.\u201cAbility Dynamics is an example of the incredible medical innovation happening in Arizona\u2019s 9th district,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cThese groundbreaking prosthetics are improving the lives of patients, including veterans in Arizona and across the country.\u201dThe RUSH foot previously met the reimbursement criteria under Medicare, private insurance, and the VA. \u00a0Earlier this year, the VA made changes to their reimbursement codes leaving veterans who were prescribed the RUSH foot unable to obtain the device.Congresswoman Sinema led a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald asking for an explanation for the coding change and a justification for the difference between the VA\u2019s reimbursement determination and Medicare\u2019s reimbursement determination.\"We share the same goals of efficiently using taxpayer dollars to provide veterans with the best possible care,\" wrote Congresswoman Sinema. \"We look forward to working with you to improve transparency and accuracy in coding, and to improve the overall quality of care available to veterans.\"Read the full letter here.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2217", "Grijalva Congratulates Estrella Mountain Community College on Diversity Grant", "2016-08-17", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today congratulated Estrella Mountain Community College on being awarded more than $500,000 by the U.S. Department of Education under the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program. Rep. Grijalva released the following statement:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am thrilled to see Estrella Mountain Community College receive this well-deserved funding to help expand educational opportunities for Hispanic students,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cDuring the 2014-2015 academic year, 45.6% of Estrella Mountain Community College\u2019s student population was Hispanic. HSI\u2019s play a critical role in graduating students of color, and it is vital for the federal government to continue to provide funding opportunities that will strengthen the capacity of these institutions. A quality education can open the door to upward mobility in our society, and this grant will help Estrella Mountain ensure that opportunity is shared with diverse and deserving future leaders. I can\u2019t wait to see the myriad ways that these students will take their education and change the world for the better.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-joins-arizona-seniors-for-silversneakers-workout1/", "Sinema Joins Arizona Seniors for SilverSneakers Workout", "2016-08-16", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PHOENIX \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema joined the Coalition for Medicare Choices and Arizona seniors for a Healthways SilverSneakers workout and discussion about the Medicare Advantage program.\r\n\u201cWhen I meet with Arizona seniors to talk about health care, they are concerned most about rising costs and decreasing choice,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cI will continue to work across the aisle to find commonsense solutions that drive down cost, increase choice, spur innovation, and improve the quality of care provided to our seniors.\u201d\r\nCongresswoman Sinema was named a 2016 Medicare Advantage Champion by the Coalition for Medicare Choices for her leadership to strengthen Medicare Advantage for Arizona seniors.\r\nMore than 444,000 Arizonans and 40 percent of Medicare beneficiaries in Arizona\u2019s 9th district choose Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Advantage plans consistently receive high customer satisfaction ratings and help to control cost, drive innovation and improve health outcomes for seniors.\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gallego-4th-anniversary-implementation-daca", "Rep. Gallego on the 4th Anniversary of the Implementation of DACA", "2016-08-15", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today marks the 4 year anniversary of the implementation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.\nRep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement:\n\u201cOver the past four years, the DACA program has allowed thousands of young immigrants who were raised in the United States to come out of the shadows and become active members of our communities and active contributors to our economy.\n\u201cWhile Republicans repeatedly refused to take steps to fix our broken immigration system, President Obama took action to create commonsense policies designed to allow hardworking immigrant families to remain together.\n\u201cThe positive impact of the DACA program has been well-documented, and President Obama\u2019s plan to expand DACA and implement a similar program for the parents of U.S. citizen children (DAPA) would have opened up those benefits to more people in our communities.\n\u201cI remain committed to fighting for that program, as well as permanent solutions to fix our broken immigration system. I call on my Republican colleagues in Congress to abandon the divisive, hateful rhetoric espoused by some in their party, and instead work with Democrats to finally pass comprehensive immigration reform.\u201d\n\u00a0\n##", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2215", "Grijalva Celebrates 81st Anniversary of Social Security, Urges Program Expansion", "2016-08-12", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today marked the 81st anniversary of the enactment of the Social Security program, which President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed into law on August 14, 1935. \u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cSocial Security has delivered the promise of a secure retirement and vital disability support to countless Americans for more than eight decades,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThis earned benefit is an investment we all make to ensure every American is treated with the dignity they deserve after a lifetime of work. In Arizona alone, more than 1.2 million people receive Social Security benefits, including more than 107,000 people in the 3rd District which I represent, each receiving on average more than $1,000 per month.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThese funds are vital for my constituents, as they are for the nearly 60 million Americans all across the country who rely on Social Security. Stagnant wages and growing income inequality have robbed too many working families of the means they need to save for retirement. With more and more people relying on Social Security as their primary means of income in retirement, it is absolutely vital that we strengthen and expand the program. By expanding benefits and requiring the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share in payroll taxes, we can secure the program\u2019s future and help American families adapt to this new economic reality.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tSocial Security\u2019s economic impact extends beyond the seniors and families receiving benefits \u2013 it also benefits state economies and local businesses all across the country.\u00a0 Nearly 60 million Americans spend $883 billion in Social Security benefits nationwide each year \u2013 supporting businesses with dollars they wouldn\u2019t have without Social Security.\r\n\r\n\t# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-obama-signs-bill-name-phoenix-post-office-after-congressman-ed", "President Obama Signs Bill to Name Phoenix Post Office After Congressman Ed Pastor", "2016-08-02", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 On Friday, President Obama signed a bill to rename the United States Post Office located at 522 North Central Ave in Phoenix as the \u201cEd Pastor Post Office.\u201d\nThe proposal (HR 4010) was introduced by Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), and was strongly supported by the entire Arizona Congressional delegation.\nCongressman Pastor represented the people of Arizona for twelve terms, from 1991 until his retirement in 2015. He was the first Hispanic American elected to Congress from the State of Arizona.\nA video of Rep. Gallego\u2019s floor speech in support of the proposal can be found here.\nRep. Gallego issued the following statement:\n\u201cThroughout his life, Congressman Pastor has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to public service, and I am extremely grateful that we are able to recognize him in this way.\n\u201cCongressman Pastor has earned a reputation as a tireless advocate for the people of Arizona. I am committed to following in his footsteps and continuing his fight to preserve our environment, to protect the civil rights of every American, and to invest in our nation\u2019s transportation infrastructure.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/arizona-democratic-congressional-delegation-applauds-cms-approving-plan", "Arizona Democratic Congressional Delegation Applauds CMS for Approving Plan to Re-Open CHIP Program", "2016-07-27", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it approved Arizona\u2019s plan to re-open enrollment for KidsCare, the state\u2019s Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program, after the program had been frozen for several years.\nThe state has estimated that 30,000 to 40,000 children will be eligible for coverage once the freeze ends on July 26.\nEarlier this year, the Arizona Democratic Congressional Delegation sent a letter urging federal authorities to provide clarity and reassurances that full federal funding would be made available after KidsCare was enacted. The letter was signed by Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01), Ra\u00fal Grijalva (AZ-03), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) and Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09).\nRep. Ruben Gallego said, \u201cThe reinstatement of KidsCare is a meaningful step forward that will ensure that the children of working families in Arizona \u2013 just like kids in every other state \u2013 are guaranteed access to quality health care. The fight to re-open enrollment was a hard-fought battle, and I\u2019m glad that CMS has approved the plan. A parent\u2019s income should never restrict a child\u2019s access to lifesaving health care, and I\u2019m glad the children in our state will finally get the care they need to grow up healthy and happy.\u201d\n\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to see Arizona\u2019s KidsCare reinstated,\u201d Rep. Ra\u00fal Grijalva said. \u201cWhen state politicians froze the program in 2010, more than 45,000 children gradually lost coverage; our state became 49th in the nation for its rate of uninsured children; and the rate of uninsurance among the former KidsCare income eligibility range rose to a striking 16.5 percent. So many of us were appalled at the harm this decision was causing the most vulnerable among us, and we fought hard over the past six years to make health coverage for our children a reality. Thanks to those efforts, an estimated 30,000-40,000 uninsured children living in our state have a chance at healthier lives and brighter futures, and our state has the opportunity to take back a misstep that never should have lasted as long as it did. Both are good reasons for Arizonans to be celebrating today.\u201d\n\u201cReopening KidsCare is the right thing to do for Arizona families and children,\u201d said Rep.\u00a0Kyrsten Sinema. \u201cThat\u2019s why I worked with my colleagues, with the state and with CMS to make this a reality. Hardworking Arizonans just want to keep their children healthy and provide better futures for their families, and reopening KidsCare helps families take care of their kids.\u201d\nRep. Ann Kirkpatrick said, \u201cI\u2019m thrilled the enrollment freeze is ending, which will allow thousands of kids across Arizona to become eligible for KidsCare. This is an urgently needed change, because Arizona ranks 49th in the nation for its rate of uninsured children. That ranking is unacceptable because it\u2019s more than just a number \u2013 it\u2019s a reminder that our state is failing its children. We must do better, so this announcement is welcome news.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2213", "Grijalva Praises KidsCare Re-Opening", "2016-07-26", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today praising the reinstating of Arizona\u2019s Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), also known as KidsCare. Enrollment in the program, which provides vital health coverage to children in low income families, has been frozen since 2010, making Arizona the only state in the Union not to offer a CHIP program for needy children. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has formally approved Arizona\u2019s plan to re-open the program.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to see Arizona\u2019s KidsCare reinstated,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cWhen state politicians froze the program in 2010, more than 45,000 children gradually lost coverage; our state became 49th in the nation for its rate of uninsured children; and the rate of uninsurance among the former KidsCare income eligibility range rose to a striking 16.5 percent. So many of us were appalled at the harm this decision was causing the most vulnerable among us, and we fought hard over the past six years to make health coverage for our children a reality. Thanks to those efforts, an estimated 30,000-40,000 uninsured children living in our state have a chance at healthier lives and brighter futures, and our state has the opportunity to take back a misstep that never should have lasted as long as it did. Both are good reasons for Arizonans to be celebrating today.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tCongressman Grijalva has been a prominent voice calling for Arizona to restore KidsCare over the past six years. He slammed the political maneuvering on May 4th that excluded KidsCare from the State Budget, and highlighted a recent Grand Canyon Institute report demonstrating that in addition to long term health benefits for children, ending the freeze on enrollment would create approximately $75 million in economic benefits for Arizona in FY2017 alone. Prior to that, he wrote State Senate President Andy Biggs in April, advising him that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would cover the full cost of the program through 2017 and urging the program be reinstated. He opposed initial plans to freeze the program and has led efforts at the federal level since 2010 to reinstate the program.\r\n\r\n\tFamilies interested in learning more about how to enroll can visit https://www.azahcccs.gov/Members/GetCovered/Categories/KidsCare.htmlhttps://www.azahcccs.gov/Members/GetCovered/Categories/KidsCare.html\u00a0%20 or call 1-855-HEA-PLUS (1-855-432-7587).\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2212", "Grijalva Congratulates City of Tucson on Large Grant Award to Address Lead Paint", "2016-07-22", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today congratulated the City of Tucson for receiving a combined total on nearly $3 million from a Lead Based Paint Hazard Control grant award and Healthy Homes Supplemental funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Rep. Grijalva, who led the Arizona Congressional Delegation\u2019s Democratic members in writing HUD Secretary Julian Castro on behalf of the City\u2019s grant application, released the following statement:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am thrilled to see the City of Tucson receive this significant award to help our city address lead hazards in low-income housing,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cTucson has a well-documented and disproportionate burden in eliminating the threat of childhood lead poisoning. The funds HUD awarded this week will ensure that hazard is neutralized in at least 180 housing units for some of the most vulnerable children in our community. I cannot think of a more worthy cause for these well-deserved funds.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-congratulates-friendly-house-new-department-education", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Congratulates Friendly House on New Department of Education Grant Award", "2016-07-18", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 The Department of Education announced that Friendly House will receive grant funding through the Talent Search program, which provides assistance to help individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education.\nFriendly House will receive more than $260,000 per year for five years, for an estimated total of $1.3 million to fund the Friendly House/TRiO Talent Search college access program. That program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to help students finish high school and pursue post-secondary education. TRiO also provides guidance with financial aid and the college admission applications process.\nRep. Gallego released the following statement:\n\u201cFor many years, Friendly House has helped provide disadvantaged students with the tools they need to pursue further education.\u00a0 At a time when the cost of higher education is soaring, this grant will allow Friendly House to continue the important work they are doing in our community to expand access to education and training opportunities.\n\u201cI want to congratulate Friendly House on receiving this significant award. Higher education should be within reach of all Americans, and Friendly House is helping Arizona\u2019s students to achieve that goal.\u201d\n\u00a0\n##", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2210", "Grijalva Introduces Legislation to Bring Deported Veterans Home", "2016-07-14", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) introduced legislation to establish a veteran visa program which would permit eligible deported veterans to permanently return to the United States as a Lawful Permanent Resident eligible for naturalization.\r\n\r\n\tA 2008 reportissued by the Pentagon estimates that approximately 8,000 noncitizens enlist to serve our nation in uniform every year. While robust data does not exist on the number of service members who are deported for crimes as trivial as marijuana possession, advocates estimatethat at least 2,000 veterans are now living in Northern Mexican border towns.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalvas legislation comes one week after the American Civil Liberties Union of California released a report entitled Discharged, Then Discarded, which highlights how veterans who served as far back as the war in Vietnam were later deported over punitive offenses, largely as a result of two draconian immigration laws passed in 1996: the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act.\r\n\r\n\tIn April of this year, Rep. Grijalva led his colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) in introducing a Resolutionin Congress urging the update and modification of the 1996 laws.\r\n\r\n\tThe thought that people who have sacrificed so much for our nations defense and safety are kicked out with such disregard is utterly appalling, Rep. Grijalva said. When someone is willing to lay down their life for the country they love, what more could we want in a fellow citizen? This bill is about ensuring every single veteran, regardless of where they were born, is treated with the same deference and respect that they all earned through their service in uniform.\r\n\r\n\tThe full text of the Veteran Visa and Protection Act is available here.\r\n\r\n\tCosponsors for the Veteran Visa and Protection Act include: Reps. Tony Cardenas (CA-29), Judy Chu (CA-27), John Conyers (MI-13), Ruben Gallego (AZ-7), Al Green (TX-29), Luis Gutirrez (IL-4), Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15), Mike Honda (CA-17), Hank Johnson (GA-4), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Jim McGovern (MA-2), Seth Moulton (MA-6), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Mark Takano (CA-41), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Filemon Vela (TX-34), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12)\r\n\r\n\tThe Veteran Visa and Protection Act is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Drug Policy Alliance and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-republicans-defeat-rep-ruben-gallego-s-cliven-bundy-amendment-fy", "House Republicans Defeat Rep. Ruben Gallegos Cliven Bundy Amendment to the FY 2017 Department of the Interior Appropriations Bill", "2016-07-14", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today, in the latest display of Republican dysfunction in the House, a vote on Rep. Ruben Gallegos amendment to end taxpayer subsidization of ranchers, like Cliven Bundy, who engage in illegal grazing was defeated after the House GOP leadership held open the roll call and convinced Members to change their votes. This follows an earlier incident in which Speaker Ryan similarly held open a vote on LGBT protections for government contractors and 7 House Republicans switched their votes from Aye to No.\nRep. Ruben Gallegos amendment would have affirmed that grazing permits and leases should not be issued to individuals with unpaid grazing fees in contravention of BLM regulations. The amendment was intended to highlight the burden on American taxpayers of some ranchers including Cliven Bundy, who for over 20 years has refused to pay more than $1 million in grazing fees owed to the federal government for illegally grazing his cattle on public lands. While continuing to violate the law, he put the lives of local and federal officials at stake during a dangerous standoff, for which he was indicted by a grand jury on charges, including threatening and assaulting federal law enforcement officers.\nA video of Rep. Gallegos remarks upon introduction of the amendment can be found here. In his statement, Congressman Gallego noted the, double standard in Republican support for ranchers who refuse to pay their fair share and Republican criticism of Americans who refuse to accept injustice in their communities.\nRep. Gallego released the following statement:\nAfter a week of praise for law enforcement and after years of talk about restoring regular order to the House of Representatives, Speaker Ryan and the Republican leadership showed their true colors this afternoon. \nMy Republicancolleagues decided to stand up for Cliven Bundy instead of for the American taxpayers he has been ripping off for decades or for the federal law enforcement officers whose lives he has repeatedly threatened.\nIm also frustrated that once again a vote was held open as the GOP leadership furiously twisted arms on the House floor. The American people are watching and they dont like what they see.\n##", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-congratulates-new-phoenix-police-chief-jeri-williams", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Congratulates New Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams", "2016-07-14", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Phoenix, AZ  Today, the City of Phoenix announced that Jeri Williams will become the new Phoenix Police Chief, effective October 2016.\nJeri Williams spent 22 years with the Phoenix Police Department prior to becoming Police Chief of Oxnard, California where she has focused on community-based policing. In her current position, she oversaw the implementation of police body cameras and training on use of force and technology topics for more than 300 California law enforcement agencies.\nWilliams will become the City of Phoenixs first female police chief, and second African-American police chief.\nRep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:\nI want to congratulate Jeri Williams on her new position as Police Chief and welcome her back to Phoenix. I am confident that Ms. Williams vast experience and commitment to good police work with a community-based focus will be an asset to our city. Under her leadership, I believe we will make significant strides towards building greater trust between the police and our communities.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-edward-j-markey-and-congressman-ruben-gallego-introduce-new", "Sen. Edward J. Markey and Congressman Ruben Gallego Introduce New Legislation to Prevent Accidental Gun Deaths", "2016-07-12", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced new legislation that would ensure that powerful, military-style weapons dont end up in the hands of children.\nThe Help End Assault Rifle Tragedies (HEART) Act will prohibit children under the age of 16 from possessing or firing machine guns and assault weapons, including at gun shows and shooting ranges.\nSen. Markey and Congressman Gallego were joined by the four children of Charles Vacca, a firearms instructor who was killed in Arizona in 2014 by a nine-year-old who lost control of an Uzi submachine gun. A similarly tragic incident occurred in 2008 in Westboro, Massachusetts when an eight-year-old child accidentally killed himself while firing an Uzi at a gun show.\nReps. Mike Honda (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Michael E. Capuano (D-MA), and Katherine Clark (D-MA) are original co-sponsors of the House bill.\nSen. Edward J. Markey said, The small hands of children and big power of machine guns are a deadly combination.The HEART Actis simple and straightforward:It prohibits the transfer of a machine gun or semiautomatic weapon to anyone under the age of 16. Not at a gun range, not at a gun show, not while hunting, not anywhere, anytime.Assault weapons are weapons of war and should not be allowed in the hands of children.Ithank Rep. Gallego for his partnership on the HEART Act and look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important bill.\nRep. Ruben Gallego said, At a time when our country has never been more divided on the issue of guns  and at a time when our society has never owned more firearms  I believe that there is room for bipartisan compromise in working to ensure that Americans practice responsible gun ownership at all times. Incidents across the country have proven that kids and powerful firearms are a dangerous and tragic mix. This bill is a common sense step to prevent more families like the Vacca family from having to mourn the loss of loved ones in preventable accidents involving powerful weapons.\nRep. Mike Honda said, \"That a child should not have easy access to machine guns should really be beyond debate. The HEART Act represents the type of common sense legislation the vast majority of the country wants: a real effort to reduce accidental gun deaths while maintaining a reasonable right to own guns for hunting or self defense. Its time to take these powerful weapons of war out of the hands of children where they too often lead to family tragedy.\"\nThe children of Charlie Vacca said, We are grateful to Senator Markey and Representative Gallego for giving wings to our We Have a Voice movement through the HEART Act. Were now calling upon kids across the nation and their parents support this brave bill by signing our petition. Kids and assault weapons dont mix.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-fitzpatrick-legislation-to-combat-terrorist-financing-passes-house1/", "Sinema, Fitzpatrick Legislation to Combat Terrorist Financing Passes House", "2016-07-11", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sinema, Fitzpatrick Legislation to Combat Terrorist Financing Passes House\r\nWashington DC \u2013 Today, a bipartisan counter-terrorism bill introduced by Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09) and Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08) unanimously passed the House of Representatives. The National Strategy for Combating Terrorist, Underground and Other Illicit Financing Act (H.R. 5594) directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with other federal agencies, to establish a comprehensive strategy to combat the financing of terrorism and related forms of illicit finance.\r\n\u201cTerrorist organizations pose a serious threat to our national security, and it is critical that we cut off the funding that supports these groups,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cI regularly hear from Arizonans who are concerned about the safety of their families and fellow Americans. This legislation is a commonsense solution that ensures the United States denies funding to terrorists and protects America and our allies.\u201d\r\nThis legislation creates a strategy that assesses the effectiveness of the United States\u2019 current efforts to fight terrorist financing and aligns future efforts with broader national security goals. It will improve coordination between law enforcement at all levels and establishes priorities and objectives for preventing terrorist financing.\r\nCongresswoman Sinema spoke about her legislation on the House Floor:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFull remarks below: \r\nThank you Chairman Hensarling and Ranking Member Waters.\r\nOver the course of the past year, the Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing has found that US government efforts to counter the financing of terrorism lack sufficient coordination, and that the United States has no unified national strategy to guide our counter financing efforts.\r\nThe federal government must change its approach and mindset to counter the financing of terrorism.\r\nThis is why Chairman Fitzpatrick and I introduced bipartisan legislation to direct the Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with relevant federal agencies, to establish a whole-of-government strategy to combat the financing of terrorism and related forms of illicit finance.\r\nThis strategy must include:\r\n \r\na critical assessment of the effectiveness of U.S. efforts to fight terrorist financing;\r\nways to improve coordination with international, state, and local law enforcement, and the private sector; and\r\na comprehensive discussion of threats, goals, objectives, and priorities for disrupting and preventing terrorist financing.\r\n \r\nThe strategy should enhance detection, deterrence and prosecution, and ultimately strengthen our broader national security goals.\r\nOur legislation forces the federal government to create a whole-of-government strategy to counter terrorism financing that improves the effectiveness of our efforts and better aligns these efforts with our broader national interests.\r\nTerrorism is an undeniable threat to our country\u2019s security and global stability. Terrorist networks constantly develop new ways to finance their deadly operations and threaten America.\r\nThe Islamic State is one of the world\u2019s most violent, dangerous, and well financed terrorist groups. To keep our country safe, we must be one step ahead of IS, cutting off its funding and stopping its efforts.\r\nThank you Chairman Fitzpatrick and Congresswoman Velazquez for working with me on this important legislation. Thank you Chairman Fitzpatrick and Ranking Member Lynch for your leadership on the Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to keep money out of terrorists\u2019 hands and build on our progress to strengthen America\u2019s security.\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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-votes-protect-veteran-preference-federal-hiring", "House Votes to Protect Veteran Preference in Federal Hiring", "2016-07-08", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Last night, the House approved an amendment to the financial services appropriations bill introduced by Rep. Ruben Gallego that will protect the long-standing veteran preference in federal hiring.\nRep. Gallego\u2019s amendment received the support of the vast majority of the House, with a 409 to 14 vote.\nA provision in the 1,700 page Senate defense authorization would have undermined this policy by preventing veterans from benefitting from the preference system if they are already employed by the federal government.\nA video of Rep. Gallego\u2019s floor speech can be found here.\nRep. Gallego delivered the following remarks after introducing his amendment:\nMr. Chairman,\nI want to begin by thanking my colleagues Congresswoman Kirkpatrick, Congressman Takano and Congressman Aguilar for joining me in offering this amendment.\u00a0\u00a0\nWe strongly believe veterans who served our nation in uniform deserve the chance to serve our nation in the federal government. \u00a0\nUnfortunately, a provision slipped unseen into the 1,700 page Senate defense authorization would severely undermine these policies across the federal government.\u00a0 Specifically, it would prevent veterans from benefiting from the preference system if they are already employed by the federal government.\u00a0\nWhile this change might seem innocuous, it could have serious negative implications for the men and women who served our nation in uniform.\u00a0 Under the Senate proposal, if a particular federal job isn\u2019t a good fit, or if a veteran wants to move up the ladder at a different agency, he or she will be deprived of this benefit.\u00a0\nMr. Chairman, this misguided provision was never the subject of a public hearing.\nIt was never the subject of a public debate.\u00a0\nIt was never the subject of a roll call vote in committee or on the Senate floor.\u00a0\nI\u2019m willing to bet the vast majority of our colleagues in the Senate had no idea this language was even in the bill.\u00a0\nAmerica\u2019s veterans deserve better.\u00a0\nWe deserve the chance to proudly and publically make our case for veterans preference \u2013 a system which has done so much to help courageous Americans returning from war to find good jobs so that they can provide for their families.\u00a0\nThat\u2019s why I\u2019m offering this amendment tonight.\u00a0 I want to give the Members of this body the chance to go on record in support of our nation\u2019s veterans.\u00a0\u00a0\nMr. Chairman, this issue is deeply personal for me.\u00a0\nWhen I got back from Iraq, I saw friends and fellow Marines struggle to find employment and to get on with their lives.\u00a0 I personally witnessed the physical and emotional toll that joblessness can take on veterans struggling to readjust to civilian life.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nSimply put, the Senate language is a step in the wrong direction.\u00a0 After years of painful progress in combating economic distress and homelessness among our veterans, now is not the time to dilute a system which has proven highly successful in promoting veteran employment.\nThe American people recognize that we owe an immense debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who fought for our freedom. \u00a0Many of them left their civilian lives behind for months\u2014or even years\u2014to risk their lives in defense of our nation.\nThe veterans preference system helps create a fair playing field for veterans by compensating them for the time they spent fighting overseas instead of working in government or the private sector.\nInstead of getting masters degrees, veterans were going door-to-door looking for insurgents.\u00a0 While other civilians built their resumes in civilian jobs, our men and women in uniform put in time away from family, in dangerous situations, with little monetary compensation.\nVeterans are not asking for a hand out. We have earned this preference through the blood, sweat and tears we have shed for our country.\nMr. Speaker, this provision sends the wrong message to our troops.\u00a0\nIt establishes the wrong policy for our government.\u00a0\nAnd it sets the wrong precedent for our future.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nOn behalf of America\u2019s veterans, I urge every Member to support this amendment.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2208", "Grijalva Congratulates PPEP on $2M Grant to Help Migrant and Seasonal Workers", "2016-07-07", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today congratulating Portable Practical Educational Preparation, Inc. (PPEP) for receiving a grant award of more than $2 million from the Labor Department\u2019s National Farmworker Jobs Program.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am gratified to see such a significant grant being awarded to support farmworkers in my home community of Tucson,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThese vital funds help migrant and seasonal workers, who are some of the most vulnerable among us, live more stable lives. We all benefit from the hard work that brings fresh food to our stores and kitchen tables, but often overlook the fact that the people working those fields face extreme challenges and hardships. This grant will help provide vital opportunities and housing for men and women who otherwise struggle from harvest to harvest. I congratulate them on this award and look forward to the tremendous impact they will have with these funds.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-s-senior-afe-act-passes-house-of-representatives1/", "Sinema's Senior$afe Act Passes House of Representatives", "2016-07-05", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema\u2019s bipartisan legislation to protect seniors from financial fraud unanimously passed the House of Representatives. The Senior$afe Act (H.R. 4538) helps law enforcement track down financial criminals who target seniors.  \u201cAmericans lose billions of dollars each year to financial fraud, and seniors are a top target,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema.\u00a0 \u201cThese financial crimes devastate their bank accounts and often go unreported. Seniors deserve to retire with dignity, and they shouldn\u2019t have to worry that their hard earned savings are at risk of fraud. This bill is a commonsense solution to help identify, report, and stop financial abuse of Arizona seniors.\u201d  Recent studies estimate nearly 1 in 5 American seniors may be a target of financial fraud or abuse. Even when financial institutions suspect abuse, the abuse may go unpunished. Current laws lack the necessary flexibility to allow financial institutions to report suspected abuse to authorities.  The Senior$afe Act, introduced with Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02), Congressman Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18), and Congressman Mick Mulvaney (SC-05), helps individuals and financial institutions communicate with the appropriate agencies when they suspect financial abuse of seniors. It also encourages firms to train employees to identify and stop financial fraud.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2207", "Grijalva Commends Improvements to Distressed Asset Stabilization Program", "2016-06-30", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today after the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced enhancements to the Distressed Asset Stabilization Program (DASP),\u00a0 which has served to purchase severely delinquent loans since 2012. In April, Rep. Grijalva wrote HUD Secretary Julian Castro raising concerns about these properties being sold off by the government at rock bottom prices to the same financial institutions that caused the housing market to crash. Grijalva suggested HUD should better utilize community-based entities. The enhancements announced today move in that direction by establishing a preferential bidding option pilot for non-profit buyers.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am happy to see Secretary Castro changing DASP for the better, and moving towards fairer competition to ensure that the very entities that cratered our housing market do not now benefit from the mess they made,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThis is about stabilizing neighborhoods and protecting consumers and the housing market from another crisis. I look forward to the impact of these new opportunities for homeowners in Arizona, including the mandatory offer of principal reduction.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-joins-local-advocates-call-common-sense-gun-violence", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Joins Local Advocates to Call for Common Sense Gun Violence Prevention Measures on National Day of Action", "2016-06-29", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego joined local Arizona advocates to call on Congress to take action to prevent gun violence. The call took place on the recently-announced National Day of Action, when advocates and Members of Congress stood up together in communities across the country to ask their elected officials to pass legislation to save lives.\nRep. Ruben Gallego said, \u201cI\u2019m tired of seeing my Republican colleagues in Congress hold moments of silence for victims of gun violence, but then refuse to take action and make simple changes that could save lives and prevent the next tragedy. When Congress returns to Washington, D.C. on July 5, I hope my colleagues will finally step up and listen to the majority of American people who agree that we should take steps to reduce violence in our communities. America expects actions, not excuses. We need to act to save lives, honor the victims of gun violence, and keep our fellow Americans safe.\u201d\nJennifer Longdon, President of Arizonans for Gun Safety, said, \u201cThe sit-in was not a publicity stunt, it was a moral imperative. As a result of gun violence, I have been sitting for 12 years. It\u2019s time to move past the stalling tactics of the gun lobby and their strangle hold on the will of the American people. It\u2019s time for action and I call upon our elected leaders to reflect the overwhelming majority of Americans who believe in sensible reforms.\u201d\nGeraldine Hills, Founder of Arizonans for Gun Safety, said, \u201cI\u2019m a lifelong Republican, but I will no longer support any candidate who opposes gun reforms. I know there are bipartisan, middle-ground, common sense things we can do.\u201d\nMari Bailey, Chapter President of the Greater Phoenix Million Mom March (part of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence) said, \u201cFor every person killed by a gun in America, two others are wounded. We make it too easy for dangerous people to get guns. These politicians who are buckling to the corporate gun lobby snuck out of the People\u2019s House at 3 in the morning to avoid a vote on live-saving bills. \u00a0We\u2019re going to hold them accountable. Enough is enough.\u201d\nFormer Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Co-Founder of the gun violence prevention organization Americans for Responsible Solutions also sent a message to Congressman Gallego and the community leaders on the call:\n\u201cJust one week after the historic sit-in on the House floor, leaders in Congress held yet another historic event to urge our elected officials in the U.S. House of Representatives to hold a vote on bipartisan legislation that protects the rights of law-abiding Americans, keeps guns out of the wrong hands, and saves lives. I want to thank Congressman Gallego for helping lead the fight against our nation\u2019s gun violence crisis. Speaking is difficult for me. But I haven\u2019t been silenced. And neither should the American people. Their Representatives must vote to make our communities safer.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-helps-city-phoenix-secure-15-million-grant", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Helps the City of Phoenix Secure $1.5 Million Grant for Revitalization of the Edison-Eastlake Community", "2016-06-28", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that the City of Phoenix has been awarded a $1.5 million grant by the department\u2019s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative to spark economic development in the Edison-Eastlake community.\nThe funding will help the city to redevelop 577 units of obsolete public housing in the Edison-Eastlake community in order to revitalize the neighborhood and encourage private investment. This project will also help leverage existing investments the city is making in the area, including enhanced bus service and a feasibility study for a light rail stop in the neighborhood.\nRep. Ruben Gallego sent a letter in January to HUD Secretary Juli\u00e1n Castro in support of the City of Phoenix\u2019s grant application.\nPhoenix was one of 10 cities awarded a total of $8 million to help stimulate affordable housing and economic development through HUD\u2019s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. The initiative is a part of the Obama Administration\u2019s effort to build \u201cLadders of Opportunity\u201d to the middle class.\nRep. Gallego released the following statement:\n\u201cThe Edison-Eastlake Choice Neighborhoods Community project has enormous potential to transform the area in order to make this neighborhood a better place to live and work.\u00a0 It will help the city to increase affordable housing options for Phoenix residents, and help to link residents to nearby schools, employment centers, and healthcare facilities.\n\u201cI want to congratulate the City of Phoenix on receiving this significant award, which will help it to make great strides toward revitalizing the Edison-Eastlake neighborhood.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2202", "Rep. Grijalva Praises Supreme Court Decision Upholding Woman's Access to Healthcare", "2016-06-27", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today praised the Supreme Court decision in Whole Woman\u2019s Health v. Hellerstedt. By a 5-3 margin, the Court struck down two provisions of an anti-abortion law in Texas \u2013 requirements that abortion providers have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital and that procedures only be performed at ambulatory surgical centers \u2013 which have already caused half of the state\u2019s abortion clinics to close.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe Supreme Court\u2019s decision today reaffirms every woman\u2019s constitutional right to determine what is best for her own body, regardless of where she lives or what financial means she has,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThe effect, and intent, of Texas\u2019 H.B. 2 was to insidiously undermine a woman\u2019s fundamental access by imposing crushing burdens on providers, causing many to close their doors and leaving women in many parts of the state with no reasonable options to receive lawful care. Sadly, some undocumented immigrant woman are completely prohibited from seeking care altogether because they would be forced to travel to locations beyond immigration checkpoints.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis decision is as much a triumph for the integrity of our Constitution as it is for women across the country. Our rights are not subject to the whims of politicians. In my home state of Arizona, anti-choice laws disproportionately prevent low-income women and women of color from obtaining a legal medical service. The effort by GOP-run legislatures around the country to undermine a woman\u2019s right to make her own health care choices does more than force a radical agenda on personal life decisions \u2013 it strips their own constituents of the protections this country prides itself on. I believe the American people deserve better than that, and I am glad to see the Supreme Court believes that too.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-supreme-court-s-decision-whole-woman-s-health-v", "Rep. Ruben Gallego on the Supreme Courts Decision in Whole Womans Health v. Hellerstedt", "2016-06-27", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego praised the Supreme Court\u2019s decision in Whole Woman\u2019s Health v. Hellerstedt, which struck down Texas House Bill 2 (H.B. 2), a state law that placed burdensome restrictions on abortion providers that would undermine a woman\u2019s constitutionally protected right to make her own health decisions.\nRep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement:\n\u201cToday\u2019s Supreme Court decision reaffirms that women deserve respect and dignity when making decisions about their health \u2013 not needless and unconstitutional barriers. This ruling should be a message to Republicans across the country that their attacks on women\u2019s rights and reproductive freedom will not stand.\n\u201cThough today\u2019s victory is an important step to protect women\u2019s constitutional rights, there are still many challenges that remain. For many low-income women and families, clinic closures and coverage bans have the same effect as a full-out ban on abortion care. We must keep working to ensure that every woman can access safe and affordable care if and when she needs it, regardless of where she lives or how much she earns.\u201d\n##", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2200", "Grijalva Works to Prevent Cherrybell Closure in Postal Reform", "2016-06-23", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today sent the following letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, urging them to include strong language in the Postal Reform Act of 2016 that prevents unnecessary postal service consolidations in the final text of the bill.\r\n\r\n\tJune 23, 2016\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\tThe Honorable Jason Chaffetz\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tChairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t2157 Rayburn House Office Building\r\n\t\t\t\t\tWashington, DC 20515\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\tThe Honorable Elijah Cummings\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tRanking Member , Committee on Oversight and Government Reform\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t2471 Rayburn House Office Building\r\n\t\t\t\t\tWashington, D.C. 20515\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 Mr. Chaffetz and Mr. Cummings,\r\n\r\n\tI appreciate your work on drafting the Postal Service Reform Act of 2016 and I write today to encourage you to include strong language to prevent unnecessary postal service consolidations in any final product.\u00a0A strong and vibrant postal service is a critical part of our economy and immediate legislative relief is necessary to retain a responsive, quality postal service in this nation.\r\n\r\n\tI am concerned that the draft legislation will not sufficiently protect postal facilities from unwarranted consolidation, including the Cherrybell Processing and Distribution Center in my district. The closure of Cherrybell would leave one of the nation\u2019s fastest growing population centers with only one processing facility, adversely impacting consumers and the business community. The partial consolidation of the Tucson center has already harmed individuals, businesses, and mailers in the community with delivery delays.\u00a0A 2015 Tucson city survey found that 84 percent of individuals and 86 percent of businesses reported a noticeable delay in their mail delivery services since the first phase of consolidation and respondents reported waiting additional days for medicines, delays in Veterans benefits and medications and delays in receipts and payments for regular business transactions.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tSpecifically, to prevent degradation in mail service and secure the future of the Postal Service, service standards should be restored to 2012 levels. The 2012 cut in standards has caused a drastic slowdown in mail processing.\u00a0Additionally, there should be language that enacts a minimum of a two year moratorium on closures.\u00a0The intended cost cutting measures of consolidation have not materialized and have actually lost the Postal Services $66 million in fiscal year 2015.\u00a0[i]\r\n\r\n\tThe bill should also include comprehensive requirements to update the feasibility studies used to propose consolidating, as the current process has been entirely inadequate. Furthermore, there is a need for greater transparency in the postal consolidation process, and a method for communities to appeal determinations made by the USPS. Finally, the bill language must ensure that \u2018postal processing and distribution centers\u2019, such as Cherrybell in Tucson, are included in the definitions section so that there is no ambiguity.\r\n\r\n\tThe United States Postal Service is critical to small businesses, millions of Americans\u2019 jobs and is especially important to rural areas across the country. Postal delays are not merely a nuisance, but can be costly in terms of health impacts and businesses\u2019 most fundamental operations, such as meeting their payroll.\u00a0It is vital that any reform bill includes clear language to prevent harmful consolidations.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tI appreciate you accepting my comments and would like to offer my staff\u2019s assistance in working on specific language for the legislation for each of the issues raised above.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tRa\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=2201", "Grijalva Responds to U.S. v. Texas Non-Decision", "2016-06-23", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today responded to the Supreme Court\u2019s 4-4 tie decision on U.S. v. Texas concerning President Obama\u2019s executive actions on immigration.\r\n\r\n\tIn November 2014, President Obama announced Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs. In February 2015, a federal district court in Texas issued an injunction against the executive orders, placing their implementation on hold and preventing them from helping millions of people. Today\u2019s 4-4 tie allows the district court decision to stand, placing an injunction on the implementation of both policies. A rehearing \u00a0can be requested due to the vacancy on the Supreme court.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cToday\u2019s 4-4 Supreme Court ruling allows a flawed injunction against the expansion of DACA and DAPA to stand, leaving vulnerable people all across the country to continue suffering under an immigration system that splinters families and betrays our values,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThe silver lining is that a 4-4 tie is not precedent setting, and I hope that the Court revisits this vital issue with the urgency it deserves.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cBut this does emphasize why the Republican refusal to confirm a ninth Supreme Court justice is so toxic to our legal system and our society. We are a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws, and both of those facts are betrayed by a political party that undermines the integrity of our highest court and attacks our president\u2019s legal efforts to help aspiring Americans. I appreciate President Obama\u2019s efforts to act where Republicans wouldn\u2019t, but in light of this ruling, he must redouble his efforts to ensure innocent families do not continue to suffer. I will continue to work with this administration and the next to create a common sense immigration process once and for all.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-us-v-texas-supreme-court-decision", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on the U.S. v. Texas Supreme Court Decision", "2016-06-23", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today the Supreme Court affirmed the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in U.S. v. Texas with a 4-4 split decision. As a result, the injunction on President Obama\u2019s immigration executive actions \u2013 the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) program \u2013 will stand. The decision does not affect those who have benefitted from the original 2012 DACA program.\nCongressman Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:\n\u201cWhile today\u2019s disappointing decision doesn\u2019t set Supreme Court precedent, it is an unfortunate setback for the immigrant families who now must continue to live in fear of separation.\n\u201cThe DAPA and expanded DACA programs are a legal, commonsense exercise of the President\u2019s longstanding authority to determine how to best use our resources and determine priorities when it comes to our immigration laws.\n\u201cThis fight is not over. I will continue to work with the tireless advocates who are fighting to protect immigrant families and to make sure that every member of our community can live in dignity.\n\u201cI am confident that this case will again be brought to the Supreme Court, and next time will be heard by a full panel of justices who will see through the political motives of this case and deliver a clear decision.\u201d\n\u201cIn the meantime, it\u2019s time for my Republican colleagues in Congress to stop playing games and start doing their jobs. Let\u2019s get to work and reform our broken immigration system.\u201d\n\u00a0\n##", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-bill-name-phoenix-post-office-after-congressman-ed-pastor", "House Passes Bill to Name Phoenix Post Office After Congressman Ed Pastor", "2016-06-21", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, the House of Representatives passed a bill (HR 4010 ) to rename the United States Post Office located at 522 North Central Ave in Phoenix as the \u201cEd Pastor Post Office.\u201d\nThe proposal was introduced by Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), and was strongly supported by the entire Arizona Congressional delegation.\nCongressman Pastor represented the people of Arizona for twelve terms, from 1991 until his retirement in 2015. He was the first Hispanic American elected to Congress from the State of Arizona.\nHR 4010 will now proceed to the U.S. Senate for consideration.\nA video of Rep. Gallego\u2019s floor speech in support of the proposal can be found here.\nRep. Gallego\u2019s remarks, as prepared:\n\u201cMr. Speaker,\n\u201cI rise in support of a bill that \u2013 in a small but significant way \u2013 honors the legacy of a Latino trailblazer and a great Arizonan, Congressman Ed Pastor.\u00a0\n\u201cMr. Speaker, Congressman Pastor dedicated his life to fighting for working families.\u00a0\n\u201cRenaming a post office in the district he represented with distinction for 12 terms is the very least that we can do to recognize his more than three decades of outstanding public service.\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cI want to thank my colleagues in the Arizona delegation for their enthusiastic support.\n\u201cI\u2019m also grateful to Chairman Chaffetz and Ranking Member Cummings for enabling this bill to come to the floor today.\u00a0\n\u201cMr. Speaker, Congressman Ed Pastor\u2019s life embodies the American Dream.\u00a0 And throughout his time in Congress, Mr. Pastor fought to make that Dream accessible to everyone, including the most vulnerable in our society.\u00a0\n\u201cAs Leader Pelosi once wrote, \u2018Ed Pastor never forgot his roots, and always worked to build a brighter future for the children of our nation.\u2019\u00a0\n\u201cThe son of a miner, Mr. Pastor was the first member of his family to go to college and received his Bachelor\u2019s degree from Arizona State University in 1966.\n\u201cAfter graduation, he taught at North High School in Phoenix before returning to ASU in 1971 to earn his law degree.\u00a0\n\u201cMr. Pastor subsequently worked on the staff of Arizona\u2019s first Latino governor, Raul Castro \u2013 a job that cemented his lifelong commitment to public service.\n\u201cMr. Pastor later served three terms on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors before being elected to the 102nd Congress in a special election in 1991.\n\u201cCongressman Pastor spent twenty-four years in this body, earning a reputation as a tireless advocate for the people of Arizona.\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to say that Mr. Pastor is the first Latino elected to Congress from our great state.\n\u201cHe was also one of the founding members of the Progressive Caucus and chaired the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in the 104th Congress.\u00a0\n\u201cIn addition, he served on the House Appropriations Committee and as Chief Deputy Whip of the Democratic Caucus.\n\u201cThroughout his career, Congressman Pastor was a passionate advocate for fixing our broken immigrating system, investing in our nation\u2019s transportation infrastructure, and protecting the civil rights of every American.\u00a0\n\u201cPerhaps even more importantly, as President Obama noted, Congressman Pastor \u2018\u2026served as a mentor and role model to young Latinos and Latinas throughout Arizona and our country.\u2019\n\u201cHe was supported in this groundbreaking work by his loving wife, Verma.\u00a0\n\u201cCongressman Pastor retired in 2014 and remains a beloved and respected figure in the City of Phoenix.\u00a0\n\u201cI\u2019m incredibly proud to follow in his footsteps as the 7th district\u2019s representative here in Washington.\n\u201cThe Pastor Post Office will join Ed and Verma Pastor Elementary School and the Pastor School of Politics and Public Service at ASU as monuments to his outstanding service to our nation.\u00a0\n\u201cYet, Congressman Pastor\u2019s legacy lives on not just in these buildings, but in the transportation projects he championed, the legislation he authored, the working families he helped and the young people he inspired.\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cMr. Speaker, I respectfully request the support of every Member in recognizing a legendary Arizonan, Congressman Ed Pastor.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-defeat-gop-attempts-block-dreamers-serving", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on the Defeat of GOP Attempts to Block DREAMers from Serving in Uniform", "2016-06-16", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Amendments to the Fiscal Year 2017 Department of Defense funding bill that would have prevented beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program from serving in the armed forces were struck down on the House floor today.\nThe amendments, introduced by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and Steve King (R-Iowa), would have prevented the Defense Secretary from enlisting young immigrants who have been granted work permits and want to serve in our nation\u2019s armed forces by stripping funding from the Department\u2019s Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program.\u00a0 This program helps to recruit individuals with in-demand skills, including special language skills needed in the fight against ISIS.\nRep. Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran who fought in Iraq and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, has led the fight to allow DACA recipients to serve in uniform.\nRep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement:\n\u201cI am pleased that my colleagues rejected Congressman King and Congressman Gosar\u2019s irresponsible attempts to revoke the Secretary of Defense\u2019s ability to enlist DACA recipients who want to fight for our country.\u00a0\u00a0 The House today sent a clear message that partisan posturing shouldn\u2019t stand in the way of national security.\n\u201cOur military needs the ability to recruit the best and the brightest to serve in uniform. DREAMers- who are Americans in every respect except on paper \u2013 should have the chance to protect the country they love and call home.\n\u201cI am glad to see that some Republicans are rejecting the tired, anti-immigrant policies promoted by the likes of Donald Trump. Now it\u2019s time for those Republicans to take a stand against the far-right wing of their party and start working with Democrats to pass comprehensive immigration reform.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/house-financial-services-committee-passes-sinema-legislation-to-protect-arizona-seniors-from-financial-fraud1/", "House Financial Services Committee Passes Sinema Legislation to Protect Arizona Seniors from Financial Fraud", "2016-06-16", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, the House Financial Services Committee passed Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema\u2019s bipartisan legislation, the Senior$afe Act, to help law enforcement track down financial criminals who target seniors.\r\n\u201cSeniors deserve to retire with dignity, and they shouldn\u2019t have to worry that their hard earned savings are at risk of fraud,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cOur commonsense legislation ensures that financial institutions can identify fraud, report it, and stop financial abuse of the elderly. We\u2019ll keep working to protect seniors and strengthen consumer protections for hardworking Arizonans.\u201d\r\nRecent studies estimate nearly 1 in 5 American seniors may be a target of financial fraud or abuse. Even when financial institutions suspect abuse, the abuse may go unpunished. Current laws lack the necessary flexibility to allow financial institutions to report suspected abuse to authorities.\r\nThe Senior$afe Act, introduced with Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02), Congressman Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18), and Congressman Mick Mulvaney (SC-05), will help individuals and financial institutions communicate with the appropriate agencies when they suspect financial abuse of seniors. It also encourages firms to train employees to identify and stop financial fraud.\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2199", "Grijalva Introduces Legislation Responding to Arizona's Faulty Primary Election", "2016-06-15", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today introduced legislation in direct response to Arizona\u2019s presidential primary election on March 22nd, which was plagued by lines lasting up to 5 hours in the desert heat and widespread reports of errors involving voter identification, registration and party affiliation, as well as complaints that polling locations were not easily accessible and lacked adequate resources, including ballots and staff.\r\n\r\n\tThe following day, Rep. Grijalva asked his constituents to share their experiences with him through an online survey. He used more than 40 firsthand accounts from that survey, as well as widespread reporting to develop The Voting Access Act. The bill requires the Election Assistance Commission to work with State election officials to establish national standards for the location and operation of polling places used in elections for Federal offices. These include:\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A requirement that no individual wait more than 1 hour to cast a ballot;\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Standards for determining the number of polling locations within a given jurisdiction;\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Standards for nondiscriminatory polling place locations, including assurance of accessibility for voters with disabilities and voters using public transportation;\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A minimum threshold for sufficient resources, which includes voting systems, ballots and electoral officials;\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Standards to ensure voters receive timely and accurate voting information, including polling locations;\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Best practices for preventing violations of election laws intended to stop intimidation or harassment.\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva\u2019s bill authorizes funds needed for states to comply with these standards. Lastly, the bill requires the Election Assistance Commission to provide Congress with a national report on party affiliation misidentification issues and recommendations on how to prevent further occurrences of it.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cArizona\u2019s primary in March was riddled with irregularities and abject failures to meet the needs of our voters,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThis debacle undermined the integrity of our election results and embarrassed our state while the nation\u2019s eyes were upon us. There is no doubt that the shortcomings were the largely a result of election changes that state officials never could have enacted on their own prior to the Supreme Court\u2019s decision in 2013 to undermine key protections in the Voting Rights Act. That ruling created a threat to our democracy that Congress must address immediately.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cOur state is now a poster case for voter disenfranchisement in the 21st century and that is completely unacceptable,\u201d Grijalva continued. \u201cThe legislation I am introducing today addresses each of the problems that were widely reported in the news and directly discussed with my office. Arizonans expect their elected officials to act when such a fundamental institution as the right to vote is undermined, and I urge my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to join me in making sure those expectations do not go unmet.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cArizona\u2019s disastrous presidential preference election was a wake-up call to the consequences of cutting back on voting locations and being shockingly unprepared,\u201d Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick said. \u201cThousands of voters were disenfranchised by outrageously long lines, party affiliation mix-ups and other problems. By establishing standards for the number of polling places, resources, polling location information and other factors, this legislation should help protect a precious right of Arizonans and all Americans \u2013 the right to vote.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe right to vote is perhaps the most sacred liberty that we enjoy as Americans,\u201d said Rep. Ruben Gallego.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a right that countless Americans fought to secure and millions died to defend.\u00a0 Yet, across our country and right here in Arizona, the right to vote is once again under attack.\u00a0 Most hardworking Americans, especially parents with young kids, don\u2019t have hours to spend waiting at a polling place to cast their ballots.\u00a0 The lines at polling \u00a0places across Maricopa County on primary day were completely unacceptable and that\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to join Congressman Grijalva in fighting to ensure that voting in our elections remain accessible to every American.\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe Voting Access Act is supported by: ACLU, NALEO, Common Sense.\r\n\r\n\tCurrent co-sponsors: Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ),\u00a0\u00a0Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC),\u00a0\u00a0John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI),\u00a0Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Brian Higgins (D-NY),\u00a0Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott (D-VA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) , Barbara Lee\u00a0\u00a0(D-CA).\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2198", "Grijalva Statement on Mass Shooting at Orlando Nightclub", "2016-06-12", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today as news broke of a shooting at a popular LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida overnight that claimed the lives of at least 50 people and left 53 others injured.\u201cMy heart breaks for the victims of last night's attack, for their families and for those in hospitals now facing a long road to recovery,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cThis was an attack on the LGBT community during Pride Month at an iconic location for the community. Nothing could be more heinous. As our nation comes to grips with the fact that this was the single worst shooting attack in US history, I urge everyone to give law enforcement the time they need to do their jobs, and the families impacted the privacy they need in this unimaginably difficult time.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2197", "Grijalva Unites Lawmakers, Advocates and Icon in Push for LGBT Data", "2016-06-09", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today led a press conference uniting lawmakers, advocates and a prominent pop culture icon behind the cause of ensuring the LGBT community is counted in our society by requiring federal surveys to include voluntary questions about gender identity and sexual orientation.\r\n\r\n\tActress and advocate Laverne Cox, Democratic Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA), as well as LGBT Equality Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), Transgender Equality Task Force Chair Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA), Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), all called for action on the HR 5373, the LGBT Data Inclusion Act, which Grijalva introduced on May 27th.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWhile the transgender community is becoming increasingly visible in society, the Census and federal surveys continue to disregard our existence, and if you\u2019re not counted, you don\u2019t count,\" said actress and LGBT advocate Laverne Cox.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cTo go uncounted in our society is to be unseen in the eyes of legislators and policy makers,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cAnti-LGBT measures are successful because conservatives don\u2019t consider the LGBT community a part of their constituency. The LGBT Data Inclusion Act will solidify the LGBT community a constituency they represent. It would also allow us to finally begin addressing challenges like poverty, homelessness and unemployment that impact this community disproportionately.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am proud to see such broad support for this important issue. I thank Laverne Cox for making the trip to Capitol Hill today, and Senator Baldwin for sponsoring a companion bill in the Senate. And I thank my Congressional colleagues for joining me in this important fight to ensure each and every one of us is counted and policies affecting the LGBT community are fact-based.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tLawmakers announced at the press conference that Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) will be introducing a companion to in the Senate.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIn order for our government to better understand and address the needs of the LGBT community, people need to have an opportunity to be counted,\u201d Senator Baldwin said. \u201cI\u2019m proud to lead the LGBT Data Inclusion Act in the Senate. By requiring federal surveys to include voluntary questions about gender identity and sexual orientation, we can better serve LGBT citizens and their families. When everyone is counted we send an important message that everyone counts in America.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tWhile some federal data on the LGBT community is currently collected, there is no centralized requirement in law ensuring that federal data collection on the LGBT community be a priority. Ms. Cox has spoken eloquently about the need for this information, which is key to understanding demographic, socioeconomic and geographic trends within the LGBT community.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe LGBT Data Inclusion Act is an important piece of legislation that will make certain that all Americans are equally counted in federal surveys,\u201d Democratic Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer said. \u201cEnsuring that everyone is counted is the first step in making sure everyone counts. When people or groups aren't counted, they run the risk of losing equal access to federal resources and assistance when it is needed.\u00a0For too long, LGBT individuals, families, and communities have been forced to live in the shadows of society. This LGBT Pride Month, it's time to end that once and for all. \u00a0I applaud Rep. Grijalva and the LGBT Equality Caucus for leading this charge.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cDiscrimination has no place in our country. To ensure that we end discrimination, it is critical that all federal agencies collect data on sexual orientation and gender identity to guarantee our policies support equal opportunity for all Americans,\u201d said\u00a0Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra (CA-34).\u00a0\u201cThe LGBT Data Inclusion Act accomplishes that goal and it\u2019s an important step in this ongoing fight for equality.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cCrafting good policy requires good data, and this bill will ensure Members of Congress and federal agencies have the information we need to ensure our LGBT brothers and sisters get the support they need and the representation they deserve,\u201d said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), Co-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. \u201cAs someone who lived through the AIDS crisis, I\u2019ve seen firsthand the effects of allowing a blind spot to exist in federal data collection efforts and I want to thank Congressman Grijalva for his efforts to close the gap.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cLGBT people often face disadvantages from hateful stereotypes and deeply misguided notions about who they are,\u201d Rep. Honda said. \u201cThe LGBT Data Inclusion Act will bring much-needed facts to the national discussion we\u2019re having on LGB and transgender people. In a time when House Republicans have an unhealthy obsession with transgender people, this bill sends one clear message: stop talking and listen.\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe know that LGBT Americans have been marginalized for decades, and when it comes to their representation in federal data, it's no different,\u201d Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman said. \u201cOur current failure to collect data about gender identity and sexual orientation keeps us from creating effective policies to solve the countless problems this community faces, and even worse, it keeps these Americans hidden in the shadows. The LGBT Data Inclusion Act will allow us to see these individuals, and give us a clearer understanding of their needs. It's a bill I'm proud to support, and urge my colleagues to pass.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe bipartisan legislation now has 80 cosponsors. It has been endorsed by the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and 23 prominent civil rights groups.\r\n\r\n\tLeading experts from the Center for American Progress, the Williams Institute, and the National Center for Transgender Equality also joined the press conference to discuss the positive impact that the LGBT Data Inclusion Act would have.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cDespite historic advancements in equality, the picture of who LGBT people are and what we need to live healthy and secure lives remains vastly incomplete,\u201d Dr. Laura E. Durso, Senior Director of the LGBT Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress said. \u201cThe LGBT Data Inclusion Act of 2016 represents a new wave of LGBT equality legislation, a push for not just legal equality, but also true lived equality. In a nation as large and diverse as the United States, understanding the varied needs and experiences of the American public remains necessary to crafting policy solutions that leave no one behind.\u00a0 LGBT people remain disproportionately likely to live in poverty, experience homelessness, and be unemployed, and while there may not be a silver bullet to solving these problems, in order to find answers, we must begin asking questions.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis legislation will help ensure that policymakers have the fullest information about LGBT people possible and can make decisions based on data and evidence rather than myths and assumptions,\u201d Adam Romero, Senior Counsel and Arnold D. Kassoy Scholar of Law at the Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law said. \u201cBy adding measures of sexual orientation and gender identity to federal surveys, we will gain crucial information about the LGBT population and all its diversity.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cGood policy is a tapestry of stories stitched together by the threads of sound data,\u201d PFLAG National Executive Director Jody M. Huckaby said. \u201cPFLAG will always be able to share the experiences of our families but need the data that the LGBT Data Inclusion Act will provide; this is why we support the introduction and passage of the LGBT Data Inclusion Act. Thank you to Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) for his leadership. We are proud to stand with him and other congressional supporters including ?Democratic Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer, Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Xavier Becerra, LGBT Equality Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, and Congressman Mike Honda to advocate for passage of this important federal legislation.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWhile transgender people are more visible in society than ever before and the subject of major national discussions, the major health, economic, and other national\u00a0surveys that help shape public policy still tell us nothing about transgender people's lives and the challenges they face,\u201d National Center for Transgender Equality Policy Director Harper Jean Tobin, Esquire said. \u201cTransgender people of all ages and backgrounds are part of our society and that should be reflected in the data we collect.\u00a0This is a critical gap that\u00a0can and should be corrected.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-statement-on-va-s-removal-of-three-phoenix-va-health-care-system-leaders1/", "Sinema Statement on VA's Removal of Three Phoenix VA Health Care System Leaders", "2016-06-08", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema released the following statement in response to the VA\u2019s removal of three leaders at the Phoenix VA Health Care System:  \u201cSince the crisis broke, we\u2019ve repeatedly called for the removal of any VA employee who fails to meet the high standards of care our veterans have earned. While I welcome today\u2019s news, this is long overdue. Our veterans deserve better. It\u2019s time for the Senate to pass the VA Accountability Act to hold employees accountable and ensure this never happens again.\u00a0 I will not rest until all Arizona veterans have the quality care they need and deserve.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-statement-on-sharon-helman-potentially-returning-to-va1/", "Sinema Statement on Sharon Helman Potentially Returning to VA", "2016-06-01", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PHOENIX \u2013 Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema released the following statement on Sharon Helman potentially returning to VA:\r\n\u201cThis is shameless. At least 40 Arizona veterans died while Helman was in charge of the Phoenix VA. It\u2019s absolutely outrageous that someone responsible for the poor treatment of veterans could get her job back. It is time for the Senate to pass the VA Accountability Act to hold employees accountable and prevent this from happening.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 162, "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": "2016"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=AZ&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 162, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AZ&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=AZ&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 162, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=AZ&year=2016&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=AZ&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "AZ", "label": "AZ", "count": 162, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=AZ&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "2016", "label": "2016", "count": 162, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=AZ", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2016-06-01,https~3A~2F~2Fsinema~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Flatest-news~2Fsinema-statement-on-sharon-helman-potentially-returning-to-va1~2F", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=AZ&year=2016&_next=2016-06-01%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fsinema~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Flatest-news~2Fsinema-statement-on-sharon-helman-potentially-returning-to-va1~2F&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 189.89474419504404, "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"}