{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"AZ\" and year = 2017 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/op-ed-rep-andy-biggs-i-kept-my-campaign-promises-introducing-or-sponsoring-these", "OP-ED: Rep. Andy Biggs: I kept my campaign promises by introducing or sponsoring these bills", "2017-12-29", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "1626 Longworth House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/gop-rep-says-mueller-must-end-his-witch-hunt-and-step-aside", "GOP Rep Says Mueller Must End His Witch Hunt and Step Aside", "2017-12-28", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "1626 Longworth House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/home-politics-tags-hillary-clinton-russia-probe-robert-mueller-fbi-special-counsel", "Rep. Biggs: Full Story of Mueller, Clinton Will Be 'Scandal of a Lifetime'", "2017-12-28", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "1626 Longworth House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/gop-lawmaker-calls-mueller-recusal-his-witch-hunt-must-end", "GOP lawmaker calls for Mueller recusal: 'His witch hunt must end'", "2017-12-27", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "1626 Longworth House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/op-ed-rep-andy-biggs-mr-mueller-end-witch-hunt", "OP-ED: Rep. Andy Biggs: Mr. Mueller, end the witch hunt", "2017-12-26", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "1626 Longworth House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/op-ed-senate-s-byrd-rule-undermines-democracy", "OP-ED: The Senates Byrd Rule Undermines Democracy", "2017-12-25", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "1626 Longworth House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A6D15C85-9017-4B79-8CBE-EF30B63AE2A5", "STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON PRESIDENT TRUMPS DECISION TO PROVIDE ANTI-TANK MUNITIONS TO UKRAINE", "2017-12-23", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on President Trumps reported decision to provide anti-tank munitions to Ukraine:\r\nPresident Trump's reported decision to provide Javelin anti-tank munitions to Ukraine marks another significant step in the right direction and sends a strong signal that the United States will stand by its allies and partners as they fight to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity. This decision is years overdue. But as Vladimir Putin continues to sow instability in Ukraine and Russian-led forces escalate their deadly attacks, it could not come at a more important time. Providing Ukraine the capabilities it needs to deter and defend against further Russian aggression will contribute to creating more stable security conditions that are necessary for a peaceful resolution of this conflict. In other words, as I have long argued, providing defensive lethal assistance to Ukraine is not opposed to a peace in Ukraine  it is essential to achieving it.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-mcsally-ratcliffe-pittenger-call-doj-investigate-obama", "Reps. McSally, Ratcliffe, Pittenger Call on DOJ to investigate Obama administrations relationship with Hezbollah", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Martha McSally", "M001197", "mcsally.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Reps. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), John Ratcliffe (R-Texas),and Robert Pittenger (R-N.C.) are calling on the Justice Department (DOJ) to investigate the Obama administrations actions to thwart the arrest and prosecution of individuals running drug trafficking and money laundering operations to fund Hezbollah.\nRecently uncovered evidence points very directly to a disturbing conclusion: that the Obama administration intentionally shielded the Iran-backed terrorist group, Hezbollah, from an ongoing investigation in order to secure the deeply flawed Iran Deal, said Rep. McSally. The American people deserve to know whether their President did indeed pick his political agenda over the safety of our country and our allies, allowing the worlds most dangerous terrorist group to continue to launder money and traffic illicit drugs to fuel their violence. This letter calls for an investigation into these incriminating facts. Our national security depends on it.\nObamas nuclear deal with Iran was a bad deal in itself  and new revelations of the illicit actions that were ignored to secure it are even worse. Unsurprisingly, the Obama administration put politics ahead of justice at the expense of national security. Weve got to ensure that painfully misguided decisions like this wont ever happen again, Rep. Ratcliffe said. \nHezbollah is one of the most ruthless terrorist organizations in the world. The allegations that Obamas administration derailed a major investigation into this barbaric terror group in order to secure the deeply flawed Iran Nuclear deal are shocking and infuriating. We need to get to the bottom of this. The American people deserve to know the truth, Rep. Pittenger said.\nThe call for an investigation comes on the heels a report released this week that the Obama administration undermined Project Cassandra, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) campaign to target Hezbollahs drug trafficking operations.\nDespite evidence that Hezbollah was running a $1-billion-a-year drug and weapons trafficking operation, laundering money and engaging in other criminal activities, Obama administration officials didnt file criminal charges for fear of jeopardizing the prospects of securing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or Iran Nuclear Deal.\nThe lawmakers, along with 18 of their colleagues, will formally call on the DOJ to launch an investigation to answer several questions surrounding the matter in January. The full text of the letter is available here or below.\n\nJanuary 2, 2017\n\n\nThe Honorable Jeff Sessions \nAttorney General\nU.S. Department of Justice \n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW \nWashington, DC 20530\n\nDear Attorney General Sessions,\nWe are deeply disturbed by recent reports that illustrate the Obama Administrations efforts to undermine Project Cassandra, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) campaign to target drug trafficking operations by the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah. We write to inquire about the steps your Justice Department will take to address the consequences of this misguided decision.\nIn 2008, the DEA found evidence that Hezbollah expanded its operations into drug trafficking and other criminal activities. Over the next eight years, DEA Agents used every tool in their disposal to track Hezbollahs illicit networks, culminating in the opportunity to file criminal charges against individuals and entities that profited from drug trafficking.\nUnfortunately, the Obama Administration allegedly instituted several roadblocks to prevent holding Hezbollah accountable for fear of jeopardizing the prospects of securing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (Iran Nuclear Deal) with the Iranian regime. According to testimony presented to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, by an Obama-era Treasury official, Katherine Bauer, under the Obama administration  these [Hezbollah-related] investigations were tamped down for fear of rocking the boat with Iran and jeopardizing the nuclear deal.\nContrary to the narrative of proponents of the Iran Nuclear Deal that the agreement would change Irans behavior, Iran has responded by continuing its destabilizing foreign policy activities, while its proxy, Hezbollah, continues to provide weapons and training to anti-American militias. The result is the further undermining of Americas national security interests, the safety of the American people, and the security of our allies  including Israel.\nGiven the Trump Administrations desire to hold the Iranian regime and its proxies accountable, we urge you to conduct a full investigation into the decision-making of the Obama Administration Justice Department as it relates to Project Cassandra. As you conduct this investigation, several questions remain:\n\n Are you aware that the Obama Justice Department declined DEA requests to file criminal charges against Abdallah Safieddine, Hezbollahs Envoy to Iran?\n \n Are you aware that the Obama Justice Department declined DEA requests to file criminal charges against the Lebanese Canadian Bank and its associates?\n \n Which individual(s) within the Obama Justice Department were responsible for delaying prosecutions of key Hezbollah entities in the hope of securing Irans approval of the Iran Nuclear Deal? If that guidance or directive came from outside the Justice Department, who and where did it come from?\n \n What steps will your Justice Department take to ensure improved interagency cooperation to address the Hezbollah threat moving forward?\n \nWe respectfully request answers to these questions in writing as well as a briefing on this matter at your earliest convenience.\nThe security of the United States and the safety of the American people and our allies depend on a thorough investigation and corrective action to ensure that the Obama Administrations misguided policy is never implemented again. We appreciate your prompt consideration and look forward to your response on this matter. Our national security depends upon it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D80A4070-A845-40C9-94FF-1608B7838971", "McCAIN BILL TO REAUTHORIZE FIRE & EMERGENCY RESPONSE GRANT PROGRAMS MOVES TO PRESIDENTS DESK FOR SIGNATURE", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator John McCains (R-AZ) bipartisan bill to reauthorize vital programs for Americas firefighters and emergency response services is now headed to President Trumps desk for signature.\r\nMcCains Fire Grants Reauthorization Act, cosponsored by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tom Carper (D-DE), would reauthorize the highly successful Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs though Fiscal Year 2023. These programs provide our nations more than one million fire and emergency services personnel access to the training, equipment and staffing they need to respond to emergency situations.\r\nFirefighters risk their lives every day to protect our citizens and keep our communities safe, said Senator McCain. Thats why we must give these brave individuals the training, resources and equipment they need for dangerous missions around the country. Im proud the President will soon sign our bill providing Americas 30,000 fire departments and emergency response services with the best possible preparation and resources.\r\nThe primary goal of AFG is protect communities and firefighters from fire-related hazards by providing eligible fire departments the financial support to train, equip and properly resource Americas emergency personnel. The SAFER program provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help increase and maintain the number of trained firefighters in local communities. Language was added to the legislation in committee that will strengthen oversight and monitoring of the fire grants to minimize the risk of waste, fraud and abuse, and create training programs to assist fire departments in properly managing the grant awards.\r\nThe first FIRE Act was passed out of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in 2000 when Senator McCain served as Committee Chairman. He has continued to cosponsor legislation to reauthorize this vital fire grant program, including through legislation in 2013 that maintained the program through 2017.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=FAA26F7F-E7FC-4E95-B6A3-D627E16D2535", "STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN ON THE PASSING OF BRUCE McCANDLESS", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement today on the passing of Bruce McCandless:\r\nIm deeply saddened by the passing of Bruce McCandless, a brilliant aviator and astronaut who dedicated his life to serving the country he loved. Bruce and I were both members of the Class of 1958 at the United States Naval Academy. As an undistinguished graduate of that class, I always looked up to Bruce  not only for his incredible intellect, but also for his character and integrity, which embodied the highest values of the United States Navy.\r\nThe son of a Medal of Honor recipient, Bruce excelled at everything he set out to do and spent his life serving a cause greater than himself. After finishing second in our class at the Naval Academy, he saw duty aboard the USS Forrestal as well as the USS Enterprise during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was later selectedas the youngest member ofNASA Astronaut Group 5 and served as a mission control communicator when Neil Armstrong first stepped foot on the moon. Bruce is perhaps best known for carrying out the first untethered spacewalk. The iconic photo of Bruce soaring effortlessly in space has inspired generations of Americans to believe that there is no limit to the human potential.\r\nBruce served his country with humility and dignity, and encouraged all of us to reach new heights. Cindy and I send our deepest condolences to Bruces wife, Ellen, their beloved children, and the entire McCandless family as they mourn the loss of an extraordinary man.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2522", "Grijalva on Continuing Resolution Vote", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Raul Grijalva released the following statement after voting no on the continuing resolution to fund the federal government until January 19, 2018.  The Republicans in Congress hold the numerical power to pass the continuing resolution without one Democrat voting for it, said Rep. Grijalva. Any potential scenario where the government shuts down rests in their hands. Despite repeated attempts by Democrats towards creating a bi-partisan continuing resolution that incorporates what the majority of Americans want, Republicans have rejected all efforts. For Republicans, passing short-term continuing resolutions every couple of months may seem like good governance, but for the rest of America, it means placing programs like CHIP, community health centers, veterans funding, and emergency disaster relief in limbo.  I cannot and will not support any continuing resolution that ignores one of the most urgent issues before Congress, protecting DREAMers. My commitment to passing a clean DREAM Act has not waivered. Congressional Republican leaders need to show their human decency and call for a vote. As Democrats have said time and time again, if a vote were called, the bill would pass. The future of DREAMers and the need for an immediate and permanent legislative relief has once again been denied, and in the meantime more than 12,000 recipients have lost their status and more continue to face the same fate every day. Funding for CHIP and veterans has been punted to a later date setting up a perfect storm for a funding crisis in March.  Republicans failure to work with Democrats means that any government shutdown would be their responsibility alone. I have not given up and my conditions for supporting any continuing resolution stand.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-statement-short-term-funding-bill", "Congressman Biggs' Statement on Short-Term Funding Bill", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Biggs released the following statement after voting against theshort-termgovernment fundingbill:\nSince 1996, Congress has adopted over 100 continuing resolutions(CR), bypassing its responsibilities to authorizespendingunder regular order.In that same time,the national debt has nearly quadrupled, leading this country to the brink of financial bankruptcy. Once again, Congressis too afraid to make the tough decisions tobalance our budget.\nThe House sent its appropriations bills to the Senate exactly fourteen weeks ago today. Instead ofdebatingthesebills, the Senatetook a pass. This isincrediblyirresponsible. The Senate must commit to passingtheir appropriations bills and balancing our federal budget. Ourgrandchildren's futuredepends on it.\n###\nCongressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizonas Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3077", "Tax Reform: They're Still Talking", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Paul A. Gosar", "G000565", "gosar.house.gov", "gosar", "https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Here's what they're saying at home...\n\nArizona Chamber of Commerce President and CEO \u2014 Glenn Hamer\n\n\u201cThe Tax Cuts and Jobs bill is the most important legislation passed by Congress to improve our economy since the 1986 tax overhaul signed into law by President Reagan.This is truly a once in a generation piece of legislation. The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry commends Congressman Paul Gosar for voting for this bill. The legislation benefits all employers through lower tax rates and immediate expensing. It will benefit employees through higher paychecks and more opportunities in the workplace.\u201d\n\nArizona Free Enterprise Club President \u2014 Scot Mussi\n\n\"The historic Tax Cuts and Jobs bill will be a shot of adrenaline for Arizona's economy. The pro-growth individual and corporate tax cuts will result in more jobs, higher wages and surge of investment into our state.We applaud Congressman Paul Gosar for supporting the most significant overhaul of our tax code since 1986. This is an achievement that will reap benefits for hardworking taxpayers for years to come.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mcsally-works-prevent-arizona-being-penalized-going-extra-mile-comply", "McSally Works to Prevent Arizona from Being Penalized for Going the Extra Mile to Comply with the Clean Air Act", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Martha McSally", "M001197", "mcsally.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DCU.S. Representative Martha McSally today introduced legislation that would prevent the 9th Circuit from penalizing Arizona and other western states for going the extra mile to comply with the Clean Air Act. Her one-sentence bill will uphold the EPAs long-standing practice of allowing states to implement contingency measures early under the Clean Air Act.\nThe Ninth Circuit gets 79% of its decisions overturnedand its no wonder, if all of their decisions are as unreasonable as this one, said Rep. McSally. States should not be penalized for going above and beyond to comply with the Clean Air Actbut that is exactly what this court ruling would do. No state should be punished for taking extra steps to be compliantbut even more unjust is the fact that this ruling puts those states, like Arizona, at a disadvantage. Its unfair that the CAA would apply differently to different states. This common sense, one sentence bill prevents an unnecessary downward spiral.\nA recent decision in the Ninth Circuit has thrown a long-standing EPA practice into question. For over 20 years, the EPA has allowed state and local governments to implement contingency measures early, that is, before such measures are required or triggered as a matter of law. Under the Clinton, Bush and Obama Administrations, the EPA allowed states early implementation of contingency measures, considering it illogical to penalize nonattainment areas that are taking extra steps to ensure attainment of the NAAQS.\nHowever, the Ninth Circuit courts recent decision, Bahr v. EPA, has undermined the EPAs long-standing approach, ruling that the EPA cannot approve contingency measures if they were implemented prior to an area failing to comply or attain a NAAQS.\nBecause of this court decision, states and territories located in the Ninth Circuitwhich include Arizonamay face the disapproval of contingency measures. Disapproval of contingency measures triggers federal sanctions under the Clean Air Act and can create significant negative impacts on economic development. It would lead to tighter controls on business and industry, and even the loss of highway funds.\nThis legislation proposes a simple, one-sentence fix to address the issues raised in Bahr. Specifically, it would enable contingency measures to be implemented early. Moving forward, it would ensure that a consistent policy is implemented across the country. This legislation preserves and does not alter the duty of a nonattainment area to comply with a NAAQS. States will still need to ensure that SIPs contain all measures that are required in order to demonstrate that they will attain a NAAQS by the applicable deadline.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ohalleran.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ohalleran-votes-fund-government-calls-passage-budget-dream-act", "O'Halleran Votes to Fund Government, Calls for Passage of Budget, DREAM Act", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Tom O'Halleran", "O000171", "ohalleran.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Tom OHalleran (AZ-01) voted to pass a Continuing Resolution to fund the government through the new year, and he slammed Congressional leaders for failing to pass a budget and a clean DREAM Act.\nWe cannot play politics with the health and wellbeing of the 22,000 Arizona children on KidsCare or the hundreds of thousands of Arizona veterans who rely on VA programs, said Rep. OHalleran. It is irresponsible for Congress to leave for the holidays with so much critical business left unfinished. We should be in session in Washington every single day until we pass a full reauthorization of CHIP and a clean DREAM Act.\nThe Continuing Resolution passed the House in a bipartisan vote, and it includes short-term funding for the Childrens Health Insurance Program and Community Health Centers through March, as well as funding for the VA Choice program.\nThis is a reckless and dangerous way to govern, continued OHalleran. Our militarys readiness and families that depend on life-saving health programs are put at risk by the failure to pass a timely budget.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-votes-to-prevent-a-government-shutdown/", "Sinema Votes to Prevent a Government Shutdown", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09) today voted on legislation to prevent a government shutdown. She released the following statement after the vote:\r\n\r\n\tI voted against a government shutdown because these partisan games are dangerous and irresponsible. Arizonans deserve better. Todays bill keeps our government open, funds KidsCare and community health centers, and ensures veterans continue receiving timely care.\r\n\r\n\tLets be clear - this is not the way government should operate. Its time for Congress to do the hard work and come up with a long-term funding solution that protects our economic and national security. Im ready to get to work.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8F5519E3-71E4-4043-855F-833E69501E85", "VIDEO: Flake Warns Against Dangerous, Hyperbolic Tax Reform Rhetoric", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Jeff Flake", "F000444", "www.flake.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), today spoke on the Senate floor regarding the hyperbolic, counterproductive, and potentially dangerous rhetoric surrounding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: \r\nThe threat posed to all of us, and to the democratic process from giving in to extreme rhetoric is not theoretical. Some of us faced it on that baseball field in Alexandria in June, and all of us have witnessed its corrosive effect on Congress, said Flake. I urge my colleagues, all of us, let us end this practice where raw politics drowns out the supplications of the better angels of our nature. Let us all be a little more humble as to our predictive powers when it comes to placing a value on the work we do here.\r\n\r\nView video of Flakes remarks here.View a prepared transcript of his remarks below.\r\n\r\n***\r\nMr. President, six months ago, on a beautiful June morning just a few miles from here in Alexandria, Virginia, a man with a gun opened fire on me and several of my Republican colleagues.\r\nIn the chaotic aftermath of that awful morning, the gunmans purpose slowly became clear. Because of our beliefs and political affiliation, this individual believed my colleagues and I deserved to die. \r\nSince that day, I have struggled to understand this thinking. How could any American look out onto a field that June morning where a bunch middle-aged men were playing baseball, and somehow see the enemy. \r\nSome of the bombastic rhetoric being offered in response to the tax reform bill passed this week has given me pause though. \r\nIf you listen to some of the hyperbolic vitriol that opponents of this bill are producing, the attitude that nearly killed my friend Steve Scalise, and threatened many more lives, begins to make a perverse kind of sense.\r\nWhen respectable public figures go on television or take to Twitter and announce that thousands, if not millions, of Americans are going to die as a direct result of the passage of a tax reform bill, what impact do we expect this to have on the thinking of many Americans? \r\nIf a person takes these outlandish statements as truth, attacking Members of Congress who supported the measure almost appears to be a moral action. \r\nThis horrifying logic could lead someone to believe that killing a few legislators might save the lives of millions of Americans.\r\nBeyond the physical danger of promoting such misinformation, these claims also do grave harm to the legislative process.\r\nHow are we expected to work together to achieve anything if one sides position is viewed as the end of America as we know it?\r\nOne my colleagues called this tax reform bill, the worst bill in the history of Congress. \r\nUpon the bills passage, one media pundit went so far as to encourage young Americans to flee their country and declared, America died tonight. \r\nFull-throated and passionate debate should always be encouraged. We all love arguing the merits of supply-side economics, but this is not that. \r\nThis is demonizing of the worst kind. \r\nIt leaves all of us in this body unable to engage in the kind of negotiations and compromise Congress was created to foster.\r\nTo be clear, this is not a problem of one party or one moment. \r\nDuring the public debate over the Affordable Care Act, members of my party engaged in similar tactics. \r\nI was in the House Chamber when one of my Republican Colleagues stood and yelled You lie! at the President of the United States.\r\nThe accusation that passage of healthcare reform would result in so-called death panels was promoted far and wide by many Republicans.\r\nOne conservative commentator suggested the government would begin educating seniors on how to end their own lives. \r\nA Republican legislator claimed the bill would put seniors in the position of being put to death by their government. \r\nThis rhetoric was wrong then and it is wrong now.\r\nThe threat posed to all of us, and to the democratic process from giving in to extreme rhetoric is not theoretical.\r\nSome of us faced it on that baseball field in Alexandria in June, and all of us have witnessed its corrosive effect on Congress.\r\nI urge my colleagues, all of us, let us end this practice where raw politics drowns out the supplications of the better angels of our nature. Let us all be a little more humble as to our predictive powers when it comes to placing a value on the work we do here.\r\nIn reality, this legislation will probably not turn out to be as good as its proponents assert, nor as bad as its opponents contend. \r\nMr. President, the country is watching. It is my hope that we, all of us, can eschew contempt and vitriol in our speech, and be more measured in our tone. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=264B5EE7-B2A0-49D8-B8C6-222590DCFD97", "STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON LATEST SERGEI MAGNITSKY ACT SANCTIONS", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement on the Trump administration yesterday releasing five new sanctions designations under the 2012 Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law and Accountability Act.Senators McCain and Ben Cardin (D-MD) co-authored the legislation:\r\nI commend the administrations decision to sanction five new individuals under the 2012 Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law and Accountability Act. Corruption and human rights abuses have become rampant in Vladimir Putins Russia, and the Magnitsky Act serves as important tool in holding Putin and his cronies accountable. I hope that these sanctions will provide the Russian people with a small measure of justice that they are deniedunder the Putin regime, and bolster the efforts of those who carry on the fight for freedom in Russia and around the world.\r\nThe designation of these individuals serves as a strong message to other would-be human rights abusers that they will face consequences for violating the basic rights and freedoms of the Russian people.It is important that the United States continue to uphold the values embodied by Sergei Magnitsky and enshrined in the Magnitsky Act: human rights, rule of law, and justice.I look forward to continueworkingwith the administration to ensure robust implementation of this vitally important law.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=86DBDD4C-647A-454D-ACE2-D0712845791A", "McCAIN ON IMPACT OF CONTINUING RESOLUTION ON MILITARY", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on the impact of a Continuing Resolution on the military:\r\n\r\nI am profoundly disappointed that leadership in Congress and the White House failed to reach agreement on a budget deal.As we wait another four weeks in hopes that Congressional leaders negotiate a compromise, the military will work overtime to keep an already dire situation from getting worse. Readiness will continue to decline. Service members will not receive scheduled training. Ship maintenance backlogs will grow. All of this in the face of a world that only gets more dangerous and where threats continue to rise. As competitors like China, Russia, and North Korea continue to rapidly advance their military and modernize their weapons, the U.S. military will wait. The additional four week Continuing Resolution will have real consequences for the Department of Defense. It will prevent 48 new starts and 24 production increases. One particularly troublesome example of this is munitions. Earlier this year, military leaders all stressed the need to repair the munitions shortfall. As the Air Force described, Our use of munitions in operations is out-pacing production. The Army identified increasing procurement of munitions as its highest priority. However, the extended Continuing Resolution will cause delays to critical weapon systems, as DOD will be unable to award contracts to systems such as the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System or the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile. In a time when more service members are dying in routine accidents than in combat, and our sailors are working 100-hour weeks, asking the military to wait another four weeks for adequate funding is unacceptableand it is a dereliction of the first and foremost duty of Congress to provide for the common defense.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=DEA274B3-6A11-4AB6-A358-91AAD348AC39", "McCAIN & CARDIN WELCOME GLOBAL MAGNITSKY SANCTIONS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSERS, CORRUPTION", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. SenatorsJohn McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, andBen Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,released the following statement today on the Trump Administrations announcement of the first list of sanctions designations for international human rights abusers and corrupt individuals under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Senators McCain and Cardin are the co-authors of the law:\r\nWe wrote the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act last year because the United States must lead the world in using the power of our financial and legal institutions to hold human rights abusers and corrupt individuals accountable for their heinous crimes. We started advancing this important goal five years ago with the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law and Accountability Act, to hold accountable the Russian officials who tortured and killed Sergei as well as those who act with impunity throughout the country, violating the basic rights of the Russian people.\r\nIn Sergeis name, and in the spirit of the many unsung and unnamed individuals around the world who have suffered human rights abuse for uncovering corruption and fighting for freedom, the United States continues to support their efforts and seek accountability and justice with the Global Magnitsky sanctions out today.\r\nThirteen people around the world have been targeted for their crimes today, as well as more than three dozen of their individual and organizational associates that fuel their criminal activities. While we would like to see a more geographically diverse and rigorous list going forward, including more of the individuals we highlighted to the Administration, overall we welcome this first edition of the Global Magnitsky list.\r\nIn particular, we welcome the sanctioning of two individuals from Russia and Burma. Artem Chayka has used his position of familial privilege as the son of Russias Prosecutor General to steer government-contracting funds to his associates and punish competitors, fueling Russias widespread corruption. And Maung Maung Soe has played a leading role in the ethnic cleansing campaign Burma has carried out against the Rohingya people of Rakhine State.\r\nWe thank the Administration for todays announcement, and express our gratitude to the career professionals whose expertise and dedication to justice made todays Global Magnitsky sanctions designations possible. We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration and the human rights community to end a global culture of impunity and ensure robust and comprehensive implementation of this landmark law.\r\nWe will continue to conduct rigorous oversight of the Magnitsky laws to ensure that the United States remains a nation guided by its values and its respect for the rule of law.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3076", "Tax 2.0", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Paul A. Gosar", "G000565", "gosar.house.gov", "gosar", "https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after passing tax reform for the second time.\n\n\u201cI am proud to vote twice to allow Americans to keep more of their own money,\u201d said Congressman Gosar. \u201cNo one knows how to spend your money better than you do. The federal government is too big and too wasteful, and this tax bill makes strides toward keeping the government out of your bank account.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am disappointed that an unelected official, the Senate Parliamentarian, was able to override the will of Congress and strip out key tax benefits for education,\u201d said Gosar. \u201cThis is a good example of how the swamp really works. One person, accountable to no one, prevented millions of children from benefiting under the tax code. This is beyond sad.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt was an honor to pass a tax reform providing relief for all Americans once, and it\u2019s an honor to do it again.\u201d\n\nHere\u2019s what they\u2019re saying back home:\n\nPresident & CEO of Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce \u2014 Lisa J. Krueger\n\n\u201cThe Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce thanks the members of Congress that voted for pro-growth reform today. Congressman Paul Gosar has been a true partner and advocate for Lake Havasu City businesses in this effort to grow jobs, improve the economy, and to make Lake Havasu City and Mohave County a better place for families and for the places where we work.\u201d\n\nChairman of the Arizona Republican Party \u2014 Jonathan Lines\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud of the delegation and especially my Congressman Rep. Paul Gosar for following through with this important legislation. This tax law will keep more dollars in Arizona and in the pockets of Arizona families.\"\n\nVice President of Southern Arizona Business Coalition \u2014 Rick Grinnell\n\n\u201cCongressman Gosar understands big and small businesses are dependent upon each other to expand economic and employment opportunities. This long overdue tax relief provides a path to a stronger economy so all can benefit. Thank you Congressman Gosar for your continued fight to provide more opportunities for low and middle income families of our great state.\u201d\n\nNFIB Arizona State Director \u2014 Farrell Quinlan\n\n\u201cNFIB would like to thank Congressman Gosar for his support for the most important small business tax cut plan in more than 30 years. His support for Main Street businesses means they will be able to reinvest their money, grow, and create jobs.\u201d\n\nExecutive Director of Arizona Rock Products Association \u2014 Steve Trussell\n\n\u201cThe ARPA team understands the gravity of this tax bill becoming law. Congressman Gosar\u2019s vote to enact a pro-growth, pro-jobs reform is a testament to his principled approach to supporting the economy. We expect this reform to greatly benefit middle class families and businesses across the Great State of Arizona\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-support-dreamers-protesting-congressional", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement of Support for Dreamers Protesting Congressional Inaction", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Rep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement:\nWhen President Trump ended the DACA program, he cast thousands of young people  our friends, our neighbors, and our colleagues  into a world of uncertainty and fear.\nIt takes immense courage to stand up to power at any time, but even more so when your life as you know it is at great risk. I have the utmost admiration and respect for the Dreamers who are taking a stand and fighting for their right to continue to live and work in the country they call home.\nI stand in full support of Dreamers like Arizonas Belen Sisa, who previously interned in my district office, and Erika Andiola, who are peacefully demanding that Congress pass the Dream Act.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=73F6812A-6609-4D6B-8702-EC5CFB947474", "Flake Statement on Tax Reform, Securing DACA Commitment", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Jeff Flake", "F000444", "www.flake.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today released the following statement:\r\nWhile I would have written a much different bill, this bill lowers the corporate tax rate in a manner that makes us globally competitive. I am also pleased that the Majority Leader has committed to bring the bipartisan DACA bill we are currently negotiating to the Senate floor in January.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=26BA6912-9A5A-42CC-80CA-DCDF48813E18", "STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION APPROVING THE SALE OF LETHAL DEFENSIVE WEAPONS TO UKRAINE", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on reports that the Trump administration has approved the sale of lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine:\r\nI welcome reports that the Trump administration has approved the sale of lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine. This decision is years overdue, but nonetheless, it comes at a pivotal moment. Ukrainians are enduring some of the worst fighting in several months as Russia has withdrawn its officers from a key ceasefire implementation mechanism and Russian-led forces have escalated their attacks in eastern Ukraine. At every turn, Vladimir Putin has chosen war instead of peace in Ukraine. So long as he makes this choice, the United States and the Free World should give Ukraine what it needs to fight back.\r\nThat is why the reported decision to authorize the sale of sniper rifles and ammunition must only be a first step. Iurge the President to authorize additional sales of defensive lethal weapons, including anti-tank munitions, and to fully utilize security assistance funds provided by the Congress to enable Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. I also urge the President and congressional leadership to ensure that any budget deal fully supports the $350 million in security assistance for Ukraine authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act signed into law this month.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=973182D8-D214-463C-B6DC-F43E896999CB", "STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN ON PHOENIX CITY COUNCILS VOTE TO NAME SKY HARBOR TERMINAL IN HIS HONOR", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement on the Phoenix City Councils unanimous vote today to name Terminal 3 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in his honor:\r\nIm deeply humbled by the Phoenix City Councils decision to designate Terminal 3 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in my name. I have rarely felt at once so honored and yet so unworthy of an honor as I do today. I want to thank Mayor Greg Stanton and the entire Phoenix City Council for this privilege, one that is shared by my predecessor and a true Arizona giant, Barry Goldwater. The great honor of my life has been to serve the people of Arizona in the United States Congress and I will strive every day to prove worthy of that honor.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/house-passes-trump-tax-cuts-arizona-delegation-splits-party-lines", "House passes Trump tax cuts; Arizona delegation splits on party lines", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "1626 Longworth House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/rep-biggs-bias-so-palpable-fbi-mueller-probe", "Rep. Biggs: 'The Bias Is So Palpable' In FBI, Mueller Probe", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "1626 Longworth House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-statement-presidential-transition-teams-right-privacy", "Congressman Biggs' Statement on the Presidential Transition Team's Right to Privacy", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Recently, we learned that the General Service Administration (GSA) inappropriately, and potentially illegally, released tens of thousands of private documents from Donald Trumps Presidential Transition Team (PTT) to Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Current law considers records produced by the PTT as private and they are afforded Fourth Amendment protections. These documents are not government property, and the GSA does not have the authority to release any of these records without due process.\nIn August, Special Counsel Mueller requested that GSA release copies of the emails, laptops, cell phones, and other materials associated with 13 PTT members responsible for national security and policy matters. Contrary to legal precedent and prior direction from the GSA General Counsel, his Deputy General Counsel turned over mountains of private communications to Mueller. He did so without notifying the PTT or redacting any private, privileged information. Congressman Andy Biggs released the following statement \nThe GSAs distribution of unredacted and private records is a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment. It appears that the request and acquiescence by the GSA Deputy General Counsel was done to fuel Special Counsel Muellers overly broad investigation. The Presidential Transition Act of 1963 ensures that transition teams receive the right to privacy and I will introduce legislation to strengthen these rights, if necessary. I will also be sending letters to the General Services Administration and Special Counsel Mueller for clarification as to the basis of the request and transfer of these privileged documents.\n###\nCongressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizonas Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-votes-pass-tax-reform-package-conference-report", "Congressman Biggs Votes to Pass the Tax Reform Package Conference Report", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  This afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 1 - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Congressman Biggs voted YES on the conference report and released the following statement:\nThis is an historic day. We promised our constituents we would cut taxes and reform our outdated tax structure. Today, we honored those commitments. I applaud my colleagues who have worked for many months  and years  to accomplish this objective.\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will provide much-needed economic relief to American individuals, families, and businesses. Families will be able to save more money to send their children to college. We are already seeing the positive economic impact based on the promise of tax reform. When this bill is signed into law, we will see an even more robust economy. We understand that the tax cuts in this legislation belong to our constituents. Our constituents are better equipped than the federal government to stimulate our economy with their hard-earned money.\nWhile this package goes a long way to keeping our promise to the American people, there is still much work to be done. We must continue to simplify our tax structure. We must cut spending. And we must reform our broken welfare system.\n###\nCongressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizonas Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3073", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Today, we made history.", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Paul A. Gosar", "G000565", "gosar.house.gov", "gosar", "https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the passing of the Conference report to accompany HR 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.\n\n\u201cToday, we made history,\u201d said Congressman Gosar. \u201cI\u2019m proud to have voted for the passing of a comprehensive, common sense and pro-growth tax reform. Until today, President Ronald Reagan was the last man to sit in the Oval Office with enough moxy and courage to reform our broken tax code. Today, his words ring true:\n\n\u201cYou can\u2019t be for big government, big taxes and big bureaucracy and still be for the little guy.\u201d\n\n\u201cAfter 31 years, we finally accomplished our long-held goal to benefit the hard working American by reducing taxes and creating jobs,\u201d said Gosar. \u201cThis bill will go to President Trump\u2019s desk with years of work behind it, and I\u2019m excited to see how it positively impacts the lives of everyday Americans.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-votes-final-passage-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act", "U.S. Rep. McSally Votes for Final Passage of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Martha McSally", "M001197", "mcsally.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Representative Martha McSally today released the following statement on House passage of the conference report to H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\nCongress voted today to put our economy in afterburner. The status quo is not putting American families first. Right now lobbyists get loopholes, special interests get handoutsand families get penalized.\nTodays landmark legislation lowers taxes across the board, increases the standard deduction, and doubles the child tax credit for hard-working Arizona families so they can save and plan. Job creators will be able to invest more of their own money into hiring more people and rewarding their employees. This bill also preserves the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit which I fought for in order to protect those facing costly child care. All told, a typical family of four earning $73,000 should see a $2,059 tax cut next year.\nThis bill also includes a provision that I dedicate to the memory of Loren Thorson, a veteran from Green Valley who was committed to protecting seniors from hidden tax hikesthreatening their lifelong savings. It was Loren who alerted me toa little known but widely felt tax increase in Obamacare, and the need to extend the Medical Expense Deduction and shield seniors from even more taxes on their medical bills. In response, I introduced the Halt Tax Increases on Seniors and the Middle Class Act to extend the medical expense deduction and worked to include it in these tax cuts today. I wish Loren were still with us today to see how his tireless work will now impact the lives of every American family facing medical expenses.\nIts time we respect Arizonans time and return their money. When we last reformed the tax systemover 30 years agoit unleashed an explosion of growth and jobs in America. Lets do it again. To read Congresswoman McSallys op-ed fully outlining her support for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, CLICK HERE.  \n\t\nRep. McSally with Loren Thorson when she presented him with a Congressional Record honoring him for his role in shaping the Halt Tax Increases on Seniors and the Middle Class Act. \nTo read her op ed in the Green Valley news on the importance of the medical expense deduction in Arizona, CLICK HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ohalleran.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ohalleran-statement-passage-partisan-tax-reform", "O'Halleran Statement on Passage of Partisan Tax Reform", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Tom O'Halleran", "O000171", "ohalleran.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, Congressman Tom OHalleran (AZ-01) voted against H.R. 1, the GOP Tax Bill, citing the expiration of tax cuts for middle-class families, lack of incentives for major corporations to create jobs in America, and the addition of trillions of dollars to our national debt.\nCongress focus from the beginning should have been on lasting tax relief for hardworking American families, but this tax plan doesnt do that. Any relief that families receive will disappear as the tax cuts expire in a few short years, said Rep. OHalleran. We should not be giving permanent tax cuts to multinational corporations while we create uncertainly for middle-class families.\nThe tax plan, passed by the House along party lines, includes a tax cut for middle-class families that sunsets in 2025. Once those cuts expire, anyone earning less than $75,000 will see their taxes increase. Additionally, the corporate tax rate is permanently lowered from 35 percent to 21 percent, and companies relocated to other countries will be taxed under a territorial system, allowing them to further avoid paying taxes on their profits.\nThe American people deserve better. This plan will drastically expand our national debt, saddling our children and grandchildren with the cost, continued OHalleran. This needs to be a bipartisan, comprehensive effort that puts money back into the pockets of working families and creates incentives to bring back good-paying to America and grow new jobs in our communities. Some in Washington say their side needs a political win, but what America needs is a win for hardworking, middle-class families.\nAccording to estimates from the independent Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation the tax plan adds an additional $1.5 trillion to the national deficit.\nO'Halleran released a video outlining his concerns with the partisan tax reform proposal. You can watch the videohere.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-passage-gop-tax-scam", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Passage of the GOP Tax Scam", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) released the following statement:\nToday, President Trump and Congressional Republicans pulled off one of the biggest heists in American history  stealing from the pockets of middle class families and workers in order to line the pockets of the already-rich.\nInstead of leveling the playing field and investing in opportunities for all, the Trump GOP has clearly demonstrated that its primary goal is to reinforce the power and increase the wealth of the party's richest donors.\nUltimately, more than 80 million households will see their taxes go up under this outrageous plan. Make no mistake -- this bill represents an attack on the American middle class.\nJust like the Trump presidency, the GOP Tax Scam is an abject failure that will come back to haunt the Republican Party.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-statement-on-partisan-tax-bill/", "Sinema Statement on Partisan Tax Bill", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09) voted against todays tax bill. She released the following statement after the vote: \r\n\r\n\tA broken Congress failed again to deliver for hardworking Arizonans. Arizonans want fiscally responsible tax reform that gives families a chance to get ahead. They are sick and tired of thebackroom deals andpartisan games that continue to put the American dream out of reach for too many.\r\n\r\n\tThis bill increases the $20 trillion debt by an additional $1.456 trillion, forces cuts to Medicare, and crowds out business lending and growth. In the long run, it raises taxes on over half of all taxpayers and doesnt simplify the tax code for businesses. That does not create jobs or help middle-class families build better lives.\r\n\r\n\tRushing through a bill for short-term political gain does not serve Arizona or the American people. When President Reagan and a Democratic Congress passed tax reform in the 80s, it took two years and bipartisan cooperation. It was hard work, and it was worth it. Americans deserve that type of leadership.\r\n\r\n\tI've repeatedly called for an open, bipartisan process because bipartisan legislation stands the test of time. Im ready to fix the problems and mistakes that will inevitably become clear as we learn more about the harmful consequences of this rushed and partisan tax bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2520", "Grijalva and Chu Call for Investigation on Sexual Assaults in ICE Facilities", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Rep. Grijalva released the following statement after he and Rep. Judy Chu led 71 Members of Congress in sending a letter to top Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) officials demanding increased accountability and transparency over claims of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment within immigrant detention facilities. The letter comes in response to a complaint filed by Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement (CIVIC) which highlights the prevalence of sexual misconduct and the lack of recourse for victims within immigrant detention facilities.     In the letter, the lawmakers highlight the fact that, The Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Homeland Security received a total of 33,126 complaints of sexual and/or physical abuse against DHS component agencies between January 2010 and July 2016, according to CIVICs complaint. Of the 33,126 complaints of sexual and/or physical abuse, the DHS-OIG opened investigations into only 225 of them, or 0.07%.     Full statements are below:     DHS and its partner agencies must be held accountable for rampant complaints of sexual assault, abuse and harassment within their immigrant detention facilities, Rep Grijalva said. Many of those being held have fled violence, have been victims of rape, or were otherwise subject to traumatic events. For DHS to carelessly dismiss, ignore, or even try to erase such serious claims is not only unconscionable but also unlawful under existing PREA protections. We have both a moral and legal obligation to prevent sexual misconduct from happening in detention centers, and further must ensure that victims have a path to legal recourse when incidents do occur.     Even more alarming are efforts undertaken to destroy records related to sexual assault in immigrant detention centers. If this were any other federal agency, there would be an outpouring of public demands for greater transparency and accountability. However, because we are dealing with victims who are always in the shadows, far away from their families and outside of the public eye, we are seeing a coordinated attempt to eliminate any evidence of wrongdoing. I strongly urge DHS and DOJ leadership to act swiftly to conduct comprehensive investigations of sexual assault in immigrant detention facilities, and for ICE to withdraw its petition to permanently destroy all records pertaining to sexual assault claims.     \"Immigrants are among the most vulnerable people  many of whom are children away from their families, said Rep. Chu. And being detained puts them completely at the mercy of others, who sometimes abuse that power in unscrupulous ways as we have too often seen over the years. That anybody should experience sexual assault, but especially anybody in these terrible conditions, is absolutely unacceptable. There are already myriad problems with immigrant detention facilities and the entire policy of treating immigrants as prisoners, but the threat of sexual assault should not be among it. We need an investigation, more oversight, and reform to ensure that we are protecting those in our care.  \"Homeland Security has established a zero tolerance policy for sexual assault, but this policy is not properly enforced,\" said Christina Fialho, an attorney and the co-founder/executive director of Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement (CIVIC). \"In fact, to our knowledge, nothing has been done to curb sexual abuse at ICE facilities since we filed our civil rights complaint in April. Instead, ICE has petitioned the National Archives to trash its records of sexual assault. Through its attempt to destroy evidence of wrongdoing, ICE is sending a message that perpetrators of sexual abuse of immigrants will be protected. We cannot allow ICE to operate with impunity behind closed doors.\"  Full text of the letter can be found here.     ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-statement-president-trump-s-national-security-strategy", "U.S. Rep. McSally Statement on President Trumps National Security Strategy: Refreshing and Absolutely Necessary", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Martha McSally", "M001197", "mcsally.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DCU.S. Representative Martha McSally today released the following statement in response to the Presidents speech outlining his national security strategy: \nToday we heard what our country has longed to hear from a Commander-in-Chief for the past eight years: a bold, proactive strategy to keep America safe and strong in an increasingly dangerous world. I commend President Trump for taking his duty seriously and delivering a plan to Congress in his first yearunlike the previous Administration, which ignored this legal requirement and only presented a national security strategy twice during two full terms in office.\nPresident Trump has already been leading with the pillars of this strategy by destroying ISIS safe havens in Iraq and Syria, protecting our nations border, and standing up to North Koreaas well as revisionist powers like China and Russia. As Chairwoman of the Border Security Subcommittee, I applaud him for rightly prioritizing regaining control of our own borders and revamping our flawed immigration system. As a retired Colonel and combat pilot, I appreciate his commitment to rebuild our neglected military so we remain the best in the world. And as a member of Congress, I look forward to continuing to work with the Administration to implement the vision and strategy he outlined today.\nThis President is focusing with resolve on the grave threats this nation face and the importance of protecting America and our clearly-defined interests Not only is his approach refreshing for the American people, it is absolutely necessary.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-president-trump-s-national-security-strategy", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on President Trumps National Security Strategy", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) released the following statement:\nPresident Trumps National Security Strategy (NSS) is the product of willful ignorance.\nThe Trump Administration has purged their so-called strategy of any mention of the empirical fact of climate change. It glosses over successful Russian attempts to undermine our elections in a serious way. It turns China into a strategic competitor, and then proposes to do very little about it. The NSS includes a promise to rebuild Americas military, yet the President and Republicans in Congress are set to waste over a trillion dollars on tax cuts for the wealthy rather than invest in Americas future military strength and domestic prosperity. The plan even accuses legal immigrants of threatening our nation despite the fact that tens of thousands of them are currently serving in our military and security services.\nIn short, this so-called strategy is undeserving of the name. And, like Trumps presidency, his NSS will fail and ultimately be replaced.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-urges-congress-pass-dream-act-end-year", "Rep. Ruben Gallego urges Congress to pass the DREAM Act before the end of the year", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) released the following statement:\n\"For thousands of Dreamers and their families, the deadline to pass a legislative solution isn't March- it's now. Every day, 122 Dreamers lose their DACA protection, are no longer able to work to support their families, and are placed at risk of deportation.\nThe clock is ticking and we must act to resolve the crisis that President Trump created by rescinding DACA. It is critical that Congress act now and include the DREAM Act in the must-pass spending bill this week.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7AE6EBA2-D37E-4E61-B687-2D92C49177C5", "STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF SENATOR JOHN McCAIN", "2017-12-17", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. At the request of Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and his family, Dr. Mark Gilbert, Chief of Neuro-Oncology at the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Cancer Institute, released the following statement today:\r\nSenator McCain has responded well to treatment he received at Walter Reed Medical Center for a viral infection and continues to improve. An evaluation of his underlying cancer shows he is responding positively to ongoing treatment.\r\nThe office of Senator McCain also released the following statement:\r\nSenator McCain has returned to Arizona and will undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic. He is grateful for the excellent care he continues to receive, and appreciates the outpouring of support from people all over the country. He looks forward to returning to Washington in January.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-leads-bipartisan-effort-begin-re-winging-rest-10-fleet", "U.S. Rep. McSally Leads Bipartisan Effort to Begin Re-Winging the Rest of the A-10 Fleet", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Martha McSally", "M001197", "mcsally.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Representative Martha McSally today led a bipartisan, bicameral group of 20 lawmakers in sending a letter request to Senate leadership and high ranking appropriators urging them to include funding for new wings for the A-10 fleet in any final FY18 spending package. The A-10 wing production line was shut down because the Obama Administration unsuccessfully attempted to mothball A-10s and cripple the fleet. These requested funds would jumpstart the production line again.\nCurrently, 110 A-10 aircraftone-third of the fleetare in desperate need of wing set replacements or the Air Force will be forced to start grounding them. A requirement to start to finish re-winging the fleet was fully funded in the FY18 House and Senate National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAAs), the FY18 NDAA conference report, and the House-passed defense appropriations bill. However, Senate Appropriations neglected to include it in their funding bill,regardless of the fact that the Air Force has re-geared up the A-10 depot line in order to sustain the A-10 fleet indefinitely.\nNow that the Air Force has confirmed that it plans to maintain the A-10 fleet well into the foreseeable future, the remaining 110 wing sets must be delivered as soon as possible. The A-10 remains the only aircraft in the U.S. military specifically designed for Close Air Support (CAS) and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). If one-third of the A-10 fleet were to be grounded, it would create a significant capability gap at a time when our service members are facing increasing threat environments,the lawmakers write in the letter. We urge you to fully fund this Air Force UPL list item as authorized/requested in any final spending package for FY18 in order to keep these battle-tested aircraft in the air and in the fight.\nAs ofAugust 30thof this year, the Warthog had dropped roughly 20 percent of all munitionsmore than any other aircraftin the fight against ISIS. The lawmakers point out that the A-10 is currently one of the U.S. militarys most utilized aircraft across multiple theaters, crucial in contingency operations against North Korea, Russian aggression in Eastern Europe, and ISIS in the Middle East.\nThanks to Rep. McSallys tireless efforts,Congress has taken clear and concrete steps to preserve the remaining A-10 fleet over the last several years. Since Congresswoman McSally was elected to the House of Representatives, she has effectively canceled the A-10s retirement and fully funded the fleet. She also worked to successfully establish a requirement for the Air Force in FY18 NDAA to maintain no less than 1,970 fighter aircraft, and the A-10 is a vital part of maintaining this force.\nThe funding amount authorized for new A-10 wings in the House, Senate, and conference NDAAs and requested in the House defense appropriations bill would allow the revival of a wing production line and begin the process of supplying these remaining aircraft with the new wings they need to keep flying safely in the future.\nPoliticos Morning Defense reported on Congresswoman McSallys letter this morning.\nThe full letter text follows.\nView a PDF of the letterHERE.\nDecember 15, 2017\n\n\nSenator Thad Cochran  Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen\nChairman, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman, House Appropriations Committee\nThe Capitol, Room S-128 The Capitol, Room H-305\nWashington, D.C. 20510  Washington, D.C. 20510\n\nSenator Patrick Leahy Representative Nita Lowey\nVice Chairman Ranking Member\nSenate Appropriations Committee House Appropriations Committee\nThe Capitol, Room S-128 1016 Longworth House Office Building\nWashington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510\n\n\nChairman Cochran, Chairman Frelinghuysen, Vice Chairman Leahy, and Ranking Member Lowey:\n\nWe write to express our grave concern regarding the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittees omission of the Air Forces Unfunded Priority List request for funding to restart A-10C Thunderbolt II wing production in its fiscal year 2018 (FY18) funding bill. The A-10C is currently one of the most utilized aircraft across multiple theaters, and this requirement was fully funded in the FY18 House and Senate National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAAs), the FY18 NDAA conference report, and the House-passed defense appropriations bill. We ask that this same level of funding be secured in any final FY18 spending package in order to prevent a critical capability gap in the operational fleet.\n\nAs you may know, the Air Force has taken the A-10C out of sunset status (after mothballing the equivalent of five squadrons, leaving only nine deployable squadrons in the inventory) in the face of growing security threats and increased operational tempo in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Korean Peninsula. The A-10 Warthog has continued to be instrumental in U.S. contingency operations around the globe, including just south of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) for critical anti-armor capabilities against North Korea, deploying to Eastern Europe and the Baltics in the face of Russian aggression, conducting missions in the South China Sea in the face of illegal Chinese military expansion in the region, and fighting the Islamic State (ISIS). In fact, as of August 30th of this year, the Warthog had dropped roughly 20 percent of all munitionsmore than any other aircraftin the fight against ISIS, and had flown 14 percent of all sorties deployed since counter-ISIS operations began in 2014. \n\nFurthermore, the A-10 is uniquely designed for life-saving missions like Close Air Support (CAS) and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). The former protects troops in harms way while the latter involves rescuing downed pilots or other isolated personnel from enemy territory before they become prisoners of war. A-10 pilots specifically train for these missions because only the A-10 has the lethality, loiter time, and survivability to succeed in each of these mission sets.\n\nCongress has taken clear and concrete steps to preserve the remaining A-10C fleet over the last several years. In FY16, Congress: fully funded the fleet, prohibited the use of any funds to retire any additional A-10s; required the Air Force to maintain a minimum of 171 combat-coded A-10s; and directed the Air Force to commission an independent assessment of the required capabilities and mission platform to replace the A-10.\n\nThe FY17 NDAA and defense appropriations bill continued this trend by: preserving the current fleet of 283 A-10s; again requiring a minimum of 171 combat-coded A-10s; mandating adequate maintainers and a regular depot schedule; protecting A-10s in the boneyard from premature destruction; and asking for a plan in conjunction with the FY18 budget request to prevent any A-10s from becoming unflyable due to wing deterioration. Congress also required the Air Force to conduct a comparison or fly-off between the F-35A and the A-10C in CAS, CSAR, and Forward Air Control-Airborne (FAC-A) missions. This provision prevented any retirements until the full operational test and evaluation (OT&E) process for the F-35A is complete and an analysis is done by the Air Force on mission gaps. This exercise has yet to occur.\n\nThe FY18 NDAA also established a requirement for the Air Force to maintain no less than 1,970 fighter aircraft. The A-10 is a vital part of maintaining this force.\n\nHowever, 110 A-10C aircraftone-third of the fleetare in desperate need of wing set replacements in order to safely continue mission assignments into the coming years. 173 A-10s have already received new wings. But, as the Air Force was considering whether to decommission the A-10 fleet, the contract for wing production was allowed expire before the remaining 110 wing sets could be completed. In September, Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, said the Air Force would be forced to start grounding some A-10s beginning in 2018 because their wings will have reached the end of their service life. Yet, in October, Gen. Pawlikowski also confirmed that the Air Force has re-geared up the A-10 depot line in order to sustain the A-10 fleet indefinitely.\n\nNow that the Air Force has confirmed that it plans to maintain the A-10 fleet well into the foreseeable future, the remaining 110 wing sets must be delivered as soon as possible. The A-10 remains the only aircraft in the U.S. military specifically designed for CAS and CSAR. If one-third of the A-10 fleet were to be grounded, it would create a significant capability gap at a time when our servicemembers are facing increasing threat environments. The funding amount authorized for new A-10 wings in the House, Senate, and conference NDAAs and requested in the House defense appropriations bill would allow the revival of a wing production line and begin the process of supplying these remaining aircraft with the new wings they need to keep flying safely in the future until we have a proven, tested replacement for its capabilities.\n\nCongress has clearly willed over recent fiscal years that the A-10C fleet be sustained in its entirety. Further, this wing funding was a top Air Force Unfunded Priority List item specifically added into both the FY18 House and Senate defense authorization bills, the FY18 NDAA conference report (which has been signed into law by President Trump), and the FY18 House defense appropriations bill, which passed the House in July. As such, we urge you to fully fund this Air Force UPL list item as authorized/requested in any final spending package for FY18 in order to keep these battle-tested aircraft in the air and in the fight.\n\nSincerely,\n\n\n\n\n Martha McSally  Johnny Isakson\n Member of Congress   United States Senator\n\n\n\n\n David A. Perdue  Walter B. Jones\n United States Senator  Member of Congress\n\n\n\n\n Mike Turner  Mike Coffman\n Member of Congress  Member of Congress\n\n\n\n\n Vicky Hartzler  Austin Scott\n Member of Congress  Member of Congress\n\n\n\n\n Ruben Gallego  Paul Cook\n Member of Congress  Member of Congress\n\n\n\n\n Colleen Hanabusa  Carol Shea-Porter\n Member of Congress  Member of Congress\n\n\n\n\n Tom OHalleran  Thomas Suozzi\n Member of Congress  Member of Congress\n \n\n\n\n Matt Gaetz  Don Bacon\n Member of Congress  Member of Congress\n\n\n\n\n Jim Banks  Earl L. Buddy Carter\n Member of Congress  Member of Congress\n\n\n\n\n Adam Kinzinger  Kyrsten Sinema\n Member of Congress  Member of Congress\n\n\nCc:\nSenator Richard Durbin\nRanking Member, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense\n\nRepresentative Kay Granger\nChairwoman, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense\n\nRepresentative Peter J. Visclosky\nRanking Member, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense\n\nSenator Mitch McConnell\nSenate Majority Leader\n\nSenator Chuck Schumer\nSenate Minority Leader\n\nRepresentative Paul Ryan\nSpeaker of the House\n\nRepresentative Kevin McCarthy\nHouse Majority Leader\n\nRepresentative Nancy Pelosi\nHouse Minority Leader", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-introduces-let-lenders-lend-act", "Congressman Biggs Introduces the "Let Lenders Lend Act"", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Biggs introduced the \u201cLet Lenders Lend Act,\u201d which permanently eliminates the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Congressman Biggs released the following statement:\n\u201cIn 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) developed rules to expand the scope of the HMDA, which was enacted in the 1970s to prevent discriminatory lending practices. It is not clear that adding more reporting requirements will have any\u00a0measurable effect\u00a0on preventing further instances of discriminatory lending. Instead, this requirement would double the paperwork that lenders fill out each time they offer a loan. This places an enormous, new regulatory burden on small and mid-size lenders.\n\u201cI believe that Congress should determine appropriate banking regulations \u2013 not unelected bureaucrats at the CFPB. I trust that CFPB Acting Director Mick Mulvaney is committed to this principle, and I know he is already working to restore Article I authority to the legislative branch. However, it is incumbent on Congress to codify these necessary regulatory rollbacks into law. Earlier this year, the House passed the \u201cFinancial CHOICE Act\u201d (H.R. 10), which includes a provision to delay implementation of this regulation until January 1, 2019. While this is a positive first step, I don\u2019t believe this delay goes far enough. My bill will completely eliminate the HDMA rule to help, not hinder, lenders lend.\u201d\n###\nCongressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona\u2019s Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-praises-end-net-neutrality", "Congressman Biggs Praises the End of Net Neutrality", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to repeal the Obama administration\u2019s Open Internet Order rule (also known as net neutrality). Congressman Biggs released the following statement:\n\u201cUnder Chairman Ajit Pai\u2019s leadership, the FCC has rightly stopped federal regulators from controlling our internet. The Obama administration\u2019s net neutrality rule was one of the many examples of executive overregulation. Due to this interference, all internet consumers would see price increases, and the success of smaller Internet Service Providers (ISPs) would be stifled. Now, internet freedom has been restored.\n\u201cThe action by the FCC does not absolve Congress\u2019 responsibility to codify these free-market protections into law. I am pleased to support Senator Mike Lee\u2019s \u201cRestoring Internet Freedom Act,\u201d a one-paragraph bill that prevents the FCC from this type of overreach in the future. I will continue to work with my colleagues to pass this legislation on the House side.\u201d\n###\nCongressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona\u2019s Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ohalleran.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ohalleran-signs-holiday-cards-american-servicemembers", "O'Halleran Signs Holiday Cards for American Servicemembers", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Tom O'Halleran", "O000171", "ohalleran.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, Rep. Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01) joined the American Red Cross to sign holiday cards for American servicemembers serving abroad, veterans, and military families.\n\"It is difficult for these brave men and women to spend holidays away from their loved ones and families,\" said Rep. O'Halleran. \"It was an honor to join my colleagues and the folks from the American Red Cross to bring our troops and their families a little cheer and show our appreciation for their service and commitment to our great country.\"\nThe American Red Cross' Holiday Mail for Heroes Program has provided Americans the opportunity to send holiday greetings, expressions of gratitude, and well wishes to servicemembers, veterans, and their families since 2007.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ohalleran.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-ohalleran-statement-net-neutrality-vote", "Rep. O'Halleran Statement on Net Neutrality Vote", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Tom O'Halleran", "O000171", "ohalleran.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom O\u2019Halleran (AZ-01) released a statement following the Federal Communications Commission\u2019s vote to end 2015 net neutrality regulations: \u201cThe American people have spoken loudly and passionately about Net Neutrality. It is now Congress\u2019 responsibility to act by passing bipartisan legislation that ensures our internet remains open, the rights of consumers are protected, and innovation and entrepreneurship can thrive. I stand ready to work with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to find a legislative solution that takes the American people\u2019s concerns into account.\u201d The Federal Communications Commission voted along party lines to dismantle net neutrality rules that regulate businesses that connect consumers to the internet.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-fcc-vote-repeal-net-neutrality", "Rep. Ruben Gallego statement on FCC vote to repeal net neutrality", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released the following statement in response to the Federal Communications Commission\u2019s vote to eliminate the Open Internet Order:\n\u201cI am incredibly disappointed by the FCC\u2019s irresponsible and partisan decision to repeal net neutrality rules.\n\u201cIn moving forward with this decision, Chairman Ajit Pai and the two other Republican appointees who voted to repeal the Open Internet Order ignored the widespread outcry against his plan from millions of people, lawmakers, and public interest groups.\n\u201cFor decades, the United States has been a leader in information technology, and a free, open internet is essential to that. Many of my colleagues and I have been astounded in recent weeks by the phone calls and letters in defense of net neutrality.\n\u201cI am committed to fighting for net neutrality to ensure competition, protect consumers, and preserve a free, open internet.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=87B3C4CF-A364-42BC-B6F4-32E4EC6F1367", "VIDEO: Flake Warns Against Withdrawing From NAFTA", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Jeff Flake", "F000444", "www.flake.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today spoke on the Senate floor to address the economic and security consequences if the United States withdraws from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).\r\n\u201cLet's not be swayed by those who would have us believe that the impact of exiting this trade agreement would be somehow minor or short-lived,\u201d said Flake.\r\nVideo of Flake\u2019s remarks can be viewed here.A transcript of prepared remarks can be viewed below.\r\n\r\nBackground: \r\n \r\nOn Aug. 14, 2017, Flake sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer highlighting Arizona\u2019s priorities for the upcoming negotiations to strengthen and modernize NAFTA. To view the full text of the letter, click here.\r\nOn July 24, 2017, Flake continued his NAFTA4AZ initiative by sharing personal stories of Arizonans whose lives have been positively impacted by NAFTA. Video and a transcript of Flake\u2019s remarks can be viewed\u00a0here.\r\nOn May 31, 2017, Flake announced the launch of NAFTA4AZ. To view Flake\u2019s video announcement, click\u00a0here.\r\nOn May 15, 2017, Flake and Sen. Deb. Fischer (R-Neb.) led a letter from 18 senators to Lighthizer stressing the positive economic impact of NAFTA. To view the full text of the letter, click\u00a0here.\r\nOn April 27, 2017, Flake spoke on the Senate floor outlining the economic benefits of NAFTA for businesses and consumers. To view the speech, click\u00a0here.\r\nOn Jan. 31, 2017, Flake, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), and Arizona Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Glenn Hammer wrote an op-ed for the Arizona Republic on the economic benefits of NAFTA. To read the op-ed, click\u00a0here.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n***\r\nI rise today because I believe some in Washington are under an illusion about what would happen if we were to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA.\r\nSome people, inexplicably, think it would be a good thing. They believe the relationship between the United States, Mexico, and Canada is some kind of raw deal for Americans.\r\nIn reality, Mexico spends 26 percent of their GDP purchasing goods from the U.S. while we spend less than one percent of our GDP purchasing goods from them.\r\nThis threat of a dangerous trade deficit leaving Americans behind is nothing more than a myth.\r\nThese folks also seem to think terminating NAFTA will have no lasting impact on the nation or its economy.\r\nThese attitudes could not be further from the truth.\r\nPulling out of NAFTA will have sweeping negative ramifications on Americans all over the county.\r\nAllow me to briefly describe what America would look like without NAFTA.\r\nIt\u2019s an America with fewer jobs and higher unemployment. Some of these jobs that are lost will not return for a generation, others will likely never return.\r\nIt\u2019s a poorer America. The Gross Domestic Product will drop. Much of the positive growth we have seen recently will be erased.\r\nIn the last year we have seen impressive GDP growth and we have achieved it through strong, conservative policies.\r\nI hope that the days of one-percent growth are behind us but if we scrap NAFTA, that may not be the case.\r\nAn America without NAFTA is one crippled by subsidies.\r\nI agree with my colleague from Kansas, and the Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman, Senator Roberts. He recently explained that withdrawal from NAFTA would add to farmers\u2019 demands for increased farm subsidies at a time when Congress simply cannot afford that.  \r\nThese farmers would much prefer to sell their crops for reasonable prices, but exiting NAFTA will leave them no choice other than to require additional economic protection through increased federal subsidies.\r\nThese new farm subsidies will substantially grow the national debt and dramatically curtail any ability to rein in government spending.\r\nWithout NAFTA we will find ourselves in a less secure America.\r\nWithdrawal from NAFTA will destabilize the Mexican economy, creating a crisis on the southern border.\r\nTerminating this agreement will seriously undercut the important progress that has been made over the past several decades improving drug enforcement and stabilizing the Mexican economy.\r\nAccording to the Department of Homeland Security, the number of people caught trying to illegally cross the border from Mexico has fallen to the lowest level in 46 years.\r\nHowever, if we pull out of NAFTA and allow Mexico to plunge into chaos and uncertainty it will undoubtedly drive that number up as more and more of their citizens flee to America.\r\nThese are the real ramifications of terminating NAFTA.\r\nAn America of high unemployment, low GDP, more federal subsidies, and increased illegal immigration.\r\nAnd all of this comes before we face the ultimate challenge of attempting to negotiate a new trade agreement to replace NAFTA.\r\nAnyone who suggests that process will be quick and easy is sadly mistaken.\r\nIn today\u2019s global economy people and nations have more choices than ever.\r\nFor evidence of this, look no further than the disastrous decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.\r\nCanada and Mexico, like the TPP nations, could decide to move ahead without the U.S.\r\nThey could refocus their efforts on alternative markets and explore new trade partners.\u00a0 \u00a0\r\nMadame President, let\u2019s not be fooled by those who would have us believe that the impact of exiting this trade agreement would be somehow minor or short-lived.\r\nLet\u2019s not be misled by those who are under the illusion that negotiating an entirely new trade deal will be simple and painless.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nIn closing, we have recently seen those who espouse these radical protectionist policies fall flat. Let\u2019s see them for the charlatans they are and choose not follow them into the abyss.\r\n\u00a0###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-andy-biggs-statement-deputy-attorney-general-rosenstein-s", "Congressman Andy Biggs Statement on Deputy Attorney General Rosensteins Anticipated Testimony", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein will testify before the House Judiciary Committee. Congressman Biggs sits on this committee and will have an opportunity to question Mr. Rosenstein. Congressman Biggs released the following statement:\n\u201cI look forward to welcoming Mr. Rosenstein to the House Judiciary Committee. I am disturbed that the Department of Justice\u00a0has no apparent policy to vet prosecutors for conflicts of interest. This failure would never be tolerated in the private sector and has led to the persistent revelations of biases and conflicts within the Mueller team.\n\u201cI am prepared to give Deputy Rosenstein the benefit of the doubt and hope he answers my questions honestly. However, if we do not receive satisfactory answers, starting today, I am fully prepared to support contempt of Congress charges against those withholding information from the American people.\u201d\n###\nCongressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona\u2019s Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-statement-conference-committees-tax-reform-agreement", "Congressman Biggs' Statement on Conference Committee's Tax Reform Agreement", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u00a0Today,\u00a0a\u00a0House and Senate Conference Committee\u00a0reached an agreement on\u00a0their final\u00a0tax reform package. This\u00a0legislation\u00a0will be reviewed\u00a0by\u00a0Congress\u00a0in the coming days. Congressman Biggs released the following statement:\n\u201cI commend my colleagues for their hard work to merge the House and Senate versions of tax reform. In the next few days, I will read through this\u00a0new bill\u00a0to analyze\u00a0the effects of these policies\u00a0on\u00a0my district. I hope that all Americans will benefit from tax breaks in our\u00a0final\u00a0bill.\u201d\n###\nCongressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona\u2019s Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3059", "Not Tired of Winning", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Paul A. Gosar", "G000565", "gosar.house.gov", "gosar", "https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "What a difference a year makes. Under the Obama administration, our energy policy was a disaster. After one year under my Chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources and one year of President Trump in the Oval Office, we are now producing record amounts of oil \u2014 up to 10.2 million barrels per day. This increased production means more energy for a lower cost and less dependence on hostile middle east countries.\n\nBackground:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-democrats-call-secretary-devos-protect-students-civil-rights", "House Democrats Call on Secretary DeVos to Protect Students Civil Rights", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA), and Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) led fifty of their colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos opposing recently reported proposed changes to the Office for Civil Rights\u2019 investigations into discrimination in our education system.\nThe letter highlights the importance of preserving current Office for Civil Rights policy by examining instances of bias in the context of schoolwide policies and not in isolation, as DeVos has proposed. It also decries a change reportedly being considered by the Department that would grant individual schools the authority to negotiate a resolution to a civil rights investigation before any information is released to parents.\u00a0\n\u201cSecretary DeVos\u2019s proposed changes to civil rights investigations in schools are a thinly veiled attempt to weaken protections against discrimination for marginalized kids, including LGBT students and students of color,\u201d said Rep. Ruben Gallego. \u201cI strongly believe the Office for Civil Rights should be empowered to thoroughly and effectively investigate discrimination in schools.\u00a0 And when investigators uncover a clear pattern of bias, parents should have a right to know.\u00a0 We cannot stand by while protections for our kids are stripped away by this administration.\u201d\nThe full text of the letter is below.\u00a0 A signed copy of the letter can be found here.\nDear Secretary DeVos:\nWe write to express our concern in response to reports that the Department of Education, at your direction, is considering weakening civil rights investigations in schools, undermining the Department\u2019s ability to combat discrimination in our education system. We strongly urge you to withdraw these proposed policy changes in order to ensure that efforts to address the unfair and unequal treatment of students will not be hindered.\nOn November 23, 2017, the Associated Press reported that your Department was circulating a draft of proposed changes to school civil rights investigation procedures carried out by the Department\u2019s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Reportedly, the proposed changes would narrow the scope of these investigations so that reported incidents are investigated in isolation rather than as part of a broader pattern of discrimination and bias. The purported draft would also permit a modification to how discrimination cases are handled, giving individual schools the authority to negotiate a resolution to the investigation before any information is released to parents.\nComing in the wake of an internal memorandum circulated by acting OCR Assistant Secretary Candice Jackson in June announcing the Office\u2019s intention to scale back its civil rights investigations, these reported changes call into question your Department\u2019s commitment to combating discrimination in a meaningful and effective manner. The investigations of systemic bias that you are seeking to curtail have proven invaluable in identifying persons and policies within an institution that promote discrimination. Without examining reported incidents in the broader context of a school\u2019s practices, OCR cannot ensure that impediments to equal access to education are effectively addressed.\u00a0 \u00a0\nThe Department of Education\u2019s Office for Civil Rights plays a critical role in exposing and correcting discrimination and bias in our public school system. The changes to current civil rights investigation procedures that you are reportedly advocating would severely undermine the Department\u2019s ability to combat systemic discrimination and unfairly weaken parents\u2019 ability to advocate on behalf of their children. Again, for these reasons, we strongly urge you to abandon these misguided proposals and reaffirm your Department\u2019s commitment to defending equal opportunity in our education system.\nSincerely,\n59\u00a0Members of Congress\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-releases-statement-judiciary-hearing-deputy-ag", "Rep. Ruben Gallego releases statement on Judiciary hearing with Deputy AG Rosenstein", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released the following statement in response to the House Judiciary Committee\u2019s hearing with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein: \u00a0\n\u201cHouse Republicans didn\u2019t have the dignity or self-awareness to disguise their intentions at today\u2019s House Judiciary Committee hearing.\u00a0 In spite of Robert Mueller\u2019s sterling reputation, they were clearly determined to discredit his investigation and to lay the groundwork for President Trump to fire the Special Counsel.\u00a0 They should be embarrassed and ashamed.\n\u201cThere\u2019s mounting evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with an enemy of the United States in order to sway the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.\u00a0 Every American who loves our country and genuinely cares about our democracy should want to know the full truth about what transpired. Yet, at every turn, House Republicans have either sought to change the subject or to cast doubt on Mueller\u2019s independence and integrity, despite the fact that many of them lavishly praised him before the former FBI Director was chosen to lead the Russia probe.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cUltimately, the Trump administration\u2019s evasions and outright lies represent a challenge for Congress as an institution \u2013 a test of our collective character that House Republicans are clearly failing.\u00a0 Time and time again, they have placed partisanship before patriotism.\u00a0 Over and over, they have bent over backwards to cover for Donald Trump.\u00a0 My Republican colleagues are letting their constituents and our country down.\u00a0\n\u201cThe American people deserve better.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2A2759BE-1C3F-48EB-BDAF-95409811BE07", "STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF SENATOR JOHN McCAIN", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u00ad\u2013 The office of Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement today:\r\n\u201cSenator McCain is currently receiving treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center for normal side effects of his ongoing cancer therapy. As ever, he remains grateful to his physicians for their excellent care, and his friends and supporters for their encouragement and good wishes. Senator McCain looks forward to returning to work as soon as possible.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C45E9D4B-15EA-4BC9-ABF7-A647CD1587B4", "STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON U.S. POLICY IN SYRIA", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u00ad\u2013 U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on reports that the Trump administration will accept four more years of Bashar al-Assad\u2019s rule in Syria:\r\n\u201cNearly seven years into the Syrian civil war, Bashar al-Assad has the blood of as many as half a million people on his hands. With the support of Vladimir Putin\u2019s Russia, Assad has implemented a brutal reign of terror in Syria\u2014including the use of chemical weapons against his own people\u2014and secured his status as one of the world\u2019s most murderous dictators.\r\n\u201cRecent reports that the Trump administration is willing to accept four more years of Assad\u2019s rule in Syria are deeply disturbing. If true, this will only validate the de facto policy of two successive U.S. administrations that have failed to do anything meaningful to end the slaughter in Syria. Until the United States demonstrates a firm commitment to defending the human rights of the Syrian people and securing our strategic interests in the region, this humanitarian tragedy will continue to grow. Putin\u2019s visit to Syria this week was yet another symbol of how the absence of American leadership has allowed Russia to step in and help fill that void\u2014to the detriment of both our interests and our values.\r\n\u201cAssad\u2019s continued rule will only lead to more violence and radicalization in Syria, and provide fertile ground for extremist groups to grow. U.S. policy in Syria should be clear: Assad must go. We must be willing to back that policy with a strategy for achieving a post-Assad Syria where Syrians can live in peace and security, free from terror. That cannot happen soon enough, and it certainly cannot wait four more years.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mcsally-locks-wins-troops-and-arizona-defense-authorization-bill", "McSally Locks in Wins for Troops and Arizona in Defense Authorization Bill", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Martha McSally", "M001197", "mcsally.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC\u2014 President Trump today signed the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes defense spending at $634 billion and contains every single provision that Congresswoman McSally tirelessly fought to include for our troops and Arizona. Her measures include full protection and upgrades for the A-10, EC-130, missile defense, and increases for other defense assets throughout the state\u2014including boosts to space-based missile defense and procurement of additional F-35 Lightning joint strike fighter jets and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.\n\u201cAmerican men and women are fighting to keep our country safe on the ground, sea, and in the air\u2014but they are armed with decaying equipment, dwindling numbers, and feeble resources. Our military has consistently told us what they need to get the job done, and I am thankful our Commander-in-Chief recognizes the importance of partnering with Congress to give our armed forces the resources necessary to accomplish their mission,\u201d said Rep. McSally. \u201cArizona is spearheading our national defense efforts. Our state is on the cutting edge of developing critical missile defense capabilities to protect America from a North Korea nuclear attack. Southern Arizona is home to cyber operations out of Ft. Huachuca\u2019s NETCOM and the one-of-a-kind A-10 for Close Air Support. The only training location in the world for the F-35A joint strike fighter variant is right here at Luke Air Force Base. By investing in Arizona\u2019s major defense assets, this bill stops the bleeding of our readiness crisis and invests in our troops so our military can continue to be the world\u2019s premier fighting force.\u201d\nThe legislation increases the military\u2019s end strength across all branches, prevents A-10s from being indefinitely grounded by beginning to re-wing\u00a0the fleet, goes above and beyond the President\u2019s request for missile defense pipelines, increases funding for RDT&E of electronic warfare\u2014one of the key missions of Ft. Huachuca\u2014and provides the biggest pay raise for the troops in eight years. It also includes Rep. McSally\u2019s legislation to help prevent suicides and stop non-consensual pornography in the military.\nThe final bill includes the following provisions, championed by Congresswoman McSally, and now enshrined in law:\nStatewide Impacts for Arizona Defense Industry \n Authorizes procurement of\u00a0 90 F-35s (20 more than the President\u2019s request)\n\tProvides for procurement of 71 AH-64E Apache helicopters (10 more than the President\u2019s request)\n\tAdds $4.4 billion above the President's request to meet critical missile defense needs\n\tImproves Foreign Military Sales process to ensure our partners can procure U.S. defense products that support our strategic objectives and industry\n\tAuthorizes additional funding for critical munitions in war reserves by improving manufacturing capacity of the munitions industrial base and accelerating long range precision fires programs\n\tProvides additional funding for guided multiple launch rocket systems tooling for increased capacity\n\tProvides for future continued Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) critical capacity by prohibiting retirement of the U-2 and RQ-4 Global Hawk, authorizing an additional $60 million for 6 Extended Range (ER) Improved Gray Eagle (IGE) Air Vehicles, and increasing funding for development of ISR sensors\n General Provisions addressing military personnel and readiness \n Approves a 2.4% pay raise for our troops.\u00a0 It also extends special pay and bonuses for service-members\n\tIncreases the size of Army, Navy, Air Force, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard. These increases include the Chief of Staff of the Army\u2019s unfunded requirement to grow the active Army by 10,000, the Army National Guard by 4,000, and the Army Reserve by 3,000\n\tIncludes the PRIVATE ACT, a bill authored by Rep. McSally to clarify when sharing intimate photos is a military crime\n Provisions impacting Arizona\u2019s major military installations\nFt. Huachuca\n Full funding for the missions at Ft. Huachuca\n\tIncreased funding for total Army personnel at Ft Huachuca\n\tIncreased funding for Research, Development, Testing, & Evaluation to promote future growth for the missions at Ft Huachuca\n\t$30 million for a Ground Transport Equipment Building at Ft Huachuca\n Davis-Monthan Air Force Base\n Full funding for the A-10 fleet, including a $103 million Air Force Unfunded Requirement for new A-10 wing production, $17.5 million for other necessary upgrades, and $6 million for safety inspections\n\tFull funding for the EC-130H \u201cCompass Call,\u201d $108M to build two new aircraft, and a directive to the Air Force to report their plan to upgrade the aircraft for future threats\n\t$22 million for a General Instruction Building at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base\n Luke Air Force Base \n Secures 20 additional F-35s for continuation and expansion of Fifth Generation future airpower\n\tIncludes full funding for F-16 training mission\n  Full funding for the missions at Luke AFB\n Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground\n Provides robust funding for the Marine Corp\u2019s premier aviation training missions, including international partner training\n\tIncludes funding to continue critical counter-unmanned aerial systems testing\n Amendments successfully offered by Congresswoman McSally\n Apache Amendment: Requires the Army and National Guard to brief Congress on a plan to address the shortage of about 230 active duty attack helicopter pilots\n\tNETCOM Amendment: NETCOM out of Ft Huachuca currently monitors 60% of Army Networks and is responsible for the entire Department of Army networks. This amendment consolidates the Army\u2019s communications network into a single network that is secure, integrated, and standards-based\u2014addressing security vulnerabilities\n\tSuicide Prevention Amendment: Extends a suicide prevention program that supports our National Guard and reserves military members through 2018\n\tGender Double Standards Amendment: Directs the Secretary of Defense to review instances where men and women in the military are held to double standards and brief the House Armed Services Committee on any differences the Secretary recommends retaining.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/democratic-congressmen-request-information-about-possible-russian", "Democratic Congressmen request information about possible Russian interference in Brexit vote", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u00ad\u2013 Today, Reps. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Eric Swallwell (CA-15), and Gerry Connolly (VA-11) sent a letter to Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats requesting information regarding the Intelligence Community\u2019s assessment of possible Russian interference in the United Kingdom\u2019s 2016 referendum over whether to withdraw from the European Union (\u201cBrexit\u201d).\u00a0 Their request follows conclusive evidence that Russia sought to influence the results of the recent French and German elections, as well as the 2016 presidential race here in the United States.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cGiven the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, we believe this information could be useful in identifying patterns, understanding Russian methods, and bolstering future shared efforts to protect the integrity of our political and electoral systems from its interference,\u201d the Congressmen wrote.\nThe full text of the letter is below and the signed letter can be found here.\n----------------------------------------------------\nDear Director Coats:\nWe write to request a written response and/or a classified briefing regarding the Intelligence Community\u2019s (IC) assessment of possible Russian interference in the 2016 United Kingdom referendum over whether to withdraw from the European Union (\u201cBrexit\u201d).\u00a0 We make this request in light of Russia\u2019s interference in our 2016 presidential election campaign, credible reports of similar efforts to disrupt the recent French and German elections, and the continuing threat that Russia poses to Western democratic institutions.\nGiven the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, we believe this information could be useful in identifying patterns, understanding Russian methods, and bolstering future shared efforts to protect the integrity of our political and electoral systems from its interference.\u00a0 This information also would allow us, as legislators, to have a more thorough understanding of the global threat that Russia poses to electoral integrity, so we can better craft legislation to address it at home and abroad.\nWe request that your response include answers to the following questions, along with any other information you believe is pertinent to our understanding:\n Is there a unified IC assessment about the extent to which there was interference by Russia or third-state actors in the campaign regarding Brexit? If so, what is the assessment? If not, what are the differing views?\n\tDid the IC find that non-British individuals interfered with the Brexit campaign via social media propaganda, hacking voter databases, and/or other means? If so, has the IC been able to link such individuals to any specific groups, governments, or political movements?\n\tDid the IC find that any possible interference in the 2016 Brexit campaign showed any parallels to the Russian interference in our 2016 election?\n\tDid the IC find that any British countermeasures helped stem the tide of any Russian interference?\n\tIf there was interference by Russia in the Brexit campaign, what lessons has the IC learned and/or what conclusions has it drawn regarding Russia\u2019s methods that may be useful in better defending against future attacks on our own elections?\n We look forward to your response.\nSincerely,\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/national-defense-authorization-act-including-three-sinema-amendments-signed-into-law/", "National Defense Authorization Act, Including Three Sinema Amendments, Signed Into Law", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, President Trump signed the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY18 which included three amendments offered by Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09).\r\n\r\n\t\u201cHardworking Arizonans expect Congress to put partisanship aside and to provide our military with the tools it needs to keep us safe,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cThis law sets smart national security policies, strengthens our national defense, and invests in our communities. I will continue working with my colleagues in both parties to honor our commitments to the men and women in uniform and to keep our country secure.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe first amendment, introduced with Congressman Ted Budd (NC-13) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08), requires the U.S. Strategy in Syria to identify the amounts and sources of ISIS financing and to deny this financing as part of the broader, more effective US strategy.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe second amendment, introduced with Congressman Lloyd Smucker (PA-16) and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), expands career training opportunities for active-duty military men and women so they can successfully transition into good-paying jobs as civilians.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe last amendment introduced, with Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (VA-10), retains STEM education programs for children living near military bases, including Davis-Monthan in Tucson.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=625C138F-6946-4542-9B4B-85DBB5576B48", "STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNING INTO LAW THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u00ad\u2013 U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on President Trump signing into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (NDAA):\r\n\u201cI am encouraged that the President today signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, which authorizes nearly $700 billion of spending for national defense. The NDAA authorizes the resources and provides the policies necessary to begin the process of rebuilding our military\u2014and it is the result of an open and bipartisan legislative process.\r\n\u201cFor too long, cuts to the defense budget have crippled military readiness and put the lives of our service members in danger. We have seen the results of those unconscionable budget cuts: sailors and marines are working 100-hour work weeks, the Air Force is short 1,500 pilots, only a handful of Army brigades are combat-ready, and more service members are being killed and injured in routine training accidents than by our enemies in combat. This is unacceptable and entirely avoidable. We cannot delay any longer in providing our service members the resources they deserve.\r\n\u201cWe must remember that the NDAA is only part of the solution to the problems facing our Armed Forces. Congress and the White House must expeditiously work to negotiate a bipartisan budget agreement to secure this critical funding for our military instead of again forcing the Department of Defense to tread water by passing another Continuing Resolution. A multi-year budget agreement providing substantial, sustained growth in defense spending is the only way to give our men and women in uniform the resources they need to keep us safe.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ohalleran.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/o-halleran-introduces-bill-fund-victims-fund-indian-tribes", "OHalleran Introduces Bill to Fund Victims Fund for Indian Tribes", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Tom O'Halleran", "O000171", "ohalleran.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Tom O\u2019Halleran (AZ-01) and Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) introduced the bipartisan Securing Urgent Resources Vital to Indian Victim Empowerment (SURVIVE) Act, a bill that would provide legal, medical, and counseling resources to women and children in tribal communities who are victims of domestic violence. Congressman Don Young (AK) and Congresswoman Sinema (AZ-09) are original cosponsors of the legislation.\n\u201cAs a former police officer and throughout my time as a public servant, I have dedicated much of my work to protecting children, advocating for victims, and pursuing justice for communities,\u201d said Congressman O\u2019Halleran. \u201cIt is long past time for something to be done for the victims of violent crimes in Indian Country, many of whom face significant hurdles in and out of the courtroom as they seek justice. I am proud to introduce the SURVIVE Act with my colleague Mr. Cole to ensure that victims, no matter where they live, have access to necessary services as they recover and rebuild their lives.\u201d\n\u201cUnfortunately, many tribal communities across the country are susceptible to higher crime and domestic violence rates. Often, tribes do not receive a fair share of federal dollars to deal with these challenges,\" said Congressman Cole. \"I\u2019m proud to put my support behind the SURIVE Act which will require the Crime Victims Fund to help those who are in need of medical services, legal assistance, counseling and more. Grant programs like these are integral in protecting the victims in tribal communities and preventing future crimes from occurring.\u201d\n\u201cNative American women experience rates of violence at least 50% higher than their white counterparts, and this legislation will support tribal communities in accessing vital funding to support life-saving victim services directly from the federal government,\u201d said Allie Bones, CEO of the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.\nPresident Begaye of the Navajo Nation stated,\u201cThere is a significant need for victims services and victim advocates on the Navajo Nation due to our high rates of crime. Our communities need these services to heal. I thank Congressman O\u2019Halleran and Congressman Cole for recognizing this need and advocating for Indian Country.\u201d\nFederal data indicates that American Indian and Alaska Native communities face some of the highest victimization rates in the country. Yet, it is estimated that less than 0.7% of the Crime Victim\u2019s Fund (CVF) established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) reaches tribes.\nThe Securing Urgent Resources Vital to Indian Victim Empowerment (SURVIVE) Act creates a tribal grant program within the Department of Justice\u2019s Office for Victims of Crime and requires a 5% allocation from the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) be provided to Indian tribes.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ohalleran.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ohalleran-az-lawmakers-send-bipartisan-letter-calling-ihs-funding", "O'Halleran, AZ Lawmakers Send Bipartisan Letter Calling for IHS Funding", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Tom O'Halleran", "O000171", "ohalleran.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Tom O'Halleran led a bipartisan letter, signed by members of the Arizona delegation, to Reps. Ken Calvert and Betty McCollum urging them to provide funding for three Indian Health Service clinics in Arizona, California, and Oklahoma. Calvert and McCollum oversee the Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.\nIn the letter, the lawmakers state that they became aware of the failure of IHS to request the necessary funding earlier this year. In the letter they write, \"Constituents informed us that they were told by [IHS] that staffing and operations funding for three health facilities scheduled to open in the next year was not included in the budget request to Congress for FY 2018.\"\n\"It is\u00a0bad federal policy and an inefficient use of federal dollars to construct these health facilities and then leave them vacant,\" continued the lawmakers. \"The Indian Health Service failed to adequately inform Congress of the amount of funds needed to ensure that they are timely and efficiently staffed and operated.\"\n\"It is irresponsible of Indian Health Services to leave staffing and operational funding for critical health care clinics out of their budget request,\" said O'Halleran. \"Without the necessary funds, the three facilities in question, which have long been slated for operation in FY 2018, will be unable to serve Indian Country. This is a grave error on the part of IHS, and it could cost lives. I urge my colleagues to work to ensure these facilities receive the funding they need.\"\nThe letter was signed by Reps. Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), David Schweikert (AZ-06), Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09). You can read the full letter here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-introduces-legislation-to-garnish-wages-for-members-who-settle-sexual-harassment-claims-with-taxpayer-dollars/", "Sinema Introduces Legislation to Garnish Wages for Members Who Settle Sexual Harassment Claims with Taxpayer Dollars", "2017-12-11", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09) and Congressman Ron DeSantis (FL-06) today introduced bipartisan legislation to garnish wages of members of Congress who use taxpayer money to cover up sexual harassment claims.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe Garnishing for Unethical Actions to Restore Dignity (GUARD) Act mandates the House or Senate withhold the salaries of Members of Congress or Senators who settle sexual harassment claims and reduce the salary by the amount of a sexual harassment settlement. The bill also requires any reduction in salary as a result of a harassment claim be made public.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cSexual harassment and sexual assault are always wrong,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cIn Washington, the system in place today allows this inappropriate behavior to be hushed up with taxpayer dollars. I expect more from members of Congress, and I know you do too. That\u2019s why we introduced this legislation to hold people who engage in sexual harassment or sexual assault accountable and protect Americans\u2019 tax dollars.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ohalleran.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ohalleran-leads-bipartisan-letter-opposing-cuts-critical-access-hospitals", "O'Halleran Leads Bipartisan Letter Opposing Cuts to Critical Access Hospitals", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Tom O'Halleran", "O000171", "ohalleran.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01) sent a bipartisan letter signed by 18 other lawmakers to Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady and Ranking Member Richard Neal urging them to not cut reimbursement rates for Critical Access Hospitals (CAH).\n\"Critical Access Hospitals provide life-saving health care to countless rural communities across Arizona and throughout the West, and if these reimbursement rates for swing beds are cut, many CAHs will be forced to close,\"\u00a0said Rep. O'Halleran.\u00a0\"The millions of Americans living in our most rural communities, including seniors, veterans, and those living with debilitating, chronic diseases, cannot afford to lose\u00a0access to\u00a0this life-saving care. I am grateful for the broad bipartisan support this letter has received, and I stand ready to work with the Chairman and Ranking Member on a plan that protects\u00a0rural hospitals and clinics.\u201d\n\"As Members who represent rural communities that depend on Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for access to needed care, we write to express our grave concerns with the proposed policy to modify payments for CAH swing beds included as an offset in the draft Medicare extenders package announced by the House Ways and Means Committee,\"\u00a0the lawmakers wrote in the letter.\u00a0\"If adopted, any cuts from current reimbursement levels would devastate hospitals that serve our communities and not only impact families\u2019 ability to receive needed services but also thousands of jobs across rural America.\"\nRecently, the House Ways and Means Committee announced a\u00a0bipartisan\u00a0agreement to\u00a0extend certain Medicare programs for beneficiaries and providers that recently expired or will expire at the end of the year.\u00a0Included in the\u00a0otherwise encouraging agreement is a\u00a0provision\u00a0that will cut reimbursement rates for CAH swing beds, something that would disproportionately hurt rural hospitals and communities. Swing beds allow patients in a CAH who meet strict Medicare criteria to receive post-acute care services, including rehabilitation, before transitioning home. These facilities are currently not receiving 100% of reimbursement for swing bed services due to sequestration. Any further cuts would push more hospitals closer towards closure at a time when our communities need more \u2013 not less \u2013 access to care. Medical deserts exacerbate unique health care challenges in vulnerable communities, forcing patients to travel further for needed treatment and services.\nThe 19 lawmakers closed their letter stating,\u00a0\"As with any policy change that impacts the care of millions of Americans, proposals to modify swing-bed payments must be thoughtfully considered and reviewed with the input of rural stakeholders through additional analysis and public hearings. While we applaud the Committee for working together on a bipartisan basis to move forward important Medicare extenders, we do not believe costs should be disproportionately shouldered by patients and providers in rural communities. As such, we respectfully urge you to abandon proposed cuts to Critical Access Hospitals as you move forward with this important package.\"\nThe letter is supported by the Critical Access Hospital Coalition, the National Rural Health Association, and the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association.\nThe signers include: Reps. Evan H. Jenkins, Dave Loebsack, Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., David B. McKinley, P.E., Tom Cole, Kurt Schrader, Robert Latta, Danny K. Davis, Tim Walz, Daniel T. Kildee, Hal Rogers, Mac Thornberry, Jared Huffman, Peter A. DeFazio, Jacky Rosen, Rick Nolan, Rodney Davis, and Roger W. Marshall, M.D.\nRead the full letter here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C5A24E2D-B28D-4CCF-8037-E8C2E6562051", "McCAIN & CARDIN URGE PRESIDENT TRUMP TO RECOMMIT TO UPHOLDING HUMAN RIGHTS", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u00ad\u2013 U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, sent a letter to President Trump today as the world marks the 69th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Human Rights Day this Sunday, December 10th. In their letter, the senators expressed concern about the Trump administration\u2019s failure to strongly assert the United States\u2019 commitment to human rights at home and abroad, and urged the President to recommit the nation to these fundamental values as we mark this important occasion.\r\n\u201cSince its ratification nearly 70 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been a beacon of hope for the world\u2019s most oppressed peoples. The declaration serves as the basis of our country\u2019s human rights policy and the United States has continued to rely on its legal significance and international standing to advance human rights across the globe. However, for much of the past year, our national voice on international human rights issues has been largely silent,\u201d the senators wrote.\r\nThey continued: \u201cThis was strikingly apparent during your recent trip to Asia, where our delegation failed to raise major human rights concerns or name dissidents who languish in dark prisons across the region for no other reason than their brave defense of democracy and human rights. The Administration\u2019s silence combined with confusing statements from Secretary Tillerson, who has suggested that our country\u2019s fundamental values can be separated from the foreign policies we pursue, sows confusion both at home and abroad. At this time of increasing uncertainty and growing security challenges, it is imperative that we reassert the United States\u2019 commitment to our human rights obligations, and ask other countries to join us in reaffirming the centrality of human rights as the cornerstone of peace and security.\u201d\r\nThe letter is below and here.\r\nDecember 8, 2017\r\nPresident Donald J. Trump\r\nPresident of the United States\r\nThe White House\r\n1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW\r\nWashington, DC 20500\r\nMr. President:\r\nThe world will mark the 69th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Human Rights Day this December 10. On this momentous occasion, we write to ask that you recommit our country to upholding human rights as one of our founding principles, and respectfully call on other countries to do the same.\r\nSince its ratification nearly 70 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been a beacon of hope for the world\u2019s most oppressed peoples. The declaration serves as the basis of our country\u2019s human rights policy and the United States has continued to rely on its legal significance and international standing to advance human rights across the globe. However, for much of the past year, our national voice on international human rights issues has been largely silent.\u00a0\r\nThis was strikingly apparent during your recent trip to Asia, where our delegation failed to raise major human rights concerns or name dissidents who languish in dark prisons across the region for no other reason than their brave defense of democracy and human rights. The Administration\u2019s silence combined with confusing statements from Secretary Tillerson, who has suggested that our country\u2019s fundamental values can be separated from the foreign policies we pursue, sows confusion both at home and abroad. At this time of increasing uncertainty and growing security challenges, it is imperative that we reassert the United States\u2019 commitment to our human rights obligations, and ask other countries to join us in reaffirming the centrality of human rights as the cornerstone of peace and security.\u00a0\r\nSadly, disregard for fundamental freedoms and human dignity has too often become the norm. Iran, Turkey, Russia, Egypt, and Venezuela currently hold scores of political prisoners, torturing them and trampling on their fundamental freedoms. Sri Lanka, Burma, and China continue to repress their religious and ethnic minorities. Security forces in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have unlawfully detained and tortured civilians. The Philippines has reported an unprecedented number of extrajudicial killings by police. LGBT individuals are deprived of their basic human rights in dozens of countries. Worse still, at this time of growing human rights abuses, human rights organizations are being shut down at an alarming rate by countless repressive governments around the world.\r\nThese are only a few of the many instances in which America\u2019s voice cannot remain silent. Protecting human rights at home and abroad is important not only to our national character, but also to our security interests as countries that respect their citizens are less likely to breed terrorism and are better able to focus on political and developmental problems that otherwise undermine stability. Governments who respect human rights also serve as more capable and reliable partners when facing common security threats, and they help provide business climates in which bilateral trade and investment interests grow.\u00a0\r\nAs President, we need your voice in strongly asserting our country\u2019s respect for human rights at home and abroad. We ask that you use the upcoming anniversary of the Universal Declaration to reaffirm that no government can be legitimate if it abuses the people it is meant to serve \u2013 and that this rule is universal, without exception.\r\nSincerely,\r\nJohn McCain\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\nBenjamin L. Cardin\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ohalleran.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-ohalleran-joins-colleages-found-congressional-reformers-caucus", "Rep. O'Halleran Joins Colleages to Found the Congressional Reformers Caucus", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Tom O'Halleran", "O000171", "ohalleran.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Yesterday, Representative Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01) joined Representatives Kathleen Rice (NY-04) and Ken Buck (CO-04) to launch the bipartisan Congressional Reformers Caucus in the United States House of Representatives. O'Halleran joins 18 colleagues as founding members of the caucus. The group pledges to work across the aisle in pursuit of common sense reforms to Congress and the legislative process.\n\"With trust in Congress at an all-time low, it is clear that partisanship and gridlock are not working. The American people are rightfully fed up and want to see change,\" said Representative O'Halleran. \"The only way we are going to overcome this rut we are in is by putting aside our differences to work together to clean up our government, enforce ethics, and hold our elected leaders to the highest standards. I am proud to be a founding member of this caucus, and I look forward to sharing my ideas about transparency and accountability with my colleagues.\"\n\u201cThe members of this caucus come from across the political spectrum and disagree on plenty of issues, but it\u2019s obvious to all of us that Congress is in dire need of reform, and we\u2019re committed to taking real action to change the status quo in Washington, reduce the influence of money in our political process, and get our government back to work for the people we serve,\u201d\u00a0said Representative Kathleen Rice, co-Chair of the Congressional Reformers Caucus. \u201cPeople are tired of partisan gridlock and double standards for politicians, and they\u2019re waiting for leaders to step up and work together to reform our campaign finance system and legislative process so we can solve real problems. That\u2019s exactly why we created the Reformers Caucus, and I\u2019m excited to join my colleagues in this effort to start restoring the public\u2019s faith and trust in their government.\u201d\n\u201cWashington is broken. Donors and insiders have too much influence, and too often backroom deals trip up good legislation. Political party has nothing to do with good governance, which is why I\u2019m proud to be joined by my friend, Rep. Kathleen Rice, and a bipartisan group of colleagues who all want a Congress that works for the people. I\u2019m eager to develop legislation with this group that will improve America\u2019s trust in our democracy,\u201d\u00a0stated Congressman Ken Buck, co-chair of the Congressional Reformers Caucus.\nBelow are the founding members of the Congressional Reformers Caucus:\nDemocrat:\nKathleen Rice (NY-04)\nTom O'Halleran (AZ-01)\nDerek Kilmer (WA-06)\nScott Peters (CA-52)\nSeth Moulton (MA-06)\nRon Kind (WI-03)\nCheri Bustos (IL-17)\nStephanie Murphy (FL-07)\nDonald Norcross (NJ-01)\nJohn Sarbanes (MD-03)\n\u00a0\nRepublican:\nKen Buck (CO-04)\nMike Gallagher (WI-08)\nRalph Norman (SC-05)\nAndy Biggs (AZ-05)\nJack Bergman (MI-01)\nMatt Gaetz (FL-01)\nRodney Davis (IL-13)\nJeff Fortenberry (NE-01)\nMike Coffman (CO-06)\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ohalleran.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-ohalleran-statement-potential-cuts-medicare", "Rep. O'Halleran Statement on Potential Cuts to Medicare", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Tom O'Halleran", "O000171", "ohalleran.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Tom O\u2019Halleran (AZ-01) released the following statement after reports indicated Speaker Paul Ryan was eyeing cuts to Medicare, a program that more than 1.1 million Arizonans rely on every day:\n\u201cSpeaker Ryan and other Congressional leaders are completely misguided if they think we will end the Medicare guarantee and leave millions without life-saving care. More than a million Arizonans rely on Medicare, and I will not sit idly by while special interests and a handful of lawmakers work to end it. There is no doubt that we need to rein in wasteful spending, but we cannot do it on the backs of elderly Americans. I urge Speaker Ryan to work on a bipartisan solution to decrease spending and protect care for elderly Americans.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gallego-announces-2017-congressional-app-challenge-winners", "Rep. Gallego Announces 2017 Congressional App Challenge Winners", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "From left: Niyonkuru Pamphile, Edgar Alvarez, and Jesus Hernandez\nWASHINGTON, DC \u00ad\u2013\u00a0Today, Congressman Ruben Gallego recognized three students from Arizona\u2019s 7th\u00a0Congressional district as winners of this year\u2019s Congressional App Challenge \u2013 a competition that encourages high school students from across the United States to create their own mobile applications.\nMetro Tech High School seniors Edgar Alvarez, Jesus Hernandez, and Niyonkuru Pamphile won first place for their app, titled \u201cAmerican Trivia.\u201d\n\u201cAmerican Trivia\u201d will be displayed on the Congressional App Challenge website and will be exhibited on a digital display in the Capitol Building for a year.\nThe students created the app as a part of a Game and App Development Class, a Career and Technical Education class offered in the Phoenix Union High School District. The students designed the functional, fun and user-friendly app using JavaScript in Code.org\u2019s App Lab.\n\u201cI want to congratulate Edgar, Jesus and Nyonkuru, the winners of this year\u2019s Congressional App Challenge,\u201d\u00a0said Rep. Ruben Gallego.\u00a0\u201cCoding takes creativity and hard work, and I was thoroughly impressed by the entries submitted by the talented students in our district. These students have a bright future ahead of them, and will help create the technology that will change our world.\u201d\n\u201cThese three young men will be successful in any career they choose,\u201d\u00a0said teacher Chad Renning. \u201cThey all have a desire to learn, are self-motivated and work hard \u2013 not to mention they are extremely smart. I can\u2019t wait to see what else they create.\u201d\nThe winners were chosen by a team of judges selected from throughout Arizona\u2019s 7th\u00a0Congressional district. The judges included:\nDaniel G. Cartagena, Senior System Engineer, Intel\nJuana Maes, Manufacturing Engineer, GKN Aerospae and Secretary of the Society of Hispanic Engineers (SHPE)\nMaira Garcia, Systems Engineer, Honeywell Aerospace and President of SHPE, Phoenix Chapter\nDiana Vowels, General Manager, Galvanize, Phoenix\nThe annual Congressional App Challenge highlights the value of computer science and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education. This was the first year that students from Arizona\u2019s 7th\u00a0Congressional district submitted entries to the competition.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-statement-on-shortterm-funding-bill/", "Sinema Statement on Short-Term Funding Bill", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sinema Statement on Short-Term Funding Bill\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09) voted in favor of H.J.Res. 123\u00a0 \u2013 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018. She released the following statement after the vote:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cGoverning crisis to crisis is a dangerous and reckless approach that hurts Arizona families and businesses and threatens our economic security. It\u2019s time for Congress to stop the partisan games and do the hard work to find real solutions that reduce the debt, spur economic growth, and create opportunity for hard-working Arizona families.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=234389C5-2A30-443D-91A7-5A8E219BE137", "OPENING STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN AT HEARING ON DOD ACQUISITION REFORM", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u00ad\u2013 U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered the following opening statement today at a hearing on Department of Defense acquisition reform:\r\n\u201cThe Senate Armed Services Committee meets today to receive testimony on the Department of Defense acquisition reform efforts. We welcome our witnesses:\r\n \r\n\u201cEllen Lord, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics;\r\n\u201cMark Esper, Secretary of the Army;\r\n\u201cHeather Wilson, Secretary of the Air Force; and\r\n\u201cJames Geurts, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition.\r\n \r\n\u201cAcquisition reform is one of the most important\u2014and frustrating\u2014topics this Committee addresses. For years, we have been warned that America is losing its technological advantage. I hope you all have seen the work by RAND on this topic. This is why the Department of Defense needs acquisition reform\u2014not just for efficiency or to save money. Simply put, we will not be able to address the threats facing this nation with the system of organized irresponsibility that the defense acquisition enterprise has become.\r\n\u201cWe are still dealing with a trillion dollar F-35 program that continues to operate in dysfunction\u2026the Air Force still subsidizes ULA for space launch with cost plus fixed fee contracts\u2026the Army has sunk nearly $6.5 billion into WIN-T, a network that doesn\u2019t work\u2026and the Navy\u2019s LCS program is delayed, the costs are now $6 billion and rising, and many of the key capabilities remain unproven.\r\n\u201cThat is why this Committee enacted the most sweeping acquisition reforms in a generation through the last two National Defense Authorization Acts. And yet, despite that legislation and in the face of our eroding military advantage, the Department has been unable\u2014or unwilling\u2014to change.\r\n\u201cWhile the previous administration offered some rhetoric about reform, this Committee was disappointed that we saw no meaningful action. Though I remain deeply concerned about the state of our acquisition system, I am encouraged by the early signs from your team. It appears that you are beginning to make progress.\r\n\u201cLet me remind you of our expectations:\u00a0\r\n \r\n\u201cFirst, the Office of the Secretary of Defense needs to let the Services manage their programs. Congress has returned significant authority to the Services, but we will be watching closely to make sure that you do business differently and use that authority wisely.\r\n \r\n \r\n\u201cSecond, while we have empowered the Services, that doesn\u2019t mean you can go and do whatever you like. The Services must let OSD set strategy and policy and do real oversight. That means being transparent\u2014providing data to, and following the guidance set by, OSD. Again, we will be watching. This Committee takes its own oversight role seriously, and we will rely on you to keep us informed so that we can do our job.\r\n \r\n \r\n\u201cThird, the experiment and prototype phases must move faster. Time is of the essence. The work of groups like DIUx, the Strategic Capabilities Office, and the Rapid Capabilities Offices should become standard practice, not work-arounds to the regular system. And we need these innovations for Major Defense Acquisition Programs, not just Science and Technology efforts.\r\n \r\n \r\n\u201cFourth, you need to be willing to take more risk and be willing to fail when you try new things. We recognize that Congress can make that difficult. Keep us informed of your plans so that we can work together and so that we\u2019re not surprised when things don\u2019t go exactly as planned. We would rather have a small failure that teaches us something early in the acquisition process than deal with a multi-billion dollar program that becomes \u2018too big to fail.\u2019\r\n \r\n \r\n\u201cFifth, invest in the acquisition workforce and empower them to succeed. Too often we hear that acquisition personnel are unfamiliar with new authorities or are nervous about using them.\r\n \r\n \r\n\u201cAnd finally, reform your organizations and business practices to simplify and move faster. The major changes we have instituted through legislation are intended to give you the opportunity to make more detailed changes in your organizations. This is an opportunity to update your organizational structures and internal processes accordingly.\u00a0\r\n \r\n\u201cThe Congress has provided you with all the tools you require. We expect you, as part of a new administration, to use these tools\u2014unlike your predecessors. As you do so, you will have a willing partner in this Committee. If you choose not to take advantage of this opportunity, we will continue to push reform through legislation.\u00a0\r\n\u201cUltimately, reform is about leadership, which is why we\u2019ve asked you as the senior-most leaders of your organizations to be here. I want to hear how you will lead your organizations and work together to create the structure and culture required to deliver our service members the technological advantages they expect and deserve.\u201d\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A714F56A-90B8-4C1C-9367-C222A0AD5D35", "STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN OPPOSING THE CONTINUING RESOLUTION", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u00ad\u2013 U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on his opposition to the two-week Continuing Resolution:\r\n\r\n\u201cFor the past year, I have implored Congress and the White House to negotiate a bipartisan budget agreement, because without one, the military will be funded under a Continuing Resolution at the Budget Control Act levels. Now into the third month of our fiscal year, we must once again pass a Continuing Resolution while we await a budget agreement. That is both disappointing and unacceptable.\r\n\u201cIn a recent letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Secretary Mattis explained, \u2018BCA-level funding reverses the gains we have made in readiness, and undermines our efforts to increase lethality and grow the force. Without relief from the BCA caps, our air, land, and sea fleets will continue to erode. BCA caps obstruct our path to modernization, and continue to narrow the technical competitive advantage we presently maintain over our adversaries.\u2019 Our choice is clear: provide our military with the adequate, predictable funding they need or continue to watch as our military forces and our technological advantage erode.\r\n\u201cEvery day we spend on a Continuing Resolution is a day that our military must try to do more with less, modernization is delayed, and readiness is degraded. For that reason, I cannot support this Continuing Resolution. The President and an overwhelming majority of Congress agree we need to increase investment in the military to rebuild our forces. This will only be possible with a bipartisan budget agreement. I hope that following today\u2019s meeting between Congressional leaders and the White House, that budget agreement will provide for substantial, sustained growth to defense spending for this year and next.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-statement-president-trumps-decision-recognize-jerusalem", "Congressman Biggs' Statement on President Trump's Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as Israel's Capital", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, President Donald Trump announced his administration's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and to prepare to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. Congressman Biggs released the following statement:\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cI applaud President Trump\u2019s action to implement the 1995 decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s capital and to move our embassy to its rightful place in the city. Jerusalem is the historic capital of the Jewish people. I pray for a peaceful transition.\u201d\u00a0\n###\nCongressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona\u2019s Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://franks.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chair-israel-allies-caucus-applauds-president-trump-s-historic-and-long", "Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus Applauds President Trumps Historic and Long Overdue Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as Israels Capital and Move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Trent Franks", "F000448", "franks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Trent Franks, chair of the Israel Allies Caucus, released the following statement applauding President Trump\u2019s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s capital and seat of government, and his call for plans to move the U.S.\u2019s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Rep. Trent Franks introduced bipartisan legislation in the House (H.R. 257) at the beginning of the 115th Congress which would specifically recognize Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s undivided capital. The bill would also revoke the waiver-authority presidents from both parties have been using since 1995 to avoid moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.\u00a0 Israel is the world\u2019s only Jewish state, and Jerusalem is the only functioning capital city in the world where the United States does not have an embassy (Taiwan being the other exception).\n\u00a0\n\u201cWe congratulate President Trump\u2019s courage in recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and her seat of government.\u00a0 This is an historic and long overdue decision. This recognition rectifies the seventy years of injustice in which the U.S. failed to extend the ancient international custom of maintaining our embassy in a nation\u2019s declared capital \u2013 a courtesy we extend to some of the world\u2019s most virulent actors.\n\u00a0\n\u201cMany administrations have signed this shameful legal waiver which allows the President to avoid executing the statutory obligation to move our embassy to Jerusalem.\u00a0 President Trump has chosen to do the right thing for Israel; it is long past time for the U.S. to recognize Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s eternal and undivided capital.\u00a0 While I wish he would have announced a more immediate relocation of our embassy, however, I am greatly encouraged by his decision to order the State Department to begin plans for a new embassy in Jerusalem.\u00a0 Neither President Trump, nor the American people, should allow the U.S. to be shaken from our resolve by threats of terrorism by petty savages around the world and their enablers who now threaten us with violence for simply following standard diplomatic protocol with our friends in Israel.\n\u00a0\n\u201cIsrael is America\u2019s most cherished ally; this move signals Israel\u2019s sovereignty in Jerusalem. We look forward to seeing the U.S. embassy open there as soon as possible.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-applauds-president-s-decision-recognize-jerusalem-israel", "U.S. Rep. McSally Applauds Presidents Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as Israels Capital", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Martha McSally", "M001197", "mcsally.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC\u2014U.S. Representative Martha McSally today commended the President on his decision to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.\n\u201cBy relocating our embassy to Jerusalem, President Trump is doing what our country should have done two decades ago: fulfill our promise to our ally and formally recognize the Jewish State of Israel\u2019s undivided capital,\u201d said Rep. McSally. \u201cJerusalem is our ally\u2019s capital, so that\u2019s where our embassy should be. I applaud the President\u2019s decision, which sends a strong and clear message to the international community that we are beginning a new chapter in our alliance, one in which America keeps our promises towards Israel and doesn\u2019t waffle about where our true allegiance lies. The era of reneged commitments is finally over.\u201d\nIn 1995, Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act, a law requiring America to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem or provide an explanation every six months outlining why doing so is not in the national security interests of the US. Since then, every president has exercised this waiver, citing national security interests.\nRep. McSally is a cosponsor of legislation introduced by her Arizona colleague, Congressman Franks, that would not only require the U.S. to relocate the embassy by 2019 but also to recognize the sovereign status of an undivided Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and eliminate executive authority to waive funding limitations until the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem has officially opened.\nSince day one in Congress, McSally has worked to strengthen U.S. support for Israel. Not only has she personally visited Israel to hear first-hand from top Israeli and Palestinian officials about the region\u2019s most pressing national security issues, \u00a0she also introduced a resolution expressing solidarity with the Israeli people, authored legislation\u00a0to prevent the discrimination of Israeli-produced goods, and advocated for increased missile defense spending for Israel throughout the national defense authorization process\u2014including the Iron Dome weapons system. Her state and district play a vital role in the alliance. David\u2019s Sling, a missile defense system that is a major technology upgrade for the small country was co-developed by Israel\u2019s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and American defense contractor, Raytheon, which is located Tucson, Arizona.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-statement-on-hr-38/", "Sinema Statement on H.R. 38", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema released the following statement on H.R. 38:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe Second Amendment protects our fundamental rights as Americans, and I support those rights. I also support states\u2019 rights to set their own reasonable gun policies. In Arizona, we like our freedom and we made our gun laws accordingly. We shouldn\u2019t tie ourselves to other states\u2019 firearms laws, especially when doing so could have dangerous, unintended consequences for Arizonans. Nearby states have laws with which Arizonans do not agree, like allowing convicted stalkers to carry concealed firearms. Unfortunately, this bill allows convicted stalkers to conceal and carry in Arizona, putting domestic violence survivors at risk. This bill also allows guns in Arizona schools, which Arizonans of both political parties have repeatedly rejected. This bill also makes law enforcement officers\u2019 jobs more difficult and more dangerous. This bill jeopardizes the safety and security of Arizona families, so I cannot support it.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=92707198-995B-4C72-B819-09BFB7E61201", "McCAIN ON PRESIDENT TRUMPS DECISION TO RECOGNIZE JERUSALEM AS CAPITAL OF ISRAEL", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u00ad\u2013 U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on President Trump\u2019s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel:\r\n\u201cI have long believed that Jerusalem is the true capital of Israel. However, issues surrounding the final and permanent status of Jerusalem must ultimately be resolved by Israelis and Palestinians as part of an internationally supported peace process. That is why today's policy announcement, as well as any future relocation of the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, should be part of a comprehensive diplomatic strategy in coordination with regional partners to achieve peace and security between Israelis and Palestinians.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2508", "Grijalva Reacts to Being Appointed to Tax Conference Committee", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Grijalva released the following statement after being named to serve on a conference committee that will attempt to combine the House and Senate versions of the GOP\u2019s tax scam. Rep. Grijalva joins four other House Democrats appointed by Leader Pelosi to serve on this committee.  \u201cThese bills are a national disgrace,\u201d said Rep. Grijalva. \u201cI\u2019m pleased to bring a much-needed voice of reason to this conference. The House and Senate versions of this tax scam each represent a massive redistribution of wealth from working Americans and those in need to the richest one percent who have already benefited from a rigged system. I will spend every minute of this process fighting Republican attempts to help their wealthy donors loot the country, wipe out funding that invests in America\u2019s future generations.  Republicans\u2019 move to use a tax bill to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling is not because it\u2019s good policy, but because their destructive ideology demands it. Drilling in the Arctic Refuge \u2013 which cannot be undone once it starts \u2013 is a dirty favor to the oil and gas industry and does nothing to offset the costs of this monstrous theft of taxpayer dollars. This language was only included to bribe certain Republicans to vote for a multi-trillion-dollar public money grab and the American people will never forget it.  Massive tax giveaways for the super-rich and huge corporations will only result in cuts to Social Security, Medicare, education and disaster relief. They will make it impossible to invest in our society\u2019s future. Their bills will be an economic disaster of historical proportions and they must be stopped. If Republicans are sincere about helping the middle class we should be considering legislation on policies like raising wages, providing paid leave and offering debt-free college.\u201d\u00a0  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/wtas-presidents-speech-salt-lake-city-ut", "WTAS: The President's Speech in Salt Lake City, UT", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "1626 Longworth House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/democratic-veterans-congress-decry-trump-administration-s-va-tricare", "Democratic Veterans in Congress Decry Trump Administrations VA-Tricare Merger Proposal", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON DC \u2013 Today, 5 veterans serving in Congress \u2013 Reps. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Anthony Brown (D-MD), Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) \u2013 wrote to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin urging him to reconsider a plan reportedly being developed behind closed doors to partially merge the VA and DOD health care systems.\u00a0 The letter argues that the proposal represents a dangerous step towards privatization and could compromise the VA\u2019s critical role as a direct provider of care to veterans.\u00a0 The Congressmen also criticized the secretive manner in which the proposal is being developed\u2014without public meetings, independent studies or consultations with veterans organizations.\u00a0 \u00a0\n\u201cVeterans recognize that merging the VA with Tricare simply doesn\u2019t make sense,\u201d said Rep. Gallego, a Marine Corps combat veteran. \u00a0\u201cThe Trump Administration\u2019s obvious intention is to erode the VA\u2019s ability to serve as a direct provider of care to men and women who risked their lives for our country. \u00a0This half-baked idea is also clearly consistent with the extreme privatization agenda that conservative groups have been pushing for years\u2014groups more interested in discrediting government than in improving health care for our veterans.\u00a0 Congress should put a stop to this unwise and unworkable plan.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\nThe full text of the letter is below and can be found online here.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nDear Secretary Shulkin:\nWe write to express our grave concerns regarding a proposal reportedly being considered by the Administration to partially merge the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) health care systems. If adopted, this radical shift in policy could undermine care for veterans, increase their medical costs and dramatically expand the federal government\u2019s reliance on the private sector to meet the unique needs of men and women who served our nation in uniform.\u00a0 We strongly urge you to reconsider this proposal and to refrain from taking any additional steps to implement it without first consulting with key stakeholders, including interested Members of Congress and veterans groups.\u00a0\nWhile we strongly support ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination between VA and DOD, it is important to note that the two Departments serve separate patient populations with drastically different needs.\u00a0 Specifically, Tricare beneficiaries are generally younger and healthier than veterans who receive care through the VA. As stakeholders will attest, providers at the VA are uniquely trained and equipped to manage the care of a patient population that suffers from combat-related injury and illness, including traumatic brain injury and PTSD, in a culturally competent environment. We are therefore concerned that merging the two programs would compromise critical services for older veterans and those with serious medical conditions.\u00a0 Further, a Tricare-VA merger could compel veterans entitled to care provided by the VA system to instead seek care through the private sector, a shift that could unfairly force veterans to pay out-of-pocket costs that they wouldn\u2019t otherwise be required to bear.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nIn addition to the potentially harmful impacts of this proposal, we are deeply concerned by the manner in which such a consequential change in veterans policy is being considered.\u00a0 No public meetings or hearings have been held. \u00a0No independent studies have been conducted to estimate the cost of such a merger or to assess its implications for quality of care.\u00a0 Moreover, national veterans service organizations, which collectively represent the interests of tens of millions of American veterans, have not been asked to provide input or recommendations as part of the decision-making process.\u00a0 In fact, our best information about the substance of your proposal has come to light only as a result of media reporting on closed door deliberations within the Administration.\u00a0 That\u2019s certainly not the way that policy changes affecting millions of veterans should be considered.\u00a0\nFinally, as strong supporters of high quality veterans\u2019 health care and as advocates for the VA\u2019s role as a direct provider of care to veterans, we believe this proposal represents a misguided step in the direction of privatization. \u00a0Again, given its potential consequences for our veterans and for the integrity of the VA health care system, we request that you reconsider your support for this merger and urge you to fully and transparently engage with key stakeholders, including Congress and veterans organizations, on this issue moving forwards.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nSincerely, \u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A9B197A7-0368-48B4-9CA5-1155F90F577A", "VIDEO: Flake Delivers Speech Pushing for DACA Solution", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Jeff Flake", "F000444", "www.flake.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today spoke on the Senate floor urging Congress to work together to pass a bipartisan solution to protect DACA recipients.\r\n\u201cWe don\u2019t need partisan bills that send a message, we need bipartisan solutions that can pass the Senate. We have spent so much time operating under reconciliation that it\u2019s worth reminding people that this measure will need 60 votes in order to succeed. That means, if we hope to protect DACA recipients, both sides need to compromise,\u201d said Flake.\r\nVideo of Flake\u2019s remarks can be viewed here.A transcript of prepared remarks can be viewed below.\r\n***   I rise today with increasing concern about the uncertain future facing DACA recipients.\r\nThere are nearly 800,000 DACA recipients. These are children who were brought across the border through no fault of their own, years and years ago.\r\nNearly 800,000 across the country, nearly 50,000 just in Arizona alone. They have protections now from deportation, but those protections will run out around the first of March.\r\nDespite the sense of urgency to solve this problem by the end of the year, there is little legislative progress to show for it.\r\nThe time has come for us to work together to deliver a real solution. We don\u2019t need partisan bills that send a message, we need bipartisan solutions that can pass the Senate.\r\nWe have spent so much time operating under reconciliation that it\u2019s worth reminding people that this measure will need 60 votes in order to succeed.\r\nThat means, if we hope to protect DACA recipients, both sides need to compromise.\u00a0 \u00a0\r\nThese individuals who we seek to help are students and employees, colleagues, and friends. They know no other home but the United States. They have embraced the values of hard work and perseverance, and in turn, their communities have embraced them as their own.\r\nSome of the most compelling pleas on behalf of these young people have come from those who know them best.\r\nThese kids are not just Americans in their own eyes. They are Americans in the eyes of their friends, classmates, teachers, and coworkers.\r\nWe all recognize these kids were brought here through no fault of their own, and no one wants to see them deported.\r\nAs the leaders of a nation of immigrants, we need to work together and deliver them a chance at a bright future.\r\nWe need workable legislation that can realistically be passed and signed into law. We don\u2019t need to make a statement, we need to make a law.\r\nThere are many challenges facing us with regard to immigration, but protecting these young people should not be one of them. This should be the easy lift.\r\nMr. President, I hope that we can all work together in a bipartisan way to find a solution for these kids that deserve a solution.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=67D570F8-53BE-42C7-9DFE-1604B153F765", "STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON IOCS DECISION TO BAN RUSSIA FROM 2018 WINTER OLYMPICS", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u00ad\u2013 U.S. Senator John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on the International Olympic Committee\u2019s decision to ban Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics:\r\n\r\n\u201cThe International Olympic Committee\u2019s decision to ban Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics is a welcome step in serving justice to Vladimir Putin\u2019s government for its elaborate doping scheme in 2014. The IOC\u2019s investigation and subsequent ruling reinforces years of reporting about Russia\u2019s state-sponsored doping program, which cheated countless Olympic athletes out of the medals they deserved. Today\u2019s announcement sends an important message to Putin\u2019s Russia that being a member of the international community means abiding by rules, norms, and standards\u2014and that anything less will not be tolerated. FIFA should add the IOC\u2019s decision to the list of reasons why the 2018 World Cup should not be held in Russia.\u201d\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=BA03B1A6-F119-482E-9EDE-F2D3950A3EF8", "STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON THE IMPACT OF A CONTINUING RESOLUTION", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u00ad\u2013 U.S. Senator John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on ongoing budget negotiations and the impact of a continuing resolution:\r\n\r\n\u201cIt is unfortunate and unacceptable that we find ourselves nearing the end of the calendar year and still do not have an agreement to fund the government for the current fiscal year. For nearly a decade, the lack of stable, sufficient, and predictable funding has had a devastating impact on our Armed Forces. More of our troops are now being killed and wounded in training and routine operations than in combat against our enemies.\r\n\u201cThat is why the congressional leadership and the President, when they meet on Thursday, must finalize a multi-year agreement to raise the budget caps for defense and ensure that our military is sufficiently funded. We need real, predictable growth in order to rebuild our military\u2014as the President has repeatedly called for, our military leaders have consistently asked for, and an overwhelming, bipartisan majority of both sides of Congress has voted to authorize\u2014and we need that growth both this year and next year.\u201d\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/differences-house-senate-will-have-resolve-advance-tax-reform-bill", "The Differences House, Senate Will Have to Resolve to Advance Tax Reform Bill", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "1626 Longworth House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-votes-go-conference-hr-1", "Congressman Biggs Votes to Go to Conference on H.R. 1", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "###\n\t\t\t\t\tCongressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona\u2019s Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ohalleran.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-o-halleran-statement-redrawing-national-monument-boundaries", "Rep. OHalleran Statement on Redrawing of National Monument Boundaries", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Tom O'Halleran", "O000171", "ohalleran.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today Congressman Tom O\u2019Halleran (AZ-01) blasted President Donald Trump\u2019s decision to shrink Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments, calling the move shortsighted and detrimental to ongoing conservation efforts and the preservation of Native American history. Five area Native American tribes supported the designation of Bears Ears, including the Hopi and Navajo Nation, both of which Congressman O\u2019Halleran represents in Congress.\n\u201cOur public lands are national treasures. They are home to the most beautiful natural wonders and thousands of years of history,\u201d said Rep. O\u2019Halleran. \u201cPresident Trump\u2019s decision to redraw the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante reverses the traditions of presidents from both parties setting aside important lands for conservation.\nDuring a visit to Utah on Monday, President Trump announced the downsizing of the monuments\u2019 borders. This decision goes beyond the recommendations of the Interior Department.\n\u201cThis move is unprecedented and shortsighted. It will be detrimental to the ongoing conservation efforts taking place to preserve these natural wonders and cultural sites,\u201d continued O\u2019Halleran. \u201cThis cannot stand.\u201d\nRep. O\u2019Halleran is an original cosponsor of legislation introduced by Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) to protect the Bears Ears National Monument.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-president-trump-s-decision-shrink-bears-ears", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on President Trumps Decision to Shrink Bears Ears National Monument", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u00ad\u2013 Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump\u2019s announcement that he would drastically shrink the Bears Ears National Monument.\nLast week, Rep. Gallego introduced a bill (HR 4518) that would protect the original acreage identified by the tribes as needing federal protection. The bill currently has 25 cosponsors.\n\u201cPresident Trump\u2019s reckless decision to remove protections for these sacred lands is unprecedented. Tribal nations have fought for years to safeguard their irreplaceable natural and cultural heritage, and with the swoop of a pen, Donald Trump is eliminating those hard-won protections.\n\u201cAs a nation, we have a moral responsibility to conserve our cultural and natural history and resources for future generations. My bill will provide permanent protection for these important ancestral sites. Our public lands belong to all of us, and I\u2019m proud to be leading the fight to preserve these places and stories for our children and grandchildren.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-statement-on-motion-to-conference-deficit-financed-tax-cuts/", "Sinema Statement on Motion to Conference Deficit Financed Tax Cuts", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today the House of Representatives voted to go to conference on H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema released the following statement after opposing the motion:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cRushing through a bill for short-term political gain is not in the best interest of Arizona or the American people. Congress needs to put partisanship aside, stop this broken process, and fix the bill. \"I've called for an open, bipartisan process because bipartisan legislation is the only legislation that stands the test of time. When President Reagan and Democratic Congress passed tax reform in the \u201880s, it took two years and bipartisan cooperation. It was hard work, and it was worth it. Americans deserve that type of leadership again. \u201cArizonans want tax reform that is fiscally responsible, puts middle class families first, and creates opportunity and security for hardworking families and businesses. I will keep working to make tax reform a better deal for our state.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=56B00C0B-C737-4C56-BFCB-EA3B98A7546F", "Flake Helps Secure Posthumous Bronze Star for Pearl Harbor Hero", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Jeff Flake", "F000444", "www.flake.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today applauded the U.S. Navy\u2019s decision to award Pearl Harbor hero Joseph Leon George the Bronze Star Medal with V device for valor in recognition of his efforts in rescuing six injured sailors from the sinking USS Arizona.\r\nThis September, Flake secured unanimous passage of a resolution honoring George\u2019s heroism and expressing the Senate\u2019s desire that the U.S. Navy reconsider a past decision not to decorate George because he defied orders to rescue those six sailors. George passed away in 1996 having never received official recognition for his life-saving actions at Pearl Harbor.\r\nRear Admiral Matthew J. Carter, deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, will present the Bronze Star Medal to George\u2019s daughter, Joe Ann Taylor, on December 7 during a ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. Flake will be unable to attend the ceremony due to likely scheduled Senate votes.\r\n\u201cThis is a great day for those of us who have fought for recognition of the unquestionable courage and heroism demonstrated by Joseph Leon George during the attack on Pearl Harbor. I applaud the Navy\u2019s decision to appropriately recognize George\u2019s bravery and award him the Bronze Star,\u201d said Flake. \u201cIt has been a privilege to join USS Arizona survivors Donald Stratton and Lauren Bruner \u2013 both heroes in their own right \u2013 and the families of Joe and the men whose lives he saved, to help secure this honor for Joe George.\u201d\r\nGeorge was serving as Boatswain\u2019s Mate Second Class aboard the USS Vestal, a repair ship moored alongside the USS Arizona, when the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. When the Arizona suffered a direct hit by a Japanese bomb and began to sink, George spotted six severely injured sailors trapped in the Arizona\u2019s anti-aircraft battery located one level above the control bridge - Seaman First Class Harold Kuhn, Seaman First Class Russell Lott, Gunner's Mate Third Class Earl Riner, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Alvin Dvork, Seaman First Class Donald Stratton, and Fire Controlman Third Class Lauren Bruner. Heroically, George first threw a heaving line between the two ships, enabling the wounded sailors to climb 70 feet hand-over-hand across the line to safety.\u00a0Two of those sailors would succumb to their injuries in the weeks following the attacks, while the four others would recover, serve honorably during World War II, and go on to live long lives.\r\nIn July, Flake committed to spearhead the resolution during a meeting with Stratton, Bruner, members of the George family, and multiple generations of children and grandchildren who owe their lives to George\u2019s life-saving actions. The resolution was cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.).\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\nBackground:\r\n \r\nOn Aug. 2, 2017 Flake introduced a resolution to honor George and spoke on the Senate floor in support of the measure, describing the details of George\u2019s heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor. View Flake\u2019s remarks here.\r\n \r\n \r\nOn Sept. 7, 2017 Flake secured unanimous passage in the Senate for his resolution to honor George. Read more here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/letters?ContentRecord_id=0D25EF81-F6AA-4DCD-B556-905D128A5AEF", "McCain Moran Veterans Community Care and Access Act of 2017", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "There are no files to display", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/letters?ContentRecord_id=2B2AEF76-8DD6-412C-98C5-BEE1186B257E", "McCain Moran Veterans Community Care and Access Act Key Highlights 12 4 17", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "There are no files to display", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/letters?ContentRecord_id=3DF4D0B4-2BAC-4CAE-897B-63DD51B3717E", "AMVETS Support Letter 12-1-17", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "There are no files to display", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/letters?ContentRecord_id=C3A334B7-81CE-4D82-8909-50D095A99C1D", "Concerned Veterans for America Support Letter 11-29-17", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "There are no files to display", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/letters?ContentRecord_id=D49788CF-9547-4334-83E6-834DD9EFDDCC", "American Legion Support Letter 11-28-17", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "There are no files to display", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=325375EB-1A33-438C-BA40-71BCBB25FCAF", "STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON MURDER OF FORMER YEMENI PRESIDENT ALI ABDULLAH SALEH", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u00ad\u2013 U.S. Senator John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on the murder of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh:\r\n\u201cThe murder of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh after his decision to seek compromise with coalition forces and pursue a resolution to the conflict proves that the Houthis and their Iranian sponsors have no interest in peace. His murder is a major blow to moderate forces on both sides of the conflict in Yemen, diminishing any prospect for imminent resolution and likely leading to further violence\u2014to the detriment of the Yemeni people. Iran\u2019s unchecked ambition and aggression in the region have led to unprecedented violence and a major humanitarian crisis in Yemen. I hope that Saleh\u2019s supporters and allies will continue his recent efforts to confront the Houthis and seek a peaceful end to this deadly conflict.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5D9B8429-6F94-46AF-AAEB-DA470617D64D", "SENATORS McCAIN & MORAN INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REFORM VA INTO 21ST CENTURY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, have introduced the Veterans Community Care and Access Act of 2017, legislation that would transform the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) into a modern, efficient and easy-to-use system that will increase veterans\u2019 access to quality care. This legislation, S. 2184, would better integrate VA services and existing VA community care programs, such as the Veterans Choice Program, into an efficient and high-performing health care system.\r\n\u201cIn the wake of the scandal in care at VA hospitals in Phoenix and around the country, we vowed to guarantee our veterans timely access to quality treatment,\u201d said Senator McCain. \u201cThe Veterans Choice Program was the first step in delivering on that promise, but much more needs to be done to provide all veterans a choice in when and where they receive care. Our bill would strengthen and improve the core elements of Choice by consolidating and streamlining the VA\u2019s community care program. Moreover, the bill would deliver long overdue, critical reforms to the VA, including commonsense reporting standards that ensure cost-efficient care to our nation\u2019s veterans. It\u2019s time we transform the VA into a 21st century health care system, one that respects the dignity of our men and women in uniform and provides all veterans the quality health care they deserve.\u201d\r\n\u201cSince the creation of the Veterans Choice Program, Congress has repeatedly pushed the VA to make much-needed changes to its healthcare system,\u201d said Senator Moran. \u201cFar too many Kansas veterans have experienced unnecessary difficulties accessing the care they\u2019ve earned from the VA, and I appreciate that they have shared their stories and empowered us to work on their behalf. Demand has demonstrated that veterans want and need healthcare options in their communities, but there must be reform at the VA to create a system that works for them. I\u2019m proud to be introducing this transformative legislation with Senator McCain, whose advocacy for our veterans is unparalleled. This joint effort to reform the VA will offer veterans an integrated healthcare system within their community that reduces red tape, enhances their quality of life and provides care that is worthy of their service and sacrifice.\u201d\r\nThis legislation would ensure that veterans are the primary decision-makers concerning when and where they receive care. In addition, the bill would require the VA to use objective data on health care demand to set standards for access and quality, and to identify and bridge gaps in veterans\u2019 care \u2013 whether in VA or community facilities. Importantly, the bill would ensure the VA promptly pays community providers, opens access to walk-in clinics, offers telemedicine, increases graduate medical education and residency positions for employees, and improves its collaboration with community providers and other federal agencies.\r\nThis legislation is supported by the American Legion, AMVETS and Concerned Veterans for America.\r\n\u201cOn behalf of the 2 million members of The American Legion, I write to support your bill titled, Veterans Community Care and Access Act of 2017,\u201d said American Legion National Commander Denise H. Rohan. \u201cThe bill, as currently written, would modify the already existing Choice program, providing veterans with the 21st Century medical system they rightfully deserve.\u201d The American Legion\u2019s full letter in support of the legislation is available here.\r\n\u201cAMVETS is pleased to support the Veterans Community Care and Access Act of 2017. Veterans need health care, both inside and outside of the VA system of care,\u201d said AMVETS National Executive Director Joe Chenelly. \u201cThis measure addresses funding, implements ongoing patient surveying in conjunction with community care teams, and devises re-evaluation of both VA and private sector care. Both need oversight.\u00a0All veterans have a right to receive the quality health care they have earned, and we applaud the hard work and insight that has taken place for this type of measure to be created. We urge its swift passage and will assist however we can.\u201d AMVETS\u2019s full letter in support of the legislation is available here.\r\n\u201cDespite tens of billions of dollars in budget increases for the VA over the past three years, there are still far too many veterans waiting long periods of time for critical appointments and still too frequent reports of veterans suffering as the result of substandard care at the VA,\u201d said Concerned Veterans for America Executive Director Dan Caldwell. \u201cThe Veterans Community Care and Access Act of 2017 would change that by reforming how the VA delivers health care to our veterans. The legislation would give veterans more options in their healthcare and change how it is delivered. Additionally, the legislation creates a plan to combine multiple outside care programs at the VA that will reduce bureaucracy and streamline reimbursements to community providers\u2026 Concerned Veterans for America strongly supports this legislation and we thank you for leading on this important issue.\u201d Concerned Veterans for America\u2019s full letter in support of the legislation is available here.\r\nRead about the key highlights of the bill here. A detailed section-by-section description of the legislation is available here. The text of the legislation is available here.\r\n   ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-statement-senate-passage-tax-reform-package", "Congressman Biggs' Statement on Senate Passage of Tax Reform Package", "2017-12-02", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "GILBERT, ARIZONA - The U.S. Senate passed its tax reform package early this morning, setting up a conference to reconcile differences between the bills. Congressman Biggs released the following statement: \"Kudos to the Senate for addressing tax reform and allowing the process to proceed. Though neither the House nor Senate bills are perfect, I remain hopeful that a conference committee will improve the final product. All Americans deserve a tax cut, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that our final bill maximizes economic prosperity for individuals, families, and businesses.\"\n###\nCongressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona\u2019s Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://franks.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-franks-statement-senate-passage-republican-tax-reform-plan", "Rep. Franks Statement on the Senate passage of the Republican Tax Reform Plan", "2017-12-02", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Trent Franks", "F000448", "franks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Trent Franks commented on the Senate passage of the Republican Tax Reform plan in the following statement:\n\u00a0\n\u201cIt is gratifying to see the Senate function properly and work to fulfill the request of the American people to lower taxes and allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money. I hope the feeling of accomplishment becomes addicting for Mitch McConnell and the rest of GOP leadership in the upper chamber and that they will do all they can to pass a full repeal of Obamacare, pass common-sense pro-life legislation like Pain-Capable and increase border security so Americans can feel safe again.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/house-conservatives-demand-answers-fbi-clinton-probe-fusion-gps", "House conservatives demand answers from FBI on Clinton probe, Fusion GPS", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "1626 Longworth House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/house-gop-weighing-stopgap-bills-avoid-government-shutdown", "House GOP weighing stopgap bills to avoid government shutdown", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Andy Biggs", "B001302", "biggs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "1626 Longworth House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://franks.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chair-israel-allies-caucus-reacts-reports-trump-plans-recognize", "Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus Reacts to Reports Trump Plans To Recognize Jerusalem as Israels Capital: No Space Between Israel and U.S.", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Trent Franks", "F000448", "franks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Reacting to reports that President Donald Trump plan on recognizing Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s capital, Congressman Trent Franks, chair of the Israel Allies Caucus, released the following statement lauding the president\u2019s plans and urging the administration to move the U.S.\u2019s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Note that Rep. Trent Franks introduced legislation in the House (H.R. 257) that would specifically recognize Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s undivided capital.\n\u00a0\n\u201cPresident Trump is right to proclaim Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s capital. Israel is America\u2019s most cherished ally in the world, and it is time the world understands there is no space between us. The president\u2019s announcement will be a giant step in the right direction. Now it is time to do away with the biannual waver completely and unequivocally signal Israel\u2019s sovereignty in Jerusalem by moving the U.S. embassy there as soon as possible.\u201d\n\u200b", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mcsally-announces-tucson-based-company-wins-gsa-contract-douglas", "Rep. McSally Announces Tucson-Based Company Wins GSA Contract for Douglas Port of Entry Feasibility Study", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Martha McSally", "M001197", "mcsally.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC\u2014U.S. Representative Martha McSally today announced that the Douglas Port of Entry is another step closer to modernization. U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded a Tucson-based architectural firm, Line and Space, with the contract for the feasibility study to evaluate necessary upgrades and expansions of the port.\n\u201cGSA\u2019s selection of a contractor shows that this feasibility study is on track and that the Douglas Port of Entry modernization project is progressing. After years of fighting to move this project forward, I am pleased to announce another step towards completion. Right now our Customs and Border Protection Officers are doing the best they can with an outdated and inadequate facility, but they are dealing with steep increases in two-way traffic and if this project is not completed, our port won\u2019t be able to meet the minimum requirements to keep up. Modernizing our port and building a new one in Douglas is not just good for our local economy\u2014it is necessary for our security. I won\u2019t stop until this project is a reality,\u201d said Congresswoman McSally.\nBuilt in 1933 and last renovated over twenty years ago, the Douglas Port of Entry has experienced a steady increase in traffic and is inadequately equipped to keep up with the demand. The City of Douglas has been attempting to secure the approval of a new Commercial Port of Entry since 2012\u2014but once Congresswoman Martha McSally took up the cause on her first day in office, she has effectively driven the project forward. Rep. McSally worked with the Trump Administration to successfully secure funding for the feasibility study, which is a necessary step to move the modernization and expansion of the port forwards. The modernization project is expected to be completed within the next five years because she successfully pressed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to include it in their Five-Year Plan.\n\"We are pleased to see that the General Services Administration is moving forward with the feasibility study that will look at the investments needed to modernize the existing port of entry and the urgent need to relocate commercial traffic to a new port of entry. \u00a0Having Congresswoman McSally carrying the message on behalf of Douglas and the binational community helps us move forward with confidence. \u00a0Thanks to Congresswoman McSally for her work\u2014we look forward to what this means for our city, economy, and security,\u201d said\u00a0Robert Uribe, Mayor for the City of Douglas.\u200b\nUnder the terms of the contract, Line and Space will be tasked with preparing a list of building improvements necessary to modernize the Raul Hector Castro Land Port of Entry port with the project team and will develop a project priority that meets the mission requirements for the CBP and GSA. The Contractor will review maintenance service request logs, GSA building evaluation reports, facility condition assessments and any available technical studies with the project team.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-steinle-was-killed-because-laws-books-were-not-enforced", "U.S. Rep. McSally: Steinle Was Killed Because the Laws on the Books Were Not Enforced", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Martha McSally", "M001197", "mcsally.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC\u2014U.S. Representative Martha McSally today joined Stuart Varney on Fox News to discuss the jury\u2019s verdict on Kate Steinle and what it means for border security and sanctuary cities.\n\u201cThis is a shocking decision. This man came illegally to the United States five times, one time, at least, through Arizona. In the sanctuary city of San Francisco he had a detainer and federal officials begged \u2018please, this man is a danger, hand him over to us\u2019 and the city refused to,\u201d said Congresswoman McSally.\u00a0 \u201cKate Steinle was killed because the laws on the books were not enforced. The dangerous policies of sanctuary cities, like San Francisco, are not safe for Americans and their families.\u201d\nThe Congresswoman pointed to legislation she supports to cut off federal grants to sanctuary cities that do not enforce federal laws, as well as Kate\u2019s Law, named after Kate Steinle, which will increase the penalties for deported aliens who try to return to the United States.\u00a0 \u00a0\nMcSally also talked about the need to enforce border security. \u201cWe absolutely need to be increasing our border security to include physical infrastructures where necessary and additional technology so border patrol can do their job and stop the entry of illegal felons like him,\u201d McSally said.\nWatch their exchange by clicking HERE or below:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-introduces-bill-protect-bears-ears-national-monument", "Rep. Ruben Gallego Introduces Bill to Protect Bears Ears National Monument", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ruben Gallego", "G000574", "rubengallego.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u00ad\u2013 Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) introduced a bill to protect the Bears Ears National Monument from an unprecedented attempt by the Trump administration to downsize and redraw the monument\u2019s boundaries.\nLast year, following extensive negotiations with five Native American tribes, President Obama signed Proclamation 9558, which established the Bears Ears National Monument, conserving 1.35 million acres of wilderness and protecting over 100,000 Native American archaeological and cultural sites.\nUnfortunately, following a review conducted with no meaningful input from the tribes, the Department of the Interior recommended downsizing the monument \u2013 an action that would be without precedent in American history. President Trump is visiting Utah on Monday and is widely expected to announce the redrawing of the monument\u2019s boundaries to effect a drastic decrease in protected land beyond the Interior Department\u2019s recommendation.\nRep. Gallego\u2019s bill would protect the original acreage identified by the tribes as housing culturally sensitive artifacts and sacred lands.\nThe bill\u2019s 24 original cosponsors include Reps. Ted Lieu (CA-33), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Jared Polis (CO-02), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Tom O\u2019Halleran (AZ-01), Darren Soto (FL-09), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Anthony Brown (MD-04), Niki Tsongas (MA-03), Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Lucille Roybal Allard (CA-40), Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (CA-44), Donald McEachin (VA-04), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Don Beyer (VA-08) and Jacky Rosen (NV-03).\nThe bill has been endorsed by the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, The Wilderness Society, Conservation Lands Foundation, Earthjustice, League of Conservation Voters, National Parks Conservation Association, Grand Canyon Trust, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.\n\u201cPresident Trump\u2019s reckless proposal to slash 85% of this important monument is unprecedented,\u201d said Rep. Ruben Gallego. \u201cSecretary Zinke did not meaningfully consult the tribes during his \u2018review,\u2019 and now Trump won\u2019t even visit the sacred tribal sites that he\u2019s planning to dismantle protections for. We can\u2019t allow the Trump administration to sell off America\u2019s natural and cultural heritage to the highest bidder.\u201d\n\"The Bears Ears National Monument Expansion Act is a model for how we should be protecting special places.\u00a0 Instead of turning our public lands over to corporate polluters, our country should be protecting the landscape, wildlife, and thousands of sites of spiritual importance within Bears Ears from threats like illegal ATV use, looting, and vandalism. Most importantly, tribes should be able to participate meaningfully in its management and have access to the land for their traditional uses, and the Bears Ears National Monument Expansion Act does just that,\" said Micheal Brune, Sierra Club's Executive Director.\nScott Miller, The Wilderness Society\u2019s Southwest Regional Director, said, \u201cWe applaud Rep. Gallego and the cosponsors of this forward-looking bill to fully protect the Bears Ears region and honor the wishes of the five sovereign tribal nations who have fought for years to protect their ancestral lands and sacred sites. At a time when the President is callously preparing to ignore the outcry of millions of Americans and take illegal action that flies in the face of tribal sovereignty, it\u2019s important to see leaders in Congress like Rep. Gallego moving forward to more fully protect these irreplaceable lands and cultural resources for future generations.\u201d\nSharon Buccino, Director of the Natural Resource Defense Council\u2019s Lands Program, said, \u201cBears Ears is one of the nation\u2019s true gems\u2014with dramatic canyons, cliffs, mesas and creeks\u2014and tens of thousands of petroglyphs, granaries and other cultural sites. These treasures need permanent protection from drilling, mining, vandalism and other threats. This bill represents a complete vision of Bears Ears. In protecting the full landscape and all of its cultural resources, we tell the story of the Native Americans who have called this place home for thousands of years \u2013 and give them a voice in the management of their sacred heritage.\u201d\n\u201cRep. Gallego\u2019s bill would ensure that the cultural resources and sacred sites at Bears Ears National Monument remain protected and prevent reckless attempts to open Bears Ears or any other park or monument to fossil fuel interests,\u201d said Arian Rubio, Lands Legislative Associate at the League of Conservation Voters. \u201cThe Trump administration may try to dismiss the millions of public comments in support of protecting parks and monuments, but we\u2019re proud to stand with strong advocates like Rep. Gallego and fight for the majority of people in this country who want to keep public lands and waters protected for future generations.\u201d\nDavid Nimkin, Southwest Senior Regional Director for National Parks Conservation Association, said, \u201cOur national parks and monuments protect some of our country\u2019s most important places and belong to all of us. Bears Ears connects and protects the larger national park landscape that includes Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Natural Bridges National Monument and Canyonlands National Park and is part of the\u00a0ancestral homelands of many tribal communities. \u00a0Congressman Gallego\u2019s bill honors the interests of these communities and rightfully expands protections to more fully protect the remarkable natural and cultural resources found here.\u201d\nScott Groene, the Executive Director of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, said, \u201cThe boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument were always just the first step, protecting less than what the tribes requested or what the landscape deserved. Rep. Gallego\u2019s commitment to finishing the job by safeguarding the entirety of the Bears Ears cultural landscape is a demonstration of true leadership that stands in stark contrast to President Trump\u2019s reckless efforts to slash protections for an irreplaceable landscape that holds deep significance.\"\n\"We are very grateful to President Obama for the 1.35 million acre Bears Ears National Monument he designated in 2016, but his attempt to satisfy local non-Native interests by reducing our proposal by half a million acres has proven fruitless,\"\u00a0said Carleton Bowekaty, Pueblo of Zuni Councilman.\u00a0\"Now, as our president prepares to dramatically and irresponsibly shrink the existing Bears Ears National Monument, we are delighted that Congressman Gallego has introduced a bill that would fulfill our original vision for the Bears Ears cultural landscape.\"\n\"The 1.9 million acre boundary we originally proposed President Obama designate under the Antiquities Act is filled edge-to-edge with sacred sites important to our Tribal members,\"\u00a0said Davis Filfred, Navajo Nation Council Delegate.\u00a0\"Representative Gallego's new bill would protect many significant cultural sites and objects that failed to gain needed protections in 2016.\"\n\"We are thankful that Representative Gallego approached us to help us protect all of what we have worked for these many years,\"\u00a0said Shaun Chapoose, member of the Ute Indian Tribe Business Committee.\u00a0\"Unlike President Trump and Secretary Zinke, Representative Gallego is doing what the rest of the federal government ought to be doing - honoring the government-to-government relationship and the trust and treaty obligations the United States shares with our Tribes.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 1660, "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 \"state\" = :p0 and \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "AZ", "p1": "2017"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=AZ&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 1237, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AZ&year=2017&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 423, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AZ&year=2017&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=AZ&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 1660, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AZ&year=2017&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=AZ&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "AZ", "label": "AZ", "count": 1660, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=AZ&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "2017", "label": "2017", "count": 1660, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AZ", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2017-12-01,https~3A~2F~2Frubengallego~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Frep-ruben-gallego-introduces-bill-protect-bears-ears-national-monument", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AZ&year=2017&_next=2017-12-01%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Frubengallego~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Frep-ruben-gallego-introduces-bill-protect-bears-ears-national-monument&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 310.3849017061293, "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"}