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Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press

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bioguide_id
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1,497 rows where chamber = "House", state = "AZ" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending

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  • 2015 · 1,497 ✖

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url title date ▲ year month party chamber state member_name bioguide_id domain scraper source date_source text has_text collected_at updated_at
http://gosar.house.gov/press-release/rep-gosar-circulates-legislation-strip-medal-freedom-bill-cosby Rep. Gosar Circulates Legislation to Strip Medal of Freedom from Bill Cosby 2015-12-31 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy PRESCOTT, A.Z. - Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after circulating a Dear Colleague letter inviting his fellow members of Congress to cosponsor legislation that he will introduce next week affirming a mechanism for the president to strip Bill Cosby of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and that will impose criminal penalties for anyone who wears or publicly displays a Presidential Medal of Freedom that has been revoked: The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not something to be taken lightly and such an honor must come with responsibility and accountability. No doubt, Bill Cosby has made cultural contributions to public life in the United States as both an entertainer and as an advocate for social causes. However, the shocking admissions of Cosby during a 2005 deposition, the harrowing accounts of more than 50 women of Cosbys sexual assault and drugging as well as Cosbys arrest for three felony counts of sexual assault make him unfit to retain our nations highest civilian honor. When approached, President Obama stated there is no mechanism to revoke the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Cosby, making it is necessary to establish a formal removal process in order to protect the integrity of this award. For this reason, I will introduce legislation that ensures there is a mechanism in place to strip Cosby, or anyone else found dishonorarable, of the Medal of Freedom. Furthermore, it is true that there is a presumption of innocence in the American legal system, and rightly so. While our criminal justice system will ultimately determine whether Cosby serves jail time for the 2004 incident, Montgomery County prosecutors made clear in their Affidavit of Probable Cause yesterday that Bill Cosby has likely been drugging women for years. Cosbys own admissions to drugging women for sex place him outside the bounds of whom we should admire in our society. To continue honoring Bill Cosby with this prestigious accolade would be an affront to women nationwide,… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2427 Rep. Gosar Circulates Legislation to Strip Medal of Freedom from Bill Cosby 2015-12-31 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy PRESCOTT, A.Z. - Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after circulating a Dear Colleague letter inviting his fellow members of Congress to cosponsor legislation that he will introduce next week affirming a mechanism for the president to strip Bill Cosby of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and that will impose criminal penalties for anyone who wears or publicly displays a Presidential Medal of Freedom that has been revoked: The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not something to be taken lightly and such an honor must come with responsibility and accountability. No doubt, Bill Cosby has made cultural contributions to public life in the United States as both an entertainer and as an advocate for social causes. However, the shocking admissions of Cosby during a 2005 deposition, the harrowing accounts of more than 50 women of Cosby's sexual assault and drugging as well as Cosby's arrest for three felony counts of sexual assault make him unfit to retain our nation's highest civilian honor. When approached, President Obama stated there is no mechanism to revoke the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Cosby, making it is necessary to establish a formal removal process in order to protect the integrity of this award. For this reason, I will introduce legislation that ensures there is a mechanism in place to strip Cosby, or anyone else found dishonorarable, of the Medal of Freedom. Furthermore, it is true that there is a presumption of innocence in the American legal system, and rightly so. While our criminal justice system will ultimately determine whether Cosby serves jail time for the 2004 incident, Montgomery County prosecutors made clear in their Affidavit of Probable Cause yesterday that Bill Cosby has likely been drugging women for years. Cosby's own admissions to drugging women for sex place him outside the bounds of whom we should admire in our society. To continue honoring Bill Cosby with this prestigious accolade would be an affront to women nationw… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=c78c1e97-d1a5-4b86-9444-f1ebcce730e5 STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON IRAN ROCKET LAUNCH NEAR U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER 2015-12-30 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on Irans recent rocket launch near the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Strait of Hormuz: "As the Obama Administration celebrates the Iran nuclear deal, Iran conducted a highly provocative launch of several rockets with little warning just 1500 yards from a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Strait of Hormuz. This alarming launch comes after Iran has conducted two advanced missile tests since October in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. Yet the Administration continues to turn a blind eye to Iranian saber rattling, continued state sponsorship of terrorism, and violations of its international commitments for fear Iran will walk away from the nuclear deal. "The administration's desperate attempts to get sanctions relief before the elections in February based on an unfounded belief that it will promote what they perceive as a 'moderate' political strain in Iran is both nave and dangerous. A rush to sanctions relief threatens to embolden an increasingly aggressive Iranian regime that has no intention of normalizing relations with the West or of retreating from a malign policy intended to destabilize the Middle East. "We need a to ensure that U.S. forces are postured to respond to Iranian aggression and finally adopt a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran's malign influence in the Middle East." ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=37b2bec3-08f3-44bc-bfe1-c05a15e0de93 STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN ON JAPAN & REPUBLIC OF KOREAS AGREEMENT REGARDING COMFORT WOMEN 2015-12-28 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the agreement reached by Japan and the Republic of Korea regarding wartime comfort women: Today's landmark agreement between Japan and the Republic of Korea regarding the comfort woman issue is a testament to the leadership and vision of Prime Minister Abe and President Park. I truly hope this agreement will mark a new era between Tokyo and Seoul based not on the burdens of history but on the shared goal of forging a more stable, peaceful, and prosperous future for the Asia-Pacific region. A Japan and ROK that are more unified bilateral partners and trilateral allies with the United States represents a powerful force for freedom in the world that we should welcome in these perilous and unpredictable times. I congratulate both governments on finalizing this historic deal and look forward to realizing its benefits in the years ahead. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4193375b-dae1-48f9-8ede-cdfbbd5607b7 STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON IRAQI FORCES RETAKING RAMADI FROM ISIL 2015-12-28 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on reports that Iraqi forces have retaken the city center of Ramadi from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL): The liberation of the city center of Ramadi is a major milestone in the fight against ISIL, a significant achievement for the Iraqi Security Forces, and a tribute to the tireless efforts of U.S. and coalition forces who have enabled this victory. The recent capture of Tishreen Dam by opposition forces in Syria, similarly supported by U.S. and coalition forces, also represents a meaningful setback for ISIL. However, no one should understate how much work remains and how much more difficult that work will be than liberating Ramadi. The black flags of ISIL still fly over Mosul, Raqqa, and other key parts of Iraq and Syria. This threat is also metastasizing across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. And it now poses a more direct threat than ever to our homeland and that of our allies, as we have seen in recent terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, Paris, Beirut, Ankara, and the downing of a Russian airliner over Sinai. For recent gains to endure, the ground that has been cleared in Iraq and Syria must now be held so ISIL cannot return. At the same time, the liberation of ISIL's strongholds in Iraq and Syria are essential to eliminating its ability to recruit and radicalize, but our commanders estimate that Mosul will not be retaken by the end of next year, and there is currently no local ground force in Syria that is both capable and willing to retake Raqqa, nor is one likely to emerge in the foreseeable future. These efforts must be part of a comprehensive regional strategy to counter ISIL wherever it seeks to expand and make inroads. If our goal truly is to destroy ISIL in the near future, rather than kick the can down the road for others to deal with, the United States must play a far more active role than we are now, especially in supporting local … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=d1592f03-6d8b-46c6-9e27-cac21389c565 STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN ON SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM SUSPENDING PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN 2015-12-21 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement today on the announcement that Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has suspended his presidential campaign: With Senator Lindsey Grahams announcement, Republicans lost our most qualified, thoughtful, fearless and honest presidential candidate, not to mention the candidate with the best (and it seemed sometimes the only) sense of humor. Despite the disadvantages he faced in resources and debate opportunities, Lindseys message of serious statesmanship and problem-solving in public affairs, his forthright opposition to policies and attitudes that would endanger our country and reflect poorly on our party, and his genuine decency and humility won him many new admirers. As sorry as I am to see Lindseys candidacy end, I understand his reasons, and Im as proud of him as Ive ever been for his exemplary service to our party and our country. Lindseys friends and supporters take consolation in the assurance his voice will continue to be prominent in the U.S. Senate, where his message of inclusiveness, optimism, and forward-looking leadership will serve as a needed rebuttal to those who advocate a narrower and pessimistic vision for our party. It is a pity that a bifurcated debate structure kept his voice and views from the wider public that needed to hear them. Even so, as the candidate with the most national security experience, and, in my opinion, the most practical and honorable views of American world leadership, Lindsey stood up to and helped stem the rise within our party of isolationism and obliviousness in world affairs, and indifference to human suffering. It was my privilege to support Lindsey and campaign with him, a privilege exceeded only by the privilege of his friendship. Thank you, my friend, for all you have done for the country you love and serve so well. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-statement-passage-fy2016-funding-bill U.S. Rep. McSally Statement on Passage of FY2016 Funding Bill 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Martha McSally M001197 mcsally.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Martha McSally today voted in support of the Omnibus Appropriations Act for FY2016, legislation to fund the government through the end of fiscal year 2016. The bill passed the House today with wide bipartisan support 316 to 113. While far from perfect, todays bipartisan legislation benefits Southern Arizona in many ways. Ive been a leading voice to stop the dangerous cuts to our depleted military. This agreement does just that. After I fought hard to protect the A-10 and EC-130H, this bill provides full funding for both aircraft as well as my amendment to prevent the retirement of any EC-130H next year. It includes an additional $241 million for three critical missiles produced at Raytheon in Tucson, keeping their lines running and protecting good-paying Southern Arizona jobs. The bill also contains funding for construction at DM and Fort Huachuca, including $18.2 million for personnel recovery training missions conducted in Southern Arizona and $3.9 million to renovate the Joint Interoperability Test Command buildings. In addition, todays legislation prioritizes protecting our homeland. The bill contains provisions to strengthen the Visa Waiver Program, a recommendation made by my colleagues and me on the bipartisan foreign fighter task force. It increases funding for Customs and Border Protection operations and focuses funds for the FBI to conduct counterterrorism and counterintelligence activities. While these are important steps, we still have work to do to address all our security vulnerabilities, and Ill continue to work to pass more solutions to make Americans safer. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-today-s-omnibus-vote Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Todays Omnibus Vote 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Democrat House AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 rubengallego.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC Today, the House of Representatives passed an omnibus government funding bill. Rep. Ruben Gallego voted against the bill. Rep. Gallego issued the following statement: The omnibus bill was billed as a compromise, but in reality was packed with Republican policy provisions that only compromise our values. The omnibus should be about funding the government not about pushing through policies that could not pass on their own. Among the legislations many serious shortcomings is its failure to address the mounting fiscal crisis in Puerto Rico. The people of Puerto Rico are American citizens who vote in our elections, swear allegiance to our flag and fight and die in our wars. Yet, at a time when massive bills are coming due this Congress has turned its back on the Puerto Rican people, even though including a provision in the omnibus to allow Puerto Rico to restructure its debts wouldnt cost the American taxpayer a penny. The omnibus will undermine our efforts to address climate change by lifting an oil export ban that will increase our reliance on fossil fuels. Less than a week after reaching a historic climate change pact in Paris, Republicans want to undo the progress made by giving Big Oil a major victory. The omnibus will also block critical efforts to improve the transparency of our elections. For example, it includes a misguided rider that will prevent the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from instituting rules to ensure that shareholders know how corporate funds are being used to influence politicians and political campaigns. Instead of fighting for fairness and openness in our elections, Republicans used the 2,000 page spending bill to limit disclosures and preserve the power of rich special interests. The omnibus bill fell seriously short of expectations. A vote to support the bill would have been a vote to support bad policy. ## 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=f481a555-cb49-441c-8f98-2cf54b1f1b92 Flake Votes Against Omnibus Appropriations Bill 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Jeff Flake F000444 www.flake.senate.gov     legacy Washington, DC U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today issued the following statement regarding his vote against the fiscal year 2016 omnibus appropriations bill: I voted against the omnibus because it adds to our growing debt, fails to address wasteful spending, and is full of the same tired giveaways weve seen over the years, said Flake. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=81a18bda-51ff-455b-8656-bf36909227c2 STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON VOTING NO TO OMNIBUS SPENDING BILL 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on voting no to the omnibus spending bill: In the aftermath of the attack on San Bernardino, and with threats to our national security growing around the world, Congress shamefully took billions of taxpayer dollars that should have been focused on our warfighters and loaded up the omnibus spending bill with wasteful, unnecessary, and inappropriate pork-barrel projects. At a time of war and cuts to our national defense, this 2000-page bill negotiated in secret includes over $2 billion in defense funding for duplicative medical research, the vast majority of which has nothing to do with the mission of the U.S. military or Department of Defense. With our Navy working hard to use limited resources to build the fleet we need for the future, the omnibus includes $225 million for a ship that the Navy does not want and does not need. And as Russia occupies Crimea, destabilizes Ukraine, menaces our NATO allies, and bombs U.S.-backed forces in Syria, the omnibus includes a provision allowing a single U.S. company to spend hundreds of millions of dollars buying Russian-made rocket engines from Vladimir Putin and his cronies. This omnibus bill, and the broken process that produced it, represents everything that the American people hate about Washington. The American people deserve better. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=e7c45385-3faa-4816-8a6f-ead2528252e5 STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN ON PRESIDENT OBAMAS FAILURE TO GRANT POSTHUMOUS PARDON FOR JACK JOHNSON 2015-12-18 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement on President Obamas failure to issue a posthumous pardon for boxing legend John Arthur Jack Johnson along with the 95 commutations of sentence and two pardons he granted today: Today, President Obama missed another opportunity to right a historical injustice by issuing a posthumous pardon for boxing legend Jack Johnson, whose good name and reputation were ruined by a racially charged conviction more than a century ago. Despite Congress having just enacted legislation calling on the president to restore this great athletes legacy, he has once again refused to take action. When President Obama grants more presidential pardons in the year to come, I hope he will finally do the right thing and close this shameful chapter in American history. Earlier this month, Congress passed and the president signed into law legislation that included a resolution offered by Senators McCain and Harry Reid (D-NV) that calls on President Obama to posthumously pardon Johnson. Jack Johnson was born in Galveston, Texas on March 31, 1878 and in 1908, he became the first African-American World Heavyweight Boxing Champion after defeating Tommy Burns in Australia a title Johnson held until 1915. Prompted by his success in the boxing ring and his relationship with a Caucasian woman, Jack Johnson was wrongly convicted under the Mann Act when he brought the woman he was dating across state lines. The intent of the Mann Act was to prevent human trafficking of women for the purpose of prostitution. However, this racially motivated 1913 conviction imprisoned Jack Johnson for a year. The conviction ruined his career and destroyed his reputation. American Presidents have issued posthumous pardons in the past. In 1999, President Clinton pardoned Henry O. Flipper, the first African-American to graduate from West Point and first African-American officer to lead the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10thCavalry Regiment during the Civil War, who was later dismissed from the Ar… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://gosar.house.gov/press-release/rep-gosar-vote-no-massive-omnibus-spending-bill Rep. Gosar to Vote NO on Massive Omnibus Spending Bill 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement announcing he will be voting no on the massive $1.1 trillion spending measure, H.R. 2029 the Consolidated Appropriations Act (omnibus), scheduled for a vote in the House on Friday, December 18: Once again I find myself infuriated about out-of-control, wasteful spending and a lack of leadership in Washington D.C. No member can actually read 2,242 pages of text and over 1,000 pages of explanatory material in 54 hours. I am not Nancy Pelosi and I will not vote to pass a bill just to find out later what it contains. Such actions are irresponsible and silly. I wish that I could put all the blame for this flawed bill on big spending Democrats who are ignorant of the fiscal crisis within which we live, but I cant. Congress is controlled by Republicans. Yet, somehow this is the worst omnibus deal for Republicans since Ive been here. The American people gave Congress a clear mandate to reduce spending and shrink the size of the federal government as well as to rein in a lawless and dangerously incompetent Obama Administration. Except for passage of the sequester in August 2011, no other law has been enacted that has made meaningful cuts to federal spending. This irresponsible bill blows through those budget caps established just a few short years ago. This terrible deal includes no new riders to hold this rogue administration accountable and gives Democrats everything they wanted and more. Westerners and conservatives are rightfully outraged that our negotiators gave away the farm in this bill. It doesnt have to be this way. We must have the courage to fix our broken budget process and return to regular order. I refuse to go along with the status quo of more wasteful federal spending and I refuse to let the Obama Administration continue to force their misguided ideology through regulatory overreach. As long as I represent hard-working Arizonans, I will never stop fighting to end this madness. This is my line in the sand … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1500 Rep. Gosar to Vote NO on Massive Omnibus Spending Bill 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement announcing he will be voting no on the massive $1.1 trillion spending measure, H.R. 2029 the Consolidated Appropriations Act (omnibus), scheduled for a vote in the House on Friday, December 18: Once again I find myself infuriated about out-of-control, wasteful spending and a lack of leadership in Washington D.C. No member can actually read 2,242 pages of text and over 1,000 pages of explanatory material in 54 hours. I am not Nancy Pelosi and I will not vote to pass a bill just to find out later what it contains. Such actions are irresponsible and silly. I wish that I could put all the blame for this flawed bill on big spending Democrats who are ignorant of the fiscal crisis within which we live, but I can't. Congress is controlled by Republicans. Yet, somehow this is the worst omnibus deal' for Republicans since I've been here. The American people gave Congress a clear mandate to reduce spending and shrink the size of the federal government as well as to rein in a lawless and dangerously incompetent Obama Administration. Except for passage of the sequester in August 2011, no other law has been enacted that has made meaningful cuts to federal spending. This irresponsible bill blows through those budget caps established just a few short years ago. This terrible deal includes no new riders to hold this rogue administration accountable and gives Democrats everything they wanted and more. Westerners and conservatives are rightfully outraged that our negotiators gave away the farm in this bill. It doesn't have to be this way. We must have the courage to fix our broken budget process and return to regular order. I refuse to go along with the status quo of more wasteful federal spending and I refuse to let the Obama Administration continue to force their misguided ideology through regulatory overreach. As long as I represent hard-working Arizonans, I will never stop fighting to end this madness. This is my line in the s… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=68e65477-bd86-4a5b-8380-8c583f1ba8dc FLOOR STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON FOREIGN POLICY IN 2015 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered the following statement on the Senate floor today on foreign policy in 2015: Madam President: Seventy years ago, a group of American leaders forged the rules-based international order out of the ashes of World War II. Those that were there recalled that they were present at the creation. We may well look back at 2015 and realize we were present at the unraveling. At the beginning of this year, President Obama was still committed to degrading and ultimately destroying ISIL. He had warned that if left unchecked, [ISIL] could pose a growing threat beyond [the Middle East] - including to the United States. And in 2015 thats exactly happened in Paris and San Bernardino. More than one year into the campaign against ISIL, it is impossible to assert that ISIL is losing and that we are winning, and if you are not winning in this kind of warfare, you are losing. Stalemate is not success. This year the Senate Armed Services Committee held several hearings specifically focused on the threat of ISIL, including three with Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. We heard about nine lines of effort. We heard about 3 Rs. But we never heard a single plausible theory of success. ISIL has lost some territory on the margin, but has consolidated control of its core territories and expanded its control in Syria. It continues to dominate Sunni Arab areas in both Iraq and Syria. It maintains control of key Iraqi cities like Mosul, Fallujah, and Ramadi, and efforts to retake those territories appear to have stalled entirely. Meanwhile, ISIL is expanding globally. On Tuesday, General John Campbell, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan told the Associated Press that ISIL is seeking to establish a regional base in eastern Afghanistan as it attracts more followers and foreign fighters. In Libya, the Wall Street Journal reports that ISIL has expanded in Libya and established a new base close to Europe where it can generate… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=25993605-b715-46fa-ac54-27b3a90252b5 STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON DEFENSE SECRETARY ASHTON CARTERS IMPROPER USE OF PERSONAL EMAIL 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on Defense Secretary Ashton Carters improper use of personal email to conduct official business: With all the public attention surrounding the improper use of personal email by other Administration officials, it is hard to believe that Secretary Carter would exercise the same error in judgment. The Senate Armed Services Committee has requested copies of the emails and will be conducting a review to ensure that sensitive information was not compromised. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=52ed23e0-cbf2-42cc-a4fc-3964791468c8 SENATORS McCAIN & BLUMENTHAL REINTRODUCE FANS ACT TO SPIKE SPORTS BLACKOUTS 2015-12-17 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) reintroduced the Furthering Access and Networks for Sports Act of 2015 (FANS Act), legislation that would effectively end sports blackouts. Specifically, the bill would require professional leagues to meet basic obligations to fans in order to continue receiving substantial benefits, including exemptions from antitrust law. Because of outdated and overly broad league blackout policies, sports fans across the country are unable to watch their favorite teams when games are blacked-out on broadcast stations, cable networks, and internet-streaming platforms. Last year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously voted to eliminate its federal sports blackout rule. The National Football League (NFL) also suspended its blackout policies for the 2015 season, enabling sports fans to access local NFL games this year even when stadiums fail to sell out. However, the league has not committed to extending the suspension beyond this season. The FANS Act is about ensuring that loyal sports fans arent the ones who have to pay the price for outdated rules and unfair league policies, said Senator McCain. For years, sports leagues have been blacking out broadcasts of sporting events at the expense of the very taxpayers and fans they rely on to subsidize million-dollar stadiums. Leagues should have to meet basic obligations if they wish to continue receiving public benefits from fans, such as an exemption from federal antitrust law. With the FCCs recent vote to eliminate the federal sports blackout rule and NFL owners decision to suspend the leagues blackout policy for the current season, its clear that momentum is on the side of sports fans. But blackouts can and do still occur. Its time for Congress to pass the FANS Act and spike sports blackouts once and for all. It is unconscionable that we continue to allow special breaks and deals for professional sports leagues that impose anti-consumer blackout policies and leave their fans in the… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-votes-track-flow-isis-fighters U.S. Rep. McSally Votes to Track Flow of ISIS Fighters 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Martha McSally M001197 mcsally.house.gov     legacy Efforts on Task Force Result in Multiple House-Passed Bills WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Martha McSally today voted in support of legislation to track the flow of foreign fighters to terrorist sanctuaries. The billis the direct result of a recommendation made by Rep. McSally and her colleagues on the Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel Task Force, whoreleased a report in September containing 32 key findings and 50 recommendations. Those findings have already led to multiple house-passed bills to address security vulnerabilities. We know that 30,000 people from 100 different countries have traveled to Iraq and Syria to join Islamist extremist efforts, including 250 Americans. But ISISs reach extends far beyond just these borders, said Rep. McSally. ISIS now has a direct presence, affiliates, or groups pledging support in at least 19 countries. We must regularly track the flow of these fighters to all terrorist sanctuaries as part of our intelligence gathering efforts. Countries with a reported ISIS presence now include Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Turkey, and the Philippines. In addition, militia leaders and Western officials estimate that ISIS has as many as 2,000 fighters in Libya. The Tracking Foreign Fighters in Terrorist Safe Havens Act follows legislation passed last week, which also was the result of recommendations made by Rep. McSallys task force, to address vulnerabilities in the Visa Waiver Program. Rep. McSally also voted today to pass the Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act, which requires the Administration to develop a strategy to combat ISIS on social media. She spoke about that bill earlier this week on Fox News On the Record. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=195fc67d-511e-4e10-9e0d-3ac7aa3848a7 Flake, Pompeo Highlight Energy Subsidy Costs to Ratepayers 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Jeff Flake F000444 www.flake.senate.gov     legacy Washington, DC U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) introduced S. 2384, the Ratepayer Fairness Act, requiring states to evaluate whether utility ratepayers are being asked to pay higher public utility costs to pay for customer technologies that only benefit a select few. U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) introduced companion legislation in the House, H.R. 4232. The Ratepayer Fairness Act would add a new standard to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA), requiring public utility commissions to consider whether policies they approve would lead to a cross-subsidization of customer technologies that only benefit a small number of electricity customers. In addition, the standard would require the commissions to look at whether such policies negatively affect resource utilization and grid security, or if an unfair competitive advantage would be given to the customer technology. Consumers should not be burdened with higher utility bills in order to subsidize technologies, especially those that are only enjoyed by a few, said Flake. Everyone deserves access to affordable and reliable energy and this measure would ensure that all states take a hard look at whether consumers are being asked to pay their fair share. In a time of stagnant wages and slow economic growth, we must protect consumers from being forced to pay higher electricity bills in order to subsidize technology that only benefits those who have the means to afford it, said Pompeo. This legislation takes important measures to do just that, promoting transparency between utility regulators and the public and making sure that all states review whether consumers are paying more than they should be. That is the Kansas commonsense way. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4733427a-1f19-4499-ac9c-31cd4f228490 Bipartisan Senate Coalition Seeks to Advance Western Drought Legislation 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Jeff Flake F000444 www.flake.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif) today led a bipartisan coalition of nine western senators in sending a letter to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR) Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) encouraging the committee to advance west-wide drought legislation, a crucial issue affecting millions of people in the western United States. We are hopeful that the committee can successfully advance, through regular order, drought legislation that will ultimately be signed into law. We are ready to work with you to achieve that goal, wrote the senators. The letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Tom Udall (D-N.M), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). The signed letter can be viewed here. The full text of the letter can be viewed below. *** December 16, 2015 The Honorable Lisa Murkowski Chair Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-3703 The Honorable Maria Cantwell Ranking Member Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-0203 Dear Chair Murkowski and Ranking Member Cantwell: We are grateful for your work on drought this year and strongly encourage continued effort on west-wide drought legislation in January. Over the past several months, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee has shown both the desire and capacity to tackle drought head-on, holding three hearings and reporting a number of water and drought-related bills out of committee. We hope that the momentum will continue unabated. Drought is one of the most significant issues facing our states and the nation. Nearly 75 percent of the Western United States faced drought conditions this year, affecting nearly 93 million Americans, according to the Congressional Research Service. Many western communities, especially in rural ar… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=bbb7dbb3-7f14-4305-bc0f-67a29e310516 Flake Statement on Bilateral Flight Services Agreement with Cuba 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Jeff Flake F000444 www.flake.senate.gov     legacy Washington, DC U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today released the following statement regarding the announcement of a bilateral air services agreement allowing for regularly scheduled, direct commercial flights between the United States and Cuba. This announcement was made on the eve of the one year anniversary of the renewed diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Unleashing the power of U.S. travelers and their frequent flier miles brings us a crucial step closer to eliminating restrictions on U.S. travel to Cuba, said Flake. Background: In Jan., Flakeled a bipartisan coalitionincluding U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in introducingS. 299, the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act. The bipartisan bill would end restrictions in laws enacted in 1996 and 2000 on travel by American citizens and legal residents to Cuba restrictions that do not exist for travel by Americans to any other country in the world. The bill would also end restrictions on related transactions incident to such travel, such as banking transactions. U.S. Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) introduced a companion bill in the House. Today, Flake and Leahy sent a letter to President Barack Obama marking the one year anniversary of the renewed diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba and encouraging the administration to advance actions in 2016 to further expand engagement between the two countries. Goals cited by the senators include the completing a bilateral air services agreement, streamlining people-to-people travel, advancing exports of U.S. goods and services, facilitating financial transactions, settling certified claims, and designating senior officials to coordinate regulation reform. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=be348f64-0a31-45ac-a9ad-c81f4d8105f6 Flake, Leahy Urge President to Expand U.S. Engagement with Cuba on Anniversary of Renewed Relations 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Jeff Flake F000444 www.flake.senate.gov     legacy Washington, DC U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) sent a letter today to President Barack Obama, marking the one year anniversary of the renewed diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba and encouraging the administration to advance actions in 2016 to further expand engagement between the two countries. Goals cited by the senators include the completing a bilateral air services agreement, streamlining people-to-people travel, advancing exports of U.S. goods and services, facilitating financial transactions, settling certified claims, and designating senior officials to coordinate regulation reform. The coming year represents a critical opportunity for meaningful advancement of these objectives. Removing statutory limits on travel and trade will require Congressional action. However, within the finite time remaining, continued progress in the regulatory arena represents the best strategy for resilient changes in the U.S. and Cuba as well as increasing the prospects that Congress will act, wrote the senators. The signed letter can be viewed here.The text of the letter can be viewed below. *** December 16, 2015 President Barack Obama The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President, A great deal has been accomplished in reforming U.S. policy toward Cuba since December 17, 2014. Embassies have been opened, our diplomats are in touch with a wider range of Cubans all across the island, and a road map has been drawn for talks on issues of importance to both sides. Collectively, these efforts are beginning to bear fruit. Americans are connecting with Cubans as never before. Visits to the island by U.S. citizens are reportedly up 62 percent over last year. Cuban-Americans continue to support their families through remittances and investments in private businesses. U.S. public opinion surveys show consistent and growing approval of the new engagement policies. The coming year represents a critical opportunity for meaningful advancement of these objectives. Removing s… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=8608b9ad-28dc-46c1-b3cd-d90c13ce998e FLOOR STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON OMNIBUS MEASURE LIFTING RESTRICTIONS ON RUSSIAN ROCKET ENGINES 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered the following statement on the Senate floor today on the inclusion of a provision in the omnibus spending bill that would end restrictions advanced by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 on the use of Russian-made rocket engines: Madam President, I ask that all of the documents cited in my remarks be included in the record. I rise to call attention to the triumph of pork barrel parochialism in this years Omnibus Appropriations Billin particular, a policy provision that was airdropped into this bill, in direct contravention to the National Defense Authorization Act, which will have U.S. taxpayers subsidize Russian aggression and comrade capitalism. Nearly two years ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin, furious that the Ukrainian people had ousted a pro-Moscow stooge, invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea. It was the first time since the days of Hitler and Stalin that brute force had been projected across an internationally-recognized border to dismember a sovereign state on the European continent. More than 8,000 people have died in this conflict, including 298 innocent people aboard Malaysian Airlines Flight 17, who were murdered by Vladimir Putins loyal supporters with weapons he supplied them. Putins imperialist campaign in Eastern Europe forced a recognition, for anyone who was not yet convinced, that we are confronting a challenge that many had assumed was resigned to the history books: a strong, militarily-capable Russian government that is hostile to our interests and our values, and seeks to challenge the international order that American leaders of both parties have sought to maintain since the end of World War II. Thats why the Congress imposed tough sanctions against Russia, especially against Putins cronies and their enormous, and enormously corrupt, business empire. As part of that effort, Congress passed the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2efcf3de-c0ac-4549-a6f4-a2e3b438d78d STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON NAVY AWARDING PURPLE HEART TO VICTIMS OF CHATTANOOGA TERRORIST ATTACK 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     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 Navys determination to award the Purple Heart Medal to the four U.S. Marines and one sailor who were killed in the terrorist attack at the Navy Operational Support Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee: I appreciate the Navys decision to award the Purple Heart Medal to the four U.S. Marines and one sailor who were tragically killed in the terrorist attack in Chattanooga. The Director of FBI, the NCIS and the president have all said that this attack was clearly an act of terrorism, and Congress gave the services the authority to present this award to all those killed or wounded under such circumstances. While we can never truly repay the sacrifice of these brave service members, this determination will ensure that our nation provides the five heroes killed in Chattanooga and their family members the recognition they deserve, while ensuring their heroic service is always remembered. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=403e052e-5e63-4d2b-943a-d31a98df97ba STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON U.S. ARMS SALES TO TAIWAN 2015-12-16 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     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 United States new round of arms sales to Taiwan: I strongly support the Administrations notification of a new round of arms sales to Taiwan. This decision is consistent with both the legal requirements of the Taiwan Relations Act and our national interest in helping the democratic government in Taipei preserve stability across the Taiwan Strait. The United States must continue to support the efforts of Taiwan to integrate innovative and asymmetric measures to increase cross-Strait deterrence, including the future sale of capabilities and high-end training that will help improve Taiwans air- and sea-denial capabilities. Going forward, the United States must establish a more regularized process for considering requests for arms sales to Taiwan in order to avoid extended periods in which a fear of upsetting the U.S.-China relationship may harm Taiwans defense capabilities. For its part, Taiwan will also need to work to meet its commitment to spend at least 3 percent of its annual gross domestic product on defense. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-leads-bipartisan-letter-female-gitmo-service-members U.S. Rep. McSally Leads Bipartisan Letter On Female GITMO Service Members Policy 2015-12-15 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Martha McSally M001197 mcsally.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Martha McSally today led a bipartisan group of 43 lawmakers on a letter to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter outlining concerns that female guards could be prohibited from transporting detainees at Guantanamo Bay. The letter, which was also co-authored by U.S. Representatives Bill Shuster (R-PA), Susan Davis (D-CA), and Rick Larsen (D-WA), follows a petition by five detainees, including 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who have said contact with female guards violates their religious beliefs. It has come to our attention that five high value detainees at Guantanamo Bay have petitioned to permanently restrict female service members from assignments related to their detention, the lawmakers said in the letter. We believe these positions should remain open to women, regardless of the religious beliefs of the detainees. Prohibiting women from these assignments discriminates against our troops and allows the enemies of the United States to dictate the terms on which American citizens serve their countryWhile the United States should make certain allowances with respect to human rights, we must not compromise our basic principles at the behest of the very individuals who seek to destroy them. In January, a military judge ordered a temporary no touch policy for female guards at Guantanamo Bay following detainee complaints. In the letter sent today, the lawmakers seek clarification on the current policy and any changes that have been made since September 11, 2011. In your response, outline any changes that have been made to this policy since September 11, 2001. If any policy changes were to accommodate religious or cultural interests, please provide a detailed explanation of the rationale behind those changes. Finally, we impel you to ensure that female service members are not barred from continuing to serve in any capacity due to the requests of those detained for participating in terrorist attacks against the United States. The letter is endorsed by Women In International S… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-resolution-supporting-peace-process-colombia-introduced-house Bipartisan Resolution Supporting the Peace Process in Colombia Introduced in House 2015-12-15 2015 2015-12 Democrat House AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 rubengallego.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC Today Rep. Ruben Gallego and 5 House cosponsors introduced a bipartisan resolution in support of the peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The resolution recognizes the importance of the ongoing negotiations and commends Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos for his leadership in the process. It also calls on the negotiating parties to make meaningful reparations to the victims of the conflict and urges President Barack Obama to continue to support the negotiations and develop plans to support the Colombian people in building a just and lasting peace. Five original cosponsors joined Rep. Gallego in introducing the resolution, including Reps. Bradley Byrne (R-AL) and Henry C. Hank Johnson Jr. (D-GA), who both serve with Rep. Gallego on the House Armed Services Committee, and Reps. John Lewis (D-GA), Sam Farr (D-CA), and Jim McGovern (D-MA). Earlier this year, Reps. Gallego and Byrne traveled to Colombia to learn more about the peace process and met with President Santos. The full text of the resolution can be found here. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) said, As the first Colombian American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, I am committed to strengthening the ties that bind our two nations. We have a moral obligation and a vested interest in helping the Colombian people to secure a just and lasting peace. Its heartening to see significant strides that both parties have made at the negotiating table. I remain committed to ensuring that the Colombian government can continue to count on strong support from Congress at this critical juncture in their nations history. |Contact: Christina Carr (202) 236-2268 Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL) said, Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to travel to Colombia to learn more about the peace process, and I was very impressed by the progress President Santos has made, Colombia has long been a strong ally of our country, and I believe the United States should do everything we can to support th… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=4a225573-581d-4f3c-b9e1-e8e6dd132dfb OPENING STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN AT HEARING TO CONSIDER CIVILIAN NOMINATIONS 2015-12-15 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered the following opening statement today at a hearing to consider the nominations of Patrick Murphy to be Under Secretary of the Army; Dr. Janine Davidson to be Under Secretary of the Navy, and Lisa Disbrow to be Under Secretary of the Air Force: We welcome all of our nominees here this morning, as well as members of your families. As is our tradition, at the beginning of your testimony, we welcome you to introduce any members of your family joining you today. Mr. Murphy, you served as Congressman for the 8th District of Pennsylvania from 2008 to 2011. You served in the United States Army, as a judge advocate. While on active duty you served as a military instructor at West Point. You returned to West Point as a member of the Board of Visitors. If confirmed you would serve as Under Secretary of the Army. Dr. Davidson, you also served in the military as an Air Force officer and pilot. You have previously served in assignments in the Department of Defense as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Plans, and as Director for Stability Operations Capabilities. If confirmed, you would serve as Under Secretary of the Navy. Mrs. Disbrow, you currently serve as Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force, having served as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller since July 2014. Ms. Disbrow, you also served our Nation in uniform as a colonel in the Air Force. If confirmed, you would serve as Under Secretary of the Air Force. This committee honors your military service and your continued willingness to serve our Nation. Each of you, if confirmed, will begin your service as under secretaries of the military departments with less than a year remaining in this administration. Some might ask what positive impact you could possibly have in those positions during such an abbreviated term. If confirmed, I encourage you to defy those who believe they can simply wait you out. I challen… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=297f2caf-afa6-4259-8d4a-0c37387546a2 SASC CHAIRMAN McCAIN STATEMENT ON DELAYED PENTAGON RESPONSE ON SOUTH CHINA SEA 2015-12-15 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement on the Pentagons delayed response to a committee request for information about U.S. freedom of navigation operations, including the October 27 operation in the South China Sea: Back in May, Secretary Carter declared that the United States will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows. But it took five embarrassing months of false starts and mixed signals before the U.S. Navy was allowed to conduct a freedom of navigation operation within 12 nautical miles of Chinas manmade land features in the South China Sea. As this operation was being reported by every major media outlet in the United States and the Asia-Pacific, Secretary Carter initially refused to confirm the operation had taken place in open testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. It was reported by the New York Times that Secretary Carter had been ordered by the White House to keep silent. The Pentagons puzzling silence about the operation led to confusion not only about what had taken place, but Americas strategic intent. Thats why I sent a short letter to Secretary Carter asking that he clarify some basic information about the operation. Five weeks later, I have yet to receive a response. Five months to conduct what should be a regular and routine operation is too long. Five weeks to respond to a simple letter is too long. Whether these delays are the result of the micromanagement of the National Security Council or the bureaucracy of the Pentagon, they are unacceptable nonetheless. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4f061ce6-5872-4f98-847a-1b616e2b81a5 STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON FORMATION OF ISLAMIC COUNTERTERRORISM ALLIANCE 2015-12-15 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     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 formation of a 34-Muslim nation counterterrorism alliance: The fact that senior Administration officials were totally unaware of plans to form a counterterrorism alliance by 34 Muslim nations reflects the diminishing influence of the United States and the erosion of confidence of our closest Arab partners in Americas leadership under this Administration. This alliance is a potentially consequential development in the global fight against terrorism, and I commend Saudi Arabias leadership in bringing this group together. After years of strategic drift in the Middle East, I urge the Administration to offer its full support to this alliance and renew efforts to integrate Sunni Arab nations into a comprehensive strategy to destroy ISIL and other terrorist groups. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=57667844-aebf-40b5-8d0f-8203a5bee449 SENATOR JOHN McCAIN INTRODUCES BILL REQUIRING DHS TO REVIEW SOCIAL MEDIA & PUBLIC DATABASES IN FOREIGN BACKGROUND CHECKS 2015-12-15 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) introduced legislation today that would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to search social media websites and publicly available information of prospective foreign travelers or immigrants seeking to enter the United States. The legislation follows reports that Tashfeen Malik, one of the San Bernardino attackers, passed three background checks to obtain a U.S. visa despite having made statements in support of violent Islamic extremism on social media, because DHS does not routinely review social media platforms as part of its background check process. Following the tragedy in San Bernardino, we have learned that the Obama Administration has declined to review information available on social media platforms to screen for threats from foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States, said Senator McCain. This purposeful refusal to examine publicly available information defies belief, especially as we grapple with complex technical questions to address the problem of criminals and terrorists going dark, or utilizing readily available encryption to escape court-ordered government search. It is unacceptable that Congress has to legislate on this, and that it wasnt already the Department of Homeland Securitys practice to take such commonsense steps when screening individuals entering this country. This is just the latest, unfortunate example of this Administrations refusal to proactively address very real threats to our national security. It is critical that we have the strongest policies and procedures in place for background checks that reflect the evolving security threats facing our nation. The text of the legislation is here. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://gosar.house.gov/press-release/non-partisan-audit-confirms-latest-feat-deceit-epa-illegal-wotus-propaganda Non-Partisan Audit Confirms Latest Feat of Deceit by the EPA: Illegal WOTUS Propaganda 2015-12-14 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) violated a federal law, which prohibits lobbying by federal agencies and engaged in covert propaganda in order to promote its Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulation: Todays report by GAO confirms that the EPA, with the help of Administrator Gina McCarthy, has pulled off a hat trick of lawlessness in order to force WOTUS down the throats of the American people. This includes illegally publishing propaganda violating federal law in order to mandate an unconstitutional federal water grabwhich in turn, Administrator McCarthy committed perjury before Congress and lied about WOTUS to the American public. Despite this rare feat of deceit, this behavior has become the status quo for an Obama Administration that has blatantly disregarded the rule of law to enact its partisan agenda. The EPA has solidified itself as a rogue wing of Obamas far-left army of environmental extremists. This dangerous precedent of executive overreach must be stopped by Congress. I call on my colleagues to support my efforts to block all funding for the new WOTUS regulation in the Omnibus spending bill and send a message to the Obama Administration that no one, not even the president, is above the rule of law. Background The full text of todays GAO report can be found HERE. Courtesy of The Hill: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) said a pair of social media campaigns by the EPA in support of its waters of the United States rule broke laws that prohibit federal agencies from promoting or lobbying for their own actions. GAO faulted the EPA for using Thunderclap, a social media amplification tool, to recruit hundreds of Twitter users to tweet in support of the rule. It also said the EPA broke the law with a blog post that linked to two environmental groups pages urging readers to contact members of Congress to oppose … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1474 Non-Partisan Audit Confirms Latest Feat of Deceit by the EPA: Illegal WOTUS Propaganda 2015-12-14 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) violated a federal law, which prohibits lobbying by federal agencies and engaged in covert propaganda in order to promote its Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulation: Today's report by GAO confirms that the EPA, with the help of Administrator Gina McCarthy, has pulled off a hat trick of lawlessness in order to force WOTUS down the throats of the American people. This includes illegally publishing propaganda violating federal law in order to mandate an unconstitutional federal water grabwhich in turn, Administrator McCarthy committed perjury before Congress and lied about WOTUS to the American public. Despite this rare feat of deceit, this behavior has become the status quo for an Obama Administration that has blatantly disregarded the rule of law to enact its partisan agenda. The EPA has solidified itself as a rogue wing of Obama's far-left army of environmental extremists. This dangerous precedent of executive overreach must be stopped by Congress. I call on my colleagues to support my efforts to block all funding for the new WOTUS regulation in the Omnibus spending bill and send a message to the Obama Administration that no one, not even the president, is above the rule of law. Background The full text of today's GAO report can be found HERE. Courtesy of The Hill: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) said a pair of social media campaigns by the EPA in support of its waters of the United States' rule broke laws that prohibit federal agencies from promoting or lobbying for their own actions. GAO faulted the EPA for using Thunderclap, a social media amplification tool, to recruit hundreds of Twitter users to tweet in support of the rule. It also said the EPA broke the law with a blog post that linked to two environmental groups' pages urging readers to contact members of Congress to op… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/editorials/us-rep-mcsally-washington-times-how-defeat-isis U.S. Rep. McSally in Washington Times: How to defeat ISIS 2015-12-14 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Martha McSally M001197 mcsally.house.gov     legacy By Martha McSally and Will Hurd and John Katko On December 2, 14 people were murdered and 21 injured in San Bernardino, California, in the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil since Sept. 11, 2001. The investigation is ongoing, but it is clear the perpetrators were inspired by the Islamic State in Iraq andSyria(ISIS). This comes on the heels of a string of major ISIS operations. Indeed, the world witnessed three ISIS terrorist attacks on three continents in just three weeks, including the massacre on the streets of Paris, brutal attacks in Lebanon and the downing of a Russian jet in Egypt the first successful terrorist attack on an airline since 9/11. Each of us has fought violent Islamist extremism or worked to keep our country safe before coming to Congress at the Justice Department, CIA and in the military. We dealt with al Qaeda and became familiar with its hierarchical structure and desire to conduct large-scale attacks. ISIS is different. It has the same ideology and desire to destroy us and our way of life, but has metastasized into a new form, one that is effective, ubiquitous and dangerous. And when it comes to large versus small-scale attacks, ISIS is interested in all of the above. We say this not to invoke fear, but to instill vigilance. We are in a generational fight for our nation, interests, allies and freedoms. ISIS declared its caliphate in Iraq andSyria17 months ago. Since then, the Obama administrations anemic airstrikes have done little to eliminate their leadership, or destroy command and control, logistics, and flow of resources to fund their operations. As a result of our hesitation, ISIS has flourished. They now have a growing presence in 19 different countries. Over 30,000 foreign fighters from 100 different nations have traveled to Iraq andSyriato join the fight or receive training. 5,000 of these foreign fighters come from Western and visa waiver countries and 250 are Americans. This is just what we know. Intelligence officials have admitted that there are probably many more. ISIS … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-we-need-leadership U.S. Rep. McSally: We need leadership 2015-12-14 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Martha McSally M001197 mcsally.house.gov     legacy TUCSON U.S. Representative Martha McSally today released the following statement after the Presidents address on ISIS at the Pentagon. People I speak with in Southern Arizona are rightfully concerned with the Administrations slow and reluctant approach to ISIS. We have been missing leadership with resolve, and still lack a bold, aggressive strategy to take out ISISs critical capabilities, put them on their heels, and keep Americans safe. ISIS declared a Caliphate 18 months ago, and last week before the House Armed Services Committee, the Secretary of Defense admitted that meetings with the State Department and Pentagon to coordinate efforts began only months ago. ISIS has been bringing in at least $1 million a day from black market oil sales to fund their global terrorist operations, yet we have just now started hitting their oil trucks a few weeks ago. Last week, I participated in a two hour classified discussion with Pentagon officials about the Command and Control and Rules of Engagement. Their responses only validated my concerns of a weak and ineffective military approach. I have been calling on the Administration to completely revamp its military strategy and hoped President Obama's visit to the Pentagon today was the start of something new. Unfortunately, we heard about the same failed tactics, just used more frequently, with the same detached tone from the president. Ill continue to work in Congress to call for a stronger approach and put forward solutions that will address our security vulnerabilities, but Congress cannot do it alone. We need presidential leadership, and were just not seeing it. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-paris-climate-summit-agreement Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Paris Climate Summit Agreement 2015-12-14 2015 2015-12 Democrat House AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 rubengallego.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement after delegates to the COP21 United Nations Climate Change Conference announced a final agreement to limit carbon pollution: The agreement reached during the Paris Climate Summit is an important first step to addressing a worsening climate crisis. The historic plan will reduce carbon pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels in favor of cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. But we must ensure that the consensus reached in Paris is the floor, and not the ceiling of our ambition. As we implement this agreement, it remains important for the United States to lead the way to a new clean energy economy. We must fully commit to taking strong steps that will put us on a safer path for future generations. We must take charge to develop new technologies that will boost our economy and make it possible to meet our obligations under this pact. I thank President Obama and Secretary Kerry for their leadership during the negotiations on this critical issue. Thanks to this agreement, our children and our grandchildren will inherit a cleaner planet and a healthier environment. ## 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=f588d42e-d21d-43cb-8d99-b7560e214e06 Flake, McCain, and Sullivan Host Field Hearing in AZ on VA Choice Card, Management, and Accountability at Phoenix VA 2015-12-14 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Jeff Flake F000444 www.flake.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Airz.) today joined U.S. Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Ark.), a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, at a field hearing at the Gilbert Town Hall in Gilbert, Ariz. today titled,Keeping the Promise for Arizona Veterans: The VA Choice Card, Management and Accountability at the Phoenix VA Medical Center.The hearing was the third in a series of committee hearings being hosted in cities around the country on the implementation of the Choice Card program, as well as wait-times and quality of care at the VA. The field hearing featured two panels of testimony. The first panel includedDr. Katherine Mitchell, a former Phoenix VA Medical Center employee and one of the first people to come forward with evidence that VA bureaucrats were manipulating data and wait-times as veterans died waiting for care. During her testimony, Dr. Mitchell detailed serious problems that still exist at the Phoenix VA Emergency Department, where ill patients are not getting the timely health care they need, resulting in potentially life-threatening delays in care. When Senator McCain asked Dr. Mitchell if she would visit the Phoenix VA emergency room to receive emergency care for herself, Dr. Mitchells answer was no. Chuck Byers, a Vietnam veteran who has successfully used the Choice Card to get the care he needs, also testified on the first panel. Byers explained that the Choice Card has enabled him to receive treatment from an outside doctor for a condition that the VA could not treat in a timely manner. Byers also explained, however, that there are still barriers to using the Choice Card. For example, he said, there are many veterans who do not qualify for the Choice Card because they live within 40 miles of a VA health care facility, even though those facilities do not provide the type of care that these veterans need. Finally,Nicole Morris, a Navy veteran and single mother, detailed her experience waiting for two days in the Phoenix VA emergency room to receive ultima… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=8b0e3239-622b-46f1-9f08-795a346cec97 OPENING STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN AT FIELD HEARING IN GILBERT, ARIZONA ON VA CHOICE CARD, MANAGEMENT & ACCOUNTABILITY AT PHOENIX VA 2015-12-14 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) delivered the following opening statement at a Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs field hearing in Gilbert, Arizona titled, Keeping the Promise for Arizona Veterans: The VA Choice Card, Management and Accountability at the Phoenix VA Medical Center: Thank you. I greatly appreciate Senator Sullivan from the great state of Alaska being here to chair this field hearing of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee today. Senator Sullivan is a proud Marine and, despite his short tenure in the Senate, has worked tirelessly over the past year to improve our nations security and to fight for those who have served in uniform. Veterans of this country are fortunate to have Senator Sullivan advocating on their behalf. I also want to thank the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Johnny Isakson from Georgia, who is unable to be with us today. He and the Veterans Affairs committee have made enormous progress in reforming and overseeing the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is actually the third field hearing that the committee has undertaken to examine how veterans are using and, in some cases, how the VA is not helping them use, the VA Choice Card to get the health care they need. I also am very grateful to the City of Gilbert for hosting us in this facility. Being here is very helpful to our having a full discussion the challenges and obstacles to true reform that still remain at the VA. I would like to take this time to recognize and thank them for their support of veterans through their various programs such as Operation Welcome Home and support of homeless veterans through the Homeless Veterans East Valley Partnership. Also, I want to congratulate Gilbert was also recognized this year as being in the Top 5 Best Cities in the United States for Veterans. I will never forget the town hall forum I hosted in Phoenix where I heard directly from the families of four veterans who passed away in recent months. They came and stood before a crowded room to tell … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4f500b26-bc4e-4554-a55d-f16e05536a06 McCAIN, FLAKE & SULLIVAN HOST FIELD HEARING IN GILBERT, ARIZONA ON VA CHOICE CARD, MANAGEMENT & ACCOUNTABILITY AT PHOENIX VA 2015-12-14 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, held a field hearing at the Gilbert Town Hall in Gilbert, Arizona today titled, Keeping the Promise for Arizona Veterans: The VA Choice Card, Management and Accountability at the Phoenix VA Medical Center. The hearing was the third in a series of committee hearings being hosted in cities around the country on the implementation of the Choice Card program, as well as wait-times and quality of care at the VA. The field hearing featured two panels of testimony. The first panel included Dr. Katherine Mitchell, a former Phoenix VA Medical Center employee and one of the first people to come forward with evidence that VA bureaucrats were manipulating data and wait-times as veterans died waiting for care. During her testimony, Dr. Mitchell detailed serious problems that still exist at the Phoenix VA Emergency Department, where ill patients are not getting the timely health care they need, resulting in potentially life-threatening delays in care. When Senator McCain asked Dr. Mitchell if she would visit the Phoenix VA emergency room to receive emergency care for herself, Dr. Mitchells answer was no. Chuck Byers, a Vietnam veteran who has successfully used the Choice Card to get the care he needs, also testified on the first panel. Byers explained that the Choice Card has enabled him to receive treatment from an outside doctor for a condition that the VA could not treat in a timely manner. Byers also explained, however, that there are still barriers to using the Choice Card. For example, he said, there are many veterans who do not qualify for the Choice Card because they live within 40 miles of a VA health care facility, even though those facilities do not provide the type of care that these veterans need. Finally, Nicole Morris, a Navy veteran and single mother, detailed her experience waiting for two days in the Phoenix VA emergency room to receive ultimately poor care. B… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=796df95e-635f-46d0-85c1-56ab097bb8a5 SENATORS McCAIN & FLAKE URGE VA SECRETARY McDONALD TO ADDRESS WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION AT PHOENIX VA 2015-12-14 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald regarding a report by the VAs Office of Accountability Review (OAR) determining that a senior manager at the Phoenix VA Health Care System, who was originally due to testify at a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee field hearing in Gilbert, Arizona today, retaliated against a Phoenix VA employee and whistleblower. Despite the reports findings, the senior VA manager remains in a leadership position and there is no evidence that any disciplinary action has been taken against the individual. In light of this information, the senior VA manager was asked not to testify at todays field hearing. In the letter, Senators McCain and Flake urge Secretary McDonald to remove the VA manager from his leadership position and examine other OAR reports to ensure additional executives found responsible for wrongdoing are held accountable. While preparing for today's Senate Veterans Affairs Committee's field hearing in Arizona, we were very troubled to learn that your Office of Accountability Review (OAR) conclusively found that whistleblower retaliation occurred at the Phoenix VA Health Care System and that the OAR recommended that personnel actions be taken against the manager who retaliated, write Senators McCain and Flake. However, this manager remains in a senior leadership position and does not appear to have had any disciplinary action taken in response to the OAR report. To continue restoring the trust that was broken at the Phoenix VA Health Care System and to demonstrate that retaliation against whistleblowers at the VA will not be tolerated, we believe that you must expeditiously consider removal this official from his current senior leadership position. The letter is below and here. Dear Secretary McDonald, Last year, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) created the Office of Accountability Review (OAR) to independently review allegations of misconduct relating to… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/latino-members-congress-send-letter-marco-rubio-urging-him-stop-blocking Latino Members of Congress Send a Letter to Marco Rubio Urging Him to Stop Blocking Confirmation of U.S. Ambassador to Mexico 2015-12-11 2015 2015-12 Democrat House AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 rubengallego.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC Today 19 Latino Members of Congress sent a letter to Sen. Marco Rubio urging him to stop blocking confirmation of Assistant Secretary of State for Western Affairs Roberta Jacobson, President Barack Obamas nominee for Ambassador to Mexico. The United States has been without an Ambassador to Mexico since July, following the retirement of Tony Wayne. This lapse in leadership at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City comes at a time when the importance of the security and economic partnership between our two countries has never been greater. The Members wrote, [Y]our decision to block Assistant Secretary Jacobsons nomination for reasons that have nothing to do with her qualifications or even the Administrations policies vis--vis Mexico will only serve to undermine a relationship that you claim to value. The full text of the letter can be found here. Signers: Linda T. Snchez, Ruben Gallego, Xavier Becerra, Tony Crdenas, Joaquin Castro, Jim Costa, Henry Cuellar, Ruben Hinojosa, Ben Ray Lujn, Raul M. Grijalva, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Grace Napolitano, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Loretta Sanchez, Jose Serrano, Norma Torres, Juan Vargas, Nydia Velzquez. House Democratic Chairman Xavier Becerra (D-CA) said, Roberta Jacobson deserves a vote; she earned it. The hold placed on her nomination is not about her qualifications, or whether theres someone who is better. To deny a vote on Roberta Jacobsons nomination is undemocratic. |Contact: Sarah Lovenheim (202) 225-6235 Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) said, It is wholly unacceptable that the United States Senator with the worst attendance record this year would obstruct the appointment of Roberta Jacobson to be the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. With more than 33.7 million Hispanics of Mexican origin residing in the United States including 22.3 million born in the U.S. Mexico is one of our most important regional and economic partners, and maintaining our close relationship is crucial to our long-term success. While I understand Sen. Rubio has his own… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=d6a570d7-3190-471e-b62f-e5029355f0db VIDEO: Flake Attends Service at Islamic Center of the North East Valley 2015-12-11 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Jeff Flake F000444 www.flake.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and his family today attended an afternoon prayer service at the mosque of the Islamic Center of the North East Valley in Scottsdale, Ariz. A transcript of Flakes remarks is below: I want to thank the Imam and for the entire community here at the Islamic Center of the North East Valley. Thank you for this kind invitation to be here at this prayer service. This is a first for me. And thank you for allowing me bring my family as well - my two youngest sons, Tanner and Dallin, and my wife Cheryl. I was speaking to my sons, whose responsibility it is - in our church - to setup and take down chairs before and after meetings, and they say, "this wouldn't be too bad." Senators, as you know, are known for being able to speak as long as they want, even if they have nothing to say. I will try not to test that proposition today. As you know, this was a difficult week in Washington. It wasnt so much the legislative calendar as it was the rhetoric that came forth, mostly from the presidential campaign. That is not in keeping with the values and ideals that have made this country the shining city on the hill that it is. We are a better country than has been on display this week. Ill bet you never thought you would see a Mormon speaking in a mosque. I think this is a surprise to me too. We all know how we are different, but let me tell you a few ways that we are similar. I grew up in a very small town in Northern Arizona called Snowflake. The town of Snowflake was named for my great-great-grandfather, William Jordan Flake and a man named Erastus Snow. They were sent to Arizona by Brigham Young, the head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormon Church at that time. They were sent here to colonize. They founded the town of Snowflake where I grew up, and to say that I had a sheltered environment growing up is an understatement. Just to tell you how sheltered it was, it wasnt until I went away to college that I even found out that flake was a funny ter… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-statement-possible-expansion-rpa-missions-davis-monthan U.S. Rep. McSally Statement on Possible Expansion of RPA Missions to Davis-Monthan 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Martha McSally M001197 mcsally.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Martha McSally today released the following statement after the Air Force announced it was considering Davis-Monthan Air Force Base as a location to house expanded remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operations. Remotely piloted aircraft have drastically changed the way we fight, and theres no better base to conduct the Air Forces future RPA missions than Davis-Monthan, said Rep. McSally. DM features a robust command and control and communications infrastructure, was just named Installation of the Year for Air Combat Command, and is based in a community that supports a high quality of life for Airmen and their families. In fact, this mission already occurs here as part of the Air National Guards 214th Reconnaissance Groups RPA operations. In addition, should launch and recovery elements be a part of these new units, Southern Arizonas 300 days a year of sunshine, abundant air space, and proximity to Fort Huachuca and the Barry F. Goldwater range, along with the ability to train with other assets like A-10s and F-16s, make DM ideal for these missions. These new units could be a major boost for Southern Arizona, and we need to quickly unite as a community to show strong support to bring them here. The Air Force announced today it is developing plans to double the number of RPA flying squadrons and increase RPA manning and associated resources by 2,500-3,000 Airmen. The announcement can be read HERE. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-votes-strengthen-visa-waiver-program-protections U.S. Rep. McSally Votes to Strengthen Visa Waiver Program Protections 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Martha McSally M001197 mcsally.house.gov     legacy Efforts Help Promote UA Developed Technology WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Martha McSally this week voted to enhance protections for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, which addresses numerous vulnerabilities identified by Rep. McSally and her colleagues on the bipartisan Foreign Fighter Task Force, passed by bipartisan vote 407-19. The bipartisan task force I served on found many troubling findings related to gaps in the Visa Waiver Program that pose serious threats to our country, said Rep. McSally. This bill takes important steps to address these vulnerabilities including increasing checks on individuals whove recently traveled to Iraq and Syria, requiring the use of more secure e-passports, and holding countries accountable for failing to screen against terrorism databases. Todays bill also includes a provision promoting the use of technologies like those developed at the University of Arizona (UA) to aid officials in detecting deceptive behaviors of applicants. Rep. McSally has highlighted the importance of UAs deception detection technologies, AVATAR and Neuro-ScreenTM, at a Homeland Security Committee hearing and more recently by hosting a demonstration. Deception can be difficult to detect when youre interviewing an individual face to face. It is even more difficult to detect that deception in online forms, Rep. McSally said on the House floor. We must leverage technology, such as Neuro-Screen, to enhance screening programs. To watch Rep. McSally speaking on the House floor, click HERE. I appreciate Congresswoman McSallys leadership on the House Homeland Security Committee and the provision in the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, which directs the Department of Homeland Security to study opportunities for incorporating fraud detection technology in the screening process for travel authorization, said University of Arizona President Ann Weaver Hart. The UA also appreciates her leadership in host… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=5c569a84-9085-4bda-80c4-6279decbd217 OPENING STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN AT HEARING ON INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MILITARY OPERATIONS 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered the following opening statement today at a hearing on increasing the effectiveness of military operations: The Committee meets today to continue our series of hearings on defense reform. We have reviewed the effects of the Goldwater-Nichols reforms on our defense acquisition, management, and personnel systems. And our past few hearings have considered what most view as the essence of Goldwater-Nichols: the roles and responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the service secretaries and service chiefs, and the combatant commanders. This morning we seek to understand how Goldwater-Nichols has impacted the effectiveness of U.S. military operations and what reforms may be necessary. We are pleased to welcome our distinguished panel of witnesses who will offer insights from their many years of experience and distinguished service: General Norton Schwartz, former Chief of Staff of the Air Force and President and CEO of Business Executives for National Security; Admiral James Stavridis, former commander of U.S. European Command and U.S. Southern Command, and currently the Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University; and Dr. Christopher Lamb, Deputy Director of the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University. More than anything else, the Goldwater-Nichols Act was the result of escalating concern in the Congress and in the country about the effectiveness of U.S. military operations. The Vietnam War, the failure of the hostage rescue mission in Iran, and the flawed invasion of Grenada all pointed to deep systemic problems in our defense enterprise that needed to be addressed for the sake of both our warfighters and our national security. In particular, Goldwater-Nichols focused on ensuring the unity of command and improving the ability of our forces to operate jointly. As we have explor… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=b4d9b7b6-46bc-4f7f-8b99-06048ee745f2 STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN ON GILBERT MAYOR JOHN LEWIS BEING NAMED NEW HEAD OF EAST VALLEY PARTNERSHIP 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement today on the announcement that Gilbert, Arizona Mayor John Lewis will leave his post to serve as the new president and CEO of the East Valley Partnership: John Lewis has been a dedicated and effective mayor for the city of Gilbert over the last several years, working to advance economic growth and improved quality of life for residents of the East Valley. Im confident that John will continue to have an enormous impact as the new head of the East Valley Partnership and look forward to working with him to drive even more business development and success across the region. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=b9592241-78f0-413c-8543-4c4c327dd971 McCAIN, FLAKE, FEINSTEIN & SCHUMER INTRODUCE BILL TO REIMBURSE STATES FOR HOUSING CRIMINAL ALIENS 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced bipartisan legislation today that would fully reimburse states for the cost of housing criminal aliens in state, county, and city jails and prisons. Today, Arizona, California, New York, Texas and Florida incarcerate nearly 60 percent of the criminal alien population nationwide and are reimbursed for less than 15 percent of the cost to house the inmates. For the state of Arizona, that means a shortfall of almost $70 million that must be assumed by the state and local governments. The legislation introduced today would reauthorize the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), which allows for the full $950 million-a-year reimbursement to state and local governments over the next five years. This proposal was approved by the Senate last Congress as part of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. As a major entry point for illegal human trafficking and drug smuggling on the U.S.-Mexico border, Arizona has been disproportionately affected by the influx in criminal aliens being detained and housed in our jails and prisons, said Senator McCain. Arizona and other border states shouldnt be penalized for securing the border and keeping their communities safe. This legislation would ensure that states and local governments are reimbursed for housing criminal aliens, ensuring Arizona taxpayers do not bear the full brunt of our national priority to secure the border. I have long been a supporter of the SCAAP program, said Senator Flake. State and local governments shouldnt be held fiscally responsible for the federal governments failure to secure the border. The failure of Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform means that border states like California will continue to cover the costs of incarcerating immigrants who are undocumented, said Senator Feinstein. The federal government has a responsibility to help foot the bill for these costs,… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=bc4b6aaf-1997-4b6c-84b9-d58c483cccd0 McCAIN, REID, KING & MEEKS CALL ON PRESIDENT OBAMA TO ISSUE POSTHUMOUS PARDON FOR JACK JOHNSON 2015-12-10 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Harry Reid (D-NV) and Representatives Peter King (R-NY) and Gregory Meeks (D-NY) sent a letter to President Obama today calling on him to finally issue a posthumous pardon of boxing legend John Arthur Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight boxing champion, who was unjustly convicted in 1913. Johnsons career and reputation were ruined after he was charged with transporting a white woman across state lines in violation of theMann Act. Today, President Obama signed legislation into law that includes a resolution offered by the Members calling for the President to finally right this historical wrong by delivering a posthumous pardon of Johnson. As this law makes clear, a pardon would expunge this racially-motivated abuse of authority from our nations criminal justice history and affirm Jack Johnsons athletic and cultural contributions to our society, write Senators McCain and Reid, and Representatives King and Meeks. And, as acknowledged in a recent New York Times column, in a nation that promotes itself as the land of the free, there are few things more important thancorrecting injustices like the imprisonment of Johnson. Since you were sworn in as President, you have granted a total of 64 presidential pardons. We urge you to include Jack Johnson among pardon petitions to be granted. Jack Johnson was born in Galveston, Texas on March 31, 1878 and in 1908, he became the first African-American World Heavyweight Boxing Champion after defeating Tommy Burns in Australia a title Johnson held until 1915. Prompted by his success in the boxing ring and his relationship with a Caucasian woman, Jack Johnson was wrongly convicted under the Mann Act when he brought the woman he was dating across state lines. The intent of the Mann Act was to prevent human trafficking of women for the purpose of prostitution. However, this racially-motivated 1913 conviction imprisoned Jack Johnson for a year. The conviction ruined his career and destroyed his reputation. Ame… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1906 Rep. Gosar Continues Fight For Commonsense All-of-the-Above Energy Strategy and Against Obamas Flurry of Job Killing Regulations 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after participating in multiple committee hearings including one in the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Minerals Subcommittee and one in the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on the Interior focusing on restrictive new regulations proposed by the Obama Administration that will harm domestic coal production: The endless assault by the Obama Administration on domestic coal is unprecedented and puts the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Americans at risk. The president's reckless obsession to enact his partisan environmental agenda clashes with scientific facts as well as the reality of the economic consequences his disastrous proposals are having on the country. The Office of Natural Resources Revenue's (ONRR) proposed rule is a bureaucratic nightmare that will make it impossible to produce coal on federal lands, including tribal land. If implemented, this fundamentally flawed new regulation will kill jobs, result in an unconstitutional tax on coal exports and bankrupt even more American energy companies. The Department of the Interior's new stream buffer zone rule is even more troubling and will negatively affect both surface and underground coal mines. This terrible new regulation is projected to sterilize between 27% and 64% of recoverable reserves. The associated decline in annual coal production will have a direct impact on employment and risks killing between 112,757 and 280,809 mining-related jobs. Congress must block the Obama Administration's overreaching new regulations utilizing the power of the purse in the end of the year funding bill. Arizonans simply can't afford the president's far-left agenda and we must put an end to this nonsensical war on coal. Click HERE or the picture above to watch Congressman Gosar's questions during the oversight hearing… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-calls-strong-and-fair-global-climate-agreement Rep. Ruben Gallego Calls for a Strong and Fair Global Climate Agreement 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Democrat House AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 rubengallego.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC As world leaders convene in Paris for the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Rep. Ruben Gallego delivered a floor speech today calling for a strong and fair global climate agreement and challenging his colleagues in Congress to support stronger climate policies that will grow the economy and improve public health. Excerpts of his remarks are below. The full speech can be found here. Now is the time to demonstrate our leadership and our obligation to the security and protection of our communities and our economy by committing to a robust agreement that puts us on a safer path for future generations My Democratic colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee have called on Republican leadership to tackle this problem. But time and again, we have been met with silence and inaction when it comes to discussing and acting on these critical issues. We must do better. Around the world, nations are looking to the United States for leadership on this serious issue. We must step up and join other nations who have already made commitments to act on climate change. The facts are clear: action on climate change will not undermine our economy it will support economic growth. In fact, acting will produce real benefits for our environment and our economy, including new businesses, better jobs, lower poverty and reduced mortality rates I stand with the scientific, environmental, and public health communities who all agree that Paris must be the floor, not the ceiling of ambition. If the world takes a step forward in Paris, our partners will be prepared to build stronger climate policies and agreements moving forward When future generations look back on the progress made in Paris, I hope it will be to thank us for what we accomplished in order to leave them a healthier, safer environment. Lets not let politics and grandstanding prevent us from taking responsibility for the planet we are leaving behind for our children and our grandchildren. ## 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=7ad7d573-2e1c-4b0d-bd37-b751471d5c1c OPENING STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN AT HEARING ON U.S. STRATEGY TO COUNTER ISIL & MIDDLE EAST POLICY 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered the following opening statement today at a hearing on U.S. strategy to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and U.S. policy toward Iraq and Syria with Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Paul Selva: The Committee meets today to receive testimony on the ongoing efforts of the United States to combat ISIL, as well as U.S. policy toward Iraq, Syria, and the broader Middle East. We welcome our distinguished witnesses and thank them for their appearance today, as well as for their continued service to our nation. This morning our hearts are with the loved ones of the 224 people killed aboard a Russian airliner over Egypt, of the 43 people killed in bombings in Beirut, of the 130 people killed in Paris, and of the 14 people killed in San Bernardino. Each one of these atrocities committed or inspired by ISIL has occurred in just the one month and a half since the Secretary last appeared before this Committee. Whatever illusions anyone may have had that our national security was not at stake in the conflict in Iraq and Syria, or that ISIL was somehow contained, these attacks make it clear that ISILs threat against our homeland is real, direct, and growing that we are not winning this war and that time is not on our side. Americans have never been more worried about being attacked than at any time since the months that followed September 11, 2001. Todays hearing is essential to help the American people, and their elected representatives, understand what the Department of Defense is doing to protect our nation from this new terrorist threat. The Administration says it has a strategy to destroy ISIL, which it has called an indirect approach. This means that instead of taking the fight to ISIL more directly, the Administration seeks to build up local ground forces in Iraq and Syria, to support them with U.S. and coalition airpower, to enable o… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=cae7db07-2394-4da3-b4a7-3ffab0036337 OPENING STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN AT HEARING TO CONSIDER PENDING NOMINATIONS 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered the following opening statement today at hearing to consider the nominations of Marcel J. Lettre II to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence; Gabriel O. Camarillo to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; John E. Sparks to be a Judge on the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; and Vice Admiral Kurt W. Tidd (USN), to be Admiral and Commander of U.S. Southern Command: We welcome all of our nominees here this afternoon, as well as members of your families. As is our tradition, at the beginning of your testimony, we welcome you to introduce any members of your family joining you today. Admiral Tidd, you have been nominated to serve as the next Commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). If confirmed, you will be responsible for overseeing a region facing a daunting array of security and governance challenges. At the same time, however, you will be forced to confront these challenges without the support you require due to persistent resource shortfalls that plague our efforts in the region. In testimony before this committee in March, General John Kelly, the outgoing SOUTHCOM Commander, framed the impact of these longstanding resource shortfalls in stark terms by stating: This presents more than just risks to our national interests; U.S. Southern Command has accepted risk for so long in this region that we now face a near-total lack of awareness of threats and the readiness to respond, should those threats reach crisis levels. Of particular concern is the deteriorating situation in Central America, where feeble governance, endemic corruption, and weak security institutions are allowing transnational criminal organizations to operate with impunity. Despite our efforts to counter these ruthless groups and the drugs they traffic into our country, it is clear that we are not winning the war. The demand for the drugs heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine is too h… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=417adfae-7803-4a04-b02c-e007bf0239f5 SASC CHAIRMAN McCAIN SENDS LETTER ON RUSSIAN ROCKET ENGINES AND U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY SPACE LAUNCH PROGRAM 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sent a letter yesterday to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on the Department of Defenses national security space launch program and its continued reliance on Russian-made rocket engines. Chairman McCain expressed his concern about dubious claims made by United Launch Alliance (ULA) as to why it will not compete for the first competitive launch opportunity for the launch of a GPS III satellite. In particular, Chairman McCain called for a freeze on launch subsidy payments until an audit takes place to assess ULAs claim that it cannot differentiate launch costs. Additionally, Chairman McCain criticized ULAs apparent attempts to create an artificial need for relief from legislative restrictions on the use of Russian rocket engines enacted in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea. Chairman McCain sent a previous letter to U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, opposing any legislative language that would undermine sanctions on Russian rocket engines. The signed letter is here and the text of the letter is below. Dear Secretary Carter: I write to express concern about the direction of the Department of Defenses (DoD) national security space launch program, the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. I am troubled, in particular, by the explanations that the incumbent contractor, United Launch Alliance (ULA), has offered for why it will not compete for the first competitive launch opportunity under Phase 1A of EELV, which provides for the launch of a GPS III satellite. These assertions have major implications for both the DOD and the Congress, especially the clearly-established legislative priority to eliminate the DoDs reliance on Russian-made rocket engines and whether the DoD should continue paying ULA a nearly $1 billion annual subsidy whether it actually launches satellites under the program or even chooses to compete for those… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4a9d31d1-4f61-4982-94f1-0aeba6736c88 SENATOR JOHN McCAIN APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT, MEASURES ENHANCING SCHOOL CHOICE IN ARIZONA 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Every Student Succeeds Act, bipartisan elementary education reform legislation supported by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) that puts state governors, legislatures, schools, parents and teachers back in charge of educating young American students. The bill ends the federal test-based accountability system that was established by the No Child Left Behind Act, which made federal tests the sole measure of academic success and forced public school teachers to teach to the test rather than to what students really needed to learn. In addition, the bill effectively ends Common Core by untying states and parents hands to one-size-fits-all education policies and allowing states to develop their own elementary education standards. The bill also includes a provision offered by Senator McCain that enables Arizona and other states to propose how they could use limited education funds to expand access to high-performing charter, magnet and traditional public schools for low-income students education options that are proven to provide the best-quality learning environments for Arizona children. The bill is now headed to President Obamas desk for signature. This legislation is a major step forward in getting Washington out of Arizonas classrooms and putting states, teachers and parents back in charge of educating our students, said Senator McCain. I commend Senator Alexander and the Republican majorities in Congress for working with parents, teachers and school districts in assembling a bipartisan elementary education reform bill that restores the role of states in creating accountability standards, testing requirements, and other education policies that best fit students needs. Im also proud that this legislation includes a measure that I offered that provides Arizona and other states the ability to direct limited federal funds meant to help low-income students towards expanding and replicating high-performing charter, magnet and traditional public schools, which are proven to b… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8b27e52d-28e5-403e-8940-a3cdd29b67ef CONGRESS PASSES McCAIN-REID RESOLUTION URGING POSTHUMOUS PARDON FOR JACK JOHNSON 2015-12-09 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Today, the U.S. Senate delivered final passage of a resolution offered by Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Harry Reid (D-NV) that calls on President Obama to posthumously pardon John Arthur Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight boxing champion, for his unjust conviction in 1913. Johnsons career and reputation were ruined after he was charged with transporting a white woman across state lines in violation of theMann Act. Representatives Peter King (R-NY) and Gregory Meeks (D-NY) cosponsored a companion resolution that passed the House of Representatives. Jack Johnson is a boxing legend and pioneer whose reputation was wrongly tarnished by a racially motivated conviction more than a century ago, said Senator McCain. Today, the United States Congress has once again spoken, calling on the President to finally take action and issue a posthumous pardon for Jack Johnson. Its past time for President Obama to right this injustice, restore the legacy of a great American athlete, and close a shameful chapter in our nations history. After more than one-hundred years of injustice, the record of history must finally be corrected to restore Jack Johnsons good name, said Senator Reid. Jack Johnson was one of the greatest athletes of all time, a barrier-breaking pioneer and true champion whose reputation was tarnished by a racially motivated affront to justice. Today, Congress not only voted to restore this mans legacy, but also demonstrated the enduring power Americas national character. Today we showed we will never stop working toward righting our nations past wrongs. It is time to put this injustice behind us. As a life-long boxing fan, Senator McCain has been introducing this resolution in the Senate urging the President to pardon Jack Johnson since 2004. The resolution was unanimously approved by both the House and Senate in the 111th Congress, the first time since 1974 that both chambers passed a concurrent resolution calling for a posthumous pardon of an individual.Additionally, the reso… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-gallego-calls-congress-close-terrorist-gun-loophole Congressman Gallego Calls on Congress to Close the Terrorist Gun Loophole 2015-12-08 2015 2015-12 Democrat House AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 rubengallego.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC Today Rep. Ruben Gallego delivered a floor speech calling on Congress to take action to close the terrorist gun loophole and prohibit individuals who appear on the No Fly List from purchasing firearms. His remarks, as delivered: Mr. Speaker, we shouldnt allow terrorists who want to kill innocent Americans to have easy access to guns. Its just that simple, and thats just common sense. Yet any individual on the No Fly List, considered too dangerous to get on a plane, can walk into any gun store in America and walk out with a weapon of their choice. We are facing an epidemic of gun violence in this country, yet House Republican leadership is unwilling to even close the most dangerous loophole like this one that exists today. Speaker Ryan has said that, and I quote, Keeping America safe should not be a partisan issue. I strongly agree. We should set politics aside and do whats right for the American people by passing common sense gun laws and stopping senseless acts of violence in our communities. The cost of inaction in Congress is borne by thousands of mourning families here in America. Its time for Congress to step up and take meaningful action by closing the terrorist gun loophole and keeping dangerous people from buying guns. Thank you, I yield back. ## 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=f43be9dc-0d84-4386-b935-7613aaf12e52 Wastebook: The Farce Awakens 2015-12-08 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Jeff Flake F000444 www.flake.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today released Wastebook: The Farce Awakens, highlighting 100 examples of wasteful federal spending amounting to more than $100 billion. The findings in retired U.S. Sen. Tom Coburns (R-Okla.) series of waste reports included shrimp on a treadmill and mountain lions on a treadmill now Flake is carrying on the tradition, including his discovery of a study with monkeys on a treadmill for the latest instalment of the Wastebook franchise. To see so much money so outlandishly wasted, its clear that Washingtons ballyhooing over budget austerity is a farce, said Flake. Hopefully, this report gives Congress which only ever seems to agree when it comes to spending money something to Chewie on before the taxpayers strike back. Highlights from Flakes 2015 edition of Wastebook include (click links to view related footage): $1 million for monkeys running in hamster balls on a treadmill $5 million to Help A Hipster quit smoking by throwing parties at bars and nightclubs $1.2 million to put sheep in microgravity $2.1 million to promote tourism in Lebanon, a nation the State Department advises travels to avoid due to ongoing safety and security concerns $17,500 to have people wear a fat suit for weight sensitivity training $853,000 to teach minors the art of making wine $707,000 for researchers to create a fight club for shrimp $780,000 to study college students and pizza addiction $276,000 to discover how unattractive people snag a more attractive date $1.3 million to study how a koozie keeps your beer cold $3 million for bus security grants that were paid, in part, to companies operating luxury charter buses and limousines, including a self-proclaimed nightclub on wheels $104.4 million to subsidize low-income public housing for over-income families $175,000 to develop a smartphone app that lets you know who caught the fish you are eating $1.2 million grant partially used to fund a life-size Pac-Man game The full report can be downloaded here. Backgro… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=773f4f38-6876-4e1b-a790-29e6c6279b98 OPENING STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN AT HEARING ON IMPROVING PENTAGON POLICY, STRATEGY & PLANS 2015-12-08 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered the following opening statement today at a hearing on improving the Pentagons development of policy, strategy and plans: The Committee meets today to continue our series of hearings on defense reform. We have reviewed the effects of the Goldwater-Nichols reforms on our defense acquisition, management, and personnel systems. In our most recent hearings we have considered what most view as the essence of Goldwater-Nichols: the roles and responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the service secretaries and service chiefs, and the combatant commanders. This morning we seek to understand how these civilian and military leaders formulate policy, strategy, and plans, as well as how to improve the quality civilian control of the military and military advice to civilian leaders. We are fortunate to have with us a distinguished panel of witnesses who will offer their views based on many years of service to our nation: The Honorable Michle Flournoy, Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, who is currently CEO of the Center for a New American Security; The Honorable Michael Vickers, Former Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, who also previously served as a Special Forces officer and a CIA operations officer; and Commander Jeffrey W. Eggers, Former Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, who served both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and was previously a U.S. Navy SEAL Officer. As we have heard in previous hearings, Goldwater-Nichols emerged from concerns about the unity of command and the ability of our military to operate jointly. However, another primary concern was poor military advice, which former Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger, said at the time had grown so bad that it was generally irrelevant, normally unread, and almost always disregarded. Thats why the Goldwater-Nichols Act… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=277e8a0f-5732-4b8f-a44c-6d1c4a1526da SENATOR JOHN McCAIN INTRODUCES BILL TO ADDRESS BORDER PATROL STAFFING CRISIS AT RURAL BORDER PATROL STATIONS & PORTS OF ENTRY 2015-12-08 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) introduced a bill today that would allow the men and women serving as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents and officers to earn hardship duty pay when assigned to highly trafficked rural areas along the U.S. border. This pay would incentivize well-trained agents and officers to work at some of the most demanding stations and ports along our border to keep our communities safe and facilitate cross-border trade. Currently, Border Patrol is almost 1,000 agents under the 21,370-agent minimum set by Congress. At our ports of entry, CBP has hired less than 1,000 of the 2,000 additional officers that were funded by Congress in 2014 and remains short of the congressionally mandated staffing level of 23,775.Increased attrition, particularly in rural areas along the border, has compounded this staffing shortfall. At the Tucson Field Operations Office, there has been a net loss of 27 CBP officers over the last fiscal year, even with new funding to hire additional officers. Ive seen first-hand the staffing crisis we are facing at border stations and ports of entry in some of the most rural and highly trafficked areas along the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona, said Senator McCain. This shortage not only leaves us with a gaping hole in national security, but it also harms our ability to facilitate much-needed trade across the border. We need to do more to attract and retain well-trained and effective Border Patrol agents at demanding stations and ports, and this bill offers an important way to do that so we can keep our communities safe and grow our local economies. Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council; Guillermo Valencia, chairman of the Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority; and Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas also praised the legislation: We thank Senator McCain for his leadership and hard work over the past 20 years to help secure our border and protect our communities, said Brandon… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/gallego-mcsally-reflect-freshman-year-closes Gallego, McSally reflect as freshman year closes 2015-12-07 2015 2015-12 Democrat House AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 rubengallego.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Arizona Reps. Martha McSally and Ruben Gallego knew when they were sworn in to their seats in Congress in January that there were problems with partisanship and productivity in Washington. And Washington, for the most part, did not disappoint. But as they near the end of their freshman year in Congress, which veered from gridlock to a history-making papal address, both lawmakers said they have seen successes and they are hopeful for more. Both said that navigating politics in Washington can be difficult. Gallego, a Phoenix Democrat, said its harder to get things done than in the Statehouse, where he served for four years. McSally, a Tucson Republican, said its different than the mission-oriented, fact-based objectives she was used to in her Air Force career. I often say that Washington, D.C., can be a fact-free zone, and sometimes a lot of rhetoric gets pushed around that are not related to the facts of a particular issue, McSally said. In order to be successful, both representatives talked about the importance of relationships and friendships in Washington, which often pave the way to getting things accomplished. McSally said joining the congressional football team was a fantastic opportunity to develop relationships and garner support across the aisle, adding that she was able to approach Democrats on the team to get behind a mental health bill she sponsored. Gallego said it hasnt been hard to reach out to Republicans in terms of relationships and friendships, and he praised the across-the-aisle collaboration on smaller bills and projects. But on larger issues, like infrastructure and rising student debt, he said there is less collaboration because of what he called far-right conservatives making it difficult. I expected it to be not easy its worse than I thought, Gallego said, placing the blame squarely on the Republicans. Ive seen a lot of dysfunction, Ive seen a lot of things that really should be fairly easy to handle, he said. Dealing with a Republican-led Congress really shows some of the f… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=de741b40-4ca8-4ed2-812b-d70db1a7e1f0 SENATORS McCAIN & AYOTTE INTRODUCE SENATE RESOLUTION DISAPPROVING OF FEDERAL RULES ESTABLISHING USDA CATFISH INSPECTION OFFICE 2015-12-07 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) introduced a Resolution of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act today that would nullify the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) final rules establishing the catfish inspection program. Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress can overturn actions by a federal agency, like USDA, after a rule is formally published and submitted to Congress. If the resolution is enacted into law, it would nullify the new catfish inspection rules, which were officially published on December 2, including any portions of the regulations that have already gone into effect. We are proud to continue the fight to repeal the USDA catfish inspection office, which is an egregious waste of taxpayer dollars and a classic example of anti-free market protectionism, said Senators McCain and Ayotte. The Obama Administrations establishment of this program comes despite the fact that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) already performs seafood inspections and the Governmental Accountability Office has repeatedly warned that the USDA catfish office would be wasteful and duplicative and would invite retaliation from Asian-Pacific trading partners against American agriculture exports. As a result of this program, the American taxpayer is estimated to be on the hook for $15 million a year to pay for USDA catfish inspectors who will be working alongside FDA inspectors doing the exact same job. The true purpose of the catfish program is to erect a trade barrier against foreign catfish suppliers to the economic benefit of a handful of domestic catfish growers in southern states. Over the past several years, weve sponsored legislation to eliminate this program and we urge our colleagues to join us in sending a message that we wont stand for this wasteful catfish inspection office. The text of the resolution is here. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-representative-martha-mcsally-responds-president-s-speech-isis U.S. Representative Martha McSally Responds to the Presidents Speech on ISIS 2015-12-06 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Martha McSally M001197 mcsally.house.gov     legacy TUCSON U.S. Representative Martha McSally today released the following statement after the Presidents speech about combating ISIS: What we saw tonight was a wasted opportunity to show real leadership on this issue and present a stronger strategy to defeat ISIS. We have not contained ISIS. Theyve grown and metastasized, fueled by our weak efforts to destroy them. Instead of more of the same, as the President called for tonight, we need a new, comprehensive strategy to destroy ISIS and keep Americans safe. The first thing we need to do is implement the recommendations put out by my colleagues and I on the Foreign Fighter Task Force to increase protections against the threat of foreign fighter travel and combat homegrown extremism. I will be working with my colleagues in the coming weeks to do just that. Second, we need to abandon our current half-hearted and failed military approach and start unleashing our full air power to destroy ISIS command and control, means of finance, and critical capabilities. Radical Islamic terrorism is a real and dangerous threat to Americans and our way of life and its time our Administration started acting like it. Instead of more of the status quo, we need a comprehensive strategy to actually defeat ISIS and the evil they represent. Ill continue to work to see that happen. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6a770c90-794e-48fa-8020-d9e723ca014f STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN ON PRESIDENT OBAMAS SPEECH ON TERRORISM 2015-12-06 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement tonight on President Obamas address on the threat of terrorism: President Obamas address tonight failed to obscure what has become increasingly clear to the American people: that we are not winning the war against ISIL, and that the threat of terrorism against our homeland is real and growing. As the President said, America should never give in to fear. But neither should we fear to acknowledge the nature and severity of the threats we face and do everything within our power to confront them. President Obama is fond of invoking lessons of our nations recent wars. Yet the simplest and most important lesson is the one he failed to mention tonight: apocalyptic terrorists cannot be allowed to have sanctuary in ungoverned spaces from which to plan attacks against us. Yet after more than a year of an indecisive military campaign, ISIL maintains its sanctuaries in Iraq and Syria from which to conduct and inspire attacks like Paris and San Bernardino. President Obama offered no changes to his reactive, indirect, and incremental strategy. He continues to assume that time is on our side. It is not. If we do not destroy this threat now, and fast, no one should be surprised if America gets attacked again. Whatever we would do in response to such an attack is what we should do now to prevent it. America needs a strategy to destroy ISIL as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, that is not what President Obama described tonight. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://gosar.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-gosar-bill-expand-i-11 House Passes Gosar Bill to Expand I-11 2015-12-04 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy House Passes Gosar Bill to Expand I-11 f t # e Washington, DC, December 4, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the House passed the Conference Report for H.R. 22: Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015 which included the Congressmans Intermountain West Corridor Development Act, H.R. 1612: share: f t For Immediate Release Date: December 4, 2015 Contact: Steven D. Smith Steven.Smith@mail.house.gov Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the House passed the Conference Report for H.R. 22: Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015 which included the Congressmans Intermountain West Corridor Development Act, H.R. 1612: Arizonans throughout the state should be proud that the U.S. southwestern region continues to be one of the fastest growing areas for economic development in the entire country. However, this rapid growth of industry requires an updated infrastructure system to accommodate the increasing volume of transportation. For this reason, I have continued to lead the charge on I-11. Extending I-11 and allowing it to become the main transportation corridor in the West will be an economic boon for our communities, creating jobs, allowing for an easier flow of goods and services and authorizing the construction of much needed infrastructure. America has some significant transportation challenges. Getting I-11 built is just commonsense and the associated economic benefits will help future Arizona generations indefinitely. Background The Intermountain West Corridor … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://gosar.house.gov/press-release/rep-gosar-introduces-bipartisan-bill-end-foreign-donations-influencing-us-elections Rep. Gosar Introduces Bipartisan Bill to End Foreign Donations Influencing U.S. Elections 2015-12-04 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after introducing H.R. 4177, the Stop Foreign Donations Affecting Our Elections Act,a bill that closes certain loopholes in order to prevent the campaign donations of foreign nationals from influencing American elections, a practice which has been banned since 1966: Current disclosure requirements for online donations make it relatively easy for foreign money to influence U.S. elections, despite being banned since 1966. Shockingly, the Government Accountability Institute has reported that the 2008 and 2012 Obama campaigns received questionable contributions of more than $500 million as a result of poor disclosure requirements. This abuse is not limited to Obamas two presidential campaigns as candidates onboth sides of the aisle have benefitted and possibly been swayed as a result of current loopholes. Itwould be a bipartisan abdication of our American sovereignty to continue to allow our election system to be impacted by foreigners circumventing U.S. law. By increasing disclosure requirements for online donations, we can greatly hinder the ability for people that arent U.S. citizens to unlawfully funnel money to politicians through campaign contributions, and in turn make the process more open to the American people. Fair and transparent elections are at the core of our Republic and Congressional oversight is required to ensure transparency and integrity. This bipartisan bill is a positive step in the right direction and will greatly assist with reining in this abuse.Background The full text of H.R. 4177 can be found HERE. The bipartisan Stop Foreign Donations Affecting Our Elections Act would prohibit foreign nationals from cheating the system and would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require the disclosure of the credit verification value (CVV) and billing address for all online contributions. Foreign campaign donations to U.S. elections have been banned under federal law since 1966. … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://gosar.house.gov/press-release/rep-gosar-leads-bipartisan-effort-give-rural-law-enforcement-resources-jail-illegal Rep. Gosar Leads Bipartisan Effort to Give Rural Law Enforcement Resources to Jail Illegal Immigrants Convicted of Crimes 2015-12-04 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after spearheading a bipartisan letter signed by 43 members of Congress seeking to ensure adequate resources for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) in the fiscal year 2016 funding bill (Omnibus): Law enforcement in America continues to struggle with the tidal wave of illegal immigrants that continue to flood our nation. Yet, the Obama Administration has ignored the federal governments responsibility to enforce our immigration laws, further burdening local communities and sheriffs while forcing them to shell out exorbitant amounts of money to do the federal governments job. It is shameful that the federal government would compound these challenges by failing to compensate states and local governments for the costs of incarcerating illegal immigrants convicted of crimes. The Obama Administration needs to either start enforcing the rule of law, including our immigration laws, or reimburse local law enforcement picking up the slack.Background: The full text of the Bipartisan Omnibus letter can be found HERE. SCAAP is a grant program that reimburses states and local governments for the cost of incarcerating illegal immigrants convicted of crimes. By law, the federal government is ultimately responsible for immigration enforcement, including the incarceration of undocumented criminal offenders. When deportation or incarceration by the feds is not possible, the law requires the federal government to compensate state and local governments for these incarceration costs.Compensation to local law enforcement agencies under SCAAP currently covers less than 18% of the actual cost of incarcerating undocumented criminal offenders.This effort is supported by the National Association of Counties (NACo). The 43 bipartisan cosigners of the Omnibus letter include Representatives Paul Gosar*, Linda Snchez*, Brian Babin, Lou Barletta, Mo Brooks, Julia Brownley, Bradley Byrne, Lois Capps, Tony Crdenas, Judy C… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1752 House Passes Gosar Bill to Expand I-11 2015-12-04 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy House Passes Gosar Bill to Expand I-11 f t # e Washington, DC, December 4, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the House passed the Conference Report for H.R. 22: Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015 which included the Congressman's Intermountain West Corridor Development Act, H.R. 1612: share: f t For Immediate Release Date: December 4, 2015 Contact: Steven D. Smith Steven.Smith@mail.house.gov Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the House passed the Conference Report for H.R. 22: Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015 which included the Congressman's Intermountain West Corridor Development Act, H.R. 1612: Arizonans throughout the state should be proud that the U.S. southwestern region continues to be one of the fastest growing areas for economic development in the entire country. However, this rapid growth of industry requires an updated infrastructure system to accommodate the increasing volume of transportation. For this reason, I have continued to lead the charge on I-11. Extending I-11 and allowing it to become the main transportation corridor in the West will be an economic boon for our communities, creating jobs, allowing for an easier flow of goods and services and authorizing the construction of much needed infrastructure. America has some significant transportation challenges. Getting I-11 built is just commonsense and the associated economic benefits will help future Arizona generations indefinitely. Background The Intermountain West Corri… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1950 Rep. Gosar Introduces Bipartisan Bill to End Foreign Donations Influencing U.S. Elections 2015-12-04 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after introducing H.R. 4177, the Stop Foreign Donations Affecting Our Elections Act,a bill that closes certain loopholes in order to prevent the campaign donations of foreign nationals from influencing American elections, a practice which has been banned since 1966: Current disclosure requirements for online donations make it relatively easy for foreign money to influence U.S. elections, despite being banned since 1966. Shockingly, the Government Accountability Institute has reported that the 2008 and 2012 Obama campaigns received questionable contributions of more than $500 million as a result of poor disclosure requirements. This abuse is not limited to Obama's two presidential campaigns as candidates onboth sides of the aisle have benefitted and possibly been swayed as a result of current loopholes. Itwould be a bipartisan abdication of our American sovereignty to continue to allow our election system to be impacted by foreigners circumventing U.S. law. By increasing disclosure requirements for online donations, we can greatly hinder the ability for people that aren't U.S. citizens to unlawfully funnel money to politicians through campaign contributions, and in turn make the process more open to the American people. Fair and transparent elections are at the core of our Republic and Congressional oversight is required to ensure transparency and integrity. This bipartisan bill is a positive step in the right direction and will greatly assist with reining in this abuse.Background The full text of H.R. 4177 can be found HERE. The bipartisan Stop Foreign Donations Affecting Our Elections Act would prohibit foreign nationals from cheating the system and would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require the disclosure of the credit verification value (CVV) and billing address for all online contributions. Foreign campaign donations to U.S. elections have been banned under federal law since 1966. … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1982 Rep. Gosar Leads Bipartisan Effort to Give Rural Law Enforcement Resources to Jail Illegal Immigrants Convicted of Crimes 2015-12-04 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after spearheading a bipartisan letter signed by 43 members of Congress seeking to ensure adequate resources for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) in the fiscal year 2016 funding bill (Omnibus): Law enforcement in America continues to struggle with the tidal wave of illegal immigrants that continue to flood our nation. Yet, the Obama Administration has ignored the federal government's responsibility to enforce our immigration laws, further burdening local communities and sheriffs while forcing them to shell out exorbitant amounts of money to do the federal government's job. It is shameful that the federal government would compound these challenges by failing to compensate states and local governments for the costs of incarcerating illegal immigrants convicted of crimes. The Obama Administration needs to either start enforcing the rule of law, including our immigration laws, or reimburse local law enforcement picking up the slack.Background: The full text of the Bipartisan Omnibus letter can be found HERE. SCAAP is a grant program that reimburses states and local governments for the cost of incarcerating illegal immigrants convicted of crimes. By law, the federal government is ultimately responsible for immigration enforcement, including the incarceration of undocumented criminal offenders. When deportation or incarceration by the feds is not possible, the law requires the federal government to compensate state and local governments for these incarceration costs.Compensation to local law enforcement agencies under SCAAP currently covers less than 18% of the actual cost of incarcerating undocumented criminal offenders.This effort is supported by the National Association of Counties (NACo). The 43 bipartisan cosigners of the Omnibus letter include Representatives Paul Gosar*, Linda Snchez*, Brian Babin, Lou Barletta, Mo Brooks, Julia Brownley, Bradley Byrne, Lois Capps, Tony Crdenas, Judy… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=ca2f9165-ab2d-4d95-a6ae-3f9f0a08c5a3 VIDEO: Flake Motions to Strip $3 Billion Crop Insurance Subsidy Hike in Highway Bill 2015-12-04 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Jeff Flake F000444 www.flake.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) yesterday evening raised a point of order to strip a provision from a highway funding bill to increase subsidies to private insurance companies participating in the federal crop insurance program by $3 billion dollars. Congress had approved $3 billion in cuts to those subsidies to offset and justify spending increases in the October 29 budget deal. Flakes attempt to preserve those savings was defeated in Senate by a vote of 22-75. If we're ever going to get serious about controlling our deficit and addressing our debt, then we've actual got to stick to some of the cuts that we've made. That's what this point of order is all about, said Flake. Video of Flakes remarks can viewed here. A transcript can be viewed here. Background: During debate on the budget bill which included the $3 billion in savings from crop insurance subsidies to offset spending increases crop insurance advocates secured an agreement to reverse those savings in upcoming legislation. In response, Flake took to the Senate floor to criticize the move, noting that Congress had not even waited to pass the bill before agreeing to go back on the spending cuts it included. Video of Flakes speech can be viewed here. In November, Flake and U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced S. 2244, the Assisting Family Farmers through Insurance Reform Measures (AFFIRM) Act, a bipartisan bill that would reform the crop insurance system to save taxpayers about $24.4 billion over the next 10 years. The reforms included lowering the Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA) rate of return from 14.5 percent to 8.9 percent, eliminating an unprecedented restriction in the 2014 farm bill that currently prohibits USDA from achieving any savings when it renegotiates the SRA, and eliminating subsidies for a costly but little-publicized profit guarantee known as Harvest Price Option. The bill would also limit the total value of crop insurance subsidies to $40,000 per person each year and eliminate subsidies for those with … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=251f74e8-6eaa-4b86-970e-795b386dbf65 STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN ON EXPORT-IMPORT BANK REAUTHORIZATION & POSITIVE IMPACT FOR ARIZONA SMALL BUSINESSES 2015-12-04 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement on his vote yesterday to reauthorize the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank, which since 2007 has provided financing for nearly 150 Arizona businesses, helping them to create jobs and reach new markets: Yesterday, I was proud to support Arizona small businesses and jobs by voting to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. Since 2007, the Ex-Im Bank has helped 148 mostly small- and medium-sized companies across Arizona tap into financing opportunities to grow their businesses, create jobs, and export $1 billion in products to countries like Mexico and Australia. While the reauthorization that passed last night is an important step forward for Arizona businesses, I continue to believe that there is much more that needs to be done to enhance oversight and reform this program so that we can better protect the American taxpayer. Ultimately, this reauthorization will enable businesses in Arizona and across the country reach new international markets and grow jobs for hardworking citizens. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://gosar.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-gosar-bridenstine-yoho-amendment-limiting-frivolous-and-costly House Passes Gosar, Bridenstine, Yoho Amendment Limiting Frivolous and Costly Environmental Lawsuits 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy House Passes Gosar, Bridenstine, Yoho Amendment Limiting Frivolous and Costly Environmental Lawsuits f t # e Washington, DC, December 3, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after joining House colleagues Representatives Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) and Ted Yoho (R-FL) in passing an amendment that will limit frivolous lawsuits and exorbitant payouts to lawyers that challenge energy projects which have already gone through the environmental process and been issued permits and subsequently attached the amendment to H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act: share: f t For Immediate Release Date: December 2, 2015 Contact: Steven D. Smith Steven.Smith@mail.house.gov Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after joining House colleagues Representatives Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) and Ted Yoho (R-FL) in passing an amendment that will limit frivolous lawsuits and exorbitant payouts to lawyers that challenge energy projects which have already gone through the environmental process and been issued permits and subsequently attached the amendment to H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act: Extremist environmental groups have been abusing our legal system and intentionally pushing frivolous lawsuits to shut down important energy production on federal land. Furthermore, these lawsuits engineered by special-interest Washington D.C. lawyers are billing the federal government at exorbitant rates which cost American taxpayers as much as $750 an hour. These bogus environmental organizations are direc… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2106 Grijalva on Elementary and Secondary Education Act Reauthorization 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Democrat House AZ Raúl Grijalva G000551 grijalva.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today after supporting the bipartisan conference report reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which was more recently referred to as No Child Left Behind. The legislation passed the House of Representatives last night by a vote of 359 to 64. The single greatest avenue of upward mobility in our society is a quality education, and Im glad this bill continues expanding that opportunity to all children, regardless of race, ethnicity, language, country of origin, income or disability, Rep. Grijalva said. This bill is far from perfect, but its a vast improvement over the version House Republicans pushed through in July, which undermined important federal protections for students, and would have allowed for portability the syphoning of vital funds away from schools with high concentrations of low-income students. We now look to Governor Ducey and the state of Arizona as they develop and implement accountability systems and academic standards to hold our schools accountable for student growth. I urge them to focus on closing the achievement gaps and address resource inequities that remain in our schools, and ensure funds for preschool development grants are allocated for all children, especially programs that serve children from migrant farmworker and Native American families. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2107 AZ Congressional Democrats Denounce State's Proposed Medicaid Changes 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Democrat House AZ Raúl Grijalva G000551 grijalva.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) led fellow Arizona Democrats Reps. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) in urging Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell to reject proposed changes to the states Medicaid program included in its 1115 Medicaid renewal waiver. The lawmakers statement was submitted as part of the public comment period for the proposed changes, which remains open to all Arizonans to voice their concerns until December 6th. Their comments read, in part: The application includes changes that could harm some of the most economically disadvantaged individuals in the state. We ask that you carefully review and reject any provisions that limit access, reduce coverage, penalize low-income Arizonans, act as a barrier to care, or cause individuals to lose their coverage. Lawmakers released the following statements: There is no excuse for denying the most vulnerable Arizonans the dignity and security of health coverage, Rep. Ral Grijalva said. The changes proposed by the State put hundreds of thousands of Arizonans at risk and the taxpayers at-large back on the tab to cover emergency costs for the uninsured. Governor Brewer learned the lesson the hard way when her Medicaid cuts wreaked havoc on the state economy. The State should learn from past mistakes not repeat them. The proposed changes would have devastating consequences for hundreds of thousands of Arizonans in need and will make it more difficult for low income families and veterans to qualify for Medicaid, Rep. Ruben Gallego said. These changes undermine and go against the goals and protections of the Affordable Care Act, and I trust that Secretary Burwell will reject these changes. Arizonas proposed Medicaid changes would be a huge step backwards, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick said. Medicaid is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of low-income Arizonans, and this proposal is a direct threat to their coverage and access to health care services. The full text of the lawmakers … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1757 House Passes Gosar, Bridenstine, Yoho Amendment Limiting Frivolous and Costly Environmental Lawsuits 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy House Passes Gosar, Bridenstine, Yoho Amendment Limiting Frivolous and Costly Environmental Lawsuits f t # e Washington, DC, December 3, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after joining House colleagues Representatives Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) and Ted Yoho (R-FL) in passing an amendment that will limit frivolous lawsuits and exorbitant payouts to lawyers that challenge energy projects which have already gone through the environmental process and been issued permits and subsequently attached the amendment to H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act: share: f t For Immediate Release Date: December 2, 2015 Contact: Steven D. Smith Steven.Smith@mail.house.gov Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after joining House colleagues Representatives Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) and Ted Yoho (R-FL) in passing an amendment that will limit frivolous lawsuits and exorbitant payouts to lawyers that challenge energy projects which have already gone through the environmental process and been issued permits and subsequently attached the amendment to H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act: Extremist environmental groups have been abusing our legal system and intentionally pushing frivolous lawsuits to shut down important energy production on federal land. Furthermore, these lawsuits engineered by special-interest Washington D.C. lawyers are billing the federal government at exorbitant rates which cost American taxpayers as much as $750 an hour. These bogus environmental organizations are direc… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-responds-military-s-announcement-opening-all-positions U.S. Rep. McSally Responds to Militarys Announcement Opening All Positions to Women 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Martha McSally M001197 mcsally.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Martha McSally today released the following statement after Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced the military would open all positions to women. A retired Air Force Colonel who served 26 years in the military, Rep. McSally was the first woman to fly in combat and first woman to command a fighter squadron in U.S. history. Todays historic announcement finally recognizes that our military is strongest when it prioritizes merit and capability, not gender and its about damn time, said Rep. McSally. Women have been fighting and dying for our country since its earliest wars. They have shown they can compete with the best of the best, and succeed. We are a country that looks at people as individuals, not groups. We select the best man for the job, even if its a woman. I couldnt be prouder today of all the women warriors out there who have shown they have what it takes to be the best and serve with the best. Ill continue to work with my colleagues to oversee the integration process and ensure our forces readiness with our most capable men and women. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-statement-passage-transportation-bill-conference-report U.S. Rep. McSally Statement on Passage of Transportation Bill Conference Report 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Martha McSally M001197 mcsally.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Martha McSally today released the following statement after the House passed the conference report for H.R. 22, the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, a long-term reauthorization of surface transportation infrastructure projects. Rep. McSally led advocacy on four Southern Arizona priorities, including the Sonoran Corridor, that were included in the bill. After months of persistent efforts to advocate for our priorities, we have secured major victories for Southern Arizona families in this bill, said Rep. McSally. The legislation advances projects such as the widening of SR-189 near Nogales and the construction of the Sonoran Corridor, a project that could bring about billions of dollars in economic growth and hundreds of thousands of new jobs here. It also enables federal funding for important trade routes like the I-19 network and I-11 system. This is what getting things done looks like, and Im proud of the bipartisan work in the House and Senate to move this bill forward. I am so thankful for Sen. McCain's and Rep. McSallys leadership in getting this designation added to the Transportation bill and through the Congress," said Sharon Bronson, chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. "Their leadership, combined with the strong bi-partisan support this project received from the entire Arizona Congressional delegation, resulted in a major victory for the people of southern Arizona and the entire state. The Sonoran Corridor has the potential to be the most significant economic development effort in the countys history. The very foundation, the very backbone of the entire effort is the auxiliary highway connecting the two interstates. This designation is the first, vital step on the long road we still have to travel for funding and construction. The future prosperity of our region just got a little brighter today. Southern Arizonas business leaders applaud the passage of this bill as a vital step to enhance our nations critical transportation infrastructure,… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://schweikert.house.gov/2015/12/03/flight-path-disruption-survey-announced/ Flight Path Disruption Survey Announced 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ David Schweikert S001183 schweikert.house.gov schweikert https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/ scraper Scottsdale, AZ, December 3 – Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) has created a portal on his website for constituents to submit their complaints to the FAA regarding recent flight path changes. For over a year, Arizona communities have been harmed by acute noise from planes following new flight paths that the FAA implemented without consultation from the neighborhoods impacted. Our quality of life has declined drastically, making it unbearable to enjoy our desert landscapes without the buzzing of passenger jets. The FAA has repeatedly failed to act as a willing partner in resolving this crisis. As such, I am asking you to tell your story on how these flight paths have impacted your life. I will be submitting each story directly to FAA headquarters directly on your behalf. The FAA must engage our communities and must resolve the crisis they have created. Please take a moment to fill out our survey, click the link below and it will direct you to the portal. LINK IS CLOSED Back to News 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-04-08T20:33:33Z
https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/flight-path-disruption-survey-announced Flight Path Disruption Survey Announced 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ David Schweikert S001183 schweikert.house.gov     legacy Scottsdale, AZ, December 3 - Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) has created a portal on his website for constituents to submit their complaints to the FAA regarding recent flight path changes.   For over a year, Arizona communities have been harmed by acute noise from planes following new flight paths that the FAA implemented without consultation from the neighborhoods impacted. Our quality of life has declined drastically, making it unbearable to enjoy our desert landscapes without the buzzing of passenger jets.   The FAA has repeatedly failed to act as a willing partner in resolving this crisis. As such, I am asking you to tell your story on how these flight paths have impacted your life. I will be submitting each story directly to FAA headquarters directly on your behalf.   The FAA must engage our communities and must resolve the crisis they have created. Please take a moment to fill out our survey, click the link below and it will direct you to the portal.   LINK IS CLOSED 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=90014978-3f84-46cc-8b70-7863938798d2 Flake Statement on Advancement of Major Trade Route Designations for Arizona 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Jeff Flake F000444 www.flake.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Flake (R-Ariz.) today made the following statement on the approval of two provisions that he authored with U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to extend the designation of I-11 and to designate the Sonoran Corridor as a future interstate. I am pleased Congress approved the extension of the Interstate 11 designation and designated the Sonoran Corridor as a future interstate. These roads have the potential to serve as a boon to trade and economic growth both in Arizona and nationwide, said Flake. Background: The approved provision mirrors two pieces of legislation previously introduced by Flake and McCain. S. 1649, the Sonoran Corridor Interstate Development Act, would designate the Sonoran Corridor as a future interstate and connect I-19 to I-10. S. 842, the Intermountain West Corridor Development Act of 2015, would expand the designation of the future I-11 interstate south from Phoenix to Arizonas southern border and north to Las Vegas, Nev. and I-80. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=e3a63c56-b621-40c6-852d-adf99cb37abc FLOOR STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN SUPPORTING OBAMACARE REPEAL 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) delivered the following statement on the floor of the U.S. Senate in strong support of the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act that would repeal Obamacare, which the Senate will vote on later today: It has now been over five years since President Obama signed into law the so-called Affordable Care Act, a sweeping health care overhaul that passed this chamber without a single Republican vote. While legislation as important as this should have been held to the highest standard and included broad bipartisan support, President Obama and Congressional Democrats relied on fuzzy math and false promises to jam through this enormous, unwieldy health care measure that the American people overwhelmingly oppose. Such unilateral action has become President Obamas signature domestic policy legacy. But today, all that bullying and brinksmanship comes to a screeching halt. The legislation we will vote on today takes a critical step forward in lifting the burden that Obamacare has placed on hardworking citizens across the country who have been saddled by rising premiums, increased health care costs, and reduced access to doctors and hospitals. It continues our long fight to repeal this harmful law and build a bridge to health care solutions that work. Since Obamacares enactment, Americans have been left wondering: What happened to all of the presidents promises? His promise to remove obstacles to obtaining coverage? His promise to reduce yearly premiums by up to $2,500 for a typical family? His promise to maintain existing provider networks for those who liked their doctors? His promise to prevent any form of new tax increases? His promise to increase competition and provide greater choice? Despite all of the presidents assurances, Obamacare has been full of empty promises that have only made our nations health care problems worse. One of the many reasons I voted against Obamacare was because despite being portrayed as affordable, there were numerous p… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=fb3e2669-187a-4bee-a244-127e7f32e158 OPENING STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN AT HEARING ON SUPPORTING THE WARFIGHTER OF TODAY & TOMORROW 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered the following opening statement today at a hearing on supporting the warfighter of today and tomorrow: The Senate Armed Services Committee meets to continue our series of hearing on defense reform. In our three previous hearings, we have reviewed the effects of the Goldwater-Nichols reforms on our defense acquisition, management, and personnel systems. In todays hearing, and the two that will follow it, we will consider what most view as the essence of Goldwater-Nichols: the roles and responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the service secretaries and service chiefs, and the combatant commanders. This morning we seek to understand whether these civilian and military leadership organizations can function better to support the warfighters of today and tomorrow. We are fortunate to welcome a distinguished panel of witnesses who have grappled with these challenging issues over their many years of service to our nation: The Honorable Michael B. Donley, former Secretary of the Air Force; Lieutenant General Michael T. Flynn, former Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency; and General James Jones, former National Security Advisor; Supreme Allied Commander and Commander of U.S. European Command; and Commandant of the Marine Corps. We welcome all of you here this morning. Thirty years ago, Congress passed Goldwater-Nichols in response to serious concerns about the effectiveness of our military. The failure of the Iranian hostage rescue mission in 1980 and poor coordination between the services during the invasion of Grenada in 1983 were clear signs that something was wrong. Congress and others concluded that these failures were driven by a number of factors, including the absence of unity of command and an inability to operate jointly. Goldwater-Nichols sought to address these problems by making the unified commanders explicitly responsi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=090412f2-adce-4e40-998e-8b2a6da0665a CONGRESS PASSES McCAINS MEASURES ADVANCING MAJOR TRADE ROUTE DESIGNATIONS FOR ARIZONA 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Today, the U.S. Senate delivered final passage of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), a five-year, bipartisan, bicameral bill that provides authorization and funding to enhance roads, bridges, and transit programs in Arizona and across the country. This bill is vital to providing state and local officials in Arizona certainty to set transportation priorities, invest in critical infrastructure and plan wisely. It also includes measures supported by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) that would pave the way for establishing the Sonoran Corridor and the future Interstate 11 (I-11). These roads will ensure that Arizona has the infrastructure it needs to develop significant international trade routes for the Western United States. The FAST Act will now be sent to President Obamas desk for signature. Senator McCain originally introduced these measures in the Senate with theSonoran Corridor Interstate Development Act of 2015and theIntermountain West Corridor Development Act of 2015, which were ultimately included as part of the FAST Act. These provisions will designate the Sonoran Corridor as a future interstate to connect I-19 to I-10 south of the Tucson International Airport, and the future I-11 from Phoenix north to Las Vegas and I-80, and south to Arizonas southern border. Congresswoman Martha McSally (R-AZ) also sponsored these measures in the House of Representatives. This long-term authorization bill provides the funding certainty that state and local officials in Arizona need to repair our aging roads and improve critical infrastructure, while improving safety for all Americans in transit, said Senator McCain. Im particularly proud that this bill includes measures that I cosponsored that will enable Arizona to become a key part of an international trade route that reaches all the way to the southern border, driving economic growth statewide. While this legislation is not perfect, it advances important provisions to help improve our nations infrastructure and connect Arizonas b… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=442d7be0-3551-49d9-aa53-553c08552dd9 SENATOR JOHN McCAIN VOTES TO REPEAL OBAMACARE 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement today on the Senates passage of theRestoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act, legislation that would repeal Obamacare: Today, I was proud to join my colleagues in Congress to continue the fight to repeal and replace Obamacare. Since its enactment, Obamacare has been full of empty promises that have only made our nations health care problems worse. I hear from Arizonans every day who have been saddled by rising premiums, increased health care costs, and reduced access to doctors and hospitals. In fact, according to data released last month, 24 insurance plans in the Obamacare exchanges will see double-digit rate hikes in 2016, while residents of Phoenix are expected to see their premiums increase to roughly 19 percent. The highest average premium increase in Arizona is projected to reach a whopping 78 percent. For five long years, Americans have been let down by Obamacares broken promises. The legislation we passed today would unburden Americans from the harmful effects of this failed law and build a bridge to health care solutions that work for families in Arizona and across the country. It is clear that any serious attempt to improve our health care system must begin with a full repeal and replacement of Obamacare, and I will continue fighting on behalf of the people of Arizona to achieve it. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4c5279cd-6030-4243-b4c9-738ca9482e1b STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN OPPOSING AMENDMENT TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement today opposing an amendment offered to the Budget Reconciliation Act that would increase funding for Planned Parenthood: As a lifelong pro-life American, I strongly oppose the amendment offered today and voted no to sending more taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood. Along with millions of Americans across the country, I was appalled by gruesome footage showing Planned Parenthoods role in the harvesting of unborn baby parts, and was proud to cosponsor legislation that would have defunded this scandal-plagued organization. Its time to take a stand for the rights of all human life, including the unborn, and start doing more to protect the well-being of women, mothers, and their families. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=52301028-b1f9-4a1c-aa1a-7de32929f6ef ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN STATEMENT ON DECISION TO OPEN ALL COMBAT POSITIONS TO WOMEN 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and U.S. Representative Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairmen of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, released the following statement today on Defense Secretary Ash Carters decision to open all military combat positions to women: Secretary Carter's decision to open all combat positions to women will have a consequential impact on our servicemembers and our military's warfighting capabilities. The Congress has an essential Constitutional role to make rules for the government and regulation of our nation's armed forces. Moreover, by law, the Congress has a 30-day period to review the implications of today's decision. The Senate and House Armed Services Committees intend to carefully and thoroughly review all relevant documentation related to today's decision, including the 1,000-page Marine Integrated Task Force report. We expect the Department to send over its implementation plans as quickly as possible to ensure our Committees have all the information necessary to conduct proper and rigorous oversight. We also look forward to receiving the Departments views on any changes to the Selective Service Act that may be required as a result of this decision. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=cc017ed5-6821-402f-b222-f6084aee4416 CONGRESS PASSES McCAINS MEASURES ADVANCING MAJOR TRADE ROUTE DESIGNATIONS FOR ARIZONA 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Today, the U.S. Senate delivered final passage of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), a five-year, bipartisan, bicameral bill that provides authorization and funding to enhance roads, bridges, and transit programs in Arizona and across the country. This bill is vital to providing state and local officials in Arizona certainty to set transportation priorities, invest in critical infrastructure and plan wisely. It also includes measures supported by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) that would pave the way for establishing the Sonoran Corridor and the future Interstate 11 (I-11). These roads will ensure that Arizona has the infrastructure it needs to develop significant international trade routes for the Western United States. The FAST Act will now be sent to President Obamas desk for signature. Senator McCain originally introduced these measures in the Senate with theSonoran Corridor Interstate Development Act of 2015and theIntermountain West Corridor Development Act of 2015, which were ultimately included as part of the FAST Act. These provisions will designate the Sonoran Corridor as a future interstate to connect I-19 to I-10 south of the Tucson International Airport, and the future I-11 from Phoenix north to Las Vegas and I-80, and south to Arizonas southern border. Congresswoman Martha McSally (R-AZ) also sponsored these measures in the House of Representatives. This long-term authorization bill provides the funding certainty that state and local officials in Arizona need to repair our aging roads and improve critical infrastructure, while improving safety for all Americans in transit, said Senator McCain. Im particularly proud that this bill includes measures that I cosponsored that will enable Arizona to become a key part of an international trade route that reaches all the way to the southern border, driving economic growth statewide. While this legislation is not perfect, it advances important provisions to help improve our nations infrastructure and connect Arizonas b… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=e5767559-8c79-484b-a2cb-f55c090bc11e CONGRESS PASSES McCAINS MEASURES ADVANCING MAJOR TRADE ROUTE DESIGNATIONS FOR ARIZONA 2015-12-03 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Today, the U.S. Senate delivered final passage of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), a five-year, bipartisan, bicameral bill that provides authorization and funding to enhance roads, bridges, and transit programs in Arizona and across the country. This bill is vital to providing state and local officials in Arizona certainty to set transportation priorities, invest in critical infrastructure and plan wisely. It also includes measures supported by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) that would pave the way for establishing the Sonoran Corridor and the future Interstate 11 (I-11). These roads will ensure that Arizona has the infrastructure it needs to develop significant international trade routes for the Western United States. The FAST Act will now be sent to President Obamas desk for signature. Senator McCain originally introduced these measures in the Senate with theSonoran Corridor Interstate Development Act of 2015and theIntermountain West Corridor Development Act of 2015, which were ultimately included as part of the FAST Act. These provisions will designate the Sonoran Corridor as a future interstate to connect I-19 to I-10 south of the Tucson International Airport, and the future I-11 from Phoenix north to Las Vegas and I-80, and south to Arizonas southern border. Congresswoman Martha McSally (R-AZ) also sponsored these measures in the House of Representatives. This long-term authorization bill provides the funding certainty that state and local officials in Arizona need to repair our aging roads and improve critical infrastructure, while improving safety for all Americans in transit, said Senator McCain. Im particularly proud that this bill includes measures that I cosponsored that will enable Arizona to become a key part of an international trade route that reaches all the way to the southern border, driving economic growth statewide. While this legislation is not perfect, it advances important provisions to help improve our nations infrastructure and connect Arizonas b… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-remembers-howard-henderson U.S. Rep. McSally Remembers Howard Henderson 2015-12-02 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Martha McSally M001197 mcsally.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Martha McSally today spoke on the House floor in remembrance of Howard Henderson, the former owner of KDAP-FM and KAPR-AM radio stations in Douglas who passed away last month. Transcript Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to pay tribute to the life of Howard Henderson, a man who was cherished by many throughout Southern Arizona. Howard moved to Douglas, Arizona in 1984 when he became the owner and president of KDAP-FM and KAPR-AM radio stations. He wasted no time making his mark, both on air and in the community. Howard hosted the Trading Post morning show, one of the most popular and listened-to shows in the area. He broadcast over one thousand high school games and supported community events, including serving on the local fair board. His on-air personality and active presence in Douglas earned him the nickname, Mr. Wonderful." I got to know Howard over recent years. Like many, I was touched by his professionalism, grace, and dedication to the community. On November 20th, Howard passed away after battling cancer at the age of 65. We will miss hearing his voice on the airwaves and seeing his smiling face around Douglas, but we will never forget his impact on Southern Arizona. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-supports-every-student-succeeds-act U.S. Rep. McSally Supports Every Student Succeeds Act 2015-12-02 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Martha McSally M001197 mcsally.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Martha McSally today released the following statement after the House passed the Every Student Succeeds Act, a bipartisan bill to reauthorize and reform the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The bill provides school districts with increased flexibility and authority in determining education decisions while empowering parents, teachers, and local administrators. Every student deserves the chance of a high-quality education. Unfortunately, our current system is failing to provide that. As the child of a public school educator, Ive witnessed how our current top-down approach ties the hands of our teachers and heard about from local administrators how it hamstrings our schools, said Rep. McSally. Todays bipartisan, bicameral bill restores control to those who understand best what our students need. It prioritizes evidenced-based outcomes, not testing, and provides states and school districts with the tools they need to succeed. Im very glad to see this bill move us away from our current one-size-fits-all approach and restore education decision-making to those who know our school best, said Dr. H. T. Sanchez, Superintendent of the Tucson Unified School District. By giving states and local districts more flexibility, this bill allows us to better meet the unique needs of each and every student we serve. It is our belief that accountability and decision-making authority is best in the hands of state and local authorities, not the federal government, and this bill is a positive step toward that direction, said Calvin Baker, Superintendent of the Vail Unified School District. In particular, we appreciate the provisions in this bill to eliminate the burdensome Highly Qualified Teacher requirement and return authority to states for determining the best methods of evaluating teacher performance. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://web.archive.org/web/20160826233300/https://franks.house.gov/transctip-floor-speech-energy-protection-amendment TRANSCRIPT: Floor Speech on Energy Protection Amendment 2015-12-02 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Trent Franks F000448 web.archive.org     legacy The following is a transcript, as prepared by Mr. Franks, on December 2nd, 2015, to support his amendment to H.R. 8North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015. Video of the speech can be found here. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the Rules Committee for making this amendment in order. I also want to commend the committees of jurisdiction for moving this important bill forward. Mr. Chairman, our National Security and the reliability of our national electric grid are inextricably related. Without the grid, telecommunications no longer operate, transportation of every kind is profoundly affected, sewage and water treatment facilities stop and a safe and continuous food supply is interrupted. Contemporary U.S. society is not structured, nor does it have the means, to provide for the needs of nearly 300 million Americans without electricity. The current strategy for recovery from a failure of the electric grid leaves us ill-prepared to respond effectively to a significant manmade or naturally occurring EMP event that would potentially result in damage to vast numbers of components nearly simultaneously over an unprecedented geographic scale. The negative impacts on U.S. electric infrastructure are potentially catastrophic in a major EMP or severe space weather event, unless practical steps are taken to provide protection for critical elements of the electric system. Nearly a dozen studies, including those by DoD, DoE, the Army War College, the National Academy of Sciences and the bipartisan Electromagnetic Pulse Commission have all come to the same conclusion: The United States bulk power grid is critically vulnerable to severe space weather and electromagnetic pulse, and this represents a profound danger to this nation. We have spent now billions of dollars hardening are critical defense assets against electromagnetic pulse. However, the Department of Defense depends upon the unprotected civilian electric grid within the continental United States for 99% of their electricity needs without which they … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=350692fa-d8b4-436f-9730-d03a0d146758 Wastebook: The Farce Awakens 2015-12-02 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Jeff Flake F000444 www.flake.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today released a video announcing that he will release Wastebook: The Farce Awakens on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Flakes report the latest in the franchise begun by retired U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) will feature over 100 examples of wasteful federal spending including a taxpayer-funded study of sheep in microgravity, beer as foreign food-aid, a virtual haunted house and an experiment involving a monkey in a hamster ball on treadmill. The video can be viewed here. Wastebook will be Flakes fourth oversight report in a year. In Nov. 2015, he joined U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to release Tackling Paid Patriotism, a report on their joint investigation into taxpayer-funded payments by the Department of Defense to professional sports teams for patriotic displays honoring the U.S. military. In June 2015, Flake responded to calls for a return to the practice of congressional earmarking by releasing Jurassic Pork, a report highlighting the continued cost of pork projects in the post-earmark-ban era. In Dec. 2014, Flake published the Science of Splurging, a report highlighting more than a dozen examples of wasteful and egregious spending by the Environmental Protection Agency. Since June 2014, Flake has regularly released PorkChops, a series highlighting wasteful and egregious federal spending. While serving in the House, Flake established the Egregious Earmark of the Week series, which ran from 2003 until 2010, after Congress enacted a self-imposed moratorium on congressional earmarks. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=270d6350-6087-405f-b58b-2b605cfb3c7c OPENING STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN AT HEARING ON DOD PERSONNEL REFORM & STRENGTHENING ALL-VOLUNTEER FORCE 2015-12-02 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. 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 personnel reform and strengthening the all-volunteer force: The Committee meets this morning to continue our series of hearings focused on defense reform. Today we will focus on military and civilian personnel reform and how to strengthen the All-Volunteer Force in the 21st Century. We are fortunate to have a distinguished group of witnesses joining us today: The Honorable David Chu, President and CEO of the Institute for Defense Analyses and former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; The Honorable Bernard Rostker, Rand Corporation Senior Fellow and also a former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; The Honorable Robert Hale, Booz Allen Hamilton Fellow and former Under Secretary of Department of Defense (Comptroller); and Admiral Gary Roughead, USN (Retired), Annenberg Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution and former Chief of Naval Operations. Put simply, our All-Volunteer Force is the greatest fighting force in human history. Any consideration of personnel reform must begin from that basis. And all of usthe Congress and the Department of Defensemust take great care as we consider what changes are needed to ensure that our force can respond to the needs of a new generation of warfighters and meet our future challenges. Our efforts must proceed from rigorous fact-finding and analysis. We must always ask what problems we are trying to solve. We must always measure any reform against the militarys unique mission of combat effectiveness. And we must always remember that what works for the private sector or society at large may not always work best for our military. We have all heard the stories of the many excellent service-members who are choosing, or being forced, to leave the military for ridiculous personnel reasons. This is a real problem, bu… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://gosar.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-collins-gosar-bill-requiring-tracking-disclosure-attorney-fees-paid-out House Passes Collins-Gosar Bill Requiring Tracking & Disclosure of Attorney Fees Paid Out from Environmental Lawsuits 2015-12-01 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the House successfully passed H.R. 3279, the Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act, bipartisan legislation which he introduced with Representatives Doug Collins (R-GA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Kurt Schrader (D-OR) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) which aims to strengthen the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) by reinstating the tracking and reporting requirements for money paid out by the federal government under this law: Unfortunately, a well-intentioned law that was meant to protect the little guy has been hijacked by extremist environmental groups who are profitting off the taxpayer dime. Shamefully, these special-interest lawyers are billing the federal government for exorbitant rates as high as $750 an hour. Shockingly, we dont even know the true costs of this abuse because the government stopped tracking these expenditures in 1995. The bipartisan legislation passed by the House today sheds some much needed light on an appalling process that has operated in the dark for more than 20 years. Special-interest groups shouldnt be getting rich off American taxpayers by filing frivolous lawsuits. Commonsense necessitates that, at minimum, we should track the sources and recipients of these taxpayer expenditures. Background The Equal Access to Justice Act, originally passed by Congress in 1980, was intended to reimburse veterans, small businesses and other American citizens for attorneys fees and costs incurred for suing the federal government. H.R. 3279 requires important disclosure information relating to the amount of fees and expenses awarded by federal courts when the United States loses a case or settles with a non-federal entity to be published online in a searchable database. EAJA is funded by a permanent appropriation and as a result Congress does not control the amount ofmoney that that comes from this fund. EAJA claims are awarded from agency budgets as well as the U.S. Treasury. EA… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2104 Grijalva Bill Expanding Access for Historic Preservation Research Funding Passes Unanimously 2015-12-01 2015 2015-12 Democrat House AZ Raúl Grijalva G000551 grijalva.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC Last night, Rep. Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) ushered legislation he sponsored in March through a unanimous passage in the House of Representatives. The Preservation Research at Institutions Serving Minorities (PRISM) Act of 2015 provides Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Asian American and Native American/Pacific Islander-serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) with the same access to technical and financial assistance currently available to other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) to establish preservation training and degree programs. The legislation will ensure that HSIs and AANAPISIs are able to provide historic preservation education and training programs to their students. Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Asian American and Native American/Pacific Islander-serving Institutions are one step closer to the access they deserve of funds that are already available to other Minority-Serving Institutions,Rep. Grijalva said.The American identity is enriched by every culture that has come to our shores. It is crucial that we assure all students have the opportunity to participate in projects to preserve their heritage. The Preservation Research at Institutions Serving Minorities (PRISM) Act is supported by 17 community advocacy organizations, including the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU); SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc.; Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP); American GI Forum; National Hispanic Media Coalition; Hispanic Access Foundation; Hispanic Federation; Hispanics Enjoying Camping; Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO); GreenLatinos; Azul; Diverse Environmental Leaders National Speakers Bureau; League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC); ASPIRA Association, Inc.; the National Council of La Raza (NCLR); the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA); and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1569 Congress Strikes Back to Reject EPAs Lawless Attack on the Coal Industry 2015-12-01 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Paul Gosar G000565 gosar.house.gov     legacy Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the House successfully passed S.J.Res.23 and S.J.Res.24 which will trigger the Congressional Review Act to effectively block the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) arbitrary regulations for new and existing power plants:No amount of self-righteous claims or baseless partisan attacks from President Obama will change the fact that he has no power to enact his fanatical environmental agenda, period. His backdoor attempts to rule by executive fiat have been repeatedly and resoundingly rejected by Congress, federal courts and the American people. The president's war on coal is unlawful and extremely misguided as nearly 40% of our nation's electricity is generated from this important resource...that includes electricity to charge the luxuryhybrid car ofthe president's climate change buddy, Al Gore. Once again, I challenge the president to follow the law and attempt to pass his Clean Power Plan through the legislative process. If he truly believes that his ideas are worthy of action, why continue to circumvent the process? The reality is the American people will never submit to bogus cap-and-trade mandates. Further, the president failed to pass cap-and-tax through Congress when the Democrats controlled both Houses in 2010. Hard-working taxpayers can't afford more EPA regulations that will drive up energy prices and cost our economy billions of dollars each year. The American people have said no, Congress has said no and it is only a matter of time before the courts say no.Let the president stew over that inconvenient truth' on his flight back from Paris. Background: Congressman Gosar is a cosponsor of H.J.Res.71 and H.J.Res.72, the two identical House bills that recently passed the Energy and Commerce Committee. From the House Republican Conference: S.J. Res. 23 and 24 would disapprove of EPA's rules to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) from new and existing plants. The rules were issued pursuant to the Pres… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-questions-top-us-security-officials-isis-strategy U.S. Rep. McSally Questions Top U.S. Security Officials on ISIS Strategy 2015-12-01 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Martha McSally M001197 mcsally.house.gov     legacy U.S. Rep. McSally Questions Top U.S. Security Officials on ISIS Strategy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Martha McSally today questioned Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph F. Dunford on our ISIS strategy in Iraq and Syria at a House Armed Services Committee hearing. Rep. McSally urged the unleashing of America air power against ISIS and confirmed the critical importance of the A-10 Warthog from the highest ranking military officer in the Armed Forces. Rep. McSally questioned the Administration's delay in assessing how to stop the flow of black market oil, which is estimated to finance ISIS terror with millions of dollars a month. She also hammered officials on their decision not to attack fuel trucks until just recently, 17 months after ISIS declared a caliphate and 15 months after the start of air operations. I just want to be clear. Ive been involved in the targeting process at all levels, if youre driving a truck for a terrorist organization thats fueling them, youre a combatant. Toward the end of her time, Rep. McSally asked General Dunford about the importance of the A-10 in taking out ISIS targets and performing Combat Search and Rescue roles. That exchange is below. Rep. McSally: Is it your assessment theyre critical to this fight? Gen. Dunford: The A-10 has been a valuable platform. Rep. McSally: And do you consider this fight is going to go on for a while? Gen. Dunford: I do. Other quotes Im deeply concerned about the lack of using American air power for all it brings to the fight. It looks like (ISIS) is taking on American air power and winning. And that has added to their propaganda, its added to their metastasizing, its added to the sort of romantic approach to recruiting people to join the fight. It sounds like youre saying things have changed, but in addition to the changes you mentioned, are we changing the cumbersome approval process, can we feel the confidence that were going to unleash and unshackle American air power, and no… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-votes-protect-rural-residents-and-jobs U.S. Rep. McSally Votes to Protect Rural Residents and Jobs 2015-12-01 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Martha McSally M001197 mcsally.house.gov     legacy Resolutions Overturning EPA Carbon Rules Pass House WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Martha McSally today voted to stand up for rural Arizona residents and overturn the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) harmful carbon rules on new and existing power plants. The EPAs rules, which were modified in August after Rep. McSallys extensive advocacy efforts, continue to threaten operations at the Apache Generating Station near Willcox and put rural consumers at risk. The EPAs rigid overreach has the potential to greatly harm families throughout Cochise County-especially those who can least afford it-through blackouts, higher rates, and the loss of good-paying jobs, said Rep. McSally. Todays votes rightfully check that overreach. When you live in remote and often hard to reach areas, like many Southern Arizonans do, access to affordable and reliable energy is a necessity. I will continue to fight for the priorities of our rural residents and to give our energy producers the flexibility they need. We want to thank Congresswoman McSally for co-sponsoring H.J. Res. 71 and H.J. Res. 72, two resolutions of disapproval related to the EPA's rules on existing and new power plants. Congresswoman McSally has taken a lead role in working to protect Arizonas rural electric cooperatives and the Apache Generating Station from overreaching regulations that threaten the livelihood and wellbeing of rural people, said Patrick Ledger, CEO of Arizonas G&T Cooperatives. In many of the areas we serve, more than a third of those who will be impacted by this rule live at or below the federal poverty level, and simply cant afford the price tag attached to this rule. We need fair and sensible regulation that provides a reasonable transition to new energy sources and does not undermine our ability to provide safe, reliable and affordable electric power for more than 400,000 rural people who rely on us, Ledger said. Arizonas rural communities are made up of residents, small businesses, industry, agriculture, hospitals, schools and many … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/scapegoating-refugees-not-answer Scapegoating refugees is not the answer 2015-12-01 2015 2015-12 Democrat House AZ Ruben Gallego G000574 rubengallego.house.gov     legacy In the last two months, terrorists have blown up a Russian jet and massacred hundreds of civilians in Beirut, Paris and Mali. Americans are rightfully concerned about whether our government is doing enough to prevent an attack on our homeland. Scapegoating refugees through legislation such as the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act or riders in a government funding bill, however, is the wrong solution to the wrong problem. As veterans who served on active duty prior to serving in Congress, we voted against the hastily drafted SAFE Act because it harms both U.S. national security and moral standing. The legislation damages national security by forcing security leadership to focus on the wrong threats. Great military strategists from Sun Tzu to the present day all emphasize that to defeat our enemy we need to know our enemy. Americas enemies are terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and al Qaeda, not refugees fleeing ISIS and al Qaeda. There is not a single example of a refugee killing or injuring anyone on American soil by a terrorist act. In Paris, the attacks were perpetrated by French nationals and Belgians, not Syrian refugees. Should we ban travel from French citizens and Belgians to America because some of them committed terrorist acts? If that idea sounds ridiculous, then so should the idea of scapegoating children, widows and seniors fleeing Syria from seeking safety in the United States. Of the Syrian refugees admitted to the United States last year, half are children and a quarter are senior citizens. They can only enter America after a vigorous, multi-agency vetting process that takes 18 to 24 months. The SAFE Act, however, requires the secretary of Homeland Security, the director of National Intelligence and the director of the FBI to personally certify every single Syrian and Iraqi refugee despite the robust vetting process. In the last year over 14,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees entered the United States. If each of the three officials spent just h… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=78b0bdf0-fd14-4f9e-89d4-0a68e95c2938 Feinstein, Flake Introduce Bill to Strengthen Security of Visa Waiver Program 2015-12-01 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ Jeff Flake F000444 www.flake.senate.gov     legacy Washington U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today joined U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) to introduce the Visa Waiver Program Security Enhancement Act, legislation that will strengthen the security of the visa waiver program to help prevent terrorists from entering the United States. The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Angus King (I-Maine), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). The Feinstein-FlakeVisa Waiver Program Security Enhancement Actwould improve the security of the Visa Waiver Program by doing the following: Require individuals who have traveled to Syria or Iraq in the past five years to acquire a traditional tourist visa instead of traveling without a visa under the visa waiver program. This process requires an in-person interview with an American consular official and the submission of the travelers biometric information. Require travelers using the visa waiver program to submit biometric information, in the form of fingerprints and a photograph, before they travel to the United States. Require all visa waiver travelers to use an electronic passport, which are more secure and harder to tamper with. Require increased intelligence-sharing between visa waiver program countries and the United States. Security enhancements in the bill would be paid for by increasing the visa waiver traveler fee, which is currently $14. Only $4 supports visa waiver program security. In comparison, the fee for a traditional tourist visa is $160. In the wake the Paris terrorist attacks, its important that Congress work together in a meaningful way to ensure that those who would do us harm on our own soil are unable to do so,said Flake.Passing this bipartisan bill to strengthen the highly-beneficial visa waiver program so that it cannot be exploited by individuals who may have ties to terrorism in Iraq and Syria w… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/floor-statements?ContentRecord_id=f6f24202-1d83-459b-a8dc-06def008f91f OPENING STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN AT HEARING ON NEXT STEPS FOR DEFENSE ACQUISITION REFORM 2015-12-01 2015 2015-12 Republican House AZ John McCain M000303 www.mccain.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered the following opening statement today at a hearing on next steps for defense acquisition reform: The Senate Armed Services Committee meets this morning to discuss next steps for reforming the Pentagons broken acquisition system. Last week, the President signed theNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016into law. That legislation marked the beginning of a significant revamping of the defense acquisition system that has been broken for decades. Schedule delays and cost overruns are par for the course. Complex regulations and stifling bureaucracy impede innovation and restrict access to critical commercial technologies. Worse still, it seems no one in the defense acquisition system is ever held accountable for these repeated failures. Thats why in this years NDAA, Congress sought to improve access to non-traditional and commercial innovation by removing barriers to new entrants into the defense market, adopting commercial buying practices for the Defense Department, and ensuring these firms are not forced to cede intellectual property developed at their own expense. The NDAA also expanded flexible acquisition authorities and the development of alternative acquisition pathways to acquire critical national security capabilities. And perhaps most importantly, the NDAA took important steps to ensure accountability in the defense acquisition system. The NDAA gave greater authority to the military services to manage their own programs and enhanced the role of the service chiefs in the acquisition process. Services chiefs, service secretaries, service acquisition executives, and program managers will now sign up to binding management, requirement, and resource commitments. And if military services fail to manage a program effectively, they will lose authority and control over that program and be assessed an annual cost penalty on their cost overruns. This Committee will be watching closely to en… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z

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