Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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299 rows where party = "Democrat", state = "AZ" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending
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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 |
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| 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://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://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://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://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://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://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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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://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 | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2102 | Grijalva Responds to VA Relocating Controversial Staffer to Phoenix | 2015-11-23 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today following an announcement by the Veterans Administration that it is demoting someone from its Minneapolis office for ethically questionable conduct and relocating them to serve as Assistant Director of the Phoenix Regional Benefits Office. The Phoenix VA system has been the center of national attention after reports surfaced that veterans were waiting months for the medical care they needed, and in some cases, lost their lives while waiting for care. Given all of the challenges the Phoenix VA has faced over the past few years, it is completely unacceptable for the Veterans Administration to send an ethically impugned staffer to assist in leading it, Rep. Grijalva said. They should be staffing the Phoenix VA with the best they have in order to adequately meet the needs of local veterans. Instead, theyre sending us officials or staffers who may face criminal charges. Nothing could be more insulting as the VA works to rebuild its trust with veterans and the Phoenix community. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/el-congresista-ruben-gallego-sobre-el-aniversario-de-las-acciones | El Congresista Ruben Gallego Sobre el Aniversario de las Acciones Ejecutivas | 2015-11-20 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Hoy celebramos el primer aniversario del anuncio de la accin diferida para los padres de estadounidenses y residentes legales (DAPA) y la expansin de Accin Diferida para los llegados en la infancia (DACA) del presidente Barack Obama. DAPA protegera de la deportacin a los padres de ciudadanos estadounidenses y residentes permanents legales, y les permitira solicitar permisos de trabajo. DACA se aplica a las personas que fueron tradas a este pas cuando eran nios. Ambos programas estn estancados en la corte federal. El Congresista Ruben Gallego hizo las siguientes declaraciones: Un ao despues que el presidente Obama anunci un alivio para las familias inmigrantes, la expansion de DACA y el programa DAPA permanecen atrapados en una demanda que no es ms que una maniobra poltica. Millones de familias que se beneficiaran de estos programas permanecen en limbo debido a asuntos legales y resoluciones partidistas por un tribunal conservador especifcamente seleccionado por los republicanos. Los republicanos quieren deportar a los padres de 5 millones de ciudadanos estadounidenses, y a los jvenes soadores. Eso es inconcebible y va en contra de nuestros valores como una nacin construida por inmigrantes. DACA le ha permitido a miles de jvenes salir de las sombras, dndoles mas y mejores oportunidades y la posibilidad de una educacion universitaria. Voy a seguir trabajando con los activistas que han luchado de manera incansable para proteger DACA y DAPA. S que vamos a ganar, y que el alivio se conceder a estas familias que solo buscan permanecer juntas. Es hora de que mis colegas republicanos dejen los juegos politicos y hagan su trabajo. Pong monos a trabajar para reformar nuestro sistema de inmigracin. ## | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-anniversary-president-s-executive-actions | Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on the Anniversary of the Presidents Executive Actions on Immigration | 2015-11-20 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Today marks the one-year anniversary of President Barack Obamas announcement of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) policy and the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). DAPA would protect parents of U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident children from deportation and allow them to apply for work permits. DACA applies to people who were brought to this country as children. Both programs are currently being held up in federal court. Congressman Ruben Gallego issued the following statement: A year after President Obama announced relief for immigrant families, the DACA expansion and the DAPA program remain mired in a lawsuit that is nothing but a political stunt. Millions of families who would benefit from these programs remain in limbo due to ongoing legal challenges and partisan rulings by a conservative court hand-selected by Republicans. Republicans want to deport the parents of 5 million U.S. citizens, and young people who are American in every way except on paper. Thats unconscionable and goes against our values as nation built by immigrants. The DACA program has allowed thousands of young people to come out of the shadows, attain greater opportunities and access higher education. The DAPA program would allow the parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to do the same. I will continue to work with the tireless advocates who are fighting to protect DACA and DAPA. I know that we will win, and that relief will be granted to these families who only want to stay together. Its time for my Republican colleagues to stop playing games and start doing their jobs. Lets get to work and reform our broken immigration system. ## | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2099 | Rep. Grijalva Introduces Legislation Protecting Taxpayers from For-Profit College Schemes | 2015-11-19 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today re-introduced legislation to ensure taxpayer investments in higher education are used for their intended purpose of improving education. In an effort to address an alarming trend of for-profit institutions spending federal funds to recruit students and grow their profit margins, the Protect Financial Aid for Students and Taxpayers Act prevents the use of federal education funds for advertising, marketing or recruitment. The fact that for-profit colleges dupe students into crippling debt for little education in return is bad enough, Rep. Grijalva said. We dont need to subsidize their marketing efforts with taxpayer dollars. Students who receive federal funds for their education should know that those dollars are indeed used to further their learning. And the American people, who care passionately about ensuring the brightest future possible for the next generation, demand their tax dollars are not wasted on such a deceitful scheme. The Protect Financial Aid for Students and Taxpayers Act is co-sponsored by Mark Takano (D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Luis V. Gutirrez (D-IL), Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY). Rep. Grijalva has long worked to address the predatory and deceptive practices that for-profit colleges use to attract students without providing the education they deserve. He has introduced The Protect Financial Aid for Students and Taxpayers Act in the House of Representatives twice before. In October 2014, he urged the Obama administration for stronger rules when they announced gainful employment rules designed to ensure for-profit colleges deliver on their job-placement promises. In April 2015, he called on Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to exercise the full extent of his authority under the Higher Education Act to provide relief to students who were harmed by Corinthian Colleges a for-profit school that closed on April 27, 2015 following a series of legal challenges… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/members-house-democratic-caucus-join-public-interest-groups-call-house | Members of the House Democratic Caucus Join Public Interest Groups to Call on House Leadership to Bring a Clean Spending Bill to the Floor | 2015-11-19 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC On Thursday, Nov. 19, members of the House Democratic Caucus joined public interest groups and progressive organizations to call on House Leadership to reject divisive policy riders in the FY 2016 Omnibus and to bring a clean spending bill to the floor. More than 160 Members of Congress signed a letter to House Leadership calling on them to prevent another unnecessary government shutdown by rejecting poison-pill provisions and partisan brinksmanship. The full letter can be found here. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-IL, said, With only eight legislative days remaining until our government shuts down, its time for Republicans to stop the games and pass a clean funding bill without any riders whatsoever. This means no partisan policy provisions that attack womens reproductive rights, undermine the Affordable Care Act, are anti-labor, are anti-consumer, weaken environmental provisions, or any such toxic provisions that have nothing to do with funding our government. Today, Im proud to stand with over 160 of my colleagues in a promise to vote against any legislation that contains such partisan provisions. With such little time left, Speaker Ryan must stand up to the reckless voices in his conference and work with Democrats to pass a clean funding bill. Rep. G. K. Butterfield, D-NC, said, It is critical that we bring a clean spending bill to the floor if we want to prevent another government shutdown. These policy riders prioritize special interests and politics over the needs of hardworking American families, and they would cut much needed funding to transportation, education, law enforcement, and to our veterans. We have an obligation to build on the progress of the Bipartisan Budget Act and move America forward. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-AZ, said, Republicans are threatening to shut down the government by pursuing an extreme agenda through radical policy provisions. A government shutdown would hurt countless disabled veterans, disadvantaged children, small businesses, and working families across the country. Its… | 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-vote-syrian-refugees | Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Todays Vote on Syrian Refugees | 2015-11-19 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Rep. Ruben Gallego issued the following statement: Today, Republican leaders in the House brought forward a misguided bill to drastically alter our nations refugee laws. While we are still uncovering the facts about the senseless violence in Paris, we must not rush to make permanent policy changes that turn our backs on those escaping violence and torture in their home countries. Among other provisions aimed at making an already lengthy and secure process even more difficult to navigate for vulnerable families, the bill would block the resettlement of 58,000 Iraqi refugees who have family in the United States, who served as interpreters for the U.S. military or have other close U.S. affiliations and have been waiting months for resettlement. Having fought in Iraq and worked alongside these interpreters, it is unfathomable that we would honor their service to our country and our troops by erecting additional barriers to reuniting them with their families while they face danger as a result of their sacrifices. I am disappointed and alarmed by the Republican rush to politically capitalize on the tragic events in Paris. Even in the wake of a series of devastating terror attacks, the French government has already reaffirmed its commitment to accepting refugees. The United States should do the same. Instead of embracing the politics of fear and division, I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to preserve the American tradition of welcoming those yearning to breathe free from around the world. ## | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2097 | Grijalva Leads Effort to Stop $5.35 Billion Tax Windfall to BP in Deepwater Horizon Settlement | 2015-11-18 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today led 52 of his Congressional colleagues in sending a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch requesting she prohibit British Petroleum (BP) from claiming $15.3 billion of their $20 billion settlement for the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill as a business expense, which would allow the negligent oil company to secure a tax windfall of up to $5.35 billion at the expense of the American people. BP has been found grossly negligent in causing the Deepwater Horizon disaster that killed 11 people and created the largest marineoil spillin U.S. history. The letter reads, in part: The tragedy of the Deepwater Horizon must be answered with justice for the people, economy and wildlife of the Gulf Coastnot further tax benefits for BP. [W]e are concerned that without strict language to the contrary, BP will seek to claim the remaining $15.3 billion as a business expense, displacing the burden of that uncollected revenue onto every other taxpayer while securing a tax windfall worth $5.35 billion for itself. Rep. Grijalva released the following statement: For five years, BP has done its best to shirk its responsibilities to the American people as we recover from a disaster caused entirely by the oil giants negligence, Rep. Grijalva said. Leaving open the possibility for BP to claim the majority of their settlement as tax deductible expenses only allows the company to exploit the American people once again. Explicit conditions about taxes in settlements are becoming more standard were asking Attorney General Lynch to consider the factsand make it crystal clear that BP will not be allowed to get a tax windfall fromthe disaster they caused. Rep. Grijalvas letter is endorsed by 9 organizations, including Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace USA, The Sierra Club, Public Citizen, Defenders of Wildlife, Center for Biological Diversity, Oil Change International, Energy Action Coalition, Institute for Policy Studies Climate Policy Program. Rep. Grijal… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-refugee-resettlement | Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Refugee Resettlement | 2015-11-17 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC In the aftermath of the attacks in Paris, there has been an uptick in anti-refugee sentiment, and some Republicans have even proposed that the United States end refugee resettlement altogether. Congressman Ruben Gallego issued the following statement: We have a moral responsibility to help those escaping violence and torture in their home countries, while also taking steps to ensure the protection of the American people. Refugees who come to the United States are subject to the highest level of security screening before they are ever allowed to enter the country. The U.S. government takes this screening very seriously, and the system has been significantly enhanced in recent years. I am also alarmed by the hateful anti-Muslim rhetoric coming from some in the Republican Party. Refugees come to the United States fleeing the same type of senseless violence that occurred in Paris. The vast majority of ISISs victims have been Muslim, and most Syrian refugees are families with children. ISIS is a terrorist organization and does not represent the beliefs of the Muslim religion. Allowing ISIS to stoke fear and anti-Muslim sentiment is counter to our American values found on the Statue of Liberty. We should not let fear caused by terrorism overcome our sense of morality. I support the Obama Administration in its commitment to resettle refugees fleeing violence in a safe manner, consistent with our national security. ## | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-seeking-applications-wounded-warrior-congressional | Rep. Ruben Gallego Seeking Applications for Wounded Warrior Congressional Fellowship Program | 2015-11-16 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Congressman Ruben Gallego announced today his office is seeking a Wounded Warrior fellow to serve as an Intake Case Worker in his Phoenix, Arizona Congressional Office. Primary responsibilities of the position will include processing constituents with casework issues and communicating with constituents who contact the office. The Wounded Warrior Program was established by the House of Representatives in 2008 and offers veterans the opportunity to serve in a district Congressional office for two years. Full position details are available below or can be found here. Congressman Ruben Gallego issued the following statement: As a proud veteran of the U.S. Marines Corps, I understand the importance of supporting our veterans when they return home. The Congressional Wounded Warrior Fellowship program provides unique employment opportunities to wounded and disabled veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Veterans have experience and skillsets that are valuable assets for Congressional offices serving our constituents. I am proud to participate in this important program and encourage all who are interested and who meet the eligibility requirements to apply. ## | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/arizona-representatives-discuss-faa-legislation-and-lawsuit-community | Arizona Representatives discuss FAA legislation and lawsuit with community members | 2015-11-11 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Arizona Representatives laid out their plan to take legislative and legal action to deal with the increased airplane noise that has affected downtowners for more than a year at a community meeting on Tuesday. Downtown Phoenix communities have been locked in a battle with the FAA over airplane noise in residential areas ever since the FAA implemented flight path changes at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport as a part of their NextGen programs in 2014. On Nov. 5, Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., introduced legislation known as the FAA Community Accountability Act, which he described as a bill which would both give local communities a say in the FAAs flight paths and hold the FAA to environmental review processes for new paths. He explained his motivation as promoting accountability, where the FAA described by Gallego as an industry-lead government organization would be made responsible for the possible community impacts of airplane noise. He further stated that the biggest reason that the FAA isnt responsive to community concerns or actions is that the FAA acts in the interests of airlines, not people. We bailed every American airline out besides Southwest, Gallego said. We dont owe them anything. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., also attended the meeting, and expressed her support for the bill. I see this as building an accountability to the community and to the people who live in these areas underneath the flight patterns, Kirkpatrick said. People want to have a process where they can be heard, and after all thats the foundation of democracy. Kirkpatrick also showed support for the technological advances that led to these flight path alterations, but said that a technological advancement should be implemented only in respect to the people it impacts. There should always be a method for peoples voices to be heard, she said. Now, we know that technology changes. Aviation technology will change, but the people should be a part of that process. The meeting also touched on details of a lawsuit filed against the FAA.… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2094 | Grijalva Denounces Political Ruling Prolonging Injunction on Immigration Executive Actions | 2015-11-10 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | TUCSON Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today after the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upheld by a 2-1 vote a temporary injunction preventing President Obama from implementing deferred action programs granting relief to people caught in our broken immigration system. The expansion of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and the creation of DAPA (Deferred Action for Parental Accountability) were announced in November 2014 after Congressional Republicans blocked bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform. The matter now rests with the Supreme Court, which has the opportunity to resolve the case before the end of President Obamas term, ensuring that the next president will not have to start the process over. The ruling announced last night is the politicization of justice, pure and simple, Rep. Grijalva said. The Fifth Circuit delayed its 2-1 decision as long as possible to deny the Supreme Court time to undo it. In sports thats called running out the clock in this case, its prolonging the agony of countless families suffering in our broken immigration system. Each additional day means more families torn apart, more kids turned away from the only country theyve ever called home, and more missed opportunities for our society as we reject talented and hardworking people for no good reason at all. Its beyond time to end this madness, and it reflects well on President Obama that he led when Republicans refused on this issue. The next stage in the fight is with the Supreme Court, and I urge the justices to act swiftly and justly to protect the men, women and children that are counting on them. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-introduce-bill-improve-veterans-health-care-services | Rep. Ruben Gallego to Introduce Bill to Improve Veterans Health Care Services | 2015-11-10 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Rep. Ruben Gallego and four cosponsors announced that they will introduce the Delivering Opportunities for Care and Services (DOCS) for Veterans Act to improve medical services and care for our nations veterans. The bill will enhance opportunities for the VA to partner with local affiliates to train providers. It will also take steps to improve recruitment by the VA and boost incentives for those who practice in underserved areas, bolstering the VA medical workforce and ultimately enhancing the quality of care for veterans. The bill will also improve the support system for veterans and their families by including mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists in the VAs training program. By removing barriers to mental health care, the bill will allow veterans greater access to critical family resources and support. The bill is a House companion bill to S. 1676, introduced by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT). The bills original cosponsors include Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Mike Honda (D-AZ), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Elizabeth Esty (D-CT). Congressman Ruben Gallego issued the following statement: While bipartisan reform efforts have been an important first step in addressing inexcusable backlogs and getting our veterans the care they need now, I know that real and lasting reform means going further. We need to take a big-picture approach on issues that have plagued the VA for decades and were further compounded by the failure of Congress to adequately fund the VA as a new generation of veterans my generation returned from service with unique needs. Thats why Im proud to introduce the Delivering Opportunities for Care and Services for Veterans Act the DOCS for Vets Act. This bill will take needed steps to bringing the VA into the 21st century and equipping it with the tools it badly needs to be able to successfully serve our veterans. Im not going to stop fighting to improve care for veterans in Phoenix and across the country. The DOCS for Vets Act is a smart solution for vets and their famil… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-statement-possible-delay-retirement-10-warthog | Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Possible Delay of Retirement for the A-10 Warthog | 2015-11-10 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC The Air Force announced Tuesday that it is considering delaying the retirement of the A-10 Warthog aircraft. Rep. Ruben Gallego released the following statement: As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was proud to vote to preserve funding for the A-10 Warthog and I am pleased today to hear that the Air Force is considering delaying the retirement of this critical aircraft. The A-10 plays a vital role in flying missions in support of our troops on the ground and is an important part of our current military strategy. Retiring the Warthog before we have a fully operational replacement would put our troops in unnecessary danger. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2093 | Grijalva Announces Congressional App Challenge | 2015-11-09 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | TUCSON Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today inviting high school students from Arizonas 3rd Congressional District to participate in the 2015 Congressional App Challenge. This 10-week competition allows students to compete individually or in teams of up to four in developing their own software application. Winning students will have their apps featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol Building and will receive Congressional recognition. Students can determine if they live in Arizonas 3rd Congressional District by clicking here. Full information on the Congressional App Challenge and application resources are available here. A fact sheet about the Congressional App Challenge is available here. New apps change the world we live in every single day, Rep. Grijalva said. There is tremendous opportunity for anyone able to conceive, develop and launch their own apps, and we must make sure that opportunity is available to all students. The Congressional App Challenge is a great chance for students to gain those skills, and to ensure the cutting edge fields of tomorrow reflect the diversity of the American people. I look forward to all of the great entries from students in the 3rd Congressional District! ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2098 | Grijalva Applauds Extension of Public Comment Period on Dangerous Medicaid Cuts | 2015-11-06 | 2015 | 2015-11 | 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 the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) confirmed to his office that they will extend the November 16, 2015 deadline to submit comments on Arizonas Medicaid waiver renewal application. The application seeks several amendments to the program, including lifetime limits on enrollment, work requirements, additional copayments and premium increases.CMS has not provided a new deadline or reason for extension. Arizonas Medicaid application would undo much of the gains from the last two years, impeding access to health care once again for Arizonans, Rep. Grijalva said. We know all too well that placing hurdles between people and the care they need can have tragic consequences. It is unconscionable for the state to submit this waiver request that so blatantly targets low income people in Arizona. And with a matter that is truly life or death, it is just as unconscionable not to provide the public with a transparent process that allows them to fully understand the extent of this drastic request. I applaud CMSs willingness to improve this process by extending the public comment period. This is critically needed given the fact the State formed this proposal behind closed doors, did not allow the public to see the full application before it was submitted, and did not conduct proper consultation with our tribal communities. I look forward to working with CMS to ensure that hundreds of thousands of Arizonans are not once again left in the cold when it comes health coverage. We have been down this road before and we know all too well the economic and moral consequences of dismantling our Medicaid program. CMS also confirmed that they will allow for modifications or updates to comments that have already been submitted. To submit a public comment onArizonas Medicaid waiver renewal application please click here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-introduces-bipartisan-bill-compel-faa-reconsider | Rep. Ruben Gallego Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Compel FAA to Reconsider Flight Routes and Address Flight Noise Problems | 2015-11-05 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Today Rep. Ruben Gallego and 14 cosponsors introduced the FAA Community Accountability Act to give local communities a say in the Federal Aviation Administrations decision-making process regarding flight paths. The FAA Community Accountability Act would establish a new process to compel the FAA to reconsider existing flight routes that are exposing residents to unacceptably high levels of aviation noise. The legislation would also end the presumption under current law that flight paths implemented through the NextGen program may not follow pre-existing routes, even when these paths better reflect land use around the airport. The bill would designate Community Ombudsmen to serve as effective, independent voices for airport communities within the agency. Finally, the bill would prevent the FAA from bypassing the environmental review process for new flight paths over the objections of local communities. The bills original cosponsors include Reps. David Schweikert (R-AZ), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Steve Israel (D-NY), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Katherine Clark (D-MA), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA)Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Grace Meng (D-NY), Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Alan Grayson (D-FL), and Don Beyer (D-VA). Rep. Ruben Gallego said, Last September, the FAA altered flight paths for aircrafts departing from Phoenixs Sky Harbor International Airport. The changes were made without meaningful input or consultation with community members or civic leaders, and have caused severe noise disruptions that have lowered the quality of life for many members of my community.My bill would help address this problem in Phoenix and make sure that other communities across the country dont suffer the same consequences of the FAAs opaque decision-making process. Rep. Steve Israel said, Airplane noise continues to have a negative impact on the lives of my constituents in Queens and Nassau county. This bill will ensure that residents affected by airplane noise have a voice in… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2090 | Grijalva Praises FHFA for Including Veteran Status in Home Loan Application | 2015-11-04 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement after the Federal Housing Financing Agency (FHFA) directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to develop a new universal loan application dataset (ULAD) that will capture information about a borrowers current and prior military service. FHFA will use the ULAD as the basis for an updated uniform residential loan application (URLA). The move comes after Rep. Grijalva led 45 of his Congressional colleagues in calling for a veteran status identifier to be included on the URLA to ensure more veterans are aware of VA home loan options, and to obtain vital data on how many veterans obtain VA home loans. I commend FHFA for their swift action to ensure veterans are informed of every option available to them, and for collecting the data needed to analyze the effectiveness of our veteran outreach, Rep. Grijalva said. Veterans earn benefits like the VA home loan through their service to our nation, yet without this data, we cannot ensure that veterans are even aware that benefits like zero down payments were available to them. This small step will change that, and make a huge difference for veterans looking to buy a home. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2084 | Grijalva Praises $15 Million EPA Grant for Native Tribes in Arizona | 2015-10-27 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $15 million in funding for environmental improvements on tribal lands in Arizona. Grant recipients include the Havasupai Tribe, the Tohono Oodham Nation and the Gila River Indian Community. Respect for the planet is part and parcel to daily life for native tribes, and Im glad that EPA recognizes their tremendous contributions to conservation in Arizona, Rep. Grijalva said. The funds announced today will support water quality projects, watershed protection and restoration, water energy efficiency, wastewater reclamation and vital drinking water infrastructure. At the same time, the funds provide critical economic support, allowing tribes to build the capacity to carry out environmental work. Im thrilled to see such a worthwhile investment and look forward to partnering with EPA and native tribes in the future to protect Arizonas lands and waterways. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2083 | Rep. Grijalva Calls For Independent Investigation into Doctors Without Borders Hospital Bombing | 2015-10-26 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) joined Reps. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and 14 additional House colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama today requesting a full and independent investigation into the bombing of a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan that killed 12 humanitarian workers and 10 patients. The letter states: We are deeply disturbed by the news that U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan destroyed the MSF trauma hospital in Kunduz...Under international law, hospitals in conflict zones are protected spaces. An independent investigation will help ensure future military engagements keep humanitarian heroes, like the MSF staff, safe. Cooperating with a thorough investigation conducted by the United Nations or other independent body would send an important message to the world that the United States is unequivocally committed to the transparency and accountability required to ensure such a catastrophic event does not happen again. Congressman Grijalva released the following statement: The American people and the international community deserve nothing less than full accountability and a thorough investigation into this tragedy, Rep. Grijalva said. We must get to the full and unbiased truth about how our most lethal weapons of war were ever trained at a civilian target. Twenty-two people died as a result, and we cannot allow a similar tragedy to happen ever again. Additional signers of the letter include: Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA), Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA). Full Text of Letter: October 26, 2015 President Barack Obama 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500 … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-ruben-gallego-helps-secure-103-million-tiger-grant-grand | Congressman Ruben Gallego Helps Secure $10.3 Million TIGER Grant for Grand Canal Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Project | 2015-10-26 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC The Department of Transportation announced today that the City of Phoenixs Grand Canal Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Project has been awarded a $10.3 million grant by the departments National Infrastructure Investments or TIGER VII Discretionary Grant Program. The funding will help the Project to complete canal trails and street crossings for walking and cycling over about 8 miles of the Grand Canalscape. It will also provide important connections to bus and light rail lines as well as to the regions growing pedestrian and bicycle network. Congressman Ruben Gallego sent a letter in July to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in support of the City of Phoenixs grant application. Congressman Ruben Gallego issued the following statement: The Grand Canalscape project will provide Phoenix residents with a safer means of walking or biking to work or to school. It will also link members of economically-challenged communities to nearby schools, employment centers, and to vital services including hospitals and medical centers. I want to congratulate the City of Phoenix on receiving this significant award, which will allow it to make great strides toward improving cyclist and pedestrian infrastructure and safety. ## | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2078 | Rep. Grijalva Congratulates Staff Member Honored as "Best Hill Staffer" in Washington Blade | 2015-10-23 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the follow statement today after Yesenia Chavez, who serves as member of Rep. Grijalvas Washington staff, was named Best Hill Staffer in Washington Blades Best of Gay D.C. reader poll. Yesenia, who serves on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Congressional Staff Associations (CSA) board as the associations Membership Director also works passionately on issues of equality in Rep. Grijalvas office. I could not be more proud to see Yesenia recognized as the tremendous talent that she is, Rep. Grijalva said. Yesenia is a profound voice for justice and equality, and brings a passion and tenacity to everything she does that is truly one-of-a-kind. The LGBT community has made dramatic strides towards equality in recent years, and that is something every American should be proud of. But it is because we have leaders like Yesenia someone who balances determination with kindness and empathy that we are able to push these critical issues to the forefront. She has overcome adversity many times over and wants to help others do the same. My staff and I are truly thrilled to see Yesenia receive the credit she deserves. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2079 | Rep. Grijalva Denounces Administration's Refusal to End Family Detention | 2015-10-23 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement marking the October 23rd deadline for the federal government to comply with U.S. District Judge Dolly Gees ruling, ordering a halt to the violation of Flores vs. Meese settlement which sets conditions for detaining immigrant children. Changing the terms of family detention is not the same as ending family detention, Rep. Grijalva said. The administration may be shortening the length of captivity, but it has not stopped it. In fact, they are holding more people now than they did in July when Judge Gee issued her first order. When Judge Gee demanded the administration adhere to the Flores Settlement, she was demanding that we stop imprisoning innocent children; yet children are still being detained. The ruling shows clearly that these families are being held in inhumane conditions, violating a moral and legal obligation we have to refugees. Full compliance with the Flores Settlement means these appalling facilities must be closed immediately. Until DHS lives up to these simple demands of decency, they are not in compliance with Judge Gees order, and this represents an abrogation of the checks and balances that are such a critical part of our democracy. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-ruben-gallego-co-sponsors-legislation-change-term-alien | Congressman Ruben Gallego Co-Sponsors Legislation to Change the Term Alien in Federal Law | 2015-10-23 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Congressman Ruben Gallego signed up as a co-sponsor to H.R. 3785, a bill introduced by Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) that would remove the offensive and arcane language characterizing immigrants as aliens from federal law and agency documentation. The Correcting Hurtful and Alienating Names in Government Expression (CHANGE) Act would strike all instances of the word alien from the U.S. code and replace it with foreign national. The term illegal alien would be replaced with the term undocumented foreign national. The bill would also prohibit executive agencies from using alien or illegal alien in any signage or literature. Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement: Words matter. The term alien is dehumanizing and offensive, and contributes to the prejudice and xenophobia that have become a too-familiar part of the national conversation on immigration. Immigrants, with or without status, are human beings and deserve to be treated with respect. The CHANGE Act will take a long overdue step in acknowledging this simple fact, and I hope it will help to change the dialogue as we move forward with efforts to fix our nations broken immigration system. ## | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2077 | CPC Co-Chairs Introduce the Mobility, Opportunity, and Vocation Enabling (MOVE) Act | 2015-10-22 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement announcing the introduction of H.R. 3788, The Mobility, Opportunity and Vocation Enabling (MOVE) Act: America is falling behind when it comes to our transportation needs. This doesnt just mean driving on crumbling roads it means missed opportunities to provide transportation equity that can help reduce poverty, unemployment and the financial burdens of people who work hard for a living. By providing greater access to jobs and more affordable, accessible transportation options, we can help communities thrive. We must invest in our transportation needs and spend the dollars wisely. The MOVE Act would help increase connections to jobs, provide more options for getting around, and help ensure that all Americans have access to the benefits of our transportation infrastructure. The MOVE Act will direct the Department of Transportation to create performance measures for transportation planning that would assess: Cumulative increase in residents connection to jobs; Accessibility for disadvantaged populations; and The variety of modes of transportation available to users, such as public transportation, roads and highways, and bike and pedestrian pathways. State departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations would then set performance targets under each measure and report their progress in reaching these targets to the public. Organizations endorsing the MOVE Act include: Transportation for America, PolicyLink, and the Center for Popular Democracy. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2074 | Rep. Grijalva Accepting Applications for Spring Internships through January 15th | 2015-10-21 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Congressman Ral M. Grijalva is accepting applications for spring 2016 internships in Washington, D.C. and his various Southern Arizona district offices through January 15th. In Washington In the D.C. Congressional Office, interns work closely with legislative and press staff, conduct legislative outreach and research, answer office phones, distribute mail, communicate with constituents, and may have the opportunity to assist with activities in the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee (Minority). In the Natural Resources Committee, interns assist committee staff with administrative support, conducting legislative research, compiling data, and drafting correspondence. In addition, interns in both offices may attend committee hearings, briefings, and meetings. Preference is given to students and individuals from Arizonas 3rd Congressional District, although all qualified applicants are carefully considered. Interns are unpaid and are responsible for lodging and transportation. Applicants are highly encouraged to explore scholarship opportunities that may be offered through their respective institutions or by other programs. Anyone interested in working in the D.C. Congressional office should submit a cover letter, resume, and a one-page writing sample to Cristina Villa, Rep. Grijalvas internship coordinator, at Cristina.Villa@mail.house.gov. Those seeking to apply directly with the U.S. Natural Resources Committee (Minority) should indicate this in their application. In Tucson, Somerton & Avondale Interns at districtoffices help staff provide constituent services to residentsof the Third Congressional District. Interns also perform administrative tasks and may be asked to work on special projects for public outreach, events and otherneeds of the office. Internships for the Tucson, Somerton, and Avondale offices are available at the beginning of each semester.There is no hard deadline, but earlier applications may be given priority. Tucson District Office Submit an a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/congressional-minority-representatives-doj-gun-control-our-communities | Congressional Minority Representatives to DOJ: Gun Control in Our Communities Matters Too | 2015-10-21 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | A group of nearly 40 representatives, from the Congressional Black, Hispanic, and Asian Pacific American Caucuses, wrote to Attorney General Loretta Lynch Wednesday morning, requesting that the Department of Justice do more to address gun violence in minority communities across the country. "We believe the administration, working with its state and local partners, should examine new policies to reduce gun violence that can be implemented without the need for legislative action," the group wrote. "Specifically, we strongly encourage your Department to consider stronger enforcement efforts directed at the relatively small number of dishonest dealers who sell the vast majority of firearms used in crimes." The letter, spearheaded by Reps. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), asks for a meeting with Lynch to talk about various policy proposals, and blames Congressional Republican leadership for blocking progress on "common sense legislation" that they say could address gun violence in US communities. One of those proposals is the"Good Neighbor" code of conductresolution introduced by Gallego last month (the bill is currently stalled in the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Terrorism). That resolution calls on the Attorney General to establish a voluntary system in which gun dealers would be urged to maintain a trained workforce that understands all current gun laws, would notify law enforcement of suspected so-called "straw" purchasers, and ensure that a full background check be performed before a gun is sold. Participating gun dealers would then get a certification from the Attorney General's office, and a list of "Good Neighbor" certified gun dealers would be posted online. Additionally, Gallego's resolution calls on the Attorney General's office to improve the accuracy offirearms trace data, and to do more to identify licensed dealers whose guns disproportionately end up being used in crimes.According to Gallego, 5 percent of gun dealers supply nearly 90 percent of guns … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-ruben-gallego-congratulates-bright-spots-hispanic-education | Congressman Ruben Gallego Congratulates Bright Spots in Hispanic Education in Arizonas 7th District | 2015-10-21 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics recently recognized four organizations in Arizonas 7th District as Bright Spots in Hispanic Education. Congressman Gallego delivered a floor speech yesterday congratulating the Bright Spots in his district. His remarks, as prepared: Mr. Speaker, as we close Hispanic Heritage month and look back at our communitys history and ongoing challenges, I rise today to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. For 25 years, the Initiative has played an important role in advancing the dialogue and policies that have helped move our community forward. This year, as part of its anniversary celebration, the Initiative released the Bright Spots in Hispanic Education online national catalog. The catalog features 230 programs, organizations, and initiatives that are supporting and investing in the educational attainment of Hispanic, from cradle-to-career. Today, I congratulate four Bright Spots in my district that have been recognized for their outstanding commitment and contributions to our community: the American Dream Academy, the Bilingual Nursing Fellows Program, the Fowler Head Start Program, and the Victoria Foundation. These programs are leading the way to close the education gap. I look forward to continuing to work with them as we find ways to ensure every child, including Latino children, have the tools they need to succeed. The American Dream Academy provides training to parents of school-aged children to enable the parents to become effective advocates for their childrens education. The program aims to increase graduation rates for students in underserved areas of Maricopa County by giving parents the tools they need to support their childrens academic careers. South Mountain Community Colleges Bilingual Nursing Fellows Program (BNFP)is a three-year nursing cohort program that aims to increase the number of bilingual Registered Nurses in order to address the critical shor… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-rep-robin-kelly-and-38-house-democrats-urge-doj-take | Rep. Ruben Gallego, Rep. Robin Kelly and 38 House Democrats Urge DOJ to Take Action to Reduce Gun Violence in Communities of Color | 2015-10-21 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Today Congressman Ruben Gallego, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, and 38 Democrats sent a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch requesting a meeting to discuss steps that can be taken to address gun violence in minority communities. Gallego and Kelly have previously called on the Attorney General to increase federal enforcement efforts aimed at irresponsible gun dealers who sell weapons to criminals. Read the letter here. Signers include Reps. Gallego, Robin Kelly, Butterfield, Chu, Duckworth, Napolitano, Norton, Lee, Honda, Vargas, Moore, Corrine Brown, Lujan Grisham, Grijalva, Lawrence, Edwards, Alma Adams, Rangel, Serrano, Jackson Lee, Hank Johnson, Bennie Thompson, Matsui, Bass, Roybal-Allard, Crdenas, Watson Coleman, Hastings, Meeks, Lieu, Fudge, Clay, Fattah, Meng, Ellison, Gutirrez, Sires, Elijah E. Cummings, Carson, Richmond, and Payne. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) said, Republican leadership has shamefully refused to answer the call to act to prevent senseless tragedies like the recent shootings in Oregon and South Carolina. But there is still much that can be done to address the scourge of gun violence, especially in communities of color including enforcement efforts aimed at the relatively small number of irresponsible gun dealers who sell the vast majority of the guns used in criminal activity. I am committed to working with Attorney General Lynch to find ways to combat the epidemic of gun violence that disproportionately plagues minority communities across the country.ways to combat the epidemic of gun violence that disproportionately plagues minority communities across the country. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) said, One of the surest ways to reduce gun violence is to deny sales to those who shouldnt be allowed to purchase a gun. Republican leadership in Congress has made it clear that they will not bring common sense gun violence prevention legislation to the floor for a vote. Therefore, to bring an end to this senseless violence, we must work with Attorney General Lynch and the Department of … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-ruben-gallego-host-community-discussion-need-restore-voting | Congressman Ruben Gallego to Host Community Discussion on the Need to Restore the Voting Rights Act | 2015-10-20 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Congressman Ruben Gallego will host a community dialogue on the need to restore the Voting Rights Act, along with a celebration of the VRAs 50th anniversary in collaboration with his African American Advisory Council. Civil rights leaders from Arizona, including Mrs. Madge Copeland, Rev. Dr. George Benjamin Brooks, and Gov. Raul Castro will be honored during the event. The event will take place on Friday, Oct. 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Phoenix Colleges Bulpitt Auditorium, 1202 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013. Congressman Gallego issued the following statement: The Voting Rights Act has played a crucial role in protecting Americans right to vote. But the Republican Congress has refused to allow a renewed and strengthened Voting Rights Act to come to the House floor. We cannot stand idly by while hardworking Americans are disenfranchised and left without a voice in our democracy. Its time to take real and meaningful steps to restore the Voting Rights Act and make sure that every American has access to the ballot box. ## | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2073 | Grijalva Joins Tribes in Flagstaff to Unveil Bill Creating Grand Canyon National Monument Honoring Tribal History, Culture | 2015-10-13 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Ral M. Grijalva, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, was joined bytribal leaders from across Northern Arizona on Monday for a press conference in Flagstaff to introduce the Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument Act, a bill establishing a new national monument that reflects the long history and deep cultural roots of the regions Native American tribes. The event featured speakers from the Havasupai, Hualapai, Navajo and Hopi communities supportive of the national monument. The bill represents the next step in the tribal-led effort to protect the Grand Canyon watershed and surrounding area. Grijalvas bill permanently protects the Grand Canyon from new uranium mining claims; protects tribal sacred cultural sites; promotes a more collaborative regional approach between tribal nations and federal land managers; protects commercial and recreational hunting; preserves grazing and water rights; and conserves the Grand Canyon watershed. Grijalva has led the effort to protect the Grand Canyon from new uranium mining claims for years and was instrumental in then-Interior Secretary Ken Salazars 20-year withdrawal announcement in 2012. The text of Rep. Grijalva's bill is available here. The map of Rep. Grijalva's proposed Greater Grand Canyon National Monument is available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/proceso-de-paz-nuestros-hijos-no-merecen-como-herencia-una-guerra | Proceso de paz: 'Nuestros hijos no merecen como herencia una guerra' | 2015-10-12 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Aunque fue criado a punta de empanadas y maneja un espaol decente, el congresista estadounidense de origen colombiano Rubn Gallego nunca ha visitado el pas. Esa anomala acabar esta semana, cuando Gallego encabece una delegacin de la Cmara de Representantes de EE. UU. cuyo fin, entre otras cosas, es expresar su apoyo a las negociaciones de paz con las Farc. A sus 35 aos, este exmarine con rcord de servicio en Irak, es uno de los miembros ms jvenes del Congreso estadounidense. En entrevista con EL TIEMPO, Gallego sostiene que trabajar para conseguir los fondos necesarios para financiar el posconflicto. As mismo, dice tener fe en que el expresidente lvaro Uribe eventualmente llegar a creer en la paz que se logre. Qu lo trae a Colombia? Queremos fortalecer la relacin con Colombia, que ya lleva aos. Al mismo tiempo, queremos enterarnos ms del proceso de paz, expresar nuestro apoyo a la iniciativa y descubrir dnde podemos ayudar. Hace poco, el Gobierno anunci un acuerdo sobre justicia trasicional al que habra llegado con las Farc que usted ya debe conocer. Dnos su opinin. Estamos muy complacidos de ver cmo el Gobierno y las Farc han estado sentados buscando un camino que lleve a la justicia por los muchos aos de trauma que le cre las Farc a la poblacin colombiana. Tenemos claro que no vamos a dictar los trminos de ese acuerdo y lo que esperamos es poder apoyarlo. Queremos estar con Colombia ahora que est en esta senda como lo estuvimos antes durante los aos del conflicto. Al acuerdo le han salido crticos, especialmente ante la perspectiva de que no incluya penas privativas de la libertad contra personas acusadas de graves violaciones de los derechos humanos y otros crmenes. Le preocupa esa posibilidad? No creo que se les est ofreciendo impunidad. Creo que pagarn a travs de un proceso judicial paralelo al ordinario, y eso es un indicador importante de que las partes se han tomado esto en serio. No se puede castigar al resto de Colombia con ms guerra e inestabilidad. Yo s creo que existe una forma de garantizar que los … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-ruben-gallego-statement-shooting-northern-arizona-university | Congressman Ruben Gallego Statement on Shooting at Northern Arizona University | 2015-10-09 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Congressman Ruben Gallego issued the following statement on the shooting at Northern Arizona University: I am heartbroken by the news of this mornings shooting on the campus of Northern Arizona University. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the entire Northern Arizona University community during this time of grief. I appreciate the efforts of the law enforcement officers and campus officials who are investigating the incident, and of the staff at Flagstaff Medical Center who are working to treat the three survivors. As a nation, we must take steps to put an end to these senseless tragedies. ## | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2071 | Grijalva to CMS: Arizona's Medicaid Request Needs More Public Input | 2015-10-08 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) urging them to reject Arizonas new Medicaid waiver request on grounds that the state did not adequately fulfill its obligation to allow for meaningful public input as required by federal law. CMS has until October 15, 2015 to decide whether or not to proceed with the State of Arizonas request. The State of Arizona is seeking dramatic changes to its Medicaid program and is effectively limiting the publics ability to speak out against it, Rep. Grijalva said. Proceeding without affording Arizonans the opportunity to voice concerns will cast a shadow of doubt on the entire process. The alterations to Medicaid will impact people all over our state they deserve transparency in this process and the opportunity to air their concerns over the pending outcome. The letter reads in part, The far reaching changes sought by the state will have lasting impacts on the state of Arizona and the constituents I represent. Unfortunately, Arizonans know firsthand the consequences of misguided 1115 waiver requests that have harmed our Medicaid beneficiaries, their families, the Arizona health care system and the state economy. Arizonans deserve to have their voices properly heard at the state level prior to moving forward with this process. The full text is available here and below: Andy Slavitt, Acting Administrator Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201 Dear Mr. Slavitt: On September 30, 2015 Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)requested approval to renew their 1115 demonstration waiver and sought new authority to implement substantial changes to the program. I respectfully request that you reject their submission as incomplete, based on their failure to fully comply with the approval process for section 1115: demonstrations in accordance with section … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-ruben-gallego-calls-republican-leadership-pass-clean-debt | Congressman Ruben Gallego Calls on Republican Leadership to Pass a Clean Debt Limit Extension | 2015-10-07 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Today Congressman Ruben Gallego delivered a floor speech calling on Republican leadership to pass a clean debt limit extension. See his prepared remarks below: Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of President Obamas announcement on Friday that he will not negotiate with the Republican Congress over raising the debt limit. This is the right decision because there is nothing to negotiate. There is only one simple path forward to pass a clean debt limit extension that protects our nations full faith and credit. Unfortunately, last week, the Majority Leader and the presumptive next Speaker of the House went on national television and committed to fight to the end to defund the ACA and the Presidents immigration executive actions. I fear as we all should what this might mean. Are he and House Republicans going to threaten to shut down the government to pursue this extreme agenda? Are they going to hold our nations full faith and credit hostage? Mr. Speaker, for five years now, House Republicans have hurtled the Congress and the country from one manufactured crisis to another. This must stop and must stop now. With only 30 days left before we hit the debt limit, the Republican Congress should act immediately to take the prospect of a catastrophic default off the table. Thank you. ## | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-ruben-gallego-welcomes-efforts-improve-veterans-access | Congressman Ruben Gallego Welcomes Efforts to Improve Veterans Access to Health Care in Phoenix | 2015-10-07 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC The Department of Veterans Affairs recently awarded two contracts intended to improve access to VA health care in the metropolitan Phoenix area. A new contract for clinical space in the Camelback Medical Plaza is expected to provide primary care, mental health care and other services to more than 15,000 veterans. A second contract will fund development of the Southwest Community Based Outpatient Clinic at Estrella Health Center, which will provide care to more than 8,000 veterans. Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement: The men and women who serve our country deserve the best access to medical services and mental health care. These two new contracts will help thousands of veterans to receive the care they need. I welcome the Department of Veterans Affairs efforts to improve the lives of Phoenixs veterans and our families. This is a step in the right direction, and I am committed to working with the VA to do even more so that we honor the service and sacrifice of our nations veterans. ## | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gallego-announces-new-communications-director | Rep. Gallego Announces New Communications Director | 2015-09-30 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Today Congressman Ruben Gallego announced the hire of Christina Carr as his new Communications Director. Prior to joining Congressman Gallegos office, Christina worked for several immigration law firms, the Department of Labor, and most recently as an immigration analyst and reporter for CQ Roll Call. Christina will be joining Congressman Gallegos team on September 30th. Im very excited to welcome Christina to our office. Aside from being an excellent communicator, Christina brings with her years of policy and legal experience that will be an asset to my office, said Congressman Ruben Gallego. As of October 1st please contact Christina at Christina.carr@mail.house.gov for any media inquiries. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2057 | Grijalva Congratulates Native Tribes on Vital Funding for Drug & Suicide Prevention | 2015-09-29 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | TUCSON Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today congratulating the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona and the Tohono Oodham Nation for each receiving $103,150.00 in Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI) grant award funding from Indian Health Services. I am thrilled to see our brothers and sisters in the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Tohono Oodham Nation receive these vital funds, Rep. Grijalva said. Drug use and suicide are tragic and desperate forms of escape. Their prevalence among Native populations, and particularly Native youth, says a lot about the terrible conditions and lack of opportunity they face in this country. With these grant funds, the Pascua Yaqui and Tohono Oodham are working to turn the page on the tragic losses of the past, and Im glad the federal government is proving itself a helpful partner for this very worthy goal. Rep. Grijalva is the sponsor of H.R. 3166, the Native American Suicide Prevention Act, which requires a state or state-designated entity to consult with federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations on development and implementation grants targeting youthsuicideearly intervention andprevention. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2058 | Grijalva Congratulates U of A on Tremendous Grant to Study Green Infrastructure | 2015-09-29 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | TUCSON Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today congratulating the University of Arizona on receiving nearly $1.8 million in grant funding from the National Science Foundation to study the optimal and actual implementation of green infrastructure to maximize urban shade. I congratulate the University of Arizona for receiving this tremendous award from the National Foundation of Sciences, Rep. Grijalva said. The planet has a finite supply of water, and as population size continues to grow, we must use this precious resource wisely. By investigating how much water green infrastructure can capture for tree growth, as well as the social network drivers of rainwater capture policies, the U of A is performing a vital service for the survivability and sustainability of human kind. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2056 | Grijalva Praises Update to Farmworker Protections After More than 20 Years | 2015-09-28 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Today, Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) praised the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for finalizing a new Worker Protection Standard (WPS), which protects farmworkers who harvest our food from the harmful effects of pesticides. The current WPS has not been significantly updated in over two decades. The revision finalized today will benefit approximately 2.7 million farmworkers. The announcement comes after Rep. Grijalva led a series of efforts pushing for a comprehensive update, including a letter sent this past Friday that 69 of his colleagues signed. Farmworkers spend long days laboring in fields across our country to produce our food employers must ensure they have adequate information and protection when they are working with dangerous chemicals, plain and simple, Rep. Grijalva said. Its time that farmworkers have the same protections afforded to them that workers in other industries have had for years. The newly announced changes including a first-time minimum age of 18 for pesticide handlers, improved access to pesticide information, expanded worker training, andanti-retaliation provisions will all contribute to a safer work environment. For the first time in more than two decades, EPA is taking steps today to ensure millions of farmworkers and their families wont face unknown health hazards simply for showing up for work each day,Rep. Grijalva continued. This long-fought victory belongs to those workers and coalitions who fought to have their voices heard. Their efforts will protect millions of farmworkers today, and millions more in the future. I look forward to working with EPA to ensure meaningful implementation and enforcement of the new standards. According to EPA, ten to twenty thousand farmworkers suffer pesticide poisoning annually. Exposure to pesticides increases the risk of chronic health problems among adult and child farmworkers, such as cancer, infertility, neurological disorders, and respiratory conditions. There are approximately 500,000 child … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/el-congresista-gallego-aplaude-el-anuncio-del-acuerdo-entre-el-gobierno | El Congresista Gallego aplaude el anuncio del acuerdo entre el gobierno del Presidente Colombiano Juan Manuel Santos y las FARC | 2015-09-28 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC El Congresista Ruben Gallego hizo las siguientes declaraciones sobre el acuerdo entre el Presidente de Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos y las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). El da de ayer el Presidente Santos anunci un acuerdo entre el gobierno de Colombia y las FARC. Este acuerdo marca un progreso significativo en el proceso para conseguir la paz en Colombia. Cuando se trata de llegar a la justicia, de descubrir la verdad y de conseguir la reconciliacin, el proceso nunca es fcil, pero me da esperanza ver que los dos partidos estn tomando grandes pasos como estos. Aprecio las atencin de los negociadores a los derechos de las vctimas de los dos lados, y espero con ansias aprender ms sobre los detalles del acuerdo Quiero felicitar al Presidente Santos por su liderazgo al buscar un final justo para este conflicto. Y quiero darle las gracias al enviado especial de los Estados Unidos Bernie Aronson por su arduo trabajo facilitando las plticas. Colombia es el aliado ms cercano de los estados unidos en la regin, y la ayuda estadounidense va a ser crtica al implementar el acuerdo de paz final. Sigo comprometido a asegurar que el gobierno colombiano pueda contar con el apoyo del Congreso durante este momento crtico en la historia del pas. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gallego-applauds-colombian-president-santos-announcement-regarding | Rep. Gallego Applauds Colombian President Santos Announcement Regarding Agreement with the FARC | 2015-09-28 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement about the agreement reached by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC): Yesterdays announcement from President Santos represents a significant breakthrough in the peace talks between the Colombian government and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). It marks another critical milestone on the path to ending the longest running conflict in our hemisphere. Issues of justice, truth and reconciliation are among the most difficult to resolve in any peace process and its heartening to see the great strides that both parties have taken at the talks in Havana. I appreciate the attention of the negotiators to the rights of victims on all sides, and I look forward to learning more about the details of the accord. I also extend my congratulations to President Santos for his bold leadership in seeking a just conclusion to this conflict and express my appreciation to US Special Envoy Bernie Aronson for his hard work in facilitating the progress we have seen to date. Colombia is Americas closest ally in the region, and robust US assistance will be critical in implementing a final peace agreement. I remain committed to ensuring that the Colombian government can continue to count on strong support from Congress at this critical juncture in the countrys history. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gallegos-reaction-pope-francis-address-congress | Rep. Gallego's Reaction to Pope Francis Address to Congress | 2015-09-24 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC - Congressman Gallego released the following reaction to Pope Francis address to Congress. Today Pope Francis challenged us to seek the political courage to tackle some of the most important issues of our time migration of people, poverty, climate change, violence. He asked us to treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves, but above all he encouraged us to seek dialogue, peace, respect and cooperation. At a time of political divide, the Popes message was loud and clear. I hope it resonates with Members of Congress and with the American people so that we can find middle ground, work together for the common good and respond to the Holy Fathers calling with action on these critical issues. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2052 | Grijalva Calls for Inspector General Investigation into New ICE Contract with For-Profit Prison Corp | 2015-09-23 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) sent a letter to Inspector General John Roth of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security requesting an investigation into the decision by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Removal Operations to award a contract for their new Family Case Management Program to for-profit prison corporation GEO Care, LLC. The award comes as the lucrative for-profit prison industry is under increasing scrutiny for sub-standard conditions and negligence in their care for immigrant women and children detained in their facility. It is utterly unconscionable that after a federal judge twice declared family detention centers a violation of our laws, after the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights released a report highlighting the failure of several detention centers to comply with DHSs own guidelines and mandates, and after a Congressional delegation was met with women and children protesting their abysmal conditions while touring one of GEO Groups facilities, this is the company DHS wants to run their new Family Case Management Program, Rep. Grijalva said. GEO Groups rap sheet of violations is long and well documented its hard to fathom how anyone would think that the same company neglecting the needs of women and children inside its detention facilities would behave any differently to women and children outside of them. The American people deserve answers to very simple questions regarding this award: On what grounds was this decision made? What qualifications does a for-profit prison company have to provide case management services? How are they better suited for this role than a non-profit organization? We cannot afford to allow for human beings to become a racket for corporate interests to exploit. I urge Inspector General Roth to act quickly to ensure ICEs new program was awarded appropriately and administered justly. Full text of Rep. Grijalvas letter is available here and below. September 22, 2015 General John Roth Inspector General … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2054 | Grijalva Calls for Veterans Status Identifier on Uniform Residential Loan Applications | 2015-09-23 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today led 45 of his Congressional colleagues in sending a pair of bipartisan letters to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), urging them to add a veteran status identifier on the uniform residential loan application to ensure more veterans are aware of VA home loan options. The men and women in our armed services earn benefits like the VA home loan option through their service to our nation, Rep. Grijalva said. But far too often, we fall short of delivering those benefits simply by failing to inform veterans about the opportunities available to them. Adding a veteran status identifier on the uniform residential loan applicationis a small step that we should take, as it will spur the conversations that will help ensure veterans get every benefit theyve earned. It will also provide much-needed data on how many veterans obtain VA home loans, allowing us to analyze the program and make our veteran outreach more effective. Grijalvas letter comes after a Veterans Administration (VA) survey found that 62 percent of older veterans and 25 percent of younger veterans said their lender never discussed the VA loan option with them. It is the lenders responsibility to provide their clients with the full scope of their options, Grijalva continued. Benefits like zero down payments can have a tremendous impact on someone looking to buy their first house, and our veterans deserve to know if theyre eligible. The full text of Rep. Grijalvas letter is available here and below. September 22, 2015 The Honorable Richard Cordray Director Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 1700 G Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20552 Dear Director Cordray: We are writing to urge the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to add military veteran identification as a data-collection point on the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). This would provide a better snapshot of the veteran le… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gallego-announces-program-grants-three-mcccd-developing-hispanic | Rep. Gallego Announces Program Grants for Three MCCCD Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions in Maricopa County | 2015-09-23 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Rep. Gallego Announces Program Grants for Three MCCCD Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions in Maricopa County Phoenix, AZ Today the Department of Education announced program grants for three developing Hispanic Serving Institutions that are part of the Maricopa County Community College District schools. The grants are expected to be for 5 years and total $7.8 million dollars. Phoenix College will receive $524,958 each year for five years Glendale Community College will receive $524,784 each year for five years Gateway Community College will receive $524,789 each year for five years Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement: These three colleges have been designated Hispanic Serving Institutions (HIS) they provide higher education for low income, sometimes first generation Hispanics who are looking to get a degree and move ahead. The Hispanic Serving Institutions Program Grants will help all three institutions improve their academic program, and institutional stability. The grants will allow the three schools to provide the necessary tools and resources to support different kinds of learning, expand opportunities for Hispanic students and increase the rate of course/degree completion. I want to Congratulate Phoenix College, Glendale Community College and Gateway College for their hard work and commitment to expanding opportunities for young Hispanics and giving them the educational opportunities they needed to succeed. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2053 | Grijalva Addresses "Nuns on the Bus" Rally on National Mall Welcoming Pope Francis to the United States | 2015-09-22 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today joined Sister Simone Campbell, activists from the We Belong Together campaign and more asthe Nuns on the Bus held a rally on thenational mall welcoming Pope Francis to the UnitedStates.The rally culminates the fourth national Nuns on the Bus tour, this yearsthemed, Bridge the Divides: Transform Politics. It was an honor to join Sister Simone and the courageous women from the We Belong Together campaign on the national mall today as the Nuns on the Bus rallied to welcomed Pope Francis to the United States, Rep. Grijalva said. The Popes message of inclusion, and of ensuring an economy, and a world,where everyone can thrive is vitally needed today. From helping the poor, to finding humane solutions to our immigration system, to addressing climate change openly and honestly, his words have been a clarion call to this nation and the world. His message is one that Sister Simone and the wonderful activists at We Belong Together fight for every day, and I am truly grateful for their passion and drive to take that message on the road. The more than 2,000-mile bus journey that the Nuns on the Bus embarked on included 33 events such as town hall meetings, visits to shelters, transitional housing facilities, schools, food pantries, parishes, congregations, and social justice ministries, in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. Those present at the rally today were asked to pledge that they intend to work for a transformed politics and economy, and will sign the exterior of the bus as evidence of their commitment. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gallego-welcomes-pope-francis | Rep. Gallego Welcomes Pope Francis | 2015-09-22 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Phoenix, AZ Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement welcoming Pope Francis to the United States: I want to welcome Pope Francis to the United States. Catholics and non-Catholics across the country recognize the importance of his Holiness not just as a religious figure, but also as a world leader - and will be attentively listening to his message during this visit. Our agenda of fighting for economic fairness and increasing opportunity for all, taking care of our environment, and welcoming the immigrant are very much in line with the Popes values and we hope that during his visit the Pope highlights how important it is for us to come together and work in these areas for the well-being of the American people, in particular the most vulnerable among us. The Popes visit couldnt come at a better time. The division and gridlock in Congress have reached a new high, and the fight for the Republican nomination for President is out of control calling Latinos and immigrants rapists, criminals and anchor babies, and insulting LGBT Americans, Muslims, AAPI Americans and others. We are better than that. I hope the Popes visit, and his message of acceptance and love rings loud and clear, and that it touches the hearts of politicians across the country who are standing in the way of progress and demonizing any person they see at other or different. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gallego-congratulates-rio-salado-college-receiving-new-26-million | Rep. Gallego Congratulates Rio Salado College for Receiving New $2.6 million Grant from the Department of Education | 2015-09-21 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Phoenix, AZ Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement about Rio Salado Colleges new grant from the Department of Educations, First in the World Development Program: Since 1978 Rio Salado College has offered access to quality higher education to thousands of students in Arizona. With this new grant of $2,679,005, Rio Salado College will be able to do critical research for post-secondary reforms and test a new model that would improve teaching and learning for in need and high-risk students looking to get an Associates Degree or transfer to a 4 year university. I want to thank Rio Salado College for their work, and congratulate them for receiving this grant. I look forward to the results of their research. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/arizona-congressman-ruben-gallego-introduce-good-neighbor-gun-dealer-act | Arizona Congressman Ruben Gallego to introduce 'Good Neighbor Gun Dealer Act' in Washington DC | 2015-09-18 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego, along with other members of congress in DC, introduced the Good Neighbor Gun Dealer Act on Friday. Rep. Gallego worked with Illinois Rep. Robin Kelly and Rep. Mike Quigley, and DC Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton to start this bill in response to increase in gun crimes in the country. This legislation would require the Department of Justice to establish a code of conduct for licensed gun dealers and create a national Good Neighbor certificate for those who abide by gun-dealing requirements. This bill would also require the DOJ to investigate illegal firearm dealers and identify where they are being sold. Every day, on average, more than 10 prohibited people obtain a firearm just because a dealer does not wait for a full background check to be completed. The Good Neighbor Gun Dealer Act will encourage gun dealers to adopt best practices and help keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill, Congressman Gallego said. Gun violence is a big problem in Arizona and throughout the country, we must hold gun dealers to a higher standard of conduct and name and shame the bad apple dealers that are making our communities less safe. This bill aims to address the small number of illegal gun dealers in the country who sell most of the guns used in crimes. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2049 | Grijalva Introduces Bill to End Family Detention, For-Profit Prisons | 2015-09-17 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today introduced legislation that bans private prisons, ends family detention, and removes Immigration and Custom Enforcements (ICE) daily mandate to fill 34,000 beds with detainees. The bill, The Justice Is Not For Sale Act, also reinstates the federal parole system, requires ICE to improve monitoring of detention facilities, requires ICE to use Alternatives to Detention, and increases oversight to prevent companies from overcharging inmates and their families for services like banking and telephone calls. Treating detainees as a means to a profit margin incentivizes jailors to lobby for ever more inmates, and ensures those inmates are denied even the basic staples theyre entitled to, Grijalva said. The result is a corrections system collapsing under its own weight as the prison industry gets rich and countless innocent men, women and children are ensnared in their trap. Grijalvas bill comes on the same day that the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights released a scathing report calling for DHS to immediately release families from detention. After finding several DHS facilities non-compliant with federal mandates and agency policies pertaining to detainee treatment, the report recommends that Congress no longer fund family detention and reduce funding for immigration detention generally in favor of alternative options. Our corrections system exists to uphold the rule of law not to house innocent refugees or feed the greed of corporate interests, Grijalva continued. Federal, state, and local governments dont need a middleman to administer justice, and the taxpayers dont need the extra expenses these contracts entail. As the corporations that imprison people for profits join the ranks of the most aggressive lobbyists in our nations capital, every American should be concerned about the policies theyre pushing in the Halls of Power. Their only agenda is to fuel incarceration and minimize the standards by which we treat the incarcerated. Congressman G… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gallego-congratulates-city-phoenix-department-community-economic | Rep. Gallego Congratulates the City of Phoenix, Department of Community & Economic Development, for Receiving New $1.1 Million YouthBuild Grant from the Department of Labor | 2015-09-16 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Phoenix, AZ - Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement about the new grant from the Department of Labors YouthBuild program to the city of Phoenix, Department of Community and Economic Development: Since 1992, Youthbuild grants have helped over 130,000 at-risk youth across the country gain access to opportunity, housing and economic mobility. I want to congratulate the City of Phoenix for raising the 25% matching funds necessary to receive this grant. This $1.1 million dollar grant will go a long way in providing education and occupational training to Phoenix youth who dropped out of high school, who are coming out of the foster care system, and/or have been adjudicated. These young people are at a critical point in their lives, and the YouthBuild Program will help give them the resources they need in order to reach their full potential and contribute to their communities. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2046 | Rep. Grijalva on Iran Nuclear Deal Votes | 2015-09-11 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today after Congressional Republicans failed to vote down the P5+1 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran: Its unconscionable to think that a deal denying Iran a nuclear weapon would be threatened by petty politics in Congress. Iran has committed significant human rights violations, has been on the list of state sponsors of terrorism for more than three decades and is clearly capable of becoming a dangerous regional threat. The act of undermining this deal just to deny the president a victory would only embolden Irans nuclear pursuits it is playing with fire in the worst possible way. Thankfully, Republican efforts to bring diplomacy down failed today. As Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus, I am proud that our caucus delivered 70 votes to sustain the negotiations. There is no doubt that our trajectory with Iran has been a warpath, and I am glad to see that today weve taken steps to change that. This deal provides for the most aggressive inspection regime in history, which will finally allow the United States and our allies the ability to verifiably restrain Irans nuclear ambitions. I applaud President Obama, Secretary Kerry, Secretary Moniz, and our partners in the P5+1 negotiations for this tremendous victory. Its time to begin a new chapter in the Middle East that builds towards peace, human rights and a sustainable future not war. The deal solidified today is our first step towards that future. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gallego-s-statement-support-iran-nuclear-agreement | Rep. Gallegos Statement in Support of Iran Nuclear Agreement | 2015-09-09 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Today, Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement in support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action: An Iranian nuclear weapon would pose an unacceptable threat to the United States and our allies in the region, including Israel. Despite its flaws, I have concluded that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) represents the bestand onlycredible means of halting Irans nuclear program and preventing the Iranian regime from obtaining a nuclear bomb. For this reason, and after considerable research and reflection, I will vote in support of the JCPOA later this week. The most important question in evaluating the Iranian nuclear agreement is not whether a better deal could have been negotiated but what will happen if we in Congress choose to reject the deal before us. Based on my consultations with experts and diplomats from our key European allies, it is clear to me that if this agreement is blocked by Congress, the result will unquestionably be the collapse of the sanctions regime painstakingly assembled by the Obama administration. Foreign investment will pour into Iran and the Iranian leadership will gain both the benefits of sanctions relief and the freedom to resume its headlong pursuit of a nuclear weapon. In short, if Congress acts to reject this deal, I fear that the United States will lose all leverage short of military action to effectively deter Irans nuclear ambitions. Instead of confronting Iran aloneisolated from the rest of the international communitythe JCPOA will enable the United States to hold the Iranian regime accountable for any violation of the nuclear agreement with the support of a broad, committed international coalition. As a combat veteran of the Iraq War, I strongly believe we must not repeat the mistakes of the past by forsaking the hard work of coalition-building in favor of unilateral action. We cannot abandon the concrete gains that sanctions have achieved in favor of an uncertain course that risks another costly American military entanglement … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2043 | Grijalva to Re-Introduce Bill Preventing Post Office Closures In High-Growth ZIP Codes | 2015-09-04 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Rep. Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) is set to introduce legislation to prevent the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from closing any post office or postal facility that serves a high-growth ZIP code including the facility at Tucson/Cherry Bell which is slated for closure in 2016, moving all Arizona postal sorting to a single center in Phoenix. Grijalvas bill would require USPS officials to work with the Department of Commerce which conducts the U.S. Census and keeps annual demographic data to ensure that no closure would negatively impact a high growth ZIP code, as defined by Commerce officials at the beginning of each year. Closing postal facilities in high-growth localities like Tucson threatens jobs and undermines timely delivery in the exact places where we should be doing the opposite, Rep. Grijalva said. Our goal should be to catalyze economic development, not stunt it in the fastest growing population centers in the country. The employees of Cherrybell, residents and businesses of Tucson, and the people of Arizona deserve better than haphazard facility closures that undermine the basic services of our society. Rep. Grijalva first introduced this legislation in 2012, and continues to fight for its passage. The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2042 | Grijalva Congratulates Pima County Juvenile Court on Nearly $1M in Grant Funding | 2015-09-03 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | TUCSON Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today congratulating Pima County Juvenile Court on receiving and annual award of $324,736 for the next three years from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to help fund the Pima County Family Drug Court. Congratulations to Pima County Juvenile Court on this tremendous achievement, Rep. Grijalva said. Substance abuse treatment is a truly worthy cause for these funds, especially when it impacts the lives of children and the cohesion of families. The Family Drug Court is a leading model for addressing these challenges through evidence-based practices and peer learning. I look forward to their continued positive impact on the Tucson community as a result of this well-deserved award. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2036 | Rep. Grijalva Honors Judge Pollard for Tremendous Contributions to Veterans & Tucson Community | 2015-08-26 | 2015 | 2015-08 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | TUCSON Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today celebrated the contributions of Judge Michael Pollard to the Tucson community by presenting him with a Congressional Record from July 21, 2015 in his honor. The full text of Rep. Grijalvas statement for the Congressional Record is available here and below. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize the hard work of Judge Michael Pollard and his tremendous impact on the Tucson community. His selfless work for the American people started when he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps in 1967. He was assigned to the Echo Company 2nd Battalion 4th Marines, proudly serving his country in Vietnam. Following his time in the military, Judge Pollard graduated from the University of Arizona, College of Law in 1972. He then worked tirelessly in private practice as a prosecutor and public defender for 20 years before being appointed as a Tucson City Court magistrate in 1994. Since that appointment, Judge Pollard has worked relentlessly to improve his community through service on various committees, including as chair of the Arizona Supreme Court Committee on the Impact of Domestic Violence in the Courts, as the state judicial representative to the Arizona Full faith and Credit Team, and as co-chair of the Tucson/Pima County Homeless Plan Implementation Task Force, continuing to direct homeless courts in the region. Judge Pollards most recent contribution to Tucson can be found in his honorable and dedicated work with his fellow veterans. In 2009, along with a handful of other judges, he developed the Regional Municipalities Veterans Treatment Court. This organization works to provide veterans an opportunity to avoid jail time and clear any misdemeanor charges they may have on their record. In return, the veteran must complete court-mandated rehabilitation and support courses, many times working with the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System and other local organizations that provide those services. Since its inception, this program has allowed ove… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/arizona-congressman-looks-keep-donald-trump-s-name-washington-hotel | Arizona congressman looks to keep Donald Trumps name off Washington hotel | 2015-08-19 | 2015 | 2015-08 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | An Arizona congressman wants to keepDonald Trumps name off a new hotel in Washington. U.S. Rep.Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., has sent a letter to U.S. Interior SecretarySally Jewellasking to keep the Trump name off a new hotel the business mogul is building at the Old Post Office Building in Washington D.C. Gallego and U.S. Rep.Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., are upset with Trumps bombastic rhetoric related to undocumented immigrants and controversial comments related to women. They cite Obama administration efforts to keep the Washington Redskins football teams name off of public lands as precedent for their Trump request. The federal government selected Trump to build what is slated to be called the Trump International Hotel at the Old Post Office complex on Pennsylvania Avenue just five blocks from the White House. Trump is currently the Republican front-runner in the 2016 presidential race. Gallego and Cardenas'full letter is available here. Officials from the Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Here's Gallego's statement on the request: The federal government has a responsibility to keep emblems of racism and hatred out of public lands. In accordance with the Department of the Interiors efforts to ban the Washington Redskins logo from public lands, we are calling on the Department of the Interior and GSA to keep Mr. Trumps name from being prominently displayed at what is a historical federal building in the heart of our nations capital. Given Mr. Trumps insulting, hateful, and divisive comments about Latinos and women, the Trump name will forever be linked to anti-immigrant, anti-Latino, and anti-women sentiments. To prominently display Mr. Trumps last name over the old post office building would send a message of exclusion and intolerance to millions of Latinos and women in the district and across the country. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/crack-down-bad-apple-gun-dealers | Crack down on 'bad apple' gun dealers | 2015-08-19 | 2015 | 2015-08 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | For many Americans, the profound sadness of mass killings this summer in these cities is compounded by the frustrating sense that these events are being met with nothing more than hand-wringing and empty rhetoric. This kind of bloodshed has become an accepted fact of American life, facilitated by an irresponsible corporate gun lobby and too many politicians, particularly Republican leadership in Congress that refuses to do the will of the American people. Yet, despite the polarizing politics that define this issue, there is still much that can be done to address the scourge of gun violence in America. Dysfunction in Washington is no excuse for inaction in our cities, towns, states and communities. With89 Americans killed every day by guns, and another 300 injured, we must act now to dramatically reduce gun injuries and deaths in America. The time has come for responsible gun sellers to become stronger partners in the fight against gun violence, and for federal authorities to crack down on dishonest, irresponsible, and criminal gun dealers. Across America, just 5% of gun dealers supply nearly 90% of all the crime guns that police recover on our streets. Gun dealers are the gatekeepers for ensuring that guns stay out of the wrong hands and it's time for them to play their part in keeping our communities safe. For example, a more scrupulous gun dealer in Charleston would have waited for the result of an FBI background check, which should have shown that Dylann Roof admitted to unlawful drug use. This would have denied the sale of the weapon that made it possible for Roof to walk into Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and allegedly kill nine people, including its pastor, state Sen. Clementa C. Pinckney. The Charleston killer was able to obtain his handgun because of an absurd provision that provides gun dealers with the discretion to sell a gun to a prospective purchaser after three business days, even before the dealer knows whether the buyer has passed a Brady background check. Crucially, if the background… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/dems-petition-obama-remove-trumps-name-dc-hotel | Dems petition Obama to remove Trump's name from DC hotel | 2015-08-19 | 2015 | 2015-08 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Two Democratic congressmen are demanding that Obama Administration officials bar Donald Trump from displaying his last name on the exterior his new Washington, D.C. hotel, citing concerns that the billionaire's surname represents "exclusion" and "intolerance." Reps. Ruben Gallego, Ariz., and Tony Crdenas, Calif., have submitted a formalpetitionto the Department of the Interior with the goal of blocking Trump from having his name "prominently displayed" on the Old Post Office buildingcurrentlyunder renovation to become the latest Trump International Hotel. According to the lawmakers' petition, Trump's name violates the "federal government's responsibility to ensure that public lands are welcoming places" because of the remarks he's made about women and the Latino community. "Trump's recent and repeated remarks disparaging women, Mexican-Americans, and other Latinos are hateful, divisive, and completely inaccurate," the men wrote. "As a result of these comments, the Trump name is now inextricably linked to the anti-Immigrant, anti-Latino sentiments that he continues to loudly and publicly espouse." The lawmakers cited Interior Secretary Sally Jewell's recent refusal to renew the lease for the Washington Redskins' old stadium as precedent, suggesting that the Department continue to "prohibit the display of racist or insensitive emblems on land it controls." While the historic pavilion located just blocks from the U.S. Capitol Building was purchased by Trump in August 2013 during negotiations with the General Services Administration, it remains under the National Parks Service's management. According toThe Hill, the GSA has not yet responded to the lawmakers' petition. However, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs is currently reviewing a claim introduced by D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen regarding similarities between the sign currently displayed outside Trump's hotel and the logo used by the real estate magnate during his presidential announcement. Trump's campaign did not respond to theWashington Ex… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/two-congressmen-dont-want-donald-trumps-name-dc-hotel | Two Congressmen Don't Want Donald Trump's Name On D.C. Hotel | 2015-08-19 | 2015 | 2015-08 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Ever since Donald Trump announced his campaign to run for Presidentand subsequently opened his mouththe backlash against his hotel at the Old Post Office in D.C. has intensified. First, celebrity chef Jos Andrspulled out of a dealto open a new restaurant in the under-construction hotel after Trump's controversial remarks on immigrants, and now an Arizona congressman wants to keep the Republican presidential candidate's name off of the hotel. The Washington Times reportsthat Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) sent a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell last week asking to keep Trump's name off of the new hotel he's building in D.C. "Trump's recent and repeated remarks disparaging women, Mexican-Americans, and other Latinos are hateful, divisive and completely inaccurate," the letter, which was co-signed by Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.), reads. "We firmly believe this kind of repulsive speech has no place in our public discourse. As a result of these comments, the Trump name is now inextricably linked to the anti-immigrant, anti-Latino and anti-women sentiments that he continues to loudly and publicly espouse." In the letter, they also cite Jewell and President Barack Obama's efforts to keep the Washington football team's off of public land as precedent for their request, writing that this is "in keeping" with policy. So far, Trump's spokespeople haven't publicly commented on the letter. You can read the full letter below: Letter to Sec. Jewell and Acting Admin. Roth Re TrumpbyCongressman Ruben Gallego | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gallego-and-rep-c-rdenas-call-dept-interior-and-gsa-keep-donald | Rep. Gallego and Rep. Crdenas Call on Dept. of the Interior and GSA to keep Donald Trumps name from being displayed at the new hotel at the Heart of our Nations Capital | 2015-08-18 | 2015 | 2015-08 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Today Congressman Ruben Gallego and Congressman Tony Crdenas sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of the Interior Sally Jewell, and the Acting Administrator for the General Services Administration Denise Roth, urging them to keep Donald Trumps name from being prominently displayed at the new hotel in Washington D.C. at the site of the Old Post Office Building. Read the letter here. Rep. Ruben Gallego said, The federal government has a responsibility to keep emblems of racism and hatred out of public lands. In accordance with the Department of the Interiors efforts to ban the Washington Redskins logo from public lands, we are calling on the Department of the Interior and GSA to keep Mr. Trumps name from being prominently displayed at what is a historical federal building in the heart of our nations capital. Given Mr. Trumps insulting, hateful, and divisive comments about Latinos and women, the Trump name will forever be linked to anti-immigrant, anti-Latino, and anti-women sentiments. To prominently display Mr. Trumps last name over the old post office building would send a message of exclusion and intolerance to millions of Latinos and women in the district and across the country. Rep. Tony Crdenas said, "Donald Trump'srecent comments about women and immigrantsrange from incredible to shockingly disrespectful.TheTrump name is now synonymous with hatred and discrimination, and it should not be the message displayed on public lands in a place of honor and history, across from the White House.Freedom of speech in our nation is treasured, but using that freedom to attack, denigrate and demean other human beings and cultures is not acceptable to the best nature of our people." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2028 | On 80th Anniversary, Progressives Call for Expansion of Social Security | 2015-08-14 | 2015 | 2015-08 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONCongressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement celebrating the 80th anniversary of Social Security. For 80 years, the promise of Social Security has delivered a secure retirement and vital disability support to countless Americans. This is an investment that we all share, and it ensures that every American is treated with the dignity they deserve after a lifetime of work. Eight decades after these earned benefits began, the need for Social Security is greater than ever. Stagnant wages, a shift from defined benefit pensions to less secure individual 401(k) and IRA accounts, and growing income inequality have made it difficult for working families to put aside the savings needed for a secure retirement. With more Americans relying on Social Security as a primary source of retirement income, its not a surprise that 61 percent of Americans believe the current benefits are too low. By expanding benefits and requiring the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share in payroll taxes, we can secure the programs future and help American families adapt to this new economic reality. But instead of working to protect and expand the promise of Social Security, Republicans continue their efforts to erode, privatize, and undermine the program despite its overwhelming success and popularity. Despite the fact that Social Security has a $2.8 trillion surplus and can pay full benefits until 2033, Republicans are threatening to use a manufactured crisis to cut Social Security Disability Insurance benefits by 20 percent in 2016. An attack on one component of Social Security is an attack on the program as a whole, and an attack on the millions of people who rely on it. The Progressive Caucus stands united with Congressional Democrats in our commitment to protect Social Security and to expand its promise to guarantee the future of every American. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gallego-calls-department-veterans-affairs-take-action-given-recent | Rep. Gallego Calls on Department of Veterans Affairs to Take Action Given Recent Reports that 35k Combat Veterans were erroneously denied Health Care | 2015-08-11 | 2015 | 2015-08 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Today Congressman Ruben Gallego sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald expressing his serious concern and indignation over a recent report which says that over 35,000 combat veterans including hundreds in the Phoenix area- were erroneously denied health care as a result of a computer error. Read the letter here. Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement: I am appalled and outraged by the news that over 35,000 combat veterans have been denied health care for years because of a computer glitch. These men and women served our country; they fought for our freedom and safety; and when they arrived back home we denied them medical care - which they were promised, and rightfully earned through service, sacrifice and battle. We had no problem finding them in the system when we sent them to battle. There is no reason why we should have had trouble finding them when they returned. This delay in care is unacceptable; it has serious consequences for the well-being of these veterans and I expect the VA to act swiftly and expedite the process to get these American heroes the care they need and deserve. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2025 | Rep. Grijalva Presents Medals to WWII Veteran at his 90th Birthday Party | 2015-08-07 | 2015 | 2015-08 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | TUCSON, AZ Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today presented medals to Tucson native and World War II veteran Tony Velasquez Figueroa at his 90th birthday party tomorrow. Mr. Figueroa joined the U.S. Navy following the attack on Battleship Row in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941. He trained at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii before deploying to the Midway Islands to serve as an aircraft mechanic. Rep. Grijalva presented Mr. Figueroa with the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, a Discharge Button and an Honorable Service Lapel Pin. I am deeply honored to join Mr. Figueroa on his 90th birthday to present him with the medals he earned in service to our country, Rep. Grijalva said. Mr. Figueroa answered the call of duty after Pearl Harbor was attacked, serving as an Aviation Machinist Mate Third Class in the U.S. Navy. He continued to serve our nation and the Tucson community long after the tides of war subsided. Todays celebration was as much about honoring those sacrifices as it was about celebrating the tremendous milestone of 90 years of age. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2026 | Rep. Grijalva Slams Administration Request to Continue Jailing Women and Children | 2015-08-07 | 2015 | 2015-08 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | TUCSON, AZ Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement responding to the Department of Justices request that Judge Dolly Gee reconsider her ruling that the use of family detention centers is serious violation of the longstanding Flores settlement. I am appalled to see the Department of Justice argue that we should continue jailing women and children as a means of deterring unauthorized immigration into this country, Rep. Grijalva said. While DHS claims that they have made changes to their policies, we cannot continue to jail women and children who express credible concerns of harm in their native country. Our laws are clear: Asylum seekers are afforded a hearing before an immigration judge, and are allowed to live here until that hearing takes place. The Obama administration is flat out wrong on this, and theyre going against the laws and values of our nation. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2022 | Grijalva Calls for Greater Voter Empowerment, Announces Community Panel on 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act | 2015-08-06 | 2015 | 2015-08 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | TUCSON, AZ Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today marking the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. When Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act in 1965, he was well aware of the tremendous consequences the bill would have for America. Johnson knew that it would bring equity to the long suppressed African-American community, notably forced to undergo unjust scrutiny through practices like literacy tests in order to exercise their right to vote. The Voting Rights Act secured the sanctity of the ballot box for every American for just about 50 years. However, two years ago, the Supreme Courts decision to rip away protections from discrimination within the Voting Rights Act has brought unease to communities who have fought for these protections and still need them. The right-wing fear-mongering claim that there is credible voter fraud has led to the disenfranchisement of hundreds of thousands of Americans. Republicans are purposefully making it harder for people to vote and 50 years after the Voting Rights Act, voters largely communities of color, the disabled and LGBT individuals are being turned away from the polls, unable to participate in our democracy. It is not only past-time for us to renew the Voting Rights Act, but to also lay the groundwork for greater voter participation by making voting more accessible for every American. We must empower our voters making automatic voter registration the law of the land across all 50 states, providing an early voting period in each state, and allowing same-day registration as an option for hard-working Americans who should not be jumping hoops to vote. Voting is a fundamental right in this country lets end its barriers and restore justice now. Congressman Grijalva will host Keeping The Promise, A Community Panel on the Voting Rights Act next Wednesday, August 12 from 9:00-11:00 AM at the Tucson YWCA on the Voting Rights Act, the promise it continues to hold for countless Americans, and the ongoing efforts to … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2019 | Grijalva Urges USDA to Reevaluate Circus Elephant Exhibiting Signs of Long-Term Abuse | 2015-07-31 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today led 31 Members of Congress in sending a letter to Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging the USDA to reevaluate Nosey, an African circus elephant that has reportedly undergone long-term abuse. The USDA evaluated Nosey on November 7, 2014 and January 17, 2015, and reported no findings of lameness or abnormalities that would interfere with normal function. However, the lawmakers letter points out discrepancies between USDA and independent review by veterinarian Dr. Philip Ensley, who argued that the USDA failed in its evaluations to recognize and report arthritis and progressive osteoarthritis, often referred to as degenerative joint disease. In site visits through 2015, [Ensley] found Nosey to be in an expressionless, dazed stuporand in a state of mental numbness or psychological deterioration and found evidence of foot and musculoskeletal problems, among other health issues. The detainment and reported abuse of Nosey the Elephant is as much a moral issue as it is a legal one, Rep. Grijalva said. Noseys owner has received nearly 200 animal welfare violation citations, yet he still holds a license. Some independent examiners have even labeled this elephants suffering as the worst theyve ever reviewed. The USDA must enforce the Animal Welfare Act to its fullest degree, not only out of legal obligation, but out of decency and kindness to this living, breathing creature that deserves better than a lifetime of abuse and neglect. Full text of Rep. Grijalvas letter is available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2016 | Progressive Caucus Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid | 2015-07-30 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONCongressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the legislation to start two of the strongest anti-poverty initiatives in history. When we created Medicare and Medicaid, we made a simple commitment to Americans around the country: if you cant afford the medical care you need, your neighbors are here to help you out.Today, more than 100 million people are enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. And while Medicare is providing health care more efficiently than the private sector, Medicaid is doing its part by keeping low income individuals out of expensive emergency rooms. But the millions ofpeople who rely on Medicare and Medicaid for financial security and high-quality health coverage are under attack. On-going efforts to privatize Medicare and limit benefits and access to Medicaid by our Republican colleagues will hurt our economy and the American families that need care most. The Americans enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid are diverse they are children, people with disabilities, working people and our grandparents. In order to ensure these people are covered for the next 50 years, we must invest in the health of our neighbors by protecting and expanding Medicare and Medicaid. President Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid because affordable health care is a right. Now is the time to recommit to ensuring that no senior retires in poverty or without the care they need, and no child goes without access to the care to get them started in life. We urge states that havent to expand Medicaid and we call on Congress to expand Medicare and protect the wellbeing of working families for another 50 years. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2017 | Grijalva to Republican Leadership: Stop Attacking American Jobs | 2015-07-30 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement after Congressional Republicans brought another short term extension to fund transportation and infrastructure and failed to reauthorize the Import-Export Bank. It is past time for Congressional Republicans to put our economy first by passing a long term transportation bill that provides the robust funding needed to sustain job growth and by reauthorizing the Import-Export Bank, Rep. Grijalva said. Our construction industry cannot function under the constant threat of their funding running dry, and the American people deserve better than to have their roads and bridges crumble beneath them. Moreover, American businesses especially in border states like Arizona benefit greatly from the Ex-Im Bank, creating jobs and promoting economic opportunity at no cost to American taxpayers. Infrastructure and transportation investments are among the most simulative for the U.S. economy, providing tens of thousands of jobs in Arizona alone. But instead of acting responsibly, the GOP once again brought us to the brink of disaster, forcing us to accept another short term patch just days before funding expires. Adding insult to injury, they continue to demand cobbled-together pay-fors that harm low income families instead of lifting the freeze on the gas tax, which is already the dedicated funding source for transportation and infrastructure. Our cities, towns and counties in Arizona need an active partnership with the federal government. To expect local communities to bear the full financial burden of our decaying infrastructure and the demands of the future for alternative and public transit is unfair and shortsighted. I voted for the GOPs bill to protect the nearly 700,000 jobs at risk not to condone their mishandling of this critical issue. It is the height of irresponsibility in governance to threaten jobs, businesses and public safety in one fell swoop. The American people deserve much better. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2018 | Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs & House Democrats Urge EPA to Issue a Strong Ozone Rule | 2015-07-30 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONCongressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN), along with 62 House Democrats, today sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy urging the EPA to issue a strong National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone of 60 parts per billion. The letter is also signed by Reps. Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D-VA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Lois Capps (D-CA), Michael E. Capuano (D-MA), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Judy Chu (D-CA), David N. Cicilline (D-RI), Katherine M. Clark (D-MA), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Steve Cohen (D-TN), John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Theodore E. Deutch (D-FL), Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), Sam Farr (D-CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Alan Grayson (D-FL), Luis V. Gutirrez (D-IL), Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Michael M. Honda (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Steve Israel (D-NY), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), James R. Langevin (D-RI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Jim McDermott (D-WA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Scott Peters (D-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jared Polis (D-CO), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Jos E. Serrano (D-NY), Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY), Adam Smith (D-WA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Paul D. Tonko (D-NY), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), John A. Yarmuth (D-KY). The text of the letter is below and a signed letter can be found here. Administrator Gina McCarthy Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Wash… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2015 | Progressive Caucus, House Judiciary Democrats Hold Forum on Family Detention | 2015-07-28 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. The Congressional Progressive Caucus, along with Democratic Members of the House Judiciary Committee and support from the Congressional Tri-Caucuses, today held a forum on family detention. The forum highlighted grave abuses experienced by women and children housed in for-profit detention facilities across the country. The forum allowed Members of Congress to hear directly from a panel that included two former detainees, a whistleblower who once worked as the lead social worker at a detention facility, and two experts who spoke to the psychological, developmental and legal implications of current family detention policies. The event comes just days after a federal judge in California ruled that family detention centersseriously violate a longstanding court settlement, and that the families should be released as quickly as possible. Video of the full forum is available here. Seeing a former detention center employee side-by-side with two former detainees, testifying in lockstep about the cruel treatment endured inside and the unethical practices these facilities rely upon, is a profound testament to the urgent need to shut family detention centers down, Rep. Grijalva said. The notion that we would lock women and children in cages as they await the outcome of their asylum appeals, and that we would allow the for-profit prison industry monetize their tragic circumstances, is beneath the dignity of this great nation. It is time to end this shameful practice, once and for all. "No person new American or not should be forced to endure what we heard today, Rep. Ellison said. Closing family detention facilities is long overdue. We must ensure families are moved from these facilities, placed with family members and provided full legal and social support now." When I visited the Karnes and Dilley detention facilities earlier this year, hundreds of mothers grabbed my hands telling me they were not criminals and begging for their release while their children broke into tears, Rep. Lofgre… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-gallego-helps-lead-effort-ensure-full-lgbt-equality-original | Congressman Gallego Helps Lead Effort to Ensure Full LGBT Equality as Original Co-sponsor of the Equality Act | 2015-07-28 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Congressman Ruben Gallego signed on as an original co-sponsor of the Equality Act - a comprehensive non-discrimination bill that would provide protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered individuals from discrimination in housing, work, jury service, credit, education, federal funding, and public accommodations. The equality Act was introduced today by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) in the House and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in the Senate. Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement: In 31 states across the nation, LGBT Americans dont have protections from discrimination meaning that they can be fired from their jobs, kicked out of their homes and even denied a loan because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. This is unacceptable, no person should suffer from discrimination because of who they are or who they love. The Equality Act will provide LGBT Americans with the safety that all Americans in our nation enjoy, and it will bring stability to the lives of many by eliminating our current patchwork of laws. It is time for full LGBT equality and protections under the law. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2014 | Congressional Progressive Caucus, Ranking Member Waters Call for Equitable CEO-to-Worker Pay Ratio | 2015-07-27 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Today, Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Ral Grijalva (D-AZ)and Keith Ellison (D-MN) joined Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA) in calling on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to finalize the rule requiring publicly-traded corporations to disclose the ratio of the compensation for their CEO to the compensation of their median worker. The three lawmakers urged completion of the so-called Median Worker Pay Ratio Rule via a letter sent today to SEC Chair Mary Jo White. This rule would implement section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which was enacted more than four years ago. The letter was signed by 47 Representatives including Reps. Beyer, Boyle, Brownley, Capuano, Chu, Cicilline, Clark, Conyers, DeFazio, DeSaulnier, Edwards,Ellison, Eshoo, Frankel, Garamendi, Grayson, Grijalva, Gutirrez, Honda, Jackson Lee, Johnson, Kaptur, Langevin, Lawrence, Lee, Lynch, Matsui, McDermott, McGovern, Moore, Norton, Pallone, Plaskett, Pocan, Rangel, Schakowsky, Scott, Smith, Takano, Tonko, Tsongas, Van Hollen, Visclosky, Walz, Watson Coleman, Waters, and Welch. The text of the letter is below and signed copy can be found here. Dear Chair White: We remain disappointed by the Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) delay in implementing section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This section requires publicly-traded companies to disclose the ratio of the compensation of their CEOs to the pay of their median worker. This rule has now been delayed three times, and the Commission continues to solicit more comment on a proposal Congress already told it to complete. In the meantime, Commissioners Luis A. Aguilar and Kara M. Stein have offered their public support for a completed rule. We urge you to do the same, and finalize this Congressionally-mandated rule. Congress enacted the CEO-to-worker pay ratio disclosure rule in response to public concerns over e… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2006 | Grijalva Introduces Bipartisan Legislation Addressing Native American Suicide Rates | 2015-07-22 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today re-introduced the Native American Suicide Prevention Act to more actively curtail the alarming rate of suicide amongst Native American populations. This cost-free legislation directs state or state-sponsored organization to make a reasonable effort to consult with Native American Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Urban Indian organizations in the crafting and implementation of suicide intervention and prevention strategies. Suicide is a tragic and desperate form of escape, and its prevalence among Native populations, and particularly their youth, says a lot about the terrible conditions and lack of opportunity they face in this country, Rep. Grijalvasaid. These are the original Americans, and we owe them more than to turn a blind eye to their suffering. Without greater access to mental health care, and resources for those struggling with suicide, we will continue to see the same tragic results, and that is unacceptable. Native peoples face the highest suicide rates in the country- particularly amongst Native youth, as 40 percent of Naive suicides occur among those ages 15-24 years old. Even more alarming is the common occurrence of suicide contagion, an event that causes other native people to commit suicide following the suicide of someone in their community. This legislation will ensure that statewide suicide intervention and prevention programs address the complex and multifaceted causes behind Native suicide rates. A comprehensive fact sheet is available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2007 | Senator Sanders, Congressional Progressive Caucus Introduce Bill to Raise Federal Minimum Wage to $15 | 2015-07-22 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONSenator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) and 28 of their colleagues introduced the Pay Workers a Living Wage Act today, which raises the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020. Details on the bill can be found here. A letter signed by over two hundred economists in support of raising the federal minimum wage to $15 can be found here. In the richest nation on Earth, full-time work should be compensated with more than a never-ending struggle to make ends meet,Rep. Grijalva said.We believe in the dignity of hard work we should demand the dignity of fair compensation, too. Every American forced to accept less than their worth for labor is an American who cannot contribute fully to our economy, which is why Congress should pass the Pay Workers a Living Wage Act immediately. In the year 2015, a job must lift workers out of poverty, not keep them in it. The current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour is a starvation wage and must be raisedto a living wage," said Sen. Bernie Sanders. When Im on picket lines around the country, people tell me theyre protesting because theyre working harder than ever and still cant make ends meet, Rep. Ellison said. The Progressive Caucus stands in solidarity with the working Americans putting in longer hours and seeing smaller paychecks. In the richest nation in the world, no business should be able to pay so little their workers are forced to find second and third jobs to feed their kids. The Pay Workers a Living Wage Act will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour and ensure hard work pays in America. Raising the minimum wage to $15 would give at least 25 million hard-working Americans including six million working moms a raise, lift as many as six million people out of poverty, and infuse more than $32 billion into our national economy, Rep. Jackson Lee said.Raising the minimum wage is the right thing to do. Recent calls for an increase in the minimum wage… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2008 | Rep. Grijalva Addresses San Carlos Apache Rally Opposing Oak Flat Corporate Giveaway | 2015-07-22 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today joined lawmakers, religious leaders and members of the San Carlos Apache tribe at a Capitol Hill gathering on his bill to reverse the unjust Resolution Copper land giveaway included in last years National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Grijalvas bill, the Save Oak Flat Act, would cancel the mandated land swap that threatens the sacred Apache Leap site with environmental damage from nearby high-risk copper mining. This rally is about the importance of freedom and historical context, Rep. Grijalva said. Its about realizing that a deal struck in the dead of night, which would not pass in the light of day, is undercutting the ideals that this nation intends to stand by. That deal tramples basic laws, basic rights, rightful sovereignty and sacred sites in the pursuit of profits and greed. No member of Congress should feel proud or feel like they got away with something by ignoring the needs and rights of the original Americans. Oak Flat is as sacred to the Apache people as any other church, temple, synagogue or mosque is to its congregants across this country. We should embrace and protect this land, just as we do these other places of cultural significance. More information about the land swap orchestrated by Senators McCain and Flake, and Rep. Grijalvas legislation to repeal it, is available here. You can learn more about the San Carlos Apaches journey here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2005 | Rep. Grijalva Reacts to Interstate 10 Bridge Collapse | 2015-07-21 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement reacting to the collapse of the Tex Wash Bridge on Interstate 10 between Arizona and California. The collapse, which severed a major route between Southern California and Arizona, occurred the weekend after House Republicans refused to pass a long-term highway funding bill, instead passing another short term patch. Just one week after Congressional Republicans once again refused to adequately fund transportation infrastructure in our country, we are seeing in stark terms exactly why that funding is so crucial, Rep. Grijalva said. I am relieved that the driver injured in the I-10 bridge collapse is recovering and that others werent harmed in an incident that could have easily been much worse. This is the unnerving, and sadly predictable result of Congressional neglect when it comes to keeping our roads and bridges in good repair, Grijalva continued. When Republicans pushed a short-term funding fix last year, I voted for it in hopes that it would pave the way to more substantial investments. When Republicans tried to pull the same scheme just last week, I voted no. At some point, we have to say enough is enough to insufficient patchwork responses to our countrys grave infrastructure needs. We must pass a properly funded long-term highway bill immediately. We cannot allow it to be burdened with political gamesmanship or disingenuous offsets. Congress needs to take this seriously to prevent similar infrastructure faults, and ensure that drivers get from point A to point B safely. Not only was this bridge collapse dangerous, but with as many as 24,000 vehicles relying on I-10 every day and nearly one third of that traffic attributed to commercial trucks this will also have a severe impact on economies in both states as well, Grijalva added. This must be a wake-up call to Republicans in Congress that short-term funding gaps will only continue endangering lives and sewing uncertainty for local contractors who are working wi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/members-quiet-skies-caucus-send-recommendations-house-transportation-and | Members of the Quiet Skies Caucus Send Recommendations to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ahead of the Introduction of the FAA 2015 Reauthorization Act | 2015-07-16 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Today, Members of the Quiet Skies Caucus Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-7), Rep. Steve Israel (NY-03), Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05), Rep. Katherine Clark (Mass-05), Rep. Joseph Crowley (NY-14), Rep. Tammy Duckworth (Ill-08), Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-33), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-18), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (Ill-09), Rep. Sam Farr (CA-20), Rep. Stephen Lynch (Mass-08), Rep. Kathleen Rice (NY-04), Rep. Alan Grayson (FL-09), and Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-43) sent a letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. Bill Shuster and Ranking Member Rep. Peter DeFazio with recommendations for the 2015 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act that would help address the harmful impacts of aircraft noise on communities across the country. The letter makes the following recommendations: Mandate a robust community engagement process, including pre-decisional public hearings, for new flight paths or procedures or changes to existing flight paths and procedures. Require FAA to use supplemental noise metrics when considering the impact of aviation noise on affected communities and lower the acceptable noise threshold for affected homes and businesses. Clarify that airport operators are legally allowed to implementand should strongly considernoise mitigation options in communities experiencing aircraft noise levels below the current noise threshold. Reform Section 213(c)(2) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, which allows FAA to short-circuit the environmental review process when implementing new flight paths. Mandate independent research on the health impacts of aviation noise. Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) said, I strongly encourage Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio to consider these recommendations. The FAAs flight path changes in Phoenix resulted in serious harms to our communities and this issue must be addressed. He added, The FAA must do the appropriate community engagement and research before making changes that w… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2000 | Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs & House Democrats Urge DHS to Update Report on Domestic Right-Wing Extremism | 2015-07-15 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONCongressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN), along with 18 House Democrats sent a letter to President Barack Obama and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson urging the DHS to issue an updated report on domestic right-wing extremism and reopen the Extremism and Radicalization Branch of the Homeland Environment Threat Analysis Division. The letter was also signed by Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Judy Chu (D-CA), John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Mike Honda (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Mark Takano (D-CA), Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), and Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ). The text of the letter is below and a signed letter can be found here. Barack H. Obama President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20500 The Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary of Homeland Security U.S. Department of Homeland Security 3801 Nebraska Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20528 Dear Mr. President and Secretary Johnson: We write to urge the Department of Homeland Security to issue an updated assessment on the threat posed by domestic right-wing extremist groups and to reopen the Extremism and Radicalization Branch of the Homeland Environment Threat Analysis Division at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Dylann Roofs attempt to start a race war by murdering nine people at the historic Black Church Emanuel AME in Charleston is a painful reminder that violent white supremacist groups represent a continued threat to Americans. According to a study from the United States Military Academys Combating Terrorism Center, right-wing extremist groups launched an average of 337 attacks per year, killing 254 people from 2001 to 2011.State and loca… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1999 | Congressional Progressive Caucus Applauds Final P5+1 Nuclear Agreement | 2015-07-14 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONCongressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. RalM. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN), and CPC Peace and Security Task Force Chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) applauded the P5+1 negotiators after they reached a final agreementwith Iran that will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The historic agreement struck today between the United States, our allies, and Iran is a triumph of international relations,said Rep. Grijalva.President Obama, Secretary Kerry and our P5+1 partners have proven that there is a better paradigm for foreign engagement than the constant threat of military action: its calleddiplomacy. This deal is the responsible way to avert nuclear ambitions, and to ensure that we all share a safer and more peaceful world. The historic agreement reached today proves the power of engagement over isolation we can choose peace over war.The world is safer thanks to the patient diplomacy and determination of President Obama, Secretary Kerry, and our P5+1 negotiating partners,said Rep. Ellison.In the coming weeks, the focus will be on the U.S. Congress to see if Republicans take this deal away from the world. We will stop those who want to push us closer to war. Todays announced deal with Iran, if fully implemented, will prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon while ensuring greater stability in the Middle East. I applaud President Obama, Secretary Kerry and our P5+1 partners for their tireless work to obtainadeal that promotes global peace and security,said Rep. Lee. In the coming weeks, the worlds attention will shift from Vienna to the halls of Congress. I hope my Republicans colleagues will put partisan politics aside and support this deal instead of pushing us one step closer to another war. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2001 | Grijalva Calls on DHS to Release Internal Reviews of Eloy Detention Center | 2015-07-14 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) sent a letter today to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson expressing concern over the number of deaths that have taken place at Eloy Detention Center outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Since October 2003, 14 deaths have been reported at the center, most recently, Jos de Jess Deniz-Sahagn on May 21, 2015. In accordance with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy, the circumstances surrounding every detainee death are subject to review by the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). In his letter, Grijalva calls on Secretary Johnson to make public its reviews for notable fatalities particularly two that took places just days apart in 2013, and the review it is currently conducting into Mr. Deniz-Sahagns death. Rep. Grijalva released the following statement: Eloy Detention Center has averaged more than one fatality per year for the past twelve years, and that is utterly unacceptable, said Rep. Grijalva. The fact that ICE reviews each incident after they occur begs the question of what they are finding, and what they are doing to end this terrible trend. The American people have the right to know what this for-profit prison is doing while under contract with the federal government, which is why I am asking Secretary Johnson today to make their reviews public. The full text of Rep. Grijalvas letter is available here and below. Secretary Johnson: I write to express concern over the alarming number of detainee deaths that have taken place at Eloy Detention Center, located outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Since October 2003, there have been 14 reported deaths at the center most recently, Jos de Jess Deniz-Sahagn on May 21, 2015. Mr. Deniz-Sahagns death was deemed a suicide, however detainees at the facility report that he was beaten by guards and imprisoned in solitary confinement prior to his death. This, along with other incidents, such as the suicides of Elsa Guadalupe-Gonzalez and Jorge Garcia-Mejia just two days apart from… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2002 | Grijalva Introduces EAT for Health Act to Encourage Focus on Nutrition, Disease Prevention in Health Care System | 2015-07-14 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) re-introduced the Education and Training (EAT) for Health Act to encourage a stronger focus on nutrition and disease prevention in continuing medical education. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue guidelines that ensure federally employed physicians and nurses learn more about the role of nutrition in preventing cancer, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease in their continuing education programs. Equally important to having the most effective medicines and advanced medical facilities in the world is having access to the best medical advice available when consulting a practitioner, said Rep. Grijalva. Good life choices can prevent diseases and injuries, ensure lower overall medical costs, and lead to longer, healthier lives. It all starts by making sure the right conversations take place in doctors offices, and Im proud to say that this bill will help make that a reality. Without nutrition education, health care professionals are unable to give their patients the most powerful prescription against chronic diseasea healthful diet, said Physicians Committee president Neal Barnard, M.D. Passage of the EAT for Health Act of 2015 is an important first step that I hope will one day lead to required nutrition education for all medical professionals. Physicians are already required to get a certain number of continuing medical education credit hours each year, this bill will help ensure that for federally employed providers, some of those hours are spent learning about nutrition. According to the Journal of the American College of Nutrition 94 percent of physicians feel nutrition counseling should be included during primary care visits, but only 14 percent felt adequately trained to provide such counseling. A comprehensive fact sheet is available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1998 | Grijalva, Heinrich Introduce Bill To Boost Clean Energy Development On Tribal Lands | 2015-07-13 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (AZ-03), the Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, introduced theTribal Tax Incentive for Renewable Energy Act in their respective chambers of Congress. The legislation will allow tribal governments to take advantage of the existing federal renewable energy investment tax credit in the same way any private developer already does. For too long, unfair tax code disparities have kept Native American Tribes at an economic disadvantage, said Rep. Grijalva. This bill helps Tribes take advantage of the Section 48 tax rules that have helped successful cities and communities around the country. When this bill becomes law, Tribes can start creating the clean energy jobs Congress should have been supporting years ago. Arizona and the Southwest have a great deal of open land and solar potential that deserves federal assistance. This bill is the best way to unlock that potential, and Im excited to work with my colleague to make sure it moves forward. "Energy development is one of the most promising areas of economic growth for Indian Country today," said Sen. Heinrich."Across the country, solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and other renewable energy development have become a source for new jobs and business opportunities. Giving tribes access to tax incentives is key to creating the kind of energy autonomy that our Native American tribes deserve." Full audio of the teleconference announcing theTribal Tax Incentive for Renewable Energy Actis available here. Congressman Grijalva and Senator Heinrich's legislation would amend section 48 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Indian Tribal governments to transfer the full amount of the business tax credit for commercial-scale, renewable energy projects to any other taxpayer. By "monetizing" the tax credit, it can be sold to another entity and make the full benefits of the credit avail… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/az-congressman-introduces-bill-ban-confederate-flags-va-cemeteries | AZ Congressman Introduces Bill to Ban Confederate Flags from VA Cemeteries | 2015-07-10 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Arizona Congressman Ruben Gallego, along with Missouri Congressman Lacy Clay, introduced a bill today in the House of Representatives banning the Confederate battle flag at cemeteries operated by the Department of Veteran Affairs. The confederate flag is a symbol of hate and intolerance, and it will forever be associated with the injustices of slavery and Jim Crow, Gallego said in a press release. Its time for the Department of Veteran Affairs to change their policy allowing the Confederate Flag at cemeteries honoring American war heroes. At 131 cemeteries across the county, Confederate flags are permitted to be displayed on Memorial Day and Confederate Memorial Day a holiday celebrated by many Southern states to commemorate those who lost their lives fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil Warwhich Gallego and Clay's bill would prohibit. This latest congressional effort comes amid a national debate about what the Confederate flag symbolizes and whether it is appropriate to fly. The Confederate flag debate flares up from time to time, and was reignited most recently after 21-year-old Dylann Roof who revered it as a symbol of white supremacy shot and killed nine innocent black men and woman at a Emmanuel AME church in Charleston, South Carolina last month. The Confederate battle flag is a treasonous symbol of a war of insurrection instigated by white supremacists who made war on the United States to preserve the horrors of slavery and the cursed economic system that it fueled by subjugating and humiliating millions of African Americans for almost 300 years, says bill co-sponsor Representative Clay. It has no place in any national cemetery administered by the Veterans Administration. In much of the country, the Confederate flag is seen as a symbol of racism and a celebration of slavery. But to many people across the south, its viewed as a symbol of a shared cultural heritage. (Whether that shared cultural heritage includes racist underpinnings is up for debate.) Tensions over the flag exploded here in Phoen… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/bill-would-ban-confederate-flag-va-cemeteries | Bill would ban Confederate flag from VA cemeteries | 2015-07-10 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Two House Democrats are proposing legislation that would ban the Confederate flag from cemeteries operated by the Veterans Affairs Department. The bill was introduced by Reps. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) just hours after House GOP leadership pulled an Interior Department spending bill off the floor because of a fight over allowing graves in federal cemeteries to be decorated with the Confederate flag. The confederate flag is a symbol of hate and intolerance, and it will forever be associated with the injustices of slavery and Jim Crow. It's time for the Department of Veteran Affairs to change their policy allowing the Confederate Flag at cemeteries honoring American war heroes, Gallego, an Iraq War veteran and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. The VA currently allows the Confederate flag to be displayed on Memorial Day as well as Confederate Memorial Day at 131 sites. Gallego said the flag does not represent the values our veterans fought to defend. It is a painful reminder of a terrible time in our history when we treated human beings as less than. Our country needs to heal, and VA cemeteries should be a place of reflection, remembrance and tribute to those that embody the very best in our country. Clay called the Confederate flag a treasonous symbol of a war of insurrection instigated by white supremacists who made war on the United States to preserve the horrors of slavery and the cursed economic system that it fueled by subjugating and humiliating millions of African Americans for almost 300 years. This bloody relic of racial terrorism, which was embraced last month by Dylann Roof as he gunned down nine innocent souls in prayer at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, is the very same banner of hatred that has been proudly displayed by the Ku Klux Klan for 150 years, Clay said. It has no place in any national cemetery administered by the Veterans Administration. Earlier Thursday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) forced … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/ruben-gallego-introduces-bill-ban-confederate-flag-va-cementeries | Ruben Gallego introduces bill to ban Confederate flag at VA cementeries | 2015-07-10 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON - Congressman Ruben Gallego (D - Arizona) helped co-introduce a bill Thursday to ban the Confederate Battle Flag at Department of Veterans Affairs cemeteries, which display the flag on Memorial Day and on Confederate Memorial Day, according to Gallego's office. The flag appears on both dates in 131 VA facilities around the country. The flag has been hotly debated both locally and nationally since the shooting at the Emanuel AME Church, in Charleston, S.C. that left nine African-American victims dead. Dylan Roof, the shooter, expressed sympathy toward segregation, white supremacy and posed with the Confederate flag in multiple photographs posted online. Roof allegedly wrote in his manifesto that he had "no choice" but to act against blacks. Since the June 17 massacre, many in South Carolina and around the country have called for the flag's removal on government grounds. Gallego said the VA's policy to display the flag is, "a painful reminder of a terrible time in our history when we treated human beings as less than." "The confederate flag is a symbol of hate and intolerance, and it will forever be associated with the injustices of slavery and Jim Crow," he said. Gallego co-introduced the bill with Rep. Lacy Clay (D - Missouri). | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://rubengallego.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-ruben-gallego-and-rep-lacy-clay-introduce-bill-prohibit-confederate | Rep. Ruben Gallego and Rep. Lacy Clay Introduce Bill to Prohibit Confederate Flags at VA Cemeteries | 2015-07-09 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Ruben Gallego | G000574 | rubengallego.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Today, Congressman Ruben Gallego and Congresswoman Lacy Clay introduced a bill to prohibit the Confederate Battle Flag at cemeteries operated by the Department of VeteransAffairs (VA).The VA currently permits the display of the Confederate flag on Memorial Day as well as on Confederate Memorial Day on 131 facilities. Congressman Ruben Gallego said, The confederate flag is a symbol of hate and intolerance, and it will forever be associated with the injustices of slavery and Jim Crow. Its time for the Department of Veteran Affairs to change their policy allowing the Confederate Flag at cemeteries honoring American war heroes. He added, The Confederate flag does not represent the values our veterans fought to defend. It is a painful reminder of a terrible time in our history when we treated human beings as less than. Our country needs to heal, and VA cemeteries should be a place of reflection, remembrance and tribute to those that embody the very best in our country. Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri said, The Confederate battle flag is a treasonous symbol of a war of insurrection instigated by white supremacists who made war on the United States to preserve the horrors of slavery and the cursed economic system that it fueled by subjugating and humiliating millions of African Americans for almost 300 years. Mr. Clay added, This bloody relic of racial terrorism, which was embraced last month by Dylann Roof as he gunned down nine innocent souls in prayer at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, is the very same banner of hatred that has been proudly displayed by the Ku Klux Klan for 150 years. It has no place in any national cemetery administered by the Veterans Administration. Our bill would finally prohibit this highly offensive practice. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1995 | Grijalva Slams Funding Cuts to Public Education | 2015-07-08 | 2015 | 2015-07 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today after the House of Representatives voted 218 to 213 to approve H.R. 5, a Republican bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that cuts significantly from public education funding and erodes many of the laws key provisions. Under H.R. 5, funding for public education is frozen at FY2015 levels for the next three years. The bill allows states to redirect Title I funds away from schools with high concentrations of poverty and redirect them to low-poverty schools. H.R. 5 eliminates requirements that schools take action when students struggle to achieve at grade-level. The legislation allows students with disabilities to be taught to separate, lower standards and removes requirements that schools improve the education of English language learners each year. The provisions in H.R. 5 to weaken our public education system are politics at its most cynical; the cuts included are politics at its worst, said Rep. Grijalva. Instead of ensuring every student has the resources needed to succeed, this bill will actually allow for those resources to be siphoned away from underserved populations to better fund schools that are already well-funded. And instead of viewing failing students as a great challenge to overcome, this bill leaves them behind and absolves federal responsibility to ever help them succeed. The GOP isnt just letting our students down theyre intentionally working against them. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=1991 | Rep. Grijalva Praises Supreme Court Decision Upholding Arizona's Independent Redistricting Commission | 2015-06-29 | 2015 | 2015-06 | Democrat | House | AZ | Raúl Grijalva | G000551 | grijalva.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman RalM. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission that, [u]nder Arizonas Constitution, the electorate shares lawmaking authority on equal footing with Arizonas legislature, and as such, independent redistricting commissions approved by Arizonas voters by ballot initiative are a fair and valid means of determining Congressional Districts. Today, the Supreme Court validated the demands of Arizonans to leave partisan politics behind when it comes to drawing up Congressional Districts, said Rep. Grijalva. Elections are not games for politicians to rig, and this court decision makes clear that public officials cannot trump the will of the people in an attempt to stack the electoral map in their favor. The final paragraph of the Courts decision reads, in part: The people of Arizona turned to the initiative to curb the practice of gerrymandering and, thereby, to ensure that Members of Congress would have an habitual recollection of their dependence on the people. The Federalist No. 57, at 350 (J. Madison.). In so acting, Arizona voters sought to restore the core principle of republican government, namely, that the voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around.Berman, Managing Gerrymandering, 83 Texas L. Rev. 781 (2005). The Elections Clause does not hinder that endeavor. The voice of the people should always be respected especially by those entrusted by the voters with public office, Grijalva continued. Our state legislature should have to adhere to the standards passed by our voters. Not only did this shameful power grab threaten the impartiality of our elections in Arizona, but if the legislature had succeeded, this could have set a legal precedent to invalidate all voter-initiated election reform laws across the country. Thankfully, we are instead left with a strong reminder of the most precious power Americans have in our Democr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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