url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/12/22/congressman-schweikert-announces-key-provisions-included-end-year/,Congressman Schweikert Announces Key Provisions Included in End of Year Legislation,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman David Schweikert announced a number of critical provisions that he introduced or co-sponsored were included in the final end-of-year package being voted on by Congress. “I am very pleased to see many pieces of legislation I introduced or co-sponsored included in the final package being voted on by the House of Representatives today. This package should have been approved months ago, as many of our small businesses are closing permanently and too many hard-working Americans are still out of work. I urge my colleagues to focus on targeted solutions in our appropriations measures to help support government operations and the American people.” Multiple pieces of legislation authored and co-sponsored by Congressman Schweikert were incorporated into the legislative package including: H.R. 6821, bipartisan legislation to ensure businesses are allowed to deduct their expenses if they utilized a PPP. In August, Congressman Schweikert wrote a letter to Congressional leadership specifically requesting this fix be included in the end-of-year relief package. Reducing Medical Expense Deduction Income Threshold, legislation to provide financial relief to American families facing the burden of high health care costs by permanently reducing the income threshold for the medical expense deduction to 7.5%. Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act, provides temporary additional funding to support older foster youth, kin caregivers, at-risk families, state courts, adoptive families, and foster care prevention services, and allows older youth to remain in foster care during the pandemic. H.R. 5405 Southwest Tourism Expansion Act, Expansion of Arizona and New Mexico Border Zone Travel. Under current policy, eligible Mexican nationals can travel in certain areas of Arizona and New Mexico for up to 30 days. With CBP increasing security due to the recurrent vetting of travelers, this policy focuses on efficiencies and has shown both a decrease in costs to CBP and an increase in revenue to local economies in those states as a result of additional opportunities for freedom of movement. H.R. 3607, the Fossil Energy Research and Development Act, which reauthorizes and expands Department of Energy (DOE) research, development, and demonstration programs for fossil energy programs including carbon capture and storage technologies, methane leak detection and mitigation, and further research into carbon dioxide removal technologies; H.R 1166, the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act, supports carbon utilization and direct air capture research, and turn captured carbon dioxide into a beneficial resource and economic opportunity while reducing emissions. The bill would also support federal, state, and non-governmental collaboration in the construction and development of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) facilities and carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines. Carbon Removal Program, to examine the methods, technologies, and strategies to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a large scale. Additionally, it establishes a Carbon Dioxide Removal Task Force to advise the Secretary of Energy on matters pertaining to carbon dioxide removal, identify barriers to the advancement of carbon dioxide removal projects, and tools for advancing and deploying such projects; H.R. 5905, Joint Long-Term Storage Act, which directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to run pilot projects of long-duration energy storage technologies. Additionally, it requires the DOE and Department of Defense (DOD) to work together on joint long-term energy demonstration projects, which will increase cooperation while using taxpayer dollars more efficiently and accelerate commercial deployment of long-duration energy storage technologies to increase energy resilience and security; and Study on Blue Hydrogen technology, to look at the benefits of blue hydrogen technology and how that can further enhance the deployment and adoption of carbon capture and storage. To read the full text of the end-of-year package, click HERE. ### Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-schweikert-announces-key-provisions-included-end-year,Congressman Schweikert Announces Key Provisions Included in End of Year Legislation,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman David Schweikert announced a number of critical provisions that he introduced or co-sponsored were included in the final end-of-year package being voted on by Congress. ""I am very pleased to see many pieces of legislation I introduced or co-sponsored included in the final package being voted on by the House of Representatives today. This package should have been approved months ago, as many of our small businesses are closing permanently and too many hard-working Americans are still out of work. I urge my colleagues to focus on targeted solutions in our appropriations measures to help support government operations and the American people."" Multiple pieces of legislation authored and co-sponsored by Congressman Schweikert were incorporated into the legislative package including: H.R. 6821, bipartisan legislation to ensure businesses are allowed to deduct their expenses if they utilized a PPP. In August, Congressman Schweikert wrote a letter to Congressional leadership specifically requesting this fix be included in the end-of-year relief package. Reducing Medical Expense Deduction Income Threshold, legislation to provide financial relief to American families facing the burden of high health care costs by permanently reducing the income threshold for the medical expense deduction to 7.5%. Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act, provides temporary additional funding to support older foster youth, kin caregivers, at-risk families, state courts, adoptive families, and foster care prevention services, and allows older youth to remain in foster care during the pandemic. H.R. 5405 Southwest Tourism Expansion Act, Expansion of Arizona and New Mexico Border Zone Travel. Under current policy, eligible Mexican nationals can travel in certain areas of Arizona and New Mexico for up to 30 days. With CBP increasing security due to the recurrent vetting of travelers, this policy focuses on efficiencies and has shown both a decrease in costs to CBP and an increase in revenue to local economies in those states as a result of additional opportunities for freedom of movement. H.R. 3607, the Fossil Energy Research and Development Act, which reauthorizes and expands Department of Energy (DOE) research, development, and demonstration programs for fossil energy programs including carbon capture and storage technologies, methane leak detection and mitigation, and further research into carbon dioxide removal technologies; H.R 1166, the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act, supports carbon utilization and direct air capture research, and turn captured carbon dioxide into a beneficial resource and economic opportunity while reducing emissions. The bill would also support federal, state, and non-governmental collaboration in the construction and development of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) facilities and carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines. Carbon Removal Program, to examine the methods, technologies, and strategies to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a large scale. Additionally, it establishes a Carbon Dioxide Removal Task Force to advise the Secretary of Energy on matters pertaining to carbon dioxide removal, identify barriers to the advancement of carbon dioxide removal projects, and tools for advancing and deploying such projects; H.R. 5905, Joint Long-Term Storage Act, which directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to run pilot projects of long-duration energy storage technologies. Additionally, it requires the DOE and Department of Defense (DOD) to work together on joint long-term energy demonstration projects, which will increase cooperation while using taxpayer dollars more efficiently and accelerate commercial deployment of long-duration energy storage technologies to increase energy resilience and security; and Study on Blue Hydrogen technology, to look at the benefits of blue hydrogen technology and how that can further enhance the deployment and adoption of carbon capture and storage. To read the full text of the end-of-year package, click HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-urges-president-trump-veto-end-year-omnibus-spending-bill,Congressman Biggs Urges President Trump to Veto the End-of-Year Omnibus Spending Bill,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, Congressman Andy Biggs led a letter to President Donald J. Trump, urging him to veto the end-of-year omnibus spending bill expected to pass through Congress in the coming days. Representatives Chip Roy (TX-21), Jody Hice (GA-10), Ted Budd (NC-13), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Scott Perry (PA-10), Steve King (IA-04), Randy Weber (TX-14), Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04), Ted S. Yoho D.V.M. (FL-03), and Louie Gohmert (TX-01) co-signed the letter. Read the text of the letter below: December 16, 2020 President Donald J. Trump The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President, We write to urge you to veto the end-of-the-year omnibus spending bill. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is yet again giving us a massive take-it-or-leave-it bill, negotiated behind closed doors, that expands government, spends at record levels well above 2011 base cap levels, and funds unnecessary or even harmful federal programs. Most of all, this bill continues to pile massive amounts of debt on top of the more than $27.5 trillion we already owe. It is noteworthy that Speaker Pelosi saw her Democrat majority significantly shrink in the 2020 election. Now she is trying to pass a massive spending bill that fully funds an agenda rejected by the American people, without allowing any debate or amendment whatsoever by the full body of the House of Representatives. The incoming 117th Congress should address the outstanding spending issues for fiscal year 2021 by passing individual appropriations bills through the normal legislative process, giving all members an opportunity to participate in the lawmaking process – and preventing the disenfranchisement of millions of Americans who have no say. In order to allow that process to happen, a short-term continuing resolution may be necessary until the new Congress is sworn is and ready for business. After signing the March 2018 omnibus package, you rightfully said ""I say to Congress: I will never sign another bill like this again. I'm not going to do it again. Nobody read it. It's only hours old. Some people don't even know what is in — $1.3 trillion — it's the second-largest ever."" This bill promises to be even larger, exemplifying everything that is wrong with the swamp politics of Washington, D.C. Particularly at a time when our federal government is spending trillions of dollars on an emergency basis, we should be doing the hard work of finding offsetting savings elsewhere. Instead of making any good faith effort to find savings, this omnibus bill spends every penny of the existing – but elevated multiple times over – budget caps that were enacted before the coronavirus epidemic. Your veto will send a resounding message to both Republicans and Democrats in Congress to negotiate better budgets for the American people. It is also important to note that a vote for this bill – or signing it into law – represents acceptance of long-standing policies that are clearly observable to be harmful to America. Supporting this is a vote to fund an education system that is failing to educate our children while teaching them that America is evil; it is a vote to fund grants to states that run a badly broken election system; it is a vote to fund a healthcare system that empowers insurance companies at the expense of hard-working Americans; it is a vote to underfund border security and empower cartels; it is a vote to continue war without so much as a debate much less a vote on a new AUMF for our men and women in uniform; it is a vote to fund Planned Parenthood; and, among many other things, it is a vote to send money to state and local agencies that are perpetuating the shutdowns that are destroying our way of life. We cannot continue to fund programs that are not serving hardworking Americans. Mr. President, we thank you for continuing to fight for the American people and our constituents. Our country will be better off if you veto this omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2021. We will strongly support your efforts to demand better from the fiscally irresponsible Congressional leadership. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/12/17/schweikert-sinema-lead-arizona-congressional-delegation-ensuring-arizona/,"Schweikert, Sinema Lead Arizona Congressional Delegation Ensuring Arizona Providers Receive Coronavirus Relief",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema partnered in a bicameral, bipartisan effort to ensure Arizona Medicaid providers receive their full share of coronavirus Provider Relief Funds (PRF). “We are concerned the current reconciliation of CARES Act funding requirements will disproportionally affect Arizona hospitals that continue to operate tirelessly to serve their communities through the end of the pandemic and beyond,” wrote the Arizona Delegation. The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) launched “HEALTHII” – a program, approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), that helps close the Medicaid payment-to-cost shortfall for hospitals and increase Medicaid reimbursements to try and address doctor shortages. The delegation’s letter comes after leaders heard directly from Arizona hospitals who were concerned these supplemental payments would cut into future or recent PRF payments, when compared to 2019 revenue. If HEALTHII payments are counted as new revenue—compared to a 2019 baseline when the program did not exist—it could result in lower provider relief assistance. As a result, this cuts the effectiveness of both programs (HEALTHII and Provider Relief Funds), which are intended to target two different issues. Provider Relief Fund payments are intended to address revenue losses from the pandemic, while HEALTHII payments address low Medicaid reimbursements. Read the full letter HERE. ### Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/schweikert-sinema-lead-arizona-congressional-delegation-ensuring-arizona,"Schweikert, Sinema Lead Arizona Congressional Delegation Ensuring Arizona Providers Receive Coronavirus Relief",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema partnered in a bicameral,bipartisan effort to ensure Arizona Medicaid providers receivetheir full share of coronavirus Provider Relief Funds (PRF). We are concerned the current reconciliation of CARES Act funding requirements will disproportionally affect Arizona hospitals that continue to operate tirelessly to serve their communities through the end of the pandemic and beyond, wrote the Arizona Delegation. The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) launched HEALTHII a program, approved by the CentersforMedicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), that helps close the Medicaid payment-to-cost shortfall for hospitals and increase Medicaid reimbursements to try and address doctor shortages. The delegation'sletter comes after leaders heard directly from Arizona hospitals who were concerned these supplemental payments would cut into future or recent PRF payments, when compared to 2019 revenue. If HEALTHII payments are counted as new revenuecompared to a 2019 baseline when the program did not existitcouldresultin lower provider relief assistance. As a result, this cuts the effectiveness of both programs (HEALTHII and Provider Relief Funds), which are intended to target two different issues. Provider Relief Fund payments are intended toaddress revenue losses from the pandemic, while HEALTHII payments address low Medicaid reimbursements. Read the full letterHERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/12/12/congressman-schweikert-releases-statement-applauding-surprise-billing/,Congressman Schweikert Releases Statement Applauding Surprise Billing Agreement,2020-12-12,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) released the following statement applauding key House and Senate Committees recently introduced legislation to protect patients from surprise billing and provide transparency for medical payment disputes. “I am very pleased to see us come together to end surprise billing and provide patients with the transparency they deserve when receiving care. This legislation is far overdue, and will put patients first. Americans can now be taken out of the negotiation process, and start a visit with an understanding of the services they are being provided. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to provide accessible, convenient, and affordable care.” Background: The bipartisan, bicameral agreement protects patients and establishes a fair payment dispute process including: Holds patients harmless from surprise medical bills, including from air ambulance providers, by ensuring they are only responsible for their in-network cost-sharing amounts, including deductibles, in both emergency situations and certain non-emergency situations where patients do not have the ability to choose an in-network provider. Prohibits certain out-of-network providers from balance billing patients unless the provider gives the patient notice of their network status and an estimate of charges 72 hours prior to receiving out-of-network services and the patient provides consent to receive out-of-network care. Creates a framework that takes patients out of the middle, and allows health care providers and insurers to resolve payment disputes without involving the patient. Under the agreement, insurers will make a payment to the provider that is determined either through negotiation between the parties or an independent dispute resolution (IDR) process. There is no minimum payment threshold to enter IDR, and claims may be batched together to ease administrative burdens. If the parties choose to utilize the IDR process, both parties would each submit an offer to the independent arbiter. When choosing between the two offers the arbiter is required to consider the median in-network rate, information related to the training and experience of the provider, the market share of the parties, previous contracting history between the parties, complexity of the services provided, and any other information submitted by the parties. Following an IDR process, the party that initiated the dispute may not take the same party to arbitration for the same item or service for 90-days following a determination by the arbitrator. However, all claims that occur during the 90-day period are eligible for IDR after the 90-days. Provides additional consumer protections when insurance companies change networks, including a transition of care for people with complex care needs and appeal rights for consumers. Empowers consumers by providing a true and honest cost estimate that describes which providers will deliver their treatment, the cost of services, and provider network status. As part of the legislative agreement, the package includes a long-term extension of expiring public health programs, including: Community Health Centers, National Health Service Corps, Teaching Health Centers, and Special Diabetes Programs. Legislative text is available HERE. Section-by-section is available HERE. ### Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/us-senate-passes-congressman-biggs-bill-honor-fallen-chandler-hero,U.S. Senate Passes Congressman Biggs' Bill to Honor Fallen Chandler Hero,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 4983 – To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Gilbert, Arizona, as the ""Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic."" This legislation unanimously passed the U.S. House on September 23. On June, 8, 2018, Staff Sergeant Conrad, of Chandler, died in Somalia from injuries sustained from indirect enemy fire, while assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, in support of Operation Octave Shield. His service includes two tours in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with Valor, and Meritorious Service Medal. This legislation was endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars – Department of Arizona, Vietnam Veterans of America – Arizona State Council, and Concerned Veterans for America – Arizona, Disabled American Veterans – Department of Arizona, Military Officers Association of America – Arizona Council of Chapters, and the American Legion – Department of Arizona, . Congressman Biggs issued the following statement: ""I'm grateful for the unanimous support for passage of this legislation from my colleagues in the House and Senate. Staff Sergeant Conrad was an American hero, who sacrificed his life for the cause of freedom. His life and courage deserve honor and recognition for years on end. I hope that everyone who visits the Southeast Valley Veterans Affairs clinic will take time to reflect on the service of Staff Sergeant Conrad – and the service of all who continue to wear our nation's uniform."" ### Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-schweikert-releases-statement-applauding-surprise-billing,Congressman Schweikert Releases Statement Applauding Surprise Billing Agreement,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) released the following statement applauding key House and Senate Committees recently introduced legislation to protect patients from surprise billing and provide transparency for medical payment disputes. ""I am very pleased to see us come together to end surprise billing and provide patients with the transparency they deserve when receiving care. This legislation is far overdue, and will put patients first. Americans can now be taken out of the negotiation process, and start a visit with an understanding of the services they are being provided. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to provide accessible, convenient, and affordable care."" Background: The bipartisan, bicameral agreement protects patients and establishes a fair payment dispute process including: Holds patients harmless from surprise medical bills, including from air ambulance providers, by ensuring they are only responsible for their in-network cost-sharing amounts, including deductibles, in both emergency situations and certain non-emergency situations where patients do not have the ability to choose an in-network provider. Prohibits certain out-of-network providers from balance billing patients unless the provider gives the patient notice of their network status and an estimate of charges 72 hours prior to receiving out-of-network services and the patient provides consent to receive out-of-network care. Creates a framework that takes patients out of the middle, and allows health care providers and insurers to resolve payment disputes without involving the patient. Under the agreement, insurers will make a payment to the provider that is determined either through negotiation between the parties or an independent dispute resolution (IDR) process. There is no minimum payment threshold to enter IDR, and claims may be batched together to ease administrative burdens. If the parties choose to utilize the IDR process, both parties would each submit an offer to the independent arbiter. When choosing between the two offers the arbiter is required to consider the median in-network rate, information related to the training and experience of the provider, the market share of the parties, previous contracting history between the parties, complexity of the services provided, and any other information submitted by the parties. Following an IDR process, the party that initiated the dispute may not take the same party to arbitration for the same item or service for 90-days following a determination by the arbitrator. However, all claims that occur during the 90-day period are eligible for IDR after the 90-days. Provides additional consumer protections when insurance companies change networks, including a transition of care for people with complex care needs and appeal rights for consumers. Empowers consumers by providing a true and honest cost estimate that describes which providers will deliver their treatment, the cost of services, and provider network status. As part of the legislative agreement, the package includes a long-term extension of expiring public health programs, including: Community Health Centers, National Health Service Corps, Teaching Health Centers, and Special Diabetes Programs. Legislative text is available HERE. Section-by-section is available HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/gop-rep-corrects-democratic-myths-about-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act,GOP Rep Corrects Democratic Myths About the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"14500 N. Northsight Blvd. Ste. 221 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Phone: (480) 946-2411 Fax: (480) 946-2446 For security and to ensure that your needs are met, visitors to the District Office should call, 480-946-2411 to speak with a staff member about establishing an appointment within normal operating hours.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-introduces-prescription-freedom-act,Congressman Biggs Introduces the Prescription Freedom Act,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Biggs introduced the Prescription Freedom Act, which would eliminate federal prescribing requirements within six months of enactment, while maintaining important pro-life protections. Congressman Biggs offered the following statement: ""When it comes to healthcare reforms, I have long been a champion of freedom. In 2018, I was honored to watch President Trump sign my Right to Try Act into law, which granted critically ill patients access to potentially life-saving medications that are safe but have not gone through the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) entire multi-year review process. More recently, I introduced legislation to eliminate burdensome FDA oversight of emerging medical technologies. ""Now I want to eliminate federal control over prescribing. For over eighty years, we have been operating under the nanny-state mentality that Washington bureaucrats know what drug choices are best for patients. But as the coronavirus pandemic has shown, that clearly isn't the case. ""Even if we think beyond the coronavirus, there is no reason to believe that federal prescribing requirements are inherently beneficial to patients. If federal prescribing requirements are eliminated, patients will almost certainly continue to consult with doctors before taking any potentially risky medications; for their part, the pharmaceutical companies will continue to be incentivized to produce the best-possible and most transparent warning labels to protect their reputations and limit any potential liability. The difference will be that there will be fewer lawyers, lobbyists, and bureaucrats delaying access, driving up costs, and limiting choice. ""Instead, I want patients and consumers to benefit as much as possible from an open marketplace. And if any challenges remain, my bill will not preclude states from legislating to meet local needs."" ### Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4141,Representative Paul Gosar Introduces H.R. 8897 FIREBREAK Act,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AZ,Paul A. Gosar,G000565,gosar.house.gov,gosar,https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after introducing The Future Innovations Regarding Essential Biodefense Responses Equipment and Knowledge (FIREBREAK) Act: “The men and women of our Armed Forces have been at the forefront of this pandemic. The FIREBREAK Act will give our military the tools that they need to stay safe during a future pandemic and will also provide a rapidly developed response needed to prevent economic shutdown and save human lives. As Westerners, we know the crucial role that firebreaks play in containing wildfires. Containing the spread of pandemics should be no different,” said Congressman Paul Gosar. Background: The FIREBREAK Act would direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a program for the development of rapid and cost-effective countermeasures to pandemics. This legislation would continue the work of DARPA’s Pandemic Prevention Platform (P3). DARPA’s P3 program supports military readiness and stability through the pursuit of novel methods to dramatically accelerate discovery, integration, pre-clinical testing, and manufacturing of countermeasures against infectious diseases. This program confronts the reality that Department of Defense personnel are often among the first exposed to outbreaks of diseases with pandemic potential around the world, such as our troops stationed in the Pacific when the current pandemic emerged. Making the P3 program permanent will ensure that we are prepared to defend our troops against any disease.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-votes-against-ndaa,Congressman Biggs Votes Against the NDAA Conference Report,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Tonight, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 6395 Mac Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act. Congressman Biggs voted against this conference report and issued the following statement: I support our military and have voted in support of the National Defense Authorization Act in previous years. However, this year's version of the NDAA was chalked full of special and anti-American interests that I could not, in good conscience, vote to support. Both the policies and the process are broken for this NDAA, and the House must begin to consider this bill under an open rule process. The considerations under the NDAA are too important for them not to warrant honest and open debate. The NDAA fails to prioritize strong border security operations along the southern border. It allows our endless wars to continue into perpetuity. It did not include my amendment that would have required the Department of Defense to report to Congress on defense spending by allied countries. And it authorizes the repeal of the Chief Management Officer position one of the only offices at DOD that saves us money. Due to these reasons, and others, I was forced to oppose this conference report. I support President Trump's promise to veto this legislation once it reaches his desk, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that Congress will not be able to override his veto. We can and must do much better for our troops. I hope my Democrat colleagues will come back to the table and work with us to give our troops the very best from the United States Congress. ### Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-votes-against-ndaa-conference-report,Congressman Biggs Votes Against the NDAA Conference Report,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 6395 – Mac Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act. Congressman Biggs voted against this conference report and issued the following statement: ""I support our military and have voted in support of the National Defense Authorization Act in previous years. However, this year's version of the NDAA was chalked full of special and anti-American interests that I could not, in good conscience, vote to support. Both the policies and the process are broken for this NDAA, and the House must begin to consider this bill under an open rule process. The considerations under the NDAA are too important for them not to warrant honest and open debate. ""The NDAA fails to prioritize strong border security operations along the southern border. It allows our endless wars to continue into perpetuity. It did not include my amendment that would have required the Department of Defense to report to Congress on defense spending by allied countries. And it authorizes the repeal of the Chief Management Officer position – one of the only offices at DOD that saves us money. ""Due to these reasons, and others, I was forced to oppose this conference report. I support President Trump's promise to veto this legislation once it reaches his desk, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that Congress will not be able to override his veto. We can and must do much better for our troops. I hope my Democrat colleagues will come back to the table and work with us to give our troops the very best from the United States Congress."" ### Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/12/08/congressman-schweikerts-legislation-included-national-defense/,Congressman Schweikert’s Legislation Included in National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman David Schweikert announced the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act conference report includes his legislation, H.R. 7139, the Ensuring American Leadership over International Standards Act, as well as three amendments he introduced to promote innovation and military readiness. The Ensuring American Leadership over International Standards Act, would require the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to commission a study on China’s influence in setting global standards for emerging technologies. “I am pleased to see each of these pieces of legislation included in the final text of the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). These sections will promote innovation and national security while ensuring the United States will remain a leader on the global stage.” Background: The Ensuring American Leadership over International Standards Act, which was introduced by Rep. Schweikert and Rep. Ami Bera, was also included on the House GOP’s China Task Force Report list of recommendations for Congress to consider. This bill also has a recently introduced Senate companion bill, S. 4901, led by Sens. Cortez-Masto and Portman. Additional amendments included: Study and report on increasing telehealth services across Armed Force; Fully funds the Navy’s Direct Air Capture and Blue Carbon Removal Technology Program; and Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress regarding recommendations on cyber hygiene practices for the DOD. ### Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-schweikerts-legislation-included-national-defense,Congressman Schweikert's Legislation Included in National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman David Schweikert announced the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act conference report includes his legislation, H.R. 7139, the Ensuring American Leadership over International Standards Act, as well as three amendments he introduced to promote innovation and military readiness. The Ensuring American Leadership over International Standards Act, wouldrequire the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to commission a study on China's influence in setting global standards for emerging technologies. ""I am pleased to see each of these pieces of legislation included in the final text of the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). These sections will promote innovation and national security while ensuring the United States will remain a leader on the global stage."" Background: The Ensuring American Leadership over International Standards Act, which was introduced by Rep. Schweikert and Rep. Ami Bera, was also included on the House GOP's China Task Force Report list of recommendations for Congress to consider. This bill also has a recently introduced Senate companion bill, S. 4901, led by Sens. Cortez-Masto and Portman. Additional amendments included: Study and report on increasing telehealth services across Armed Force; Fully funds the Navy's Direct Air Capture and Blue Carbon Removal Technology Program; and Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress regarding recommendations on cyber hygiene practices for the DOD. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-introduces-legislation-repeal-outdated-national-voter,"Congressman Biggs Introduces Legislation to Repeal the Outdated National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (""Motor Voter"")",2020-12-05,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Biggs introduced legislation to repeal the outdated National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (""Motor Voter""). This bill would restore states' rights to conduct elections and allow them to enforce state laws that eliminate voter fraud opportunities. In 2004, Arizona passed Proposition 200 to require proof of citizenship before voting. However, under a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court interpretation of Motor Voter, the state is required to allow individuals who can't prove their citizenship, though claim to be citizens, to obtain a ballot to vote in federal elections. Repealing Motor Voter would allow states to take the lead in closing this gap in the law. U.S. Representatives Scott Perry (PA-10), Tom McClintock (CA-04), Randy Weber (TX-14), Mo Brooks (AL-05), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Steve King (IA-04), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Greg Steube (FL-17), and Morgan Griffith (VA-09) co-sponsored this legislation. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement: ""Election integrity is central to the bedrock of our constitutional republic. Currently, though federal law requires an individual to be a U.S. citizen to vote in federal elections, it requires states to accept merely a signed attestation from an individual that he or she is a U.S. citizen – without any further proof of citizenship. This lax procedure, to register individuals to vote in states that have strict citizenship requirements for voter registration, is a threat to the integrity of our elections. ""Americans of all political leanings deserve to know that our elections were carried out with the utmost integrity. That's why I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this legislation to ensure that states, and not the D.C. swamp, uphold election integrity and restore trust at the ballot box for each of its residents."" ### Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/12/04/schweikert-joins-bipartisan-bicameral-group-48-lawmakers-calling/,"Schweikert Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Group of 48 Lawmakers in Calling for Permanent Expansion of Telehealth Coverage in End of Year Legislation",2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman David Schweikert joined 48 lawmakers in calling for the expansion of access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic to be made permanent. Provisions from the CONNECT for Health Act have allowed Medicare beneficiaries in all areas of the country, and in their homes, to utilize telehealth services. This provision was included in previous COVID-19 legislation but will expire following the pandemic unless congressional leaders act now to make those measures permanent. “It has been incredible to see the expansion and appreciation for telehealth services being utilized since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Schweikert. “This technology has the ability to provide a comfortable, and accessible tool for patients to connect with their doctors, and must be further expanded beyond this crisis. I am pleased to see this healthcare technology widely supported amongst my colleagues, and look forward to continuing our work on the Telehealth Caucus to ensure every American has access to their healthcare.” In their letter, the lawmakers highlight the growing use and benefits of telehealth during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as patients seek to avoid traveling to hospitals and other providers and instead receive care at home. New data shows that the number of Medicare beneficiaries using telehealth services increased by nearly 13,000 percent in just a month and a half during the pandemic.. Schweikert was joined by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Angus King (I-Maine), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), David McKinley (R-W.Va.), Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), David N. Cicilline (D-R.I.), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), Brendan F. Boyle (D-Pa.), Tom O’Halleran (D-Ariz.), Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Elise M. Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), and Ron Kind (D-Wis.). To read the full text of the letter, click here. ### Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/schweikert-joins-bipartisan-bicameral-group-48-lawmakers-calling,"Schweikert Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Group of 48 Lawmakers in Calling for Permanent Expansion of Telehealth Coverage in End of Year Legislation",2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC -Today, Congressman David Schweikert joined 48 lawmakers incalling for the expansion of access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic to be made permanent. Provisions from theCONNECT for Health Acthave allowed Medicare beneficiaries in all areas of the country, and in their homes, to utilize telehealth services. This provision was included in previous COVID-19 legislation but will expire following the pandemic unless congressional leaders act now to make those measures permanent. ""It has been incredible to see the expansion and appreciation for telehealth services being utilized since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,""said Schweikert. ""This technology has the ability to provide a comfortable, and accessible tool for patients to connect with their doctors, and must be further expanded beyond this crisis. I am pleased to see this healthcare technology widely supported amongst my colleagues, and look forward to continuing our work on the Telehealth Caucus to ensure every American has access to their healthcare."" In their letter, the lawmakers highlight the growing use and benefits of telehealth during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as patients seek to avoid traveling to hospitals and other providers and instead receive care at home. New data shows that the number of Medicare beneficiaries using telehealth services increased by nearly 13,000 percent in just a month and a half during the pandemic.. Schweikert was joined by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Angus King (I-Maine), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), David McKinley (R-W.Va.), Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), David N. Cicilline (D-R.I.), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), Brendan F. Boyle (D-Pa.), Tom O'Halleran (D-Ariz.), Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Elise M. Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), and Ron Kind (D-Wis.). To read the full text of the letter, clickhere. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/12/02/congressman-david-schweikert-announces-chief-staff-departure/,Congressman David Schweikert Announces Chief of Staff Departure,2020-12-02,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) announced the departure of his Chief of Staff Katherina Dimenstein, who has served as Schweikert’s longtime senior aide, at the end of this week. Dimenstein departs the office after having served as Chief of Staff since July of 2018, previously serving as Legislative Director during the 115th Congress. As Chief of Staff, Dimenstein managed all Washington, D.C. office operations and Schweikert’s legislative priorities on the Ways and Means Committee. “I want to thank Katherina for her dedication and service to Arizona’s 6th District over the last eight years. She did an outstanding job for our office, especially her excellent work on promoting strong trade relationships for Arizona and helping modernize our tax code through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. She’s an incredibly valued member of our team, and we will miss her.” said Congressman David Schweikert “I am incredibly thankful for Congressman Schweikert’s support as I move on to this next step in my career. It has been an honor to work for David, and alongside the best team on Capitol Hill. David provided me the incredible opportunity to serve the people of Arizona, and I am forever grateful for his trust and support. I look forward to continuing to follow David’s work to provide opportunity and success for all Arizonans.” said Katherina Dimenstein The Congressman’s long time District Director and Deputy Chief of Staff Kevin Knight will take over as Acting Chief of Staff. ### Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-david-schweikert-announces-chief-staff-departure,Congressman David Schweikert Announces Chief of Staff Departure,2020-12-02,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) announced the departure of his Chief of Staff Katherina Dimenstein, who has served as Schweikert's longtime senior aide, at the end of this week. Dimenstein departs the office after having served as Chief of Staff since July of 2018, previously serving as Legislative Director during the 115th Congress. As Chief of Staff, Dimenstein managed all Washington, D.C. office operations and Schweikert's legislative priorities on the Ways and Means Committee. ""I want to thank Katherina for her dedication and service to Arizona's 6th District over the last eight years. She did an outstanding job for our office, especially her excellent work on promoting strong trade relationships for Arizona and helping modernize our tax code through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. She's an incredibly valued member of our team, and we will miss her. said Congressman David Schweikert I am incredibly thankful for Congressman Schweikert's support as I move on to this next step in my career. It has been an honor to work for David, and alongside the best team on Capitol Hill. David provided me the incredible opportunity to serve the people of Arizona, and I am forever grateful for his trust and support. I look forward to continuing to follow David's work to provide opportunity and success for all Arizonans. said Katherina Dimenstein The Congressman's long time District Director and Deputy Chief of Staff Kevin Knight will take over as Acting Chief of Staff. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-requests-doj-investigate-us-representative-bill-pascrell,Congressman Biggs Requests DOJ Investigation of U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell for Possible Civil Rights Violations,2020-12-01,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Andy Biggs sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, urging him to investigate U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell for possible civil rights violations in his efforts to obtain the disbarment of certain members of President Trump's legal counsel in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania, solely because those attorneys attempted to represent President Trump in his efforts to secure the integrity of the 2020 Presidential Election. Representatives Warren Davidson (OH-08), Andy Harris (MD-01), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), and Randy Weber (TX-14) co-signed the letter. Read the text of the letter below: November 27, 2020 The Honorable William Barr Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20530 Dear Attorney General Barr, We urge you to investigate Representative Bill Pascrell for possible civil rights violations in his efforts to obtain the disbarment of certain members of President Trump's legal counsel in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania, solely because those attorneys attempted to represent President Trump in his efforts to secure the integrity of the 2020 Presidential Election. On November 20, Representative Pascrell sent a letter to the State Bar of Arizona, the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, the Office of the Bar Counsel of Nevada, the State of New York Grievance Committee, and the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, accusing the attorneys of filing frivolous lawsuits and requesting that each agency commence an immediate investigation of their actions and consider sanctions for their conduct up to and including revocation of their licenses to practice law in your jurisdiction. The President has every right to petition the courts to ensure that every legal ballot is counted and to challenge any illegal votes. And, he has the right to retain counsel to represent him. In turn his attorneys must be free to zealously advocate for the protection of the President's rights. He is attempting to bar the President from legal counsel and take away the livelihood of attorneys who have represented the President. The efforts to disbar the President's lawyers simply for representing the President is designed to impede the rights of the President and his counsel. It appears to violate the civil rights of the President and his attorneys. Accordingly, we urge you to investigate whether Representative Pascrell's injudicious and seemingly malevolent actions have violated the civil rights of the President and his counsel. Sincerely, Andy Biggs Member of Congress Warren Davidson Member of Congress Andy Harris Member of Congress Debbie Lesko Member of Congress Randy Weber Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-requests-doj-investigation-us-representative-bill-pascrell,Congressman Biggs Requests DOJ Investigation of U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell for Possible Civil Rights Violations,2020-12-01,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Andy Biggs sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, urging him to investigate U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell for possible civil rights violations in his efforts to obtain the disbarment of certain members of President Trump's legal counsel in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania, solely because those attorneys attempted to represent President Trump in his efforts to secure the integrity of the 2020 Presidential Election. Representatives Warren Davidson (OH-08), Andy Harris (MD-01), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), and Randy Weber (TX-14) co-signed the letter. Read the text of the letter below: November 27, 2020 The Honorable William Barr Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20530 Dear Attorney General Barr, We urge you to investigate Representative Bill Pascrell for possible civil rights violations in his efforts to obtain the disbarment of certain members of President Trump's legal counsel in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania, solely because those attorneys attempted to represent President Trump in his efforts to secure the integrity of the 2020 Presidential Election. On November 20, Representative Pascrell sent a letter to the State Bar of Arizona, the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, the Office of the Bar Counsel of Nevada, the State of New York Grievance Committee, and the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, accusing the attorneys of filing ""frivolous lawsuits"" and requesting that each agency ""commence an immediate investigation of their actions and consider sanctions for their conduct up to and including revocation of their licenses to practice law in your jurisdiction."" The President has every right to petition the courts to ensure that every legal ballot is counted and to challenge any illegal votes. And, he has the right to retain counsel to represent him. In turn his attorneys must be free to zealously advocate for the protection of the President's rights. He is attempting to bar the President from legal counsel and take away the livelihood of attorneys who have represented the President. The efforts to disbar the President's lawyers simply for representing the President is designed to impede the rights of the President and his counsel. It appears to violate the civil rights of the President and his attorneys. Accordingly, we urge you to investigate whether Representative Pascrell's injudicious and seemingly malevolent actions have violated the civil rights of the President and his counsel. Sincerely, Andy Biggs Member of Congress Warren Davidson Member of Congress Andy Harris Member of Congress Debbie Lesko Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-andy-biggs-introduces-resolution-censure-us-representative-bill,Congressman Andy Biggs Introduces Resolution to Censure U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell,2020-11-30,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"GILBERT, ARIZONA – Congressman Andy Biggs introduced a resolution to censure U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell for conduct that threatens the livelihoods of American citizens in a way that is not befitting an elected Member of the House of Representatives. Representatives Warren Davidson (OH-08), Andy Harris (MD-01), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), and Randy Weber (TX-14) co-sponsored the resolution. Read the text of the resolution below: Resolution Censuring Representative Bill Pascrell Whereas on November 20, 2020, Representative Bill Pascrell sent a letter to the State Bar of Arizona, the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, the Office of the Bar Counsel of Nevada, the State of New York Grievance Committee, and the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, to file a complaint against attorneys in each jurisdiction representing the campaign of President Donald J. Trump. Whereas Representative Bill Pascrell's letters accuse the attorneys of filing ""frivolous lawsuits"" and requests each state agency ""to commence an immediate investigation of their actions and consider sanctions for their conduct up to and including revocation of their licenses to practice law in your jurisdiction."" Whereas President Donald J. Trump's campaign has a legal right to sue to ensure that each legal vote is counted and to challenge any illegal votes. Whereas each candidate running for public office in each state has the right to pursue every legal option to ensure ballot integrity and fair elections. Resolved, That –",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:39:51Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/house-republicans-introduce-resolution-censure-democrat-lawmaker-bullying-trump,House Republicans introduce resolution to censure Democrat lawmaker for bullying Trump legal team,2020-11-29,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a resolution to censure (i.e., formally reprimand) a Democrat official in the chamber who is trying to get Rudy Giuliani's law license cancelled because of the ex-NYC mayor's efforts in contesting the 2020 election results. Far-left Democrat Bill Pascrell prompted the GOP censure motion after he filed complaints against Giuliani and 22 other Trump campaign attorneys with the bar associations (sometimes known as grievance committees or by other names), the regulatory organizations that supervise lawyers, in New York Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, and Nevada. Theoretically, these complaints could lead to disbarment, which means the revocation or suspension of the state licenses necessary to practice law. According to U.S. Rep Pascrell, in what sounds like a classic case of projection, the Trump lawyers are supposedly guilty of filing frivolous lawsuits and trying to help Trump steal the election and dismantle democracy. House Resolution 1241, introduced by GOP Reps. Andy Biggs, the chair of the Freedom Caucus, along with colleagues Warren Davidson, Andy Harris, Debbie Lesko, and Randy Weber, points out that President Donald J. Trump's campaign has a legal right to sue to ensure that each legal vote is counted and to challenge any illegal votes; andeach candidate running for public office in each State has the right to pursue every legal option to ensure ballot integrity and fair elections. Pascrell, a longtime politician who represents a blue district in north Jersey, should be censured for conduct that threatens the livelihoods of American citizens in a way that is not befitting an elected Member of the House of Representatives, the resolution concludes. If the resolution gains approval, the House Speaker would be required to formally rebuke Pascrell during a legislative session. With the Democrats holding on to a narrow majority in the House after GOP gains, the chances of this occurring are slim to none, assuming the resolution even ever emerges from the ethics committee. Pascrell, whose relentlessly anti-Trump Twitter feed almost sounds like a parody account, earlier this month called for the criminal prosecution of the POTUS and members of his administration for innumerable crimes against the U.S. In another example of apparent projection, Pascrell, 83,doubled-downon calling for the Trump lawyers to lose their ability to continue in their profession, and by extension, deny the president his day in court. In response to the resolution, Pascrell insisted that Donald Trump and his minions are trying to steal the election after getting blown out by President-elect Joe Biden. His lawyers filing frivolous lawsuits in taxpayer-funded courts are accomplices to Trump's assault on American democracy and they must be held accountable.I have proudly called for them to lose their law licenses.Fascist wannabes won't muzzle my free speech or stop me trying to defend our republic. Those supporting this pathetic resolution are complicit in Trump's attempt to become a dictator. Jonathan Turley, the prominent George Washington Univ. law professor and a self-described liberal, is taking a dim view of Pascrell's attempt to put the barristers out of business. What Pascrell is doing is undermining our legal system by using his office to advance a campaign targeting lawyers and legislators who raise objections to his party prevailing in the presidential electionthis is raw retaliation and intimidation to deter the use of our legal process. When such actions were taken against lawyers representing civil rights groups and others in the 1960s, it was correctly denounced as an outrageous abuse of our legal system. Now that Republican lawyers are being targeted, it has become a campaign supported by members of Congress, thousands of lawyers, and the media. What Pascrell is doing is a dangerous form of demagoguery that should be denounced by people of good-faith regardless of their political affiliations.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/gop-congressman-wants-house-censure-pascrell-trying-get-giuliani-disbarred,GOP congressman wants House to censure Pascrell for trying to get Giuliani disbarred,2020-11-28,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson) today lashed out at a Republican congressman from Arizona who wants the House to censure him for seeking to disbar former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and 22 other attorneys who have filed lawsuits seeking to change the results of the election, which Joe Biden won, in favor of President Donald Trump. Fascist wannabes won't muzzle my free speech or stop me from defending our republic, Pascrell said. Those supporting this pathetic resolution are complicit in Trump's attempt to become a dictator. The resolution, introduced on Friday by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Arizona), alleges that Trump's campaign has a legal right to sue to ensure that each legal vote is counted and to challenge any illegal votes. Biggs and four other GOP House members, want to censure Pascrell for conduct that threatens the livelihoods of American citizens in a way that is not befitting an elected Member of the House of Representatives. Each candidate running for public office in each state has the right to pursue every legal option to ensure ballot integrity and fair elections, Biggs' resolution reads. Pascrell dismissed the actions by the Republicans. Donald Trump and his minions are trying to steal the election after getting blown out by President-elect Joe Biden, the 12-term congressman said. His lawyers filing frivolous lawsuits in taxpayer-funded courts are accomplices to Trump's assault on American democracy and they must be held accountable. I have proudly called for them to lose their law licenses. The bid by Biggs is unlikely to prevail in a Democratic-controlled Congress, and would be an uphill battle anyway. Just seven congressmen have been censured in the last 100 years, all for ethics issues. The first censure in Conrgess came in 1832 when Rep. William Stanberry, a New Jersey native who grew up in Essex County, was disciplined for insulting the Speaker of the House. A congressman from Ohio at the time, Stanberry got in hot water for saying that Speaker Andrew Stevenson his attention was too frequently turned from the chair you occupy toward the White House. His censure was for the use of unparliamentary language. That wasn't Stanberry's only problem during his six years in Congress. He also scuffled with the legendary Sam Houston, then a former House member from Tennessee who would later serve as governor of Texas and president of the Republic of Texas. Stanberry accused Houston of defrauding Native Americans. Houston called him a rascal and hit him with his cane. Stanberry pulled out his gun, but it misfired. Stanberry lost his bid for re-election that year. Co-sponsoring the resolution to censure Pascrell: Reps. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio); Andy Harris (R-Maryland); Debbie Lesko (R-Arizona); and Randy Weber (R-Texas).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/gop-rep-says-americans-choose-freedom-after-more-2-million-fly-over-weekend,GOP Rep. Says 'Americans Choose Freedom' after More than 2 Million Fly over Weekend,2020-11-23,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"ARepublican congressman said Americans had chosen freedom after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) revealed that more than two million travelers had passed through their checkpoints over the weekend leading up to the Thanksgiving holidays. Reacting to the figures posted on social media, Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona simply tweeted: ""Americans choose freedom."" He backed the decision of millions of flyers after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned against Thanksgiving travel last Thursday. TSA data from Saturday and Sunday shows that more than two million passengers were screened over the weekenda notable increase on the two-day totals stretching back to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. When the totals for Friday are included, the TSA figures show that more than three million passengers were screened between Friday and Sunday. Roughly twice as many passengers traveled over the same days last year. The CDC said last week that the ""safest way"" for Americans to celebrate the Thanksgiving holidays was to remain in their households to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as cases spike across the country. ""Travel may increase your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19,"" the CDC's Thanksgiving guidelines read. ""Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others this year."" The guidelines later advise travelers to always wear a mask on public transport, adhere to the usual social distancing rules and to get a flu shot before they return home for Thanksgiving celebrations. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director, told Americans to use ""common sense"" when deciding whether or not to embark on trips over the holidays, and repeated CDC advise to wear a face mask in public spaces. ""Even if it's a very small group, to the extent possible, keep the mask on,"" Fauci told CBS. ""Nothing is going to be perfect in this. Obviously, it's kind of difficult to be eating and drinking at a dinner with a mask on."" The leading infectious disease expert added that the risk of infection would be lower if people planning to gather quarantined and got tested for COVID-19 before grouping together. However, he did note that it was not ""risk-free"" as there would still be a window for infection to take place. At the time of writing, the U.S. has recorded more than 12.2 million COVID-19 infections since the outbreak of the disease earlier this year. More than a quarter of a million have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. so far, but the vast majority of those infected have recovered.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/opening-117th-congress-will-be-different-due-pandemic,Opening of 117th Congress will be different due to pandemic,2020-11-23,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"More complicated is planning for the swearing in of members. Members in Washington can be sworn in groups, Hoyer said. But the tricky part is figuring out how to accommodate those who are unable to travel for health reasons. The issue was raised before, and the parliamentarian ruled you had to be there. He ruled essentially you couldn't be sworn through television, Hoyer said. So I don't know exactly how we're going to do it for people who are unable to come. While that hasn't been resolved, Hoyer said he personally doesn't see why swearing in couldn't be conducted virtually if we can vote virtually and make big decisions virtually. Under the Constitution, opening day of each Congress is supposed to be Jan. 3. In 2021 that falls on a Sunday, so leaders are likely to move the date to Jan. 4 or Jan. 5, which requires both chambers passing a resolution agreeing to the date change. We've changed it before, Hoyer said. I've been here, as you know, 40 years. I can't remember ever being sworn in over a weekend. In addition to the speaker's election and swearing in of members, the House also typically passes its rules package on the opening day of each new Congress. In 2019 the package was split into multiple votes and passed over two days. Rules ChairmanJim McGovern, D-Mass., on Friday told CQ Roll Call he's hoping to have a package to present to the Democratic Caucus in a couple of weeks. We've opened it up and asked people for their advice and their guidance, he said. And everybody has an idea. Some of them are good ideas, some of them are OK ideas, some of them are really bad ideas, but we're vetting them all. So, it's just taking us a little while. Because the 117th Congress follows a presidential election, the House and Senate by law are supposed to hold a joint session to count the Electoral College votes on Jan. 6. Hoyer said he'd like to prevent all members from being on the floor for that, but social distancing could prove complicated if any members want to raise objections. Usually, as I recall, everybody is not in the chamber for the counting, he said. But usually there's never any controversy. President Donald Trump is contesting the election results in the courts and on Twitter, but so far he's produced no evidence of widespread fraud. And on Friday he brought Republican state lawmakers from Michigan to the White House in an apparent effort to lobby them to overturn the state's results. If all those efforts fail as expected, Trump could lean on his allies in Congress to object to the counting of Electoral College votes in a last-ditch effort to protest the results. I don't know what I'm going to do. That's down the road still, House Freedom Caucus ChairmanAndy Biggs, R-Ariz., told CQ Roll Call on Friday. I haven't really thought about that other than I know that in 2000 they objected repeatedly on Bush, he said, referring to House members who objected to counting votes for George W. Bush but were not able to get a senator to join them. One senator and one House member can join together to submit in writing an objection to the counting of any electoral votes. If an objection is raised, the joint session recesses and each chamber meets separately to deliberate and vote. Both chambers must agree to the objection or it fails and the counting resumes. The Democrat-led House is unlikely to agree to any objections, but the process of having to consider objections and abide by social distancing would be cumbersome. I hope that by the time we get to the counting that we will have resolved the controversies, the courts will have thrown all this junk out and somehow cooler minds will prevail, Hoyer said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/republicans-accuse-democrats-hypocrisy-thanksgiving-restrictions,Republicans Accuse Democrats of Hypocrisy With Thanksgiving Restrictions,2020-11-23,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"Several top Republican politicians have hit out at Democrats for imposing restrictions on travel and gatherings ahead of Thanksgiving, accusing them of hypocrisy and violating the Constitution. Nevada on Sunday limited private gatherings with more than 10 people following similar restrictions in Minnesota, Oregon, Michigan, and Kentucky. Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, warned that the state's case rate growth is at wildfire levels even outpacing neighboring states, such as Arizona. All available models indicate that Nevada is in a red zone'and our health experts anticipate continued case growth based on current trends. Democrats attend birthday parties indoors, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said on Fox News on Sunday, in an apparent reference to California Gov. Gavin Newsom. But expect you to celebrate Thanksgiving alone outside. Americans are tired of the hypocrisy. This has gotten so ridiculous and we forget this is America, he continued. When the first lockdown happened, the attorney general of the United States sent out a memo to all U.S. attorneys near the end of the memo he had a great line. He said, The Constitution is not suspended during a crisis.' And amen to that. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., added: Many in mainstream media, bureaucrats, & radical leftists cannot stand that Americans are making their own, free decisions by traveling for Thanksgiving. Expect a historic War on Christmas in return. Opponents of freedom will be thirsty for revenge on freedom-loving Americans.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-applauds-continued-withdrawal-american-troops-middle-east,Congressman Biggs Applauds Continued Withdrawal of American Troops from Middle East,2020-11-17,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Department of Defense Acting Secretary Christopher Miller announced that the Trump administration would continue to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan and Iraq. According to the acting secretary, there would be 2,500 troops left in both Afghanistan and Iraq by January 15, 2021. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement: ""Today is a great day for our nation and for the men and women who serve in our military. For almost two decades, American troops have occupied Afghanistan and Iraq – at great cost to our nation both in lives and in dollars. Our men and women in uniform deserve to fight constitutionally sanctioned wars where American interests are on the line. American servicemembers have fought valiantly in the Middle East, but the current stage of these conflicts can no longer justify the tremendous sacrifices made by our troops stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq. ""Since taking office, President Trump has kept his promises to withdraw our troops from the Middle East and to stop America's involvement in endless wars. President Trump understands that our troops should only be used to defend American interests where there is an immediate or ongoing threat to our citizens or allies. And President Trump knows that our propensity for endless wars has bankrupted our grandchildren's financial futures. I am grateful for the president's courage and commitment to his promises, and I look forward to the return of our troops."" Last week, Congressman Biggs sent a letter to President Trump, asking him to continue to strategically draw down our nation's military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq. ### Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:39:51Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/andy-biggs-and-co-want-full-audit-maricopa-countys-vote-ok-me-conditions,Andy Biggs and co. want a full audit of Maricopa County's vote? OK by me (with conditions),2020-11-16,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"The Great Arizona Sharpie Conspiracy ran dry. Cries of bias, green button errors and glitches in the tabulation equipment have gone nowhere. We are now up to Lawsuit No. 3 in the Republican Party's effort to overturn Arizona's vote for Joe Biden, this one objecting to Maricopa County's hand audit of a sampling of the vote by voting center rather than by precinct. But even if Republicans win the lawsuit, it won't satisfy them. So now comes Plan D. Or is it E? Republican Reps. Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar and David Schweikert are nowcalling for a full hand auditof Maricopa County's election results. Americans and Arizonans must have full confidence in our election processes and systems in order to maintain the bedrock of our constitutional republic, Biggs said, in a statement on Monday. Although Arizona conducts elections with far more transparency and accountability than other states, there have been some issues raised about the integrity of some of our election systems within the state. The only real issue being this: Trump didn't win. The last lawsuit involved 191 votes So now they're asking for a hand check of every one of the more than two million votes cast in Maricopa County. Hundreds of voters in Maricopa County have signed affidavits alleging their ballots cast in the November 3 election may have been discounted, they wrote, in a letter on Friday to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. Every voter has the right to know that his or her ballot was accurately tabulated. That's apparently a reference to last week's green button lawsuit alleging that voters were not given a chance to fill out new ballots when tabulation machines flagged their ballots for errors. The state Republican Party set up a website to find voters who claimed to be victims of green button mischief. The Trump campaign and the GOP, in thatlawsuit, claimed the president lost potentially thousands of votes when poll workers prompted voters to press the green button and submit their flagged ballots, invalidating their vote in whichever race the error was made. Only it wasn't potentially thousands of votes that Trump lost. It was 191 votes votes that presumably would have been split between the two candidates and the lawsuit fizzled within days of being filed. A hand audit was a 100% match Now we are, according to the congressmen, back up to hundreds of voters who say their ballot may have been discounted. So theywant a hand count of every ballot in the county. All two-plus million of them. There is nothing in state law that requires it. There is no evidence of fraud or error that warrants it. In fact, the hand audit of roughly 8,000 early and polling place votes the one mandated by state law and witnessed by representatives of both parties turned up a 100% match with the results tabulated by Dominion Voting Systems equipment. That's because the problem wasn't with the machinery. It was with the candidate. Trump just flat out lost Arizona and his most ardent supporters cannot accept that. A manual audit of ballot images will provide full transparency of Maricopa County's election results, the congressmen wrote. This will ameliorate concerns voters have expressed, will tamp down rumors, and will assuage the concerns of non-Arizonans calling our election results into question. A full count won't change the outcome I can't imagine that the Board of Supervisors will go along with the request, given the fact that no problems were found during the sample audit. And given the fact that even if every one of those ""hundreds of voters"" who claim their ballots ""may have been discounted"" are right in their suspicions, Trump still lost the county by 45,109 votes. And I really can't see the supervisors going along with it given the fact that the GOP-dominated board actually handled oversight of Election Day voting this year rather than have Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, do it. Still, I know that Biggs is correct. Many Arizona votershave indeedlost faith in our elections process,thanks to the non-stop conspiracy theories that have been thrown out over the last two weeks by Trump and Republican party leaders. Do it, but only if we have these 4 things So, in the interest of restoring faith in our democratic process, thesupervisors should go along with the request of Biggs et al, to do a hand audit of every vote. I would, however, require four things from the congressmen: 1.Provide actual evidence that fraud and/or widespread errors exist. Tweets don't count. 2.Pay up front the millions of dollars it will cost to conduct this hand audit, which, by the way, must be completed by Nov. 23. 3.Agree to accept the results of whatever portion of the vote can be audited by Nov. 23. This shouldn't be an attempt to delay the inevitable but to restore the faith in our elections system. 4. And finally, offer a guarantee that when the audit is done and Biden is once again declared the winner, the Paul Gosars and the Kelli Wards of the world will cease with the crybaby conspiracy theories, accept the will of the people and move on. Your candidate lost. It happens.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/arizona-lawmakers-push-space-command-headquarters,Arizona lawmakers push for Space Command headquarters,2020-11-16,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"PHOENIX Members of Arizona's congressional delegation are advocating for the state to be selected as the location ofthe permanent headquarters of the U.S. Space Command. The offices of Republican U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko and Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema said the lawmakers on Friday sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett advocating for the selection of an Arizona site and requesting a meeting to discuss Arizona's qualifications. The other delegation members who also signed the letter were Republican Reps. Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar and David Schweikert and Democratic Reps. Ruben Gallego, Ann Kirkpatrick, Tom O'Halleran and Greg Stanton. The lawmakers' letter said many Arizona cities meet the specified qualifications and that Arizona would be the perfect location for the command's headquarters because of its many aerospace and defense contractors, good climate and existing military installations. Those installations include Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Luke Air Force Base in metro Phoenix, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and the Army's Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista. Peterson Air Force Basein Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been designatedthe command's initial quarters. President Donald Trump formally launched Space Command in December. The goal is to improve the organization of U.S. military space operations and accelerate technical developments. The new command will draw elements from across the military services. It will have the same status as other headquarters such as U.S. Cyber Command, Special Operations Command and Strategic Command. There is also a Space Command within the Air Force. It also is based in Peterson. Ohio and Kansas are amongother statesseeking the U.S. Space Command's new quarters.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/trump-order-further-troop-withdrawal-afghanistan-iraq-inauguration-report,"Trump to order further troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, Iraq before inauguration: Report",2020-11-16,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"President Trump is preparing to announce as early as this week that the U.S. will withdraw thousands of troops fromIraqandAfghanistanjust days before Inauguration Day in January, moving to fulfill a campaign promise but also sparking fierce blowback from some of his top political allies. The looming drawdown, first reported by CNN, suggests that the newPentagonleadership Mr. Trump has installed is ready to bring down the number of troops stationed in the region despite pushback from officials and experts who warn that a U.S. presence is still needed to defend national interests and defend longtime allies facing very real threats. According to multiple reports, the Defense Department has issued a warning order to commanders to start drawing up plans to roughly halve the number of U.S. combat troops inAfghanistanto 2,500, and to reduce the Iraqi deployment by a third, also to 2,500 troops, by Jan. 15 five days before presumptive President-electJoseph R. Bidentakes office. U.S. forces have been inAfghanistanfor nearly two decades, making it the longest war in American history. U.S. troops spearheaded the invasion that toppledIraq's Saddam Hussein in 2003, left for a few years early in the Obama administration, and returned toIraqin force in 2014 to deal with the rise of Islamic State. The drawdown move comes despite barely veiled warnings from topPentagongenerals that a drawdown especially inAfghanistan could leave U.S. troops and U.S. allies exposed at a perilous time. A peace deal betweenTrump administrationandAfghanistan'sTalibaninsurgency, struck last February, calls for an end to America's military presence in exchange for guarantees theTalibanwill not permit the country to be a safe haven for al Qaeda and other terrorist groups and that the radical The U.S. had about 12,000 troops in the country when the deal was signed. The number is now about 4,500. There are roughly 3,000 U.S. troops inIraq, down from more than 5,000 last year. Administration officials have previously said the number of troops inAfghanistanwill be down to 2,500 by early year, but Mr. Trump last month abruptly said on Twitter that he wanted all forces home by Christmas far earlier than the mid-2021 deadline for full withdrawal laid out in the U.S.-Talibandeal. Presumptive President-electJoseph R. Bidenhas previously stated that he supports ending the nearly two-decade old war but a limited presence should be maintained inAfghanistanfor counterterrorism efforts. Americans are rightly weary of our longest war; I am, too, Mr.Bidensaid ahead of the election. But we must end the war responsibly, in a manner that ensures we both guard against threats to our homeland and never have to go back. The White House orPentagonhave yet to formally comment on the reports, but the anticipated announcement has already divided Republicans on Capitol Hill. It's time to bring our troops home fromAfghanistanandIraq, tweeted Rep. Andy Biggs, Arizona Republican, adding that Mr. Trump is honoring his pledge to stop America's endless wars and bringing our brave men and women home. But others, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, are cautioning against an early exit. The consequences of a premature American exit would likely be even worse than President Obama's withdrawal fromIraqin 2011, which fueled the rise of ISIS and a new round of global terrorism, Mr. McConnell said Monday in an unusually pointed speech on the Senate floor. It would be reminiscent of the humiliating American departure from Saigon in 1975, he continued. The top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Michael McCaul, also issued a rebuke of the rumored plans. A premature U.S. withdrawal would not only jeopardize the Afghan government's ability to negotiate, but would endanger U.S. counterterrorism interests, the Texas Republican said. We need to ensure a residual force is maintained for the foreseeable future to protect U.S. national and homeland security interests and to help secure peace forAfghanistan. In Brussels, a spokeswoman for NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg revealed Monday that the NATO chief had spoke to Mr. Miller late last week about the situation inAfghanistan, sounding a cautionary note over the mission that includes troops from a large number of NATO countries. No NATO ally wants to stay any longer than necessary, spokeswoman Oana Lungescu told reporters in Brussels. At the same time, we want to preserve the gains made with such sacrifice, and to ensure thatAfghanistannever again becomes a safe haven for terrorists that can attack the United States or any other NATO ally. No more perpetual war' The reports come just days after Mr. Trump's new acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller called for an end to the era of perpetual war and to bring American troops home. Mr. Miller, a military veteran and counterterrorism official who was tapped for his new post after the abrupt firing of Mark Esper last week, made it crystal clear in a message toPentagoncolleagues over the weekend that he shares Mr. Trump's view that endless wars abroad are not in America's interest. We are not a people of perpetual war it is the antithesis of everything for which we stand and for which our ancestors fought, he wrote. All wars must end. Ending wars requires compromise and partnership. We met the challenge; we gave it our all. Now, it's time to come home. Mr. Miller did not explicitly mentionAfghanistan, but it's clear that is theadministration's top priority in terms of troop withdrawals. Although the reasoning behind Mr. Trump's eleventh-hourPentagonreshuffling remains unclear, critics have said that it would be a mistake for the president to install Mr. Miller and a series of newly minted senior aides simply to conduct a faster exit. The accelerated withdrawal, however, contradicts the guidance from topPentagonbrass, including Gen. Frank McKenzie, who leads U.S. forces in the Middle East. Earlier this year, Gen. McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, told a congressional panel that conditions on the ground will dictate the number of U.S. forces on the ground inAfghanistan, depending on the level of violence in the country. At the time, Gen. McKenzie said that the level of violence was too high to carry out a further drawdown. Last month, the Mr. Trump's own special envoy for peace negotiations with theTalibanand Afghan government, veteran diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad, warned of distressingly high levels of violence that remain in the country, with theTalibanand government forces routinely engaged in attacks and Islamic State having staged some spectacular terror strikes in the heart of Kabul. Although the updated pullout has assured some military leaders that a level of counterterrorism forces will be able to remain in the region, skepticism remains that the ambitious timeline may not be logistically attainable. We're not going to leave anything behind that somebody could use against us in another time and another place, Gen. McKenzie said in September. So that's actually a huge logistics effort and it is continuing now. ThePentagonhas been steadily closing smaller forward based inIraq, as the Baghdad government has taken over the fight against Islamic State elements. But analysts warn that Islamic State is far from finished and thatIraqis facing internal and external pressure from its neighbor Iran to break away from Washington. The Iraqi government has tried to balance the competing pressures from the U.S. and Iran, but Iran's official press reported that Tehran is now pressing for a new defense cooperation agreement even as the U.S. deployment is set to go down. The chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, on Sunday told reporters that a draft agreement between the two countries is in its final stages. Once signed, the partnership could present a new challenge for Mr.Bidenonce he assumes office as tensions between the U.S. and Iran have soared throughout theTrump administration. Gen. Baqueri said that the agreement would bolster Iraqi security as the number of U.S. forces in the country is expected to decrease as the region faces a resurgence of terrorism.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-requests-100-audit-maricopa-county-arizona-ballots,"Congressman Biggs Requests 100% Audit of Maricopa County, Arizona Ballots",2020-11-16,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Honorable Clint Hickman Chairman, District 4 Maricopa County Board of Supervisors The Honorable Steve Chucri Supervisor, District 2 Maricopa County Board of Supervisors The Honorable Steve Gallardo Supervisor, District 5 Maricopa County Board of Supervisors The Honorable Jack Sellers Vice Chairman, District 1 Maricopa County Board of Supervisors The Honorable Bill Gates Supervisor, District 3 Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Dear Chairman Hickman and members of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Thank you for your vigilance in working to ensure Arizona's election is fair and accurate. We appreciate the dedicated effort required to manage an election of this scale in Arizona's largest county, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share our thoughts on how best to move forward. More than 3.2 million ballots were cast for the presidential election in Arizona, with more than 63 percent of those cast in Maricopa County. Yet hundreds of voters in Maricopa County have signed affidavits alleging their ballots cast in the November 3 election may have been discounted. Every voter has the right to know that his or her ballot was accurately tabulated. Arizona state law sets out various mechanisms to root out fraud and protect the integrity of the results. While the election margins may not be narrow enough to trigger a recount, you are permitted to conduct a 100 percent manual audit. State law requires a manual audit of a minimum number of ballots cast, both those cast early and those cast in-person on election day (A.R.S. § 16-602(B), (F)). The law does not, however, impose a ceiling on the number of ballots that may be manually audited. Maricopa County has full authority to require a 100 percent audit of ballots cast, allowing tabulators to review ballot images and compare the results to current totals. The narrow margin that currently exists between the two presidential candidates, together with questions regarding anomalies and potential errors, is more than enough reasoning to conduct a manual audit of ballot images. A manual audit of ballot images will provide full transparency of Maricopa County's election results. This will ameliorate concerns voters have expressed, will tamp down rumors, and will assuage the concerns of non-Arizonans calling our election results into question. Please use your statutory authority to compel the County Recorder to commence and complete a manual audit of ballot images. Thank you for your leadership and consideration. All the best, Andy Biggs Member of Congress Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:39:51Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/lawmakers-want-arizona-picked-space-command-headquarters,Lawmakers want Arizona picked for Space Command headquarters,2020-11-15,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"PHOENIX (AP) Members of Arizona's congressional delegation are advocating for the state to be selected as the location of the permanent headquarters of the U.S. Space Command. The offices of Republican U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko and Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema said the lawmakers on Friday sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett advocating for the selection of an Arizona site and requesting a meeting to discuss Arizona's qualifications. The other delegation members who also signed the letter were Republican Reps. Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar and David Schweikert and Democratic Reps. Ruben Gallego, Ann Kirkpatrick, Tom O'Halleran and Greg Stanton. The lawmakers' letter said many Arizona cities meet the specified qualifications and that Arizona would be the perfect location"" for the command's headquarters because of its many aerospace and defense contractors, good climate and existing military installations. Those installations include Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Luke Air Force Base in metro Phoenix, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and the Army's Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista. Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been designated the command's initial quarters. President Donald Trump formally launched Space Command in December. The goal is to improve the organization of U.S. military space operations and accelerate technical developments. The new command will draw elements from across the military services. It will have the same status as other headquarters such as U.S. Cyber Command, Special Operations Command and Strategic Command. There is also a Space Command within the Air Force. It also is based in Peterson. Ohio and Kansas are among other states seeking the U.S. Space Command's new quarters.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/rep-andy-biggs-asks-trump-withdraw-troops-afghanistan-iraq-time-holidays,"Rep. Andy Biggs asks Trump to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, Iraq in time for holidays",2020-11-12,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Andy Biggs wants President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Iraq before the holidays. In a letter to Trump datedWednesday,Biggs, R-Ariz., characterized the service members' exit from the countriesa ""gift"" for the upcomingseason. In the letter, Biggs asks Trump to ""look abroad and continue to strategically draw down our nation's military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq."" Biggs cites the lack of progress in counterterrorism, nation-building efforts and the human and financial cost of the war as reasons to continue thewithdrawal of U.S. troops. ""Nation-building doesn't work, as you immediately recognized upon taking office: Afghanistan and Iraq today are clearly not beacons of democracy, stability, or prosperity, despite the thousands of American lives and trillions of dollars we have sacrificed to try to remake these countries,"" Biggs said in the letter. The U.S. has spent or obligated $6.4 trillion dollars on fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan through 2020, according toBrown University. Additionally, at least 800,000 people have been killed by war violence in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemenand Pakistan, with more than 310,000 civiliansbeing killed since 2001. Biggs claimed that the Taliban retain control of much of Afghanistan with no change in the situationsince 2001. Biggs said that the achievementsthe U.S. have made in Iraq were not worth the cost. ""Today, Iraq's government is shaky at best, addicted to continuing foreign assistance, and easily susceptible to pressure from outside actors, especially Iran,"" he wrote. Biggsclarified that his comments in the letter were not a criticism of the service members who have served in the Middle East and other overseas engagements. ""Instead, it is an indictment of Washington's broken foreign policy establishment, which is dominated by arm-chair idealists who never seem to grasp the messy realities on the ground,"" he wrote. The U.S. first entered the war in Afghanistan 19 years ago after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In February, the U.S. entered an agreement with the Taliban that soughtto reduce the amount of violence in the war and withdraw the remaining U.S. troops by April 2021. However, in October, Trumptweetedthat service members in Afghanistan should be home by Christmas, a sentiment shared by Biggs in his letter. ""I urge you to continue to aggressively pursue these and all other related efforts in the coming weeks,"" Biggs said in the letter.""What greater gift could we give the American people as we head into the holiday season?""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-calls-sends-letter-president-trump-about-troop-withdrawals,Congressman Biggs Sends Letter to President Trump about Troop Withdrawals in the Middle East,2020-11-12,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"GILBERT, ARIZONA Yesterday, Congressman Andy Biggs sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump, asking him to continue to strategically draw down our nation's military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq. Read the text of the letter below: November 11, 2020 President Donald J. Trump The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC Dear Mr. President: Under your leadership, our nation has achieved unprecedented prosperity. Now, as we observe Veterans Day, I hope you will look abroad and continue to strategically draw down our nation's military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have both been enormously costly in lives and dollars. In the case of Afghanistan, instead of merely conducting counterterrorism operations in the wake the September 11, 2001, attacks, our troops engaged in full-scale nation-building efforts both before and after the 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden in neighboring Pakistan, a supposed ally of the United States. Having now lasted over 19 years, the war in Afghanistan has been the longest overseas conflict in American history. But, sadly, the situation on the ground today looks much the same now as it did back in 2001, with the Taliban in control of much of the country. And then there is Iraq. Over the last 18 years, our forces toppled Saddam Hussein's government and successfully fought terrorists of many different stripes in Iraq, including the Islamic State. But these achievements have simply not been worth the cost. Instead of focusing on limited aims, we fell into the same nation-building, peacekeeping trap in Iraq that ensnared us in Afghanistan, even after major combat operations officially ended in 2011. Today, Iraq's government is shaky at best, addicted to continuing foreign assistance, and easily susceptible to pressure from outside actors, especially Iran. Nation-building doesn't work, as you immediately recognized upon taking office: Afghanistan and Iraq today are clearly not beacons of democracy, stability, or prosperity, despite the thousands of American lives and trillions of dollars we have sacrificed to try to remake these countries. None of this is a criticism of our brave men in women in uniform, who have performed heroically in these and all other overseas engagements. Instead, it is an indictment of Washington's broken foreign policy establishment, which is dominated by arm-chair idealists who never seem to grasp the messy realities on the ground. I commend your efforts so far to bring our engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq to an end, including your bold decision to open negotiations with the Taliban and your ambitious plan to remove thousands of United States servicemembers from these two countries. I urge you to continue to aggressively pursue these and all other related efforts in the coming weeks. What greater gift could we give the American people as we head into the holiday season? Sincerely, Andy Biggs Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-sends-letter-president-trump-about-troop-withdrawals-middle,Congressman Biggs Sends Letter to President Trump about Troop Withdrawals in the Middle East,2020-11-12,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"GILBERT, ARIZONA – Yesterday, Congressman Andy Biggs sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump, asking him to continue to strategically draw down our nation's military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq. Read the text of the letter below: November 11, 2020 President Donald J. Trump The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC Dear Mr. President: Under your leadership, our nation has achieved unprecedented prosperity. Now, as we observe Veterans Day, I hope you will look abroad and continue to strategically draw down our nation's military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have both been enormously costly in lives and dollars. In the case of Afghanistan, instead of merely conducting counterterrorism operations in the wake the September 11, 2001, attacks, our troops engaged in full-scale nation-building efforts both before and after the 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden in neighboring Pakistan, a supposed ally of the United States. Having now lasted over 19 years, the war in Afghanistan has been the longest overseas conflict in American history. But, sadly, the situation on the ground today looks much the same now as it did back in 2001, with the Taliban in control of much of the country. And then there is Iraq. Over the last 18 years, our forces toppled Saddam Hussein's government and successfully fought terrorists of many different stripes in Iraq, including the Islamic State. But these achievements have simply not been worth the cost. Instead of focusing on limited aims, we fell into the same nation-building, ""peacekeeping"" trap in Iraq that ensnared us in Afghanistan, even after major combat operations officially ended in 2011. Today, Iraq's government is shaky at best, addicted to continuing foreign assistance, and easily susceptible to pressure from outside actors, especially Iran. Nation-building doesn't work, as you immediately recognized upon taking office: Afghanistan and Iraq today are clearly not beacons of democracy, stability, or prosperity, despite the thousands of American lives and trillions of dollars we have sacrificed to try to remake these countries. None of this is a criticism of our brave men in women in uniform, who have performed heroically in these and all other overseas engagements. Instead, it is an indictment of Washington's broken foreign policy establishment, which is dominated by arm-chair idealists who never seem to grasp the messy realities on the ground. I commend your efforts so far to bring our engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq to an end, including your bold decision to open negotiations with the Taliban and your ambitious plan to remove thousands of United States servicemembers from these two countries. I urge you to continue to aggressively pursue these and all other related efforts in the coming weeks. What greater gift could we give the American people as we head into the holiday season? Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:39:51Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-send-letter-attorney-general-barr-about-potential-riots,Congressman Biggs Sends Letter to Attorney General Barr about Potential Riots on Election Day,2020-11-02,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"GILBERT, ARIZONA Today, Congressman Andy Biggs sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr, urging him to use the tools at his disposal at the Department of Justice to stop any potential criminal behavior stemming from riots on Election Day to ensure order on American streets. Read the text of the letter below: November 2, 2020 The Honorable William P. Barr Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530 Dear Attorney General Barr: For the past few months, Americans have watched as extremist groups and violent rioters seized on the legitimate protests of law-abiding Americans as an opportunity to commit violence and sow discord across our country. We've witnessed billions of dollars in property damage done to small businesses, historical monuments defaced and torn down, and acts of violence committed against our law enforcement and those within our community. Now, as our nation approaches Election Day, we are being told that violent rioters, potentially numbering in the tens of thousands, are planning to descend upon our nation's capital if President Donald Trump is elected to a second term in the White House. News reports and other documents indicate that these rioters will target the White House, the Capitol, and Republican buildings and citizens throughout Washington, D.C. It is worth noting that there are no such credible threats of similar violence by supporters of President Trump in the event that former Vice President Joe Biden wins the election. I write to urge you to use the tools at your disposal at the Department of Justice to stop any potential criminal behavior stemming from these planned gatherings and ensure order in our streets. Please describe what plans you have in place to ensure the safety of our nation's capital, its residents, and our federal and local institutions. Sincerely, Andy Biggs Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-sends-letter-attorney-general-barr-about-potential-riots,Congressman Biggs Sends Letter to Attorney General Barr about Potential Riots on Election Day,2020-11-02,2020,2020-11,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"GILBERT, ARIZONA – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr, urging him to use the tools at his disposal at the Department of Justice to stop any potential criminal behavior stemming from riots on Election Day to ensure order on American streets. Read the text of the letter below: November 2, 2020 The Honorable William P. Barr Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530 Dear Attorney General Barr: For the past few months, Americans have watched as extremist groups and violent rioters seized on the legitimate protests of law-abiding Americans as an opportunity to commit violence and sow discord across our country. We've witnessed billions of dollars in property damage done to small businesses, historical monuments defaced and torn down, and acts of violence committed against our law enforcement and those within our community. Now, as our nation approaches Election Day, we are being told that violent rioters, potentially numbering in the tens of thousands, are planning to descend upon our nation's capital if President Donald Trump is elected to a second term in the White House. News reports and other documents indicate that these rioters will target the White House, the Capitol, and Republican buildings and citizens throughout Washington, D.C. It is worth noting that there are no such credible threats of similar violence by supporters of President Trump in the event that former Vice President Joe Biden wins the election. I write to urge you to use the tools at your disposal at the Department of Justice to stop any potential criminal behavior stemming from these planned gatherings and ensure order in our streets. Please describe what plans you have in place to ensure the safety of our nation's capital, its residents, and our federal and local institutions. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:39:51Z https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/10/30/congressman-schweikert-applauds-house-gop-commitment-defeat-virus-and/,Congressman Schweikert Applauds House GOP Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act,2020-10-30,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) released the following statement applauding introduction of H.R. 14, House Republicans Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act. This legislation is comprised of provisions introduced by Members on the Ways and Means Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, and Appropriations Committee. This bill includes H.R. 7714, legislation introduced by Congressman Schweikert to reduce the current 7.5 percent income threshold for the medical expense deduction to 5 percent for years 2020 and 2021, and make the 7.5 percent income threshold permanent for all other years. “I am proud to see my legislation to reduce the medical expense deduction threshold for Americans battling high-medical costs, especially during the pandemic, included in H.R. 14, the Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act. Each provision in this bill will continue our much-needed work to defeat this virus, help individuals safely return to work, and support our businesses working hard to re-open. I urge my Democratic colleagues to join us in passing this bipartisan legislation to support our communities and further grow the economy.” For a section-by-section break down of the bill, click HERE. To view full text of the bill, click HERE. Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-schweikert-applauds-house-gop-commitment-defeat-virus-and,Congressman Schweikert Applauds House GOP Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act,2020-10-30,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) released the following statement applauding introduction of H.R. 14, House Republicans Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act. This legislation is comprised of provisions introduced by Members on the Ways and Means Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, and Appropriations Committee. This bill includes H.R. 7714, legislation introduced by Congressman Schweikert to reduce the current 7.5 percent income threshold for the medical expense deduction to 5 percent for years 2020 and 2021, and make the 7.5 percent income threshold permanent for all other years. ""I am proud to see my legislation to reduce the medical expense deduction threshold for Americans battling high-medical costs, especially during the pandemic, included in H.R. 14, the Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act. Each provision in this bill will continue our much-needed work to defeat this virus, help individuals safely return to work, and support our businesses working hard to re-open. I urge my Democratic colleagues to join us in passing this bipartisan legislation to support our communities and further grow the economy."" For a section-by-section break down of the bill, click HERE. To view full text of the bill, click HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-statement-3rd-quarter-gdp-comeback,Congressman Biggs' Statement on the 3rd Quarter GDP Comeback,2020-10-29,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"GILBERT, ARIZONA – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that U.S. GDP ""increased at an annual rate of 33.1% in the third quarter of 2020."" The U.S. Department of Labor reported that weekly jobless claims decreased to the lowest levels since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in March. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement: ""In early March, President Trump was leading the one of the greatest economic surges in American history. Thousands of jobs were being created; the unemployment rate was at a near-historic low, and wages were on the rise. Millions of everyday Americans were benefiting from President Trump's pro-growth policies that opened the floodgates for weekly and monthly economic booms. ""Then came the COVID-19 hysteria, when Anthony Fauci, Deborah Birx, and their bureaucratic and media cohorts worked with state and local governments around the nation to shut down the American economy. The results were catastrophic and devastating to our economy and families, instantly proving that the cure was worse than the disease. ""Our economic decline rests on the shoulders of every bureaucrat, governor and mayor who shut down or restricted our economy, but our recovery is wholly due to the pre-COVID foundation laid by President Trump and his post-COVID efforts to lead the great American comeback. President Trump promised a second time to lead the American economy back to unparalleled greatness. Today's news proves that he is again keeping his promises to the American people."" ### Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/president-signs-mcsallys-ptsd-treatment-bill-into-law,President Signs McSally’s PTSD Treatment Bill Into Law,2020-10-29,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"President Signs McSally's PTSD Treatment Bill Into Law U.S. SENATE President Trump recently signed into law U.S. Senator Martha McSally's (R-AZ) bill to expand mental health treatment options for veterans to seek innovative therapies to combat PTSD and other mental health issues as part of a larger package known as the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. Every veteran is impacted by their service differently and we owe them the best possible access to care, McSally said. I was pleased to see my bill to help veterans access innovative and potentially life-changing therapies signed into law as part of broader mental health legislation. My bill requires the VA to launch a study into posttraumatic growth therapy, which can help turn veterans lives around. In addition, the broader bill will increase much-needed funding for state and local suicide prevention groups and improve VA telehealth access. This is a crucial initiative to save lives and improve mental health care for veterans in our country. Background: On Jan. 28, Senators McSally and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the Veterans Posttraumatic Growth Act. McSally's Veterans Posttraumatic Growth Act requires the VA to conduct a pilot program to study the benefits of nonprofit posttraumatic growth programs relative to traditional models of mental health care. Posttraumatic growth therapy and whole health therapy address many factors in a person's life, such as relationships, family, jobs, finances, and others, instead of focusing solely on traditional therapies and pharmaceutical options. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/justice-amy-coney-barrett-confirmed-us-supreme-court,Justice Amy Coney Barrett Confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court,2020-10-27,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"GILBERT, ARIZONA – Last night, the U.S. Senate completed its constitutional duties of advice and consent for a Supreme Court vacancy, confirming Amy Coney Barrett by a 52-48 vote. Justice Barrett was officially sworn onto the Supreme Court this morning by Chief Justice John Roberts. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement: ""The United States Supreme Court gained an outstanding associate justice this week with Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation. As we heard repeatedly during her confirmation hearings, Justice Barrett will strive to uphold the original meaning and text of the Constitution, and she will help to restore the separation of powers between our three federal branches of government. Her presence and vote on the high court will be critical for forthcoming decisions in the decades ahead. ""After attempting to brutally sabotage Justice Kavanaugh's nomination just two years ago with a public spectacle in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Democrats and their allies in the mainstream media tried a different, more subtle tactic with Justice Barrett's process, claiming that her nomination was illegitimate and threatening that they would fundamentally transform the federal courts should they retake all of Congress and the White House. Thankfully, President Trump, Leader McConnell, Chairman Graham, Senator Martha McSally and dozens of other Senate Republicans did not give into this partisan bluster. ""I am confident in the job that Justice Amy Coney Barrett will do on the Supreme Court. Yet I am sad for the direction that radical Democrats and their allies in the mainstream media continue to take our nation. Since the nomination of Robert Bork in 1987, Democrats have sought to demonize and derail decent men and women on their ascent to our federal courtrooms. Democrats must stand down and stop their rabid, political gamesmanship with our courts. If not, they will destroy our nation from within."" ### Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/10/27/congressman-schweikert-applauds-introduction-securing-strong-retirement/,Congressman Schweikert Applauds Introduction of the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2020,2020-10-27,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) released the following statement applauding the introduction of the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2020, bipartisan legislation from the Ways and Means Committee that builds upon the SECURE Act, which became law in 2019. “I am pleased to see the Way and Means Committee continue our bipartisan efforts to prioritize the financial wellbeing of all Americans. Improving retirement security for our seniors, along with providing hard-working Americans with further resources needed to prepare for retirement, should be a priority for all of Congress. I applaud the recent introduction of the Securing a Strong Retirement Act to build off our work in the SECURE Act, and I look forward to helping pass this important, bipartisan legislation.” Background: The Setting Every Committee Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was signed into law in December of 2019. First introduced by a bipartisan group of Ways and Means Committee members including Chairman Neal and Ranking Member Brady, the SECURE Act expanded opportunities for Americans to increase their retirement savings and improved the portability of lifetime income options from one plan to another. Congressman Schweikert was proud to support and vote in favor of the SECURE Act, which passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 417-3. The Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2020 will: Promote savings earlier for retirement by enrolling employees automatically in their company’s 401(k) plan, when a new plan is created; Create a new financial incentive for small businesses to offer retirement plans; Increase and modernize the existing federal tax credit for contributions to a retirement plan or IRA (the Saver’s Credit); Expand retirement savings options for non-profit employees by allowing groups of non-profits to join together to offer retirement plans to their employees; Offer individuals 60 and older more flexibility to set aside savings as they approach retirement; Allow individuals to save for retirement longer by increasing the required minimum distribution age to 75; Allow individuals to pay down a student loan instead of contributing to a 401(k) plan and still receive an employer match in their retirement plan; Make it easier for military spouses who change jobs frequently to save for retirement; Allow individuals more flexibility to make gifts to charity through their IRAs; Allow taxpayers to avoid harsh penalties for inadvertent errors managing an IRA that can lead to a loss of retirement savings; Protect retirees who unknowingly receive retirement plan overpayments; and Make it easier for employees to find lost retirement accounts by creating a national, online, database of lost accounts. To read a section-by-section summary of the bill, click HERE. A short summer of the bill can be found HERE. Full text of the legislation can be found HERE. ### Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-schweikert-applauds-introduction-securing-strong-retirement,Congressman Schweikert Applauds Introduction of the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2020,2020-10-27,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) released the following statement applauding the introduction of the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2020, bipartisan legislation from the Ways and MeansCommittee that builds upon the SECURE Act, which became law in 2019. ""I am pleased to see the Way and Means Committee continue our bipartisan efforts to prioritize the financial wellbeing of all Americans. Improving retirement security for our seniors, along with providing hard-working Americans with further resources needed to prepare for retirement, should be a priority for all of Congress. I applaud the recent introduction of the Securing a Strong Retirement Act to build off our work in the SECURE Act, and I look forward to helping pass this important, bipartisan legislation."" Background: The Setting Every Committee Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was signed into law in December of 2019. First introduced by a bipartisan group of Ways and Means Committee members including Chairman Neal and Ranking Member Brady, the SECURE Act expanded opportunities for Americans to increase their retirement savings andimproved the portability of lifetime income options from one plan to another. Congressman Schweikert was proud to support and vote in favor of the SECURE Act, which passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 417-3. The Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2020 will: Promote savings earlier for retirement by enrolling employees automatically in their company's 401(k) plan, when a new plan is created; Create a new financial incentive for small businesses to offer retirement plans; Increase and modernize the existing federal tax credit for contributions to a retirement plan or IRA (the Saver's Credit); Expand retirement savings options for non-profit employees by allowing groups of non-profits to join together to offer retirement plans to their employees; Offer individuals 60 and older more flexibility to set aside savings as they approach retirement; Allow individuals to save for retirement longer by increasing the required minimum distribution age to 75; Allow individuals to pay down a student loan instead of contributing to a 401(k) plan and still receive an employer match in their retirement plan; Make it easier for military spouses who change jobs frequently to save for retirement; Allow individuals more flexibility to make gifts to charity through their IRAs; Allow taxpayers to avoid harsh penalties for inadvertent errors managing an IRA that can lead to a loss of retirement savings; Protect retirees who unknowingly receive retirement plan overpayments; and Make it easier for employees to find lost retirement accounts by creating a national, online, database of lost accounts. To read a section-by-section summary of the bill, click HERE. A short summer of the bill can be found HERE. Full text of the legislation can be found HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/10/26/schweikert-joins-bipartisan-legislation-develop-technology-remove-carbon/,Schweikert Joins Bipartisan Legislation to Develop Technology to Remove Carbon Dioxide from the Atmosphere,2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Representative David Schweikert joined Representatives Annie Kuster (D-NH), David McKinley (R-WV), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Scott Peters (D-CA), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), and Diana DeGette (D-CO) in introducing the Carbon Removal, Efficient Agencies, Technology Expertise (CREATE) Act. This bipartisan legislation authorizes a whole-of-government approach to research, develop, and demonstrate carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technology. The bill achieves this goal by directing federal agencies to include the development of CDR as part of their annual budget requests and ensure this work is coordinated across the federal government. “I am pleased to join this bipartisan bill to coordinate research and demonstration of carbon dioxide removal technology,” said Rep. Schweikert. “I have been a strong proponent of direct air capture technologies, as Arizona has been a national leader in innovative carbon removal technologies research. Eventually scaling up these technologies will ensure Arizonans will have a cleaner environment and stronger economy in the future.” “Climate change is an existential threat to our national security, our society, and the future of our planet,” said Rep. Kuster. “In order to prevent the worst effects, we must dramatically reduce the carbon in our atmosphere. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technology has the potential to help achieve this goal and the government should vigorously pursue it. I am excited to advance this legislation as part of my larger clean energy agenda to curb climate change and help us transition to a clean energy economy.” “Congress must do more to encourage innovation to develop the next generation of clean energy technologies, like carbon capture, direct air capture, and negative emissions technologies,” said Rep. McKinley. “Our bipartisan bill will support coordination across the federal government as we look to use our energy resources in the cleanest way possible and remove carbon from the atmosphere.” “The fires, floods and hurricanes that are raging across our nation make clear that climate change is not a future problem, but an urgent threat that is devastating our infrastructure, economy and the lives of millions of Americans,” said Rep. Tonko. “We need to use every tool possible to rise to this challenge, and carbon dioxide removal must be part of this comprehensive approach. The CREATE Act delivers that needed federal coordination in research and development of technologies and techniques that can reduce and remove carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere. I am proud to join my colleagues in cosponsoring this vital legislation.” “The development of new and innovative technologies is critical to allowing us to remove carbon from the atmosphere while still benefiting from abundant and cheap natural gas,” said Rep. Gonzalez. “The CREATE Act will help us to capitalize on our cutting edge research and development capabilities to establish a suite of carbon capture and other technologies to help with decarbonization.” “We have to invest in innovative solutions that remove carbon from our atmosphere,” said Rep. Peters. “The CREATE Act would direct our government’s top-notch experts and resources towards the research, development and deployment of various CDR technologies to tackle carbon pollution. Carbon removal is critical to curbing climate change. I am pleased to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort.” “I’m proud to back the bipartisan CREATE Act, an innovative approach to carbon capture that will yield huge dividends for our environmental security. Carbon capture technology can reduce carbon already in the atmosphere,” said Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, Ranking Member, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Over the last decade, we have seen the increasingly severe effects of our changing planet, underscoring the urgent need for action to both address climate change head on and work to reverse existing damage,” said Rep. O’Halleran. “I am proud to join this commonsense legislation that will streamline, coordinate, and accelerate the implementation of carbon dioxide removal technology in order to preserve our environment and work towards a more sustainable future.” “Removing the excess carbon dioxide in our air will be critical to restoring a healthy balance for our climate, and it will take coordination across our government to make it happen,” said Roger Ullman, Executive Director of LTC Action. “This important bill will ensure that takes place.” “BPC Action supports the Carbon Removal, Efficient Agencies, Technology Expertise (CREATE) Act introduced by Reps. Kuster (D-NH), McKinley (R-WV), Tonko (D-NY), Gonzalez (R-OH), Peters (D-CA), Fortenberry (R-NE), O’Halleran (D-AZ), Schweikert (R-AZ), and DeGette (D-CO), which would boost the effectiveness of carbon removal federal programs to scale-up direct air capture, soil, forest, and ocean solutions areas effectively. The bill will help reduce carbon emissions, generate socioeconomic opportunities across the country, and advance the United States as a world leader in this emerging field,” said Michele Stockwell, Executive Director, BPC Action. Carbon removal solutions are necessary to meet global climate goals, but realizing their potential will require a collaborative multi-agency, economy-wide approach,” said Noah Deich, Executive Director, Carbon180. “The Carbon Removal, Efficient Agencies, Technology Expertise (CREATE) Act will ensure there is a strategic plan for the United States to quickly and robustly scale carbon removal solutions across sectors, providing us the best chance to both meet climate goals and access abundant economic benefits.” “Complementing mitigation efforts, carbon removal is expected to help us to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century. CATF welcomes the bipartisan Carbon Removal, Efficient Agencies, Technology Expertise (CREATE) Act to enable a coordinated and strategic near-term scale-up and commercialization of carbon removal, as well as related infrastructure. Climate-forward innovation and investment in advanced climate technologies like carbon removal will not only help to realize economic opportunities and societal benefits, but will also contribute to reaching our climate goals,” said Lee Beck, CCUS Policy Innovation Director, Clean Air Task Force. “The United States needs to stay focused on aggressive action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, we recognize the need for carbon removal technologies in order to reach the goal of net zero emissions across the economy by 2050 and avert the worst impact of climate change. EDF thanks Reps. Kuster (D-NH), McKinley (R-WV), Tonko (D-NY), Gonzalez (R-OH), Peters (D-CA), Fortenberry (R-NE), O’Halleran (D-AZ), Schweikert (R-AZ), and DeGette (D-CO) for their leadership in introducing the Carbon Removal, Efficient Agencies, Technology Expertise (CREATE) Act, an important bipartisan bill that coordinates efforts across the federal government to research, develop, and demonstrate these crucial technologies,” said EDF statement of Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs. “The CREATE Act is the need of the hour when it comes to fighting climate change. We need to develop, test and bring carbon removal technologies down the cost curve now to be able to remove the massive levels of CO2 required to keep global temperatures from rising beyond 2C,” said Dr. Jan Mazurek at the ClimateWorks Foundation. Background: According to the 2019 United Nations Emissions Gap Report, reducing future carbon emissions alone cannot prevent global temperatures from rising beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius, which is the maximum increase we can withstand before we begin to experience the worst impacts of climate change. We must also reduce the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) – one of the primary greenhouse gases – that is already in the atmosphere. CDR technology removes CO2 from the atmosphere, helping to prevent climate change and mitigate its impacts. To read the full text of this legislation, click HERE. ### Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/schweikert-joins-bipartisan-legislation-develop-technology-remove-carbon,Schweikert Joins Bipartisan Legislation to Develop Technology to Remove Carbon Dioxide from the Atmosphere,2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC -Representative David Schweikert joined Representatives Annie Kuster (D-NH), David McKinley (R-WV), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Scott Peters (D-CA), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ), and Diana DeGette (D-CO) in introducing the Carbon Removal, Efficient Agencies, Technology Expertise (CREATE) Act. This bipartisan legislation authorizes a whole-of-government approach to research, develop, and demonstrate carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technology. The bill achieves this goal by directing federal agencies to include the development of CDR as part of their annual budget requests and ensure this work is coordinated across the federal government. ""I am pleased to join this bipartisan bill to coordinate research and demonstration of carbon dioxide removal technology,said Rep. Schweikert. I have been a strong proponent of direct air capture technologies, as Arizona has been a national leader in innovative carbon removal technologies research. Eventually scaling up these technologies will ensure Arizonans will have a cleaner environment and stronger economy in the future."" ""Climate change is an existential threat to our national security, our society, and the future of our planet,said Rep. Kuster. In order to prevent the worst effects, we must dramatically reduce the carbon in our atmosphere. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technology has the potential to help achieve this goal and the government should vigorously pursue it. I am excited to advance this legislation as part of my larger clean energy agenda to curb climate change and help us transition to a clean energy economy."" ""Congress must do more to encourage innovation to develop the next generation of clean energy technologies, like carbon capture, direct air capture, and negative emissions technologies,""saidRep. McKinley. Our bipartisan bill will support coordination across the federal government as we look to use our energy resources in the cleanest way possible and remove carbon from the atmosphere."" ""The fires, floods and hurricanes that are raging across our nation make clear that climate change is not a future problem, but an urgent threat that is devastating our infrastructure, economy and the lives of millions of Americans,said Rep. Tonko. We need to use every tool possible to rise to this challenge, and carbon dioxide removal must be part of this comprehensive approach. The CREATE Act delivers that needed federal coordination in research and development of technologies and techniques that can reduce and remove carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere. I am proud to join my colleagues in cosponsoring this vital legislation."" ""The development of new and innovative technologies is critical to allowing us to remove carbon from the atmosphere while still benefiting from abundant and cheap natural gas,said Rep. Gonzalez. The CREATE Act will help us to capitalize on our cutting edge research and development capabilities to establish a suite of carbon capture and other technologies to help with decarbonization."" ""We have to invest in innovative solutions that remove carbon from our atmosphere,said Rep. Peters. The CREATE Act would direct our government's top-notch experts and resources towards the research, development and deployment of various CDR technologies to tackle carbon pollution. Carbon removal is critical to curbing climate change. I am pleased to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort."" ""I'm proud to back the bipartisan CREATE Act, an innovative approach to carbon capture that will yield huge dividends for our environmental security. Carbon capture technology can reduce carbon already in the atmosphere,said Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, Ranking Member, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ""Over the last decade, we have seen the increasingly severe effects of our changing planet, underscoring the urgent need for action to both address climate change head on and work to reverse existing damage,said Rep. O'Halleran. I am proud to join this commonsense legislation that will streamline, coordinate, and accelerate the implementation of carbon dioxide removal technology in order to preserve our environment and work towards a more sustainable future."" ""Removing the excess carbon dioxide in our air will be critical to restoring a healthy balance for our climate, and it will take coordination across our government to make it happen,said Roger Ullman, Executive Director of LTC Action. This important bill will ensure that takes place."" ""BPC Action supports the Carbon Removal, Efficient Agencies, Technology Expertise (CREATE) Act introduced by Reps. Kuster (D-NH), McKinley (R-WV), Tonko (D-NY), Gonzalez (R-OH), Peters (D-CA), Fortenberry (R-NE), O'Halleran (D-AZ), Schweikert (R-AZ), and DeGette (D-CO), which would boost the effectiveness of carbon removal federal programs to scale-up direct air capture, soil, forest, and ocean solutions areas effectively. The bill will help reduce carbon emissions, generate socioeconomic opportunities across the country, and advance the United States as a world leader in this emerging field,said Michele Stockwell, Executive Director, BPC Action. Carbon removal solutions are necessary to meet global climate goals, but realizing their potential will require a collaborative multi-agency, economy-wide approach,said Noah Deich, Executive Director, Carbon180. The Carbon Removal, Efficient Agencies, Technology Expertise (CREATE) Act will ensure there is a strategic plan for the United States to quickly and robustly scale carbon removal solutions across sectors, providing us the best chance to both meet climate goals and access abundant economic benefits."" ""Complementing mitigation efforts, carbon removal is expected to help us to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century. CATF welcomes the bipartisan Carbon Removal, Efficient Agencies, Technology Expertise (CREATE) Act to enable a coordinated and strategic near-term scale-up and commercialization of carbon removal, as well as related infrastructure. Climate-forward innovation and investment in advanced climate technologies like carbon removal will not only help to realize economic opportunities and societal benefits, but will also contribute to reaching our climate goals,said Lee Beck, CCUS Policy Innovation Director, Clean Air Task Force. ""The United States needs to stay focused on aggressive action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, we recognize the need for carbon removal technologies in order to reach the goal of net zero emissions across the economy by 2050 and avert the worst impact of climate change. EDF thanks Reps. Kuster (D-NH), McKinley (R-WV), Tonko (D-NY), Gonzalez (R-OH), Peters (D-CA), Fortenberry (R-NE), O'Halleran (D-AZ), Schweikert (R-AZ), and DeGette (D-CO) for their leadership in introducing the Carbon Removal, Efficient Agencies, Technology Expertise (CREATE) Act, an important bipartisan bill that coordinates efforts across the federal government to research, develop, and demonstrate these crucial technologies,said EDF statement of Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs. ""The CREATE Act is the need of the hour when it comes to fighting climate change. We need to develop, test and bring carbon removal technologies down the cost curve now to be able to remove the massive levels of CO2 required to keep global temperatures from rising beyond 2C,said Dr. Jan Mazurek at the ClimateWorks Foundation. Background: According to the 2019 United Nations Emissions Gap Report, reducing future carbon emissions alone cannot prevent global temperatures from rising beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius, which is the maximum increase we can withstand before we begin to experience the worst impacts of climate change. We must also reduce the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) one of the primary greenhouse gases that is already in the atmosphere. CDR technology removes CO2 from the atmosphere, helping to prevent climate change and mitigate its impacts. To read the full text of this legislation, clickHERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/mcsally-daines-urge-deadline-extension-for-tribal-covid-relief-fund,"McSally, Daines Urge Deadline Extension for Tribal COVID Relief Fund",2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. SENATE U.S. Senators Martha McSally (R-AZ) and Steve Daines (R-MT) are urging the Administration to give Tribes more time to use the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). Extending the deadline will allow Tribes more time to complete their most significant pandemic response projects, including the construction of more health care facilities and improvement of water infrastructure. Starting these critical public health projects with CRF funds is not allowed under current CRF guidance. The Senators sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows asking that the Treasury expand its definition of allowable CRF incurred expenses to include projects that will be substantially completed by 2021. while tribes will be able to purchase masks and other short-term life goods before the end of 2020, the requirement that performance or delivery must occur during the covered period' severely handicaps tribes' ability to use these funds for some of their most pressing needs in responding to Coronavirus and largely defeats the purpose of the fund, the Senators wrote. Updating the guidance to allow tribes and other CRF eligible entities to complete essential public health infrastructure projects will honor the intent of the CARES Act and address the ongoing needs of communities during the pandemic. McSally and Daines were the first Senators to publicly call for a tribal government stabilization fund and other direct aid to Tribes in a March 20 letter. They successfully fought for over $8 billion in tribal COVID-19 relief to be included in the CARES Act. As a direct result of their efforts, tribal gaming enterprises were included in the Paycheck Protection Program. In September, McSally successfully secured flexibility for state, local, and tribal governments to use Coronavirus Relief Fund allocations to prevent the layoffs of public health and safety workers during the pandemic, improve public health infrastructure, and purchase personal protective equipment for schools. A copy of the letter can be found here and below. Dear Secretary Mnuchin and Mr. Meadows: We greatly appreciate your efforts to continue to work with Congress to provide additional relief and assistance to all Americans during this unprecedented global pandemic. We write about tribal governments and tribal communities in our states that have been devastated by the pandemic and how updated Treasury guidance regarding the COVID Relief Fund deadline can help address continued needs in Indian Country. It is difficult to articulate the depth of impact the Coronavirus has had on tribal communities. Tribal communities live with the historical trauma of viral disease spread in their communities, including the Smallpox, Spanish Flu, Polio, Tuberculosis, and the Hantavirus. These outbreaks are not simply a footnote in a history book for tribes, these viruses have killed large numbers of their great-grandfathers, -grandmothers, mothers, fathers and children and to this day, tribal communities in the southwest still face threats of the Black Plague. Now, COVID-19 is devastating these same communities; robbing tribes of their elders, and in some places, the last of their fluent native language speakers. Recognizing this, we acted. Working closely with the Trump Administration, we passed a historic measure of assistance to Tribal governments providing $8 billion to the Tribal Coronavirus Relief Fund. These funds were provided to assist tribes across the country in fighting and mitigating the impacts of this virus on their communities. However, without a clarification in the guidance from Treasury, many tribes will not be able to fully use these funds to fight and mitigate the impact of the virus on their communities. Thus, we are writing today to ask the Administration to once again work with us and provide an important clarification to the Tribal Coronavirus Relief Funds guidance that will ensure that these desperately needed funds that we all fought so hard to secure will be able to stay in Indian Country to assist Tribes. Specifically, the CARES Act specifies that funds administered through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) must be used for unbudgeted expenses that respond to the Coronavirus crisis, and that the expenses be incurred by December 30, 2020. The Treasury Guidance provides that performance or delivery must occur during the covered period (March 2020-December 2020) even if payment does not occur in 2020. Unfortunately, Tribes have had limited time/access to use these funds and through no one's fault, there was a delay in distributing the funds and litigation regarding eligibility to receive funds, which resulted in tribes having six months or fewer to expend funds. Thus, while tribes will be able to purchase masks and other short-term life goods before the end of 2020, the requirement that performance or delivery must occur during the covered period severely handicaps tribes' ability to use these funds for some of their most pressing needs in responding to Coronavirus and largely defeats the purpose of the fund. For example, for tribes in our States who have limited space or a limited number of health care facilities, and desire to expand the size or increase the number of such facilities to respond to the Coronavirus, such projects cannot reasonably be completed in 2020 and would likely be completed in 2021. Pursuant to the guidance provided only amounts which relate to construction completed in 2020 would qualify as incurred and as a valid use of funds despite such projects being the most pressing and necessary uses of such funds in responding to the pandemic. Also, Treasury has indicated that CRF payments may be used for upgrading public health infrastructure, such as providing individuals and families access to running water to help reduce the further spread of the virus, but still requires construction and related that expenses must be incurred by December 30, 2020. Under the current definition of incurred costs, such improvements are nearly impossible to construct within this timeframe. Thus, we are asking that Treasury issue clarifying guidance related to the definition of incurred costs to improve the effectiveness of the COVID Relief Fund. Specifically, we request the following language be included in updated Treasury CRF guidance: Expenditures will be considered eligible as incurred expenses if a contract for services or for the design, planning, engineering or construction of a project related to the COVID-19 public health emergency is executed by December 31, 2020, and the services and/or the construction of the project will be substantially completed by no later than December 31, 2021. Updating the guidance to allow tribes and other CRF eligible entities to complete essential public health infrastructure projects will honor the intent of the CARES Act and address the ongoing needs of communities during the pandemic. We appreciate your consideration of this important matter and look forward to working with you to ensure Congress and the Administration continue to addresses the pandemic needs of all Americans, including Native Americans. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/mcsally-votes-to-confirm-judge-barrett-to-the-supreme-court,McSally Votes to Confirm Judge Barrett to the Supreme Court,2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McSally Votes to Confirm Judge Barrett to the Supreme Court U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) released the following statement after she voted to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court today. Today I had the honor of casting a historic vote to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court,McSally said.As only the fifth woman to serve on our nation's highest court and the first with school-agedchildren, soon-to-be Justice Barrett is continuing her trend of shattering barriers for women and girls. Her ascent to the top of her field in a male-dominated profession is an inspiration to all Americans and proves once again that women deserve a seat at the table. Not only this, but Judge Barrett willfaithfully interpret the Constitution and laws as written rather than legislate from the bench or impose her personal preferences on Americans. She has demonstrated unequivocally that she is a brilliant, fair jurist who will bring a stellar judicial temperament to the bench.Judge Barrett's story is a great reminder that anyone in our country can grow up and achieve their dreams if they put in the time and work. As someone who broke barriers myself, I look forward to seeing Judge Barrett take her seat on the Supreme Court. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/mcsally-introduces-bill-to-speed-arizona-forest-restoration-project,McSally Introduces Bill to Speed Arizona Forest Restoration Project,2020-10-24,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McSally Introduces Bill to Speed Arizona Forest Restoration Project U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) today introduced legislation to accelerate Arizona's single most important forest restoration projectthe Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI). The bill would reduce bureaucratic delays by waiving a requirement that the Forest Service must wait an additional 30 days after notifying Congress of the completed contract before they actually issue the award. Instead, the Forest Service would be required to report the details of the contract to Congress within seven days of its issuance. This Congressional notification waiver would only apply to Phase 2 of the 4FRI project, which Congress has followed closely for years. Far too many Arizona communities saw the devastation of catastrophic wildfires this summer, McSally said. We cannot afford any more delays on this project to prevent forest fires in our state. Over the last two years, I've worked with the Forest Service to speed the Four Forest Restoration Initiative. This commonsense bill cuts through the bureaucratic red tape to ensure there is not one more month of delay in awarding a contract for Phase 2 of 4FRI. Leaders in Navajo and Coconino counties expressed support for McSally's legislation. Navajo County Supervisor Jason Whiting: Simply put, we don't want to burn like we are seeing in states all around us. Now is the time for action to mitigate the risk of catastrophic fires through better forest management. Senator McSally's legislation will reduce unnecessary bureaucratic delays to forest management and wildfire prevention by authorizing the Forest Service to issue the 4FRI Phase 2 contract as soon as negotiations are complete. I appreciate Senator McSally's leadership on this important issue. Coconino County Supervisor Art Babbott said: I encourage the expeditious awarding of the 4FRI Phase 2 RFP. Time is of the essence as the risks to our community are profound. Congress is well aware of the RFP and the need to get Phase 2 forest restoration underway in northern Arizona. I appreciate Senator McSally's bill and hope that all parties Congress, the Forest Service, and our industry partners can move quickly to get this RFP awarded. Read full bill text HERE. BACKGROUND: On September 25, 2020, Sen. McSally and Rep. O'Halleran led members of the Arizona delegation in a letter to the U.S. Forest Service highlighting the need for action on the Four Forest Restoration Initiative in Northern Arizona to help reduce wildfire risk. On September 16, 2020, McSally called out the U.S. Forest Service for delaying 4FRI. On June 13, 2019, McSally introduced a bill to streamline 4FRI. Many of the proposals in her bill were adopted by the Forest Service. On April 9, 2019, McSally pressed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) about the timeline of Arizona's Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI). On March 22, 2019, McSally visited Coconino County during her 15-county tour and heard from community leaders about the state of the forests. On February 12, 2019, McSally helped pass the Bipartisan Natural Resources Management Act, which included important provisions to modernize wildfire technology. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/mcsally-introduces-bill-to-enhance-delivery-of-benefits-for-student-veterans-amid-coronavirus-disruptions,McSally Introduces Bill to Enhance Delivery of Benefits for Student Veterans Amid Coronavirus Disruptions,2020-10-23,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McSally Introduces Bill to Enhance Delivery of Benefits for Student Veterans Amid Coronavirus Disruptions U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) on Friday introduced legislation to transfer CARES Act funding to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to improve the delivery of benefits for student veterans. Our student veterans receiving benefits under the GI Bill have experienced disruptions to their education benefits amid the coronavirus pandemic,McSally said.This is largely due to an outdated IT system within the Department of Veterans Affairs that is unable to adapt to rapidly evolving changes to the GI Bill. As we work to combat the fallout of this virus, it is now more critical than ever that the VA modernize its system of delivering GI Bill benefits to our nation's veterans. My bill will do just that. Read full bill textHERE. Background: Senator McSally'sbillwould modernize the Veterans Benefits Administration's digital benefits platform bygiving the VA the authority totransfercertain unobligated CARES Act funds to the VBA for this purpose. The funds will update the current inflexible legacy IT system at VBA that is unable to accommodate and administer legislative changes to the GI Bill. This will ensure timely, accurate benefits processing and delivery for student veterans ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4077,"U.S. Government Looks to Wenden, Arizona to Help End Reliance on China for Critical Minerals",2020-10-22,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Paul A. Gosar,G000565,gosar.house.gov,gosar,https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"WASHINGTON D.C. - Today the United States Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) announced that it has awarded American Manganese Inc. (AMY) a grant to perform work on the United States Government’s manganese ore stockpile located near Wenden, Arizona, with the goal of producing electrolytic manganese metal (EMM) for the nation. AMY will conduct tests of the Wenden stockpile to confirm the viability of using the Company’s patented hydrometallurgical process to recover EMM from the stockpile. If successful, the DLA, together with AMY, will proceed to transform sub-economic manganese resources into a valuable source of EMM. “As a Member of Congress, it is seldom that I see such a clearly amazing opportunity,” said Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ). “The successful execution of this project could transform an unwanted stockpile of low-grade material, long ago paid for by the U.S. taxpayer, into a National Defense Stockpile stockpile material (EMM). The U.S. simply cannot remain dependent on Chinese supply chains — particularly when electrolytic manganese metal is a designated strategic defense mineral. The proposed project is a strong first step towards advancing a durable American source of supply."" Our reliance on China for critical minerals has long been a national security threat to Americans. The COVID pandemic has only accelerated the reality of that threat. The U.S. simply cannot remain dependent on Chinese supply chains. Last month, President Trump issued Executive Order 13953 “Addressing the Threat to the Domestic Supply Chain From Reliance on Critical Minerals From Foreign Adversaries and Supporting the Domestic Mining and Processing Industries.” One such critical mineral necessary for National Defense is ""manganese."" At present, U.S. manganese production is zero, as a nation we are 100% import-dependent, with China being the world’s largest producer. According to USGS, there has been no U.S. manganese production since 1973. Wenden, Arizona happens to have one of the nation’s most significant low-grade raw manganese ore stockpiles-approximately 322,000 metric tons. That stockpile was purchased by the U.S. government in the 1950s-through 1960s. However, due to its low-grade, as well as requirements for a specialized processing method to efficiently transform the raw manganese into useful forms of advanced manganese material, the Wenden stockpile has gone virtually unused - until now. Recently, the National Defense Stockpile added an acquisitions order for EMM for various advanced defense uses. Our office immediately seized this opportunity to advocate for the immediate use of the Wendon Stockpile. I wrote a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, David Bernhardt, which you can read HERE. I also wrote a letter to the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency - Strategic Materials, which you can read HERE. “If enacted, this project will make Wenden the hub for American manganese for decades to come, building a high-tech metal processing facility, bringing many high paying jobs and may allow America to explore or produce other domestic manganese mining.” Gosar continued, “The action will give the U.S. our first domestic source of manganese since 1973, cut at the heart of Chinese dominance and make our nation more independent and secure. This is how America can fight back and bring jobs and mineral security home.” Congratulations to the citizens of Wenden and to American Manganese Inc. This is a big win for Arizona, a big win for the American people, and a major step toward ending their reliance on China.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/radix-law-small-business-update-thanks-arizona-congressmen,Radix Law Small Business Update Thanks Arizona Congressmen,2020-10-22,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"Radix Law attorneys Jonathan Frutkin and Adam Buck have been hosting their weekly podcast Small Business Update throughout the pandemic. The podcast is included by all the major directory services, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcast, Stitcher and iHeart Radio. The attorneys host and discuss the rapidly changing government programs, laws and regulations that effect small business owners, which is also broadcast on YouTube. Each Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and David Schweikert (R-AZ) have appeared as guests, highlighting Congressional action that directly affects Arizona business owners during the crisis. The topics included the CARES Act, employment law, tax law and health care. I sincerely appreciate the attention that two philosophically different Congressman have given to the needs of business owners in Arizona. Congressman Schweikert and Congressman Gallego have shown a commitment to keeping their constituents informed and encouraging feedback from the business community, Jonathan Frutkin said. The podcast has recently begun to focus on shorter weekly segments relating to legal topics that impact business owners. In honor of national Estate Planning Week, the new episode of the podcast will focus on the basics of what planning must get done.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/10/21/schweikert-rush-kelly-thompson-introduce-safe-testing-residence/,"Schweikert, Rush, Kelly, Thompson Introduce the Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act",2020-10-21,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressmen David Schweikert (AZ-06), Bobby Rush (IL-01), Mike Kelly (PA-16), and Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced the introduction of the Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth (START) Act. This bipartisan legislation would provide robust at-home COVID-19 testing for seniors and other vulnerable populations “The coronavirus pandemic has brought on unprecedented challenges for all Americans, particularly our vulnerable, senior populations who are most at risk for contracting COVID-19 and have continued to stay isolated from family and friends,” said Schweikert. “One area where we have seen incredibly positive changes has been for seniors utilizing telehealth and at-home care tools, with growing appreciation for the flexibility and comfort this care can provide. I am proud to introduce this legislation to continue our much-needed expansion of healthcare technology and I am hopeful this can be included in any future COVID-19 relief to support our seniors and vulnerable populations working to stay healthy and safe.” “I am pleased to join Congressman Schweikert, Congressman Kelly, and Congressman Thompson in introducing this critical legislation, which will make testing more accessible and safer for seniors in my district and around the country,” said Rush. “Robust testing is key to ensuring those exposed to this dreaded disease receive timely treatment and prevent the spread to others.” “Telehealth is revolutionizing medical care. Virtual appointments and remote patient monitoring are allowing Americans to receive top quality care in the comfort and safety of their own homes. This technology will allow seniors to be tested for COVID-19 from their living rooms, and this bill will expand access to this vital service,” said Kelly. “As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact us all, I am focused on ensuring that everyone can get the health care they need through telehealth, to fight the spread of the virus and keep people safe,” said Thompson. “That’s why I am proud to join with Rep. Schweikert as co-chairs of the Telehealth Caucus to introduce this bill to help seniors get a COVID-19 test at home using telehealth. I look forward to working to pass this bill and continuing to increase the use of telehealth both now, and beyond our current crisis.” “We commend the sponsors of this common sense legislation to encourage safe and convenient testing, while avoiding unecessary exposure to the health care system where spread of Covid-19 is more likely and costs are higher.” said Joel White, Executive Director, Health Innovation Alliance. Background: Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kaiser Family Foundation have found that U.S. adults age 65 and older account for roughly 16 percent of the population and 80 percent of COVID-19 deaths. The Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2020 would amend the Social Security Act by adding coverage and payment for Medicare beneficiaries to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved at-home tests. The approved tests would help diagnose or discount a diagnosis of COVID-19 or other similar respiratory infection and be done in conjunction with an assistive telehealth consultation. Through this legislation, seniors will be able to safely consult with their physician from the comfort of their home. Relieved of risking exposure or coordinating transportation, families and health officials will now have more complete data to act on. Seniors prove to continue adapting to the new models of care made available thanks to generous telehealth waiver restrictions. From January to June of 2020, 43 percent of Medicare nationwide primary care claims have been through telehealth. To read the full text of this legislation, click HERE. ### Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/healthcare-retirement-security-seen-top-issues-older-voters-lawmakers-say,"Healthcare, retirement security seen as top issues for older voters, lawmakers say",2020-10-21,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"Concerns over healthcare and retirement securitywill be top of mind for voters over 50 years old in the upcoming election, lawmakers said Tuesday. Every fiber of my being believes retirement security is the biggest issue over the next decade, maybe even longer, Rep.David Schweikert(R-Ariz.) saidduringAARP's ""America's Most Reliable Voter""event, hosted by The Hill. It's more than just the retiree and their benefits, it's also the cost of Medicarebeing the primary driver of future debt and how do we provide better healthcare and change the cost curve? Sen.Bob Casey(D-Pa.), the ranking member of the Senate special committee on aging, explained that voters over the age of 50 always play a key role in elections, but in this particular presidential race, they may be the vote that decides the election. He pointed out that older voters were some of the hardest hitbythe coronavirus pandemic, and that the virus has amplified and greatly enhanced those concerns regarding their health and financial future. We know that people across the board were losing health insurance before the pandemic [and] that number has gone a lot higher, he said. That affects people in this age category, as well, and there's also some longer-term retirement financial security issues at play. Sen.Debbie Stabenow(D-Mich.) further emphasized how very real the threat of lack of accessibility to comprehensive healthcare can be to older voters. Healthcare generally is very critical, but when we talk about whether or not we are going to have a real federal plan that gets our arms around the COVID crisis that has rapid testing, that gets a vaccine safely as soon as possible I think for older people there's a greater sense of urgency, she said atTuesday'sevent. Stabenow, a ranking member on the Senate finance subcommittee on health care, expressed disappointmentregardingRepublican attempts toreduceaccess to healthcare via Affordable Care Act repeal and Medicare restraint, which could take away benefits like coverage of pre-existing conditions. I don't know why it's a partisan divide, healthcare. To me, healthcare is personal, not political, she said. Is it a right or privilege? Is it something all of us need and therefore should we be creating a system that's cost efficient and comprehensive for people? Stabenow suggested lowering the age for Medicare qualification to 50 tobring down costs of the system in the long run and provide accessforolder voters who are not satisfied with their private insurance. Other lawmakers offered different solutions to concerns. Schweikert, who is co-chair of the congressional telehealth caucus, told The Hill's Steve Clemons that the pandemic offered an opportunity for services like telemedicine which was shrouded in skepticism years before to flourish. He emphasized that to many, telemedicine was shockingly controversial because it upended the traditional infrastructure of medical practice, but with its current implementation, advocates have found that seniors love it. Telemedicine... when coupled with some of the new technology, could be a revolution in changing the price of healthcare and dramatically improving access for everyone, but particularly our seniors, he said. Schweikert also noted that healthcare and retirement security are inevitably intertwined and need to be addressed for the sake of older voters. They're big, complicated things for a politician to talk about and absolutely necessary, he said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/schweikert-rush-kelly-thompson-introduce-safe-testing-residence,"Schweikert, Rush, Kelly, Thompson Introduce the Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act",2020-10-21,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressmen David Schweikert (AZ-06), Bobby Rush (IL-01), Mike Kelly (PA-16), and Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced the introduction of the Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth (START) Act. This bipartisan legislation would provide robust at-home COVID-19 testing for seniors and other vulnerable populations ""The coronavirus pandemic has brought on unprecedented challenges for all Americans, particularly our vulnerable, senior populations who are most at risk for contracting COVID-19 and have continued to stay isolated from family and friends, said Schweikert. One area where we have seen incredibly positive changes has been for seniors utilizing telehealth and at-home care tools, with growing appreciation for the flexibility and comfort this care can provide. I am proud to introduce this legislation to continue our much-needed expansion of healthcare technology and I am hopeful this can be included in any future COVID-19 relief to support our seniors and vulnerable populations working to stay healthy and safe."" ""I am pleased to join Congressman Schweikert, Congressman Kelly, and Congressman Thompson in introducing this critical legislation, which will make testing more accessible and safer for seniors in my district and around the country, said Rush. Robust testing is key to ensuring those exposed to this dreaded disease receive timely treatment and prevent the spread to others."" ""Telehealth is revolutionizing medical care. Virtual appointments and remote patient monitoring are allowing Americans to receive top quality care in the comfort and safety of their own homes. This technology will allow seniors to be tested for COVID-19 from their living rooms, and this bill will expand access to this vital service, said Kelly. ""As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact us all, I am focused on ensuring that everyone can get the health care they need through telehealth, to fight the spread of the virus and keep people safe, said Thompson. That's why I am proud to join with Rep. Schweikert as co-chairs of the Telehealth Caucus to introduce this bill to help seniors get a COVID-19 test at home using telehealth. I look forward to working to pass this bill and continuing to increase the use of telehealth both now, and beyond our current crisis."" ""We commend the sponsors of this common sense legislation to encourage safe and convenient testing, while avoiding unecessary exposure to the health care system where spread of Covid-19 is more likely and costs are higher.""said Joel White, Executive Director, Health Innovation Alliance. Background: Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kaiser Family Foundation have found that U.S. adults age 65 and older account for roughly 16 percent of the population and 80 percent of COVID-19 deaths. The Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2020 would amend the Social Security Act by adding coverage and payment for Medicare beneficiaries to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved at-home tests. The approved tests would help diagnose or discount a diagnosis of COVID-19 or other similar respiratory infection and be done in conjunction with an assistive telehealth consultation. Through this legislation, seniors will be able to safely consult with their physician from the comfort of their home. Relieved of risking exposure or coordinating transportation, families and health officials will now have more complete data to act on. Seniors prove to continue adapting to the new models of care made available thanks to generous telehealth waiver restrictions. From January to June of 2020, 43 percent of Medicare nationwide primary care claims have been through telehealth. To read the full text of this legislation, click HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/mcsally-meets-with-supreme-court-nominee-judge-amy-coney-barrett,McSally Meets with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett,2020-10-21,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McSally Meets with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett She will make an outstanding addition to the Supreme Court U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) met today with President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Click here or above for downloadable photos and video from their meeting. Today, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Judge Amy Coney Barrett, whose grace and incredible command of the law are as evident in person as they were during her confirmation hearings last week,McSally said.It is undeniably clear that she is a principled jurist who will execute the duties of a Supreme Court justice with the utmost integrity. I came away from our meeting immensely impressed and believe she will make an outstanding addition to the Supreme Court. On top of her extensive qualifications, Judge Barrett is an inspiration to young women and girls across the country. She has challenged norms throughout her career, and when confirmed, she will be the fifth woman and the first mother of school-age children to serve on the Supreme Court. Her life is a testament to the fact that motherhood, devotion to faith, and a demanding career can, in fact, coexist. I look forward to voting in favor of her historic confirmation. Read Senator McSally's op-ed in the Arizona Republic on why she will vote to confirm Judge Barrett HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-introduces-resolution-recognize-peoples-republic-china,Congressman Biggs Introduces Resolution to Recognize the People's Republic of China as the Greatest Threat to the United States,2020-10-20,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"GILBERT, ARIZONA – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs introduced a concurrent resolution, recognizing the People's Republic of China as the greatest foreign threat to United States' peace, security, and stability. The resolution… Recognizes that the People's Republic of China (PRC) currently poses the greatest foreign threat to United States peace, security, and stability; Recognizes that the PRC, regardless of future leadership, will likely continue to be a major rival of the United States in the coming decades, due to the enormous cumulative size and scale of its population, economy, and military capabilities; and Supports the Trump administration's overall strategic approach to the PRC, grounded in principled realism and firm-but-measured competitive engagement whenever United States national interests are at stake, that has been outlined in sources including but not limited to: the United States Strategic Approach to the People's Republic of China (May 2020) the National Defense Strategy of the United States of America (October 2018); the National Cyber Strategy of the United States of America (September 2018); the National Security Strategy of the United States of America (December 2017); Read the text of the resolution below: CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Recognizing the People's Republic of China as the greatest foreign threat to United States peace, security, and stability Whereas the People's Republic of China (PRC) has a population of approximately 1,400,000,000, compared to the United States population of approximately 330,000,000; Whereas the PRC's economy is the second largest in the world, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), behind only the United States; Whereas the PRC's GDP will likely surpass United States GDP in the coming decades; Whereas the PRC has the largest active duty military in the world; Whereas the PRC has committed to aggressively modernizing its military capabilities in the coming decades; Whereas the PRC possesses nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles; Whereas the PRC does not share the democratic or free market values of the United States; Whereas Xi Jinping has been the de facto paramount leader of the PRC since November 2012, when he attained the positions of General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission; Whereas Xi became the head of state of the PRC in March 2013, with a title usually labeled ""President"" in Western sources; Whereas President Xi has decisively broken with the foreign policy restraint practiced by his immediate predecessors; Whereas President Xi declared in a 2018 speech before the National People's Congress that the PRC ""must ride on the mighty east wind of the new era, charge forward with a full tank and steadily steer the wheel with full power""; Whereas the PRC has neoimperial ambitions to spread its power throughout the world; Whereas the PRC launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, to offer financing for transportation and energy infrastructure projects in dozens of countries; Whereas many of the BRI-participating countries are poor, unstable, or potentially vulnerable to debt dependence on Beijing; Whereas the United States has very sensitive strategic relationships with many BRI-participating countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan; Whereas the PRC has released few details about the BRI, despite widespread calls from the United States, the International Monetary Fund, and other governments and multinational organizations for greater transparency; Whereas while the PRC has been opaque about the BRI, it has been very clear about its ambitions in the South China Sea in recent years; Whereas the PRC claims ""indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters""; Whereas this assertion of sovereignty is not, in fact, ""indisputable"" to the other countries in the region; Whereas Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines, a U.S. treaty ally, all dispute the PRC's expansive South China Sea claims; Whereas the PRC continues to construct militarized artificial islands in the South China Sea to bolster its position; Whereas trillions of dollars of ship-borne commerce pass through the South China Sea each year, including to United States markets; Whereas the PRC continues to aggressively claim sovereignty over Taiwan; Whereas, on September 30, 2020, the PRC's Premier, Li Keqiang, proclaimed that ""we will…resolutely oppose and curb any ‘Taiwan independence' separatist behaviors and external interference, …and promote…the reunification of the motherland""; Whereas Beijing's claims of sovereignty over Taiwan are belied by the fact that the Taiwanese people have independently governed their island for over 70 years; Whereas Taiwan is a vitally important friend and regional security partner of the United States; Whereas the Taiwan – United States bond has been solidified by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Taiwan Travel Act, and the ""Six Assurances"" first promulgated by the Reagan administration in 1982; Whereas the PRC continues to curtail the rights of the residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Whereas, on June 30, 2020, the PRC's National People's Congress passed an expansive national security law to broadly criminalize democratic participation and protest in Hong Kong; Whereas this law and other efforts to curtail democratic participation in Hong Kong violates the PRC's commitments in 1984 and 1997 to the United Kingdom to respect Hong Kong's long tradition of economic and democratic freedoms for 50 years, beginning on July 1, 1997; Whereas the Beijing government's increasingly hostile actions threaten the 85,000 American residents and 1,300 United States firms operating in Hong Kong; Whereas, in addition to the above and other geostrategic threats, the PRC wields enormous influence over the United States economy; Whereas the PRC holds over $1,000,000,000,000 in United States Treasury bonds, more than any other foreign nation except Japan; Whereas in recent years the PRC has maintained a massive trade surplus over the United States, valued at $345,600,000,000 in 2019, by manipulating its currency and maintaining unreasonably high tariffs, among other tactics; Whereas the PRC routinely pressures United States companies entering its market to cede their intellectual property and market licensing rights; Whereas the PRC frequently carries out cyberattacks on United States companies to steal trade secrets or other sensitive information it cannot obtain by other means; Whereas cyberattacks originating from the PRC target not only companies, but also United States Government and United States defense interests, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and average citizens; and Whereas it is likely that the PRC has access to the personal data of most citizens of the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress—",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/mcsally-bipartisan-senators-express-strong-support-for-the-quad-and-australias-return-to-exercise-malabar,"McSally, Bipartisan Senators Express Strong Support For The Quad & Australia’s Return To Exercise Malabar",2020-10-20,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) and a bipartisan group of senators expressed strong support for India's decision to formally invite Australia to participate in the annual Exercise Malabar. The letter, addressed to Ambassador of India to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu, was also signed by U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Josh Hawley (R-MO), James Lankford (R-OK), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Mark Warner (D-VA). From an operational perspective, the addition of such a uniquely capable and stalwart partner, like Australia, to this naval exercise is invaluable, providing increased interoperability, strengthening threat assessment abilities and enhancing the maritime roles and missions of the four naval powers, wrote the senators. However, of equal importance is the symbolic nature of Australia's inclusion in Malabar, marking the first time that the United States, India, Japan and Australia will engage collectively at the military level since the formation of the Quad and the Quad-plus-Singapore naval exercises held in September 2007. China has opportunistically looked to expand its military footprint across the Indo-Pacific. From the South China Sea to the Himalayas, Beijing continues to use methods of intimidation and territorial aggression to test the resolve of regional actors, continued the senators. In response to these malign actions, the U.S. has signaled its increased commitment to the region with the newly proposed Pacific Deterrence Initiative, which will complement the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA) to provide a more robust military presence. However, without coordinated efforts among committed and capable partners, solitary actions will not sufficiently address these ever-evolving security challenges. Almost three decades ago, the Malabar Exercise acted as a launching pad for increased U.S.-Indian relations. We hope that Japan's inclusion in the exercise, and now Australia's, will have a similar effect, strengthening cooperation among the Quad as we collectively defend our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, concluded the senators. The letter also expresses support for increased coordination among Quad members on non-security issues like humanitarian assistance, vaccine development, and infrastructure investment in the Indo-Pacific region. Read the full letter here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/mcsally-im-voting-yes-to-confirm-judge-barrett,McSally: I’m Voting Yes to Confirm Judge Barrett,2020-10-20,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McSally: I'm Voting Yes to Confirm Judge Barrett U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) today released a video statement expressing her strong support for President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Click HERE or above to watch Senator McSally's video statement. Read Senator McSally's op-ed published today in the Arizona Republic on why she will vote to confirm Judge Barrett HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-calls-special-counsel-investigate-former-vice-president-joe,Congressman Biggs Calls for a Special Counsel to Investigate Former Vice President Joe Biden's Involvement with Son's Business Dealings,2020-10-19,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"GILBERT, ARIZONA – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs and ten Members of Congress sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, requesting that the Department of Justice immediately appoint an independent, unbiased special counsel to investigate recent issues that have been raised about former Vice President Joe Biden's involvement with his son's business dealings. Representatives Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04), Ted Budd (NC-13), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Jody Hice (GA-10), Mark Green (TN-07), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Ted Yoho, D.V.M. (FL-03), Andy Harris (MD-01), and Steve King (IA-04) co-signed the letter to Attorney General Barr. Read the text of the letter below: October 19, 2020 The Honorable William Barr Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20530 Dear Attorney General Barr, Last week, reports surfaced about an uncovered hard drive and laptop purportedly belonging to Hunter Biden. Emails, allegedly on the hard drive, have indicated that Hunter Biden may have helped to orchestrate a payout to his father, former Vice President Joe Biden, from his dealings with a Chinese energy corporation, and that he may have compromised the integrity of his father's role as Vice President of the United States with his business dealings in Ukraine. These alleged revelations raise serious issues about former Vice President Joe Biden's reported participation with his son's business dealings, specifically whether the former vice president (1) received foreign monies during his tenure in the Obama administration, and (2) if former Vice President Biden allowed his son to peddle access to his father with foreign business entities. Americans deserve public officials who take great care to protect the integrity of their offices. Our constituents place great trust in their leaders at every level of government to conduct the people's business with the utmost honesty, transparency, and accountability. If these reports about former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, are true, the former vice president fell far short of his responsibility to uphold his constitutional oath and betrayed the sacred trust of the American people. It is imperative that the American people receive answers and a full accounting of former Vice President Biden's dealings with his son and his son's business partners, and if the former vice president misused his office for personal gain. We request that the Department of Justice immediately appoint an independent, unbiased special counsel to investigate the issues that we have raised – as well as any corresponding legal or ethical issues that might be uncovered from the former vice president's 47 years in public office. We ask for a response to our request by Friday, October 23, 2020, at 5 PM EST. Sincerely, Andy Biggs Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. Member of Congress Member of Congress Ted Budd Jeff Duncan Member of Congress Member of Congress Jody Hice Mark Green Member of Congress Member of Congress Debbie Lesko Louie Gohmert Member of Congress Member of Congress Ted S. Yoho, D.V.M. Andy Harris, M.D. Member of Congress Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/10/19/schweikert-leads-arizona-delegation-letter-support-medicare/,Schweikert Leads Arizona Delegation Letter to Support Medicare Beneficiaries Impacted by Natural Disasters,2020-10-19,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) led a bipartisan letter with the Arizona delegation to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to review their Extreme ad Uncontrollable Circumstances policy. Currently, CMS policy does not acknowledge the impact of all disaster types on beneficiaries and health plan operational and clinical systems, including the long-term impacts of wildfires that have taken place across Arizona. “We must work to ensure every Arizonan has the option to be protected against a natural disaster, including the recent wildfires sweeping across the West,” said Congressman Schweikert. “By submitting this letter, we are asking that CMS make adjustments to their current policy, and acknowledge the impact that all forms of disasters have on beneficiaries in order to improve access to high quality care for those living in disaster prone areas. I am pleased to lead this letter with my Arizona colleagues and look forward to continuing to work together to support everyone impacted by the wildfires in our state.” Background: This bipartisan letter asks CMS to review their “Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances” policy to: Expand the eligibility of disaster designations; and Grandfather in relief across applicable years. Expanding the thresholds used to provide Star Rating relief would improve access to high quality care and support services to beneficiaries living in areas impacted by public health emergencies and natural disasters. To read the full letter, click HERE. ### Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/keeping-entrepreneurship-alive-and-thriving-pandemic,Keeping entrepreneurship alive and thriving in the pandemic,2020-10-19,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"To check the pulse of entrepreneurs across the nation during COVID-19, Arizona U.S. Representative David Schweikert and other members of Congress met with business owners from across the nation during a virtual roundtable last week. Rep. David Schweikert The lawmakers said they wanted to hear directly from business owners so they can better craft effective legislation going forward and find gaps where small businesses are falling through the cracks. Schweikert said small retailers and restaurants are showing some of the highest displacement numbers, and an unusually high number of new business filings indicates they are starting new businesses. Congress needs to find a way to help them succeed, he said. This may be really important for the country's economic recovery and those in the policymaking world are going to have to think about everything from access to capital, to the regulatory state, and how do we help microbusinesses that are going to be run from home for awhile, Schweikert said. How do you help them hit the launchpad and take off? That needs to be part of the economic recovery plan as we work through this. Schweikert co-hosted the event with Rep. Bill Foster (IL) and Rep. French Hill (AR) who spoke of legislation to help, including possibly extending the federal Paycheck Protection Program that helped millions of small businesses keep their employees on the payroll, their lights on and rent paid for months during COVID-19 shutdowns. All three, once young entrepreneurs themselves, are co-chairs of the bipartisan House EntrepreneurshipCaucus, which serves as a forum for lawmakers to stay abreast of the most pressing issues facing businesses. The event, the Entrepreneurship Roundtable, was hosted with theCenter for American Entrepreneurship. The center is a nonpartisan research, policy, and advocacy organization that works with policymakers in Washington and across the country to achieve a policy environment that promotes new business formation, survival, and growth. Bumpy ride for all At the roundtable event, entrepreneurs from a range of industries including technology, real estate, digital food service, engineering, and marketing detailed the damage all experienced and what they need moving forward. All reported deep dives in revenues from the disruptions. All have also managed to keep their companies open. Federal stimulus programs helped, they said. We might have survived without federal assistance, but it would have meant significant layoffs and downsizing. We did not lay off one person, said Jimi Allen, CEO and founder ofBureau Gravity, a marketing and visual services company in Aurora, Colorado. Almost all of the executives said they benefited from two federal stimulus loan programs created earlier this year to help businesses with 500 or fewer employees: the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, they said. Remote workers here to stay? All of the companies said they have had to go to completely or partially remote operations. Lori Anna Harrison of Scottsdale real estate marketing firmDLP, said working remotely has been so successful for her company, they have no intention of switching back. We will never go back to brick and mortar, said Harrison. It hasn't impacted clients at all. We are able to give the same level of service. Businesses owned by people of color being left behind Sky Kelley, the Black owner of Avisare, a Los Angeles company that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help government agencies and small businesses procure contracts, said COVID-19 almost devastated her business. When the pandemic hit, Avisare was in the late stages of negotiating a major contract with their first private client. That deal instantly went away, she said. Other deals also fell through with government agencies that suddenly were financially strapped as well. Meanwhile, all of her highly skilled engineer employees, who were earning six figure incomes, had to move to independent contractor status. When Kelley applied for a PPP loan, she was turned down. After repeated phone calls and reapplying for an EIDL loan she finally received $68,000. Nevertheless, Avisare has survived by scrambling to find new business, she said. We were able to ride through it, but we had to get really creative and do double duty while also managing kids and home and childcare. Kelley also expressed concerns that businesses owned by people of color are falling by the wayside during the pandemic, especially companies owned by African Americans. Legislation to support entrepreneurship After hearing from the company heads, Schweikert and the other congressional members spoke of measures they and others are making to help spur innovation and prevent entrepreneurs from falling through the cracks. The New Business Preservation Act, for example, would provide funding for innovation and startups. The bill also has provisions to protect women and people of color. Schweikert said Congress is continuing to work to come to agreement on a stimulus package for small businesses. America's edge relies on entrepreneurship, he said. Small businesses have always been, and will continue to be, an integral part of our communities, Schweikert said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/schweikert-leads-arizona-delegation-letter-support-medicare,Schweikert Leads Arizona Delegation Letter to Support Medicare Beneficiaries Impacted by Natural Disasters,2020-10-19,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC -Today, Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) led a bipartisan letter with the Arizona delegation to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to review their Extreme ad Uncontrollable Circumstances policy. Currently,CMS policy does not acknowledge the impact of all disaster types on beneficiaries and health plan operational and clinical systems, including the long-term impacts of wildfires that have taken place across Arizona. ""We must work to ensure every Arizonan has the option to be protected against a natural disaster, including the recent wildfires sweeping across the West,said Congressman Schweikert.By submitting this letter, we are asking that CMS make adjustments to their current policy, and acknowledge the impact that all forms of disasters have on beneficiaries in order to improve access to high quality care for those living in disaster prone areas. I am pleased to lead this letter with my Arizona colleagues and look forward to continuing to work together to support everyone impacted by the wildfires in our state."" Background: This bipartisan letter asks CMS to review their Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances policy to: Expand the eligibility of disaster designations; and Grandfather in relief across applicable years. Expanding the thresholds used to provide Star Rating relief would improve access to high quality care and support services to beneficiaries living in areas impacted by public health emergencies and natural disasters. To read the full letter, clickHERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/mcsally-senators-introduce-constitutional-and-legislative-proposals-to-prevent-democrats-from-packing-the-supreme-court,"McSally, Senators Introduce Constitutional & Legislative Proposals to Prevent Democrats from Packing the Supreme Court",2020-10-19,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. SENATE As Democrats plan to pack the Supreme Court with liberal judicial activists if they win the election, U.S. Senators Martha McSally (R-AZ), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R- MS) today introduced two proposals to maintain the number of justices on the bench, preserve the integrity and independence of the Supreme Court, and protect Americans' constitutional liberties. The first proposal would prevent the expansion or contraction of the Supreme Court by constitutional amendment, also known as the Keep Nine amendment. The second proposal would stop Democrats from unilaterally passing any court-packing legislation in the United States Senate. Threats by Democrats to expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court and add liberal activist judges is disturbing and dangerous, McSally said. On top of that, some Democrats reluctance to even answer whether they would pack the Court proves a far more frightening reality. The left will first deceive the American people and then use any tool at their disposal to gain power and force their radical agenda on them. Our bills are critical to thwarting any efforts to fundamentally transform the Supreme Court, keeping the number of Justices at nine as it has been for over 150 years. Make no mistake, if Democrats win the election, they will end the filibuster and pack the Supreme Court, expanding the number of justices to advance their radical political agenda, entrenching their power for generations, and destroying the foundations of our democratic system, Cruz said. We must take action before election day to safeguard the Supreme Court and the constitutional liberties that hang in the balance. That's why I'm proud to introduce these two commonsense proposals, which will prevent either party from adding or contracting the number of justices on the bench for political advantage. After Democrats last week during the confirmation hearing for Judge Amy Coney Barrett accused Senate Republicans of Court packing for simply fulfilling their constitutional responsibility to advise and consent on judicial nominees, Sen. Cruz added: Don't be fooled by Democrats' hyperbolic rhetoric. Packing the Court means one very specific thing: expanding the number of justices to achieve a political outcome. It is wrong. It is an abuse of power. Democrats are endeavoring to redefine the language to set the stage for a partisan assault on the Court. When it comes to our fundamental liberties our religious liberty, our freedom of speech, our Second Amendment rights we are often one vote away from losing them on the Supreme Court. For the sake of our liberties and the future of our country, we must preserve our independent judiciary. These proposals would do just that. For the last few years, Democrats have made no secret of their desire to see a radical, socialist agenda imposed on the American people, Tillis said. Unable to implement their job-killing plans through the Democratic process, they've decided they'll simply impose it on the American people through the Supreme Court. Chuck Schumer and his allies are now saying they'll pack the Supreme Court if Senate Republicans fulfill their constitutional duty to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Their proposals are dangerous and would give them free reign to appoint radical judges who would legislate from the bench, threatening the religious liberty and Second Amendment rights of North Carolinians. We have had nine judges on the Supreme Court since 1869, and efforts to change that is not supported by the majority of the American people. I am proud to co-introduce these proposals to stop Chuck Schumer's radical liberal agenda and maintain the integrity of the Supreme Court. Proposals to pack' the Supreme Court and add seats to change its ideological balance should concern every American, Wicker said. There have been nine seats on the Supreme Court for more than 150 years, providing stability and trust in the rule of law. These two proposals would protect the independence of our federal judiciary and ensure our nation's highest court is not subject to political games. The shameful attacks on Judge Barrett are especially hypocritical given the Left's calls to pack the Supreme Court and end the filibuster in a desperate attempt to impose their radical agenda on the American people, Loeffler said. These proposals will prevent Democrats from fundamentally altering the Court and adding new seats only to fill them with activist judges who will legislate from the bench and threaten the right to life, the Second Amendment and all the individual liberties that we as Americans hold dear. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in preventing attempts to undermine the integrity of our democracy and Americans' freedoms. Having nine justices on the United States Supreme Court has worked for more than 150 years, Hyde-Smith said. Today, the long-standing checks and balances that are the foundation of our democracy would be thrown into crisis if threats to pack the court are successful. Packing the court is all about politics and power, not principle. The legislation we introduce today would keep our democracy intact and isolate the judiciary from the political whims of our colleagues across the aisle. BACKGROUND: Before President Trump had even nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Senate Democrats had already pledged their opposition to her confirmation. Top Democrats, including Joe Biden, have falsely called Senate Republican's efforts to confirm Judge Barrett court packing because Republicans have been confirming principled constitutionalists to the federal bench. It is abundantly clear that Democrats are desperately trying to redefine court packing in an attempt to hide their true objective: adding seats to the Supreme Court in a radical and partisan attempt to drive the Court to the left. Joe Biden has faced growing calls to expand the Court from the media and prominent Democratic politicians alike. Sen. Ed Markey tweeted just hours after Ginsburg's passing, Mitch McConnell set the precedent. No Supreme Court vacancies filled in an election year. If he violates it, when Democrats control the Senate in the next Congress, we must abolish the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court. Sen. Mazie Hirono, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, also signaled support for packing the Supreme Court, calling Court packing long-overdue court reform. Earlier this year, Sen. Kamala Harris voiced her openness to expanding the Supreme Court saying, We are on the verge of a crisis of confidence in the Supreme Court [] We have to take this challenge head on, and everything is on the table to do that. And Sen. Elizabeth Warren voiced her support for expanding the Court while perfectly underlining the need for Sen. McSally's legislation saying, I'm open. [] Actually, I mean, we could. [] Look, there are a lot of different ways to do it. The number of people on the Supreme Court is not constitutionally constricted. The text of the Keep Nine Constitutional Amendment can be read here. The full text of the legislative proposal can be read here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/house-republicans-ask-fbi-director-answers-about-purported-hunted-biden-laptop,House Republicans ask FBI director for answers about purported Hunted Biden laptop,2020-10-16,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,1318 Longworth House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/house-republicans-ask-fbi-if-it-had-hunter-bidens-alleged-laptop-during-trumps,House Republicans ask FBI if it had Hunter Biden's alleged laptop during Trump's impeachment,2020-10-15,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,1318 Longworth House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/house-republicans-demand-answers-fbi-over-suspected-hunter-biden-computer,House Republicans demand answers from FBI over suspected Hunter Biden computer,2020-10-15,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,1318 Longworth House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-leads-letter-fbi-director-wray-about-hunter-bidens-alleged,Congressman Biggs Leads Letter to FBI Director Wray about Hunter Biden's Alleged Laptop,2020-10-15,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"GILBERT, ARIZONA – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs, along with 18 of his House colleagues, sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, raising questions about the FBI's alleged involvement in obtaining and analyzing a hard drive and laptop, which purportedly had emails belonging to Hunter Biden. Representatives Paul Gosar, D.D.S (AZ-04), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Ron Wright (TX-06), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Steve King (IA-04), Chip Roy (TX-21), H. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Mark Green (TN-07), Jody Hice (GA-10), Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Bill Posey (FL-08), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), Mo Brooks (AL-05), Ted Yoho, D.V.M. (FL-03), Ted Budd (NC-13), and Randy Weber (TX-14) co-signed the letter. Read the text of the letter below: October 15, 2020 The Honorable Christopher Wray Director Federal Bureau of Investigation 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 7240 Washington, DC 20535-0001 Dear Director Wray, Yesterday, the New York Post published an article entitled, ""Smoking-gun email reveals how Hunter Biden introduced Ukrainian businessman to VP dad."" The article documents how a recently uncovered laptop and hard drive allegedly revealed e-mails to and from Hunter Biden that strongly indicated that former Vice President Joe Biden was, in fact, aware of his son's overseas dealings. Most concerning in the article was the allegation that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was in possession of this computer and hard drive back in December 2019. This action took place right at the end of the U.S. House of Representative's impeachment sham against President Donald J. Trump, and right before the U.S. Senate tried the case. A large portion of the President's legal defense case revolved around strong evidence that former Vice President Biden's son, Hunter, was peddling his influence to his father to land lucrative jobs overseas that he might not have otherwise been qualified for. If the FBI was, in fact, in possession of this evidence and failed to alert the White House to its existence that would have given even more weight to the President's legal defense, this was a gross error in judgement and a severe violation of trust. The American people deserve the swift answers to these questions: 1. Was the FBI in possession of the laptop and hard drive that was documented in the New York Post article? 2. Did the FBI take any steps to authenticate the laptop, hard drive, and data that was uncovered? 3. Did anyone at the FBI brief officials at the Department of Justice or at the White House about this laptop or hard drive at any point since December 2019? 4. Why did the New York Post have the information about this laptop and hard drive before the American people? We request answers to these questions by Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 5 PM EST. Sincerely, Andy Biggs Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. Member of Congress Member of Congress Debbie Lesko Jeff Duncan Member of Congress Member of Congress Ron Wright Louie Gohmert Member of Congress Member of Congress Steve King Chip Roy Member of Congress Member of Congress H. Morgan Griffith Mark Green Member of Congress Member of Congress Jody Hice Andy Harris, M.D. Member of Congress Member of Congress Michael Cloud Bill Posey Member of Congress Member of Congress Scott DesJarlais Mo Brooks Member of Congress Member of Congress Ted Yoho, D.V.M. Ted Budd Member of Congress Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/rep-andy-biggs-leads-house-gop-group-calling-changes-va-gun-restrictions,Rep. Andy Biggs leads House GOP group calling for changes to VA gun restrictions,2020-10-14,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,1318 Longworth House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-leads-letter-president-trump-urge-support-veterans-second,Congressman Biggs Leads Letter to President Trump to Urge Support for Veterans' Second Amendment Rights,2020-10-14,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"GILBERT, ARIZONA – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs, along with several Members of Congress, sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump, encouraging him to take executive action to stop the Department of Veterans Affairs from disarming vulnerable veterans. Representatives W. Gregory Steube (FL-17), Tom McClintock (CA-04), Ralph Abraham (LA-05), Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Jody Hice (GA-10), Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Brian Babin (TX-36), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Jim Baird (IN-04), Rick Crawford (AR-01), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Roger Williams (TX-25), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Mo Brooks (AL-05), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Richard Hudson (NC-08), Randy Weber (TX-14), and Scott Perry (PA-10) joined as co-signers to this letter. Read the text of the letter below: October 14, 2020 President Donald J. Trump The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President, Thank you for your actions to ensure that our veterans have the best mental health care in the world. Our nation's heroes deserve the best care our nation has to offer, and we wholeheartedly support your laudable efforts to protect and empower veterans. However, any efforts that seek to protect veterans must respect the right to keep and bear arms. As such, we encourage you to take executive action to stop the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from disarming vulnerable veterans. Today, veterans who have been assigned a fiduciary are determined by the VA to be financially incompetent and are treated as persons prohibited from purchasing, possessing, receiving, or transporting a firearm or ammunition pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(4). These veterans are then reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System alongside convicted felons and illegal aliens. The VA's fiduciary rule has led to many veterans being wrongly deprived of their constitutional rights. Receiving help to manage your VA benefits is not the same as being ""adjudicated as a mental defective"" or as being ""committed to a mental institution."" Veterans should not have to worry about being disarmed when they seek assistance with benefits or healthcare from the VA. While this disarmament of our nation's veterans began with the Clinton administration, we recognize that this radical anti-gun agenda will not end with the disarmament of only our nation's veterans. Previously, Americans watched as the Obama administration tried to disarm Social Security beneficiaries in a similar manner. Thankfully, your administration worked with Congress to prevent the unconstitutional final rule from taking effect. Mr. President, there is room for executive action to reconcile the VA's interpretive guidance with the VA's limited statutory authority. In fact, Gun Owners of America and the Independence Fund recently filed a rulemaking petition asking VA Secretary Robert Wilke to do just that. We urge you to take this long-overdue action to respect the right of veterans to keep and bear arms. Sincerely, Andy Biggs Member of Congress W. Gregory Steube Member of Congress Tom McClintock Member of Congress Ralph Abraham Member of Congress Bob Gibbs Member of Congress Jody Hice Member of Congress Paul Gosar, D.D.S. Member of Congress Ralph Norman Member of Congress Dan Meuser Member of Congress Brian Babin Member of Congress Adrian Smith Member of Congress Jim Baird Member of Congress Rick Crawford Member of Congress Jeff Duncan Member of Congress Roger Williams Member of Congress Warren Davidson Member of Congress Mo Brooks Member of Congress Gus Bilirakis Member of Congress Debbie Lesko Member of Congress Richard Hudson Member of Congress Randy Weber Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/op-ed-cdcs-latest-arizona-mask-study-flawed-beyond-repair,OP-ED: CDC's Latest Arizona Mask 'Study' Is Flawed Beyond Repair,2020-10-13,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,1318 Longworth House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/trump-s-biggest-twitter-cheerleaders,Trumps biggest Twitter cheerleaders,2020-10-13,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,1318 Longworth House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/10/13/congressman-schweikert-applauds-niaid-advancing-valley-fever-research/,Congressman Schweikert Applauds NIAID for Advancing Valley Fever Research Center Proposal,2020-10-13,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) released the following statement applauding the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for taking action towards funding the Coccidioidomycosis Collaborative Research Centers (CCRC) program, aimed to provide extended research for the improved diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Valley Fever. “I am pleased to see NIAID taking the next steps towards such a prominent problem we face here in Arizona, by funding $6 million in Fiscal Year 2022 to these research teams needed for information and future cures for Valley Fever,” said Congressman Schweikert. “Too many individuals are infected by this terrible disease, and face life-long health problems. By funding this program we will take the next step in helping our brothers and sisters whose lives have been forever changed by Valley Fever.” Background: Recently, Congressmen David Schweikert (AZ-06) and Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), led a letter to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins, and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, in support of proposed efforts to better understand Coccidioidomycosis. Following the letter, NIAID issued a formal funding opportunity announcement to establish Valley Fever research centers with the intent of committing $6M in FY22. To read the full letter click HERE. To read the grant announcement, click HERE. ### Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-schweikert-applauds-niaid-advancing-valley-fever-research,Congressman Schweikert Applauds NIAID for Advancing Valley Fever Research Center Proposal,2020-10-13,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC -Today, Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) released the following statement applauding the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for taking action towards funding the Coccidioidomycosis Collaborative Research Centers (CCRC) program, aimed to provide extended research for the improved diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Valley Fever. ""I am pleased to see NIAID taking the next steps towards such a prominent problem we face here in Arizona, by funding $6 million in Fiscal Year 2022 to these research teams needed for information and future cures for Valley Fever,said Congressman Schweikert. Too many individuals are infected by this terrible disease, and face life-long health problems. By funding this program we will take the next step in helping our brothers and sisters whose lives have been forever changed by Valley Fever."" Background: Recently, Congressmen David Schweikert (AZ-06) and Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), led a letter to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins, and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, in support of proposed efforts to better understand Coccidioidomycosis. Following the letter,NIAID issued a formal funding opportunity announcement to establish Valley Fever research centers with the intent of committing $6M in FY22. To read the full letter clickHERE. To read the grant announcement, clickHERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/andy-biggs-rips-mask-narrative-after-cdc-report-shows-85-symptomatic-people-often,Andy Biggs rips mask narrative after CDC report shows 85% of symptomatic people 'often' or 'always' wore masks,2020-10-12,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,1318 Longworth House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/in-the-news/rep-andy-biggs-r-az-we-need-25th-amendment-remove-speaker-pelosi,Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ): We Need A 25th Amendment To Remove Speaker Pelosi,2020-10-09,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,1318 Longworth House Office Building,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-democrats-plot-latest-attempt-remove-president-trump-office,House Democrats Plot Latest Attempt to Remove President Trump from Office,2020-10-09,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"GILBERT, ARIZONA – Today, House Democrats announced plans to establish a Commission on Presidential Capacity, the latest attempt by congressional Democrats to overturn the 2016 election and remove President Trump from office. Congressman Biggs issued the following statements: ""Over the last three-plus years, Democrats have clearly proved that there is NOTHING they wouldn't weaponize to undermine and overthrow America's duly elected 45th President, Donald J. Trump. This year, following their disastrous impeachment hoax, Democrats have increasingly taken advantage of COVID-19 in an attempt to cause political harm to President Trump. This legislation is more of the same sorry, partisan, spiteful ploys from House Democrats in their never-ending march to remove our president. ""Americans are tired of these charades, and they want the games to end. President Trump, like millions of Americans, caught a virus this month. Thankfully, also like millions of Americans, he is on the road to recovery from this virus. While recovering from the virus, President Trump never stopped working for the American people. Instead of taking the president's recovery at face value, Democrats have distorted and manipulated the truth, and they have made it a political cesspool. ""It is time for Democrats to stop their hateful fixation on President Trump and return to the people's business. Our nation cannot survive this partisan warfare. I again call on our House Republican leadership to call up the motion to Vacate the Chair to remove Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. Speaker Pelosi continues to abuse her power for political purposes and denigrate this institution to the point of no return. Republicans and Democrats must act to restore the House to a place of respect, decency, and adherence to our constitutional duties."" ### Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/10/07/schweikert-hill-foster-host-virtual-roundtable-support-local/,"Schweikert, Hill, Foster Host Virtual Roundtable to Support Local Entrepreneurs",2020-10-07,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"[[{“fid”:”1817″,”view_mode”:”default”,”fields”:{“alt”:”a”,”class”:”media-element file-congress-small”,”data-delta”:”2″,”format”:”default”,”field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]”:”a”},”link_text”:null,”type”:”media”,”field_deltas”:{“2”:{“alt”:”a”,”class”:”media-element file-congress-small”,”data-delta”:”2″,”format”:”default”,”field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]”:”a”}},”attributes”:{“alt”:”a”,”class”:”media-element file-default”,”data-delta”:”2″}}]] WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. David Schweikert (AZ-06), along with Reps. French Hill (AR-02) and Bill Foster (IL-11), co-chairs of the House Entrepreneurship Caucus, hosted a virtual roundtable with local entrepreneurs. Over Zoom, the representatives heard about the impact of COVID-19 on new and small businesses, identified pressure points and areas of vulnerability on business owners, and discussed potential policy options to address the needs of startups and “mom and pop” businesses. “Small businesses have always been, and will continue to be, an integral part of our communities. It was a pleasure to hear from other entrepreneurs across the country who utilized the Paycheck Protection Program, and from our very own, Lori Anna Harrison, Founder and President of DLP Marketing in Scottsdale, about how the program helped her Arizona business,” said Rep. Schweikert. “I appreciate each of the entrepreneurs who took time to join us to discuss their experiences working through COVID19. I am hopeful Congress will re-open the remaining funds available in the Paycheck Protection Program account to help ensure any business on the brink of closing can be supported through these unprecedented times.” “Thank you to Congressman Schweikert for inviting me to join today’s roundtable and share the story of my company, DLP Marketing. As a member of the entrepreneurial community in Arizona, I look forward to continuing today’s conversation on ways Congress can work to support small businesses like mine, especially during these times,” said Lori Anna Harrison, from Scottsdale. “Startups are crucial to our economy’s ability to keep hardworking Arkansans employed and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Hill. “The coronavirus poses a threat to thousands of startups and local businesses. While programs like the Paycheck Protection Program and the Federal Reserve’s Main Street Lending Facility have been a helpful lifeline, Congress needs to ensure we are promoting policies that further innovation, job creation and economic growth. I enjoyed hearing from small businesses across the country and look forward to working with my fellow Entrepreneurship Caucus members to find bipartisan solutions.” “Thank you Representative Hill for your efforts to support innovators like me. My company, BOND.AI, is a human-centered artificial intelligence platform that helps banks understand user behavior and nudge customers towards improved financial health. As a former community banker and former president of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, Representative Hill understands what targeted investments are needed to keep local businesses on Main Street afloat,” said Uday Akkaraju, from Little Rock. “As someone who knows what it takes to launch and sustain a business, I know that the COVID-19 pandemic has been especially difficult for small businesses in Illinois and all across our nation,” said Rep. Foster. “We have a lot of work to do to reverse the economic damage this crisis has unleashed on entrepreneurs and we need to pursue additional relief measures that will help businesses stay open, keep their workers employed, and resume growth once this crisis has passed. I’m committed to working with my colleagues to find common sense, bipartisan solutions that will benefit our communities.” “The biggest challenge in pre-COVID and post-COVID business is the lack of public-private partnership opportunities. Economic development practices haven’t changed for generations. And today, with fewer businesses thriving in local markets it’s more obvious than ever a new approach is necessary. Government is not built for innovative thinking and that is exactly what business owners do on a daily basis. They survive by doing what it takes and this is where innovation is born. They think about how to solve their customer problems with forecasting and sweat equity. If that works for businesses then it should be what the government recognizes as the secret sauce to economic development opportunities. In short, if local entrepreneurs produce revenue, then ask, ‘what can we do to facilitate their ability to continue’. COVID has been an opportunity for business to pivot and survive. I’m grateful the Federal government quickly put into place the PPP program and the SBA supported their 504 and 7a loan programs. The future is now open to more innovation because we’ve never been through a time like this before in our history,” said Jimi Allen, from Aurora. ### Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/schweikert-hill-foster-host-virtual-roundtable-support-local,"Schweikert, Hill, Foster Host Virtual Roundtable to Support Local Entrepreneurs",2020-10-07,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC -Today,Rep. David Schweikert (AZ-06), along with Reps. French Hill (AR-02) and Bill Foster (IL-11), co-chairs of the House Entrepreneurship Caucus, hosted a virtual roundtable with local entrepreneurs. Over Zoom, the representatives heard about the impact of COVID-19 on new and small businesses, identified pressure points and areas of vulnerability on business owners, and discussed potential policy options to address the needs of startups and mom and pop businesses. ""Small businesses have always been, and will continue to be, an integral part of our communities. It was a pleasure to hear from other entrepreneurs across the country who utilized the Paycheck Protection Program, and from our very own, Lori Anna Harrison, Founder and President of DLP Marketing in Scottsdale, about how the program helped her Arizona business,said Rep. Schweikert. I appreciate each of the entrepreneurs who took time to join us to discuss their experiences working through COVID19. I am hopeful Congress will re-open the remaining funds available in the Paycheck Protection Program account to help ensure any business on the brink of closing can be supported through these unprecedented times."" ""Thank you to Congressman Schweikert for inviting me to join today's roundtable and share the story of my company, DLP Marketing. As a member of the entrepreneurial community in Arizona, I look forward to continuing today's conversation on ways Congress can work to support small businesses like mine, especially during these times,""said Lori Anna Harrison, from Scottsdale. ""Startups are crucial to our economy's ability to keep hardworking Arkansans employed and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,said Rep. Hill. The coronavirus poses a threat to thousands of startups and local businesses. While programs like the Paycheck Protection Program and the Federal Reserve's Main Street Lending Facility have been a helpful lifeline, Congress needs to ensure we are promoting policies that further innovation, job creation and economic growth. I enjoyed hearing from small businesses across the country and look forward to working with my fellow Entrepreneurship Caucus members to find bipartisan solutions."" ""Thank you Representative Hill for your efforts to support innovators like me. My company, BOND.AI, is a human-centered artificial intelligence platform that helps banks understand user behavior and nudge customers towards improved financial health. As a former community banker and former president of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, Representative Hill understands what targeted investments are needed to keep local businesses on Main Street afloat,said Uday Akkaraju, from Little Rock. ""As someone who knows what it takes to launch and sustain a business, I know that the COVID-19 pandemic has been especially difficult for small businesses in Illinois and all across our nation,said Rep. Foster.We have a lot of work to do to reverse the economic damage this crisis has unleashed on entrepreneurs and we need to pursue additional relief measures that will help businesses stay open, keep their workers employed, and resume growth once this crisis has passed. I'm committed to working with my colleagues to find common sense, bipartisan solutions that will benefit our communities."" ""The biggest challenge in pre-COVID and post-COVID business is the lack of public-private partnership opportunities. Economic development practices haven't changedfor generations. And today, with fewer businesses thriving in local markets it's more obviousthanever a new approach is necessary. Government is not builtfor innovative thinking and that is exactly what business owners do on a daily basis. They survive by doing what it takes and this is where innovation is born. They think abouthow to solve their customer problems with forecasting and sweat equity. If that works for businesses then it should be what the government recognizes as the secret sauce to economicdevelopment opportunities. In short, if local entrepreneursproduce revenue, then ask, what can we do to facilitate their ability to continue'. COVID has been an opportunity for business to pivot and survive. I'm grateful the Federal government quickly put into place the PPP program and the SBA supported their 504 and 7a loan programs. The future is now open to more innovation because we've never been through a time like this before in our history,said Jimi Allen, from Aurora. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/10/06/schweikert-soto-introduce-blockchain-records-and-transactions-act/,"Schweikert, Soto Introduce Blockchain Records and Transactions Act",2020-10-06,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressmen David Schweikert (AZ-06) and Darren Soto (FL-09) introduced H.R. 8524, the Blockchain Records and Transaction Act, legislation to expand the utilization and definition of blockchain technology, and ensure all blockchain-secured records and smart contracts can be verified as legal e-signatures. “I am pleased to re-introduce this critical legislation to ensure our laws are working to support emerging technologies like blockchain,” said Rep. Schweikert. “Too many of our laws are continuing to prohibit innovation and advancements for efficiency in our society. This legislation is a part of the Congressional Blockchain Caucuses’ continued work to future-proof our policy, and I appreciate the support from my colleague and Co-Chair Rep. Soto for working with us to advance this bipartisan legislation.” “Innovation is embedded into our nation’s DNA,” said Rep. Soto. “With the growth of blockchain technology, it’s up to Congress to provide a legal framework to support its technological advances. As a lawyer and notary, I understand the importance of validated signatures for legal documentation as an essential starting point in building a blockchain-enabled infrastructure. Together, with Congressman Schweikert, we can help promote greater understanding and demonstrate the certainty needed to power blockchain records, contracts and transactions.” Background: The Blockchain Records and Transactions Act would: Amend the definition of “electronic records” to include blockchains and records maintained on blockchains;. Amend the definition of “electronic agent” to include smart contracts; Define blockchain and smart contracts; and Ensure states cannot avoid giving legal recognition to blockchain records through reverse pre-emption. To read the full text of this legislation, click HERE. ### Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/schweikert-soto-introduce-blockchain-records-and-transactions-act,"Schweikert, Soto Introduce Blockchain Records and Transactions Act",2020-10-06,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC -Today, Congressmen David Schweikert (AZ-06) and Darren Soto (FL-09) introduced H.R. 8524, the Blockchain Records and Transaction Act, legislation to expand the utilization and definition of blockchain technology, and ensure all blockchain-secured records and smart contracts can be verified as legal e-signatures. ""I am pleased to re-introduce this critical legislation to ensure our laws are working to support emerging technologies like blockchain,said Rep. Schweikert. Too many of our laws are continuing to prohibit innovation and advancements for efficiency in our society. This legislation is a part of the Congressional Blockchain Caucuses' continued work to future-proof our policy, and I appreciate the support from my colleague and Co-Chair Rep. Soto for working with us to advance this bipartisan legislation."" ""Innovation is embedded into our nation's DNA,said Rep. Soto. With the growth of blockchain technology, it's up to Congress to provide a legal framework to support its technological advances. As a lawyer and notary, I understand the importance of validated signatures for legal documentation as an essential starting point in building a blockchain-enabled infrastructure. Together, with Congressman Schweikert, we can help promote greater understanding and demonstrate the certainty needed to power blockchain records, contracts and transactions. Background: The Blockchain Records and Transactions Act would: Amend the definition of electronic records to include blockchains and records maintained on blockchains;. Amend the definition of electronic agent to include smart contracts; Define blockchain and smart contracts; and Ensure states cannot avoid giving legal recognition to blockchain records through reverse pre-emption. To read the full text of this legislation, clickHERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4046,"Gosar, Gabbard, Kennedy Introduce Don’t Push My Buttons Act",2020-10-05,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Paul A. Gosar,G000565,gosar.house.gov,gosar,https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Representatives Paul Gosar (AZ-4), Tulsi Gabbard (HI-2), and Senator John Kennedy (LA) introduced the Don't Push My Buttons Act. This bill reforms Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act by limiting immunity from liability for online platforms to curate content for users based on collected personal data preferences, unless users elect to receive the content. Custom content curation options for users are not inherently bad, and the bill provides protections to platforms for content curation if the users choose it. The Don’t Push My Buttons Act limits immunity from liability for online platforms to collect personal data and curate corresponding content without consent from the user. “Tech companies are making users the product. Big Tech is collecting user data and manipulating users, often unwittingly. Some may find content curation options convenient, but many users are creeped out and manipulated by data collection and content curation regarding personal habits, preferences, or beliefs. The Don’t Push My Buttons Act empowers users to choose, or decline, custom content curation based on collected personal data, empowering users to protect themselves from unwanted manipulation online,” said Rep. Paul Gosar. “Anti-social media companies treat us like products, exploiting and dehumanizing us for their own profits, without regard for the consequences. They intentionally create and fuel conflict and hate, causing physical, spiritual and mental suffering and pain. They are tearing us apart and destroying our nation,” said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. “Our legislation takes the power out of the hands of anti-social media corporations and puts it into the hands of the people who use their platforms. We, the people, get to decide whether to subject ourselves to their manipulative algorithms. Their failure to comply lifts all legal immunity they currently enjoy so we can hold them accountable and liable for the devastation and suffering they leave in their wake.” “Social media has many virtues, but too often it divides people by feeding them polarizing information—without their awareness or consent. Platforms that incite conflict just to increase their ad revenue have a duty to inform users of that manipulation. My bill would give Americans more control over their privacy and online experience, and I applaud Congressman Gosar for introducing its companion in the House,” said Senator John Kennedy. Text of H.R. 8515 Don't Push My Buttons Act can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-andy-biggs-requests-special-counsel-investigate-new-york-attorney,Congressman Andy Biggs Requests Special Counsel to Investigate New York Attorney General,2020-10-02,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, requesting that he appoint an independent Special Counsel to open a non-partisan investigation to determine whether New York Attorney General Letitia James violated any laws by her conduct or rhetoric against President Donald Trump and his family. Read the text of the letter below: October 2, 2020 The Honorable William Barr Attorney General of the United States 950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20530 Dear Attorney General Barr, It appears that the Attorney General of New York, Letitia James, is pursuing a personal vendetta to attack the President and his family for her own political gain. That is why in recent days Jeff Landry, the Chair of the Republican Attorneys General Association, and Jim Jordan, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, have written strongly worded letters decrying James' outrageous behavior. I request that you appoint an independent Special Counsel to investigate her actions. James ran on a platform of threatening President Donald J. Trump, his family, and his private businesses with investigations and lawsuits. She promised to ""definitely sue him."" On multiple occasions before and after her election she accused the President of money laundering, with zero evidence at her disposal. James essentially sought to gain power by promising to abuse power. She even campaigned on passing a bill to change New York's double jeopardy laws just in case she wanted to sue nonspecific people whom the Administration might one day pardon. It seems James is willing to harass the President and ""anyone in his orbit,"" including make up charges and foment public opinion against innocent people. This is an outrageous abuse of prosecutorial power! Since the election, James has continued to comment publicly on the President and publicly assert conclusions and determinations of wrongdoing. She makes these assertions despite purporting to be conducting on-going investigations with respect to the very same wrongdoing which she claims will prove her right; despite no charges having been filed by the Office of the Attorney General; and despite her claims remaining entirely unsubstantiated. The bedrock of American justice are the Constitutional guarantees of fundamental fairness and due process of law; basic tenets of these requirements are the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial. When a prosecutor says or does things that belie a subject's presumption of innocence, they compromise these fundamental rights. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that indictments and verdicts can be set aside on due process grounds when the government improperly comments or creates publicity in a manner that prejudices the presumption of innocence, including by ""offering unsolicited personal views on the evidence."" The guidance under the National Prosecution Standards is that: ""The prosecutor should excuse himself or herself from any investigation, prosecution, or other matter where personal interests of the prosecutor would cause a fair-minded, objective observer to conclude that the prosecutor's neutrality, judgment, or ability to administer the law in an objective manner may be compromised."" State Attorneys General are not meant to be leaders of political revolutions who run on platforms of targeting and harassing their political foes. There is so much more at stake here than just an ethics violation. 18 U.S. Code § 241 makes it illegal for two or more persons to conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States. We are a nation of laws; § 241 applies even if the person you want to threaten, oppress, or intimidate is the President of the United States, and even if you are unashamed about doing it. The omnibus clause of 18 U.S. Code § 1503 also makes it clear that anyone who ""corruptly influences, obstructs, or impedes, or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede, the due administration of justice"" has committed a crime. Letitia James and her supporters attempted to curry favor with potential voters by promising to employ the resources and authority of her elected office to target the President of the United States, the political opponent on which she had staked her campaign for election The American people have grown weary watching people of power abuse their positions with impunity. This should not become another partisan issue. I respectfully request that you appoint a Special Counsel to open a non-partisan investigation to determine whether Attorney General James violated any laws by her conduct or rhetoric. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-requests-judiciary-committee-hearing-investigate-source,Congressman Biggs Requests Judiciary Committee Hearing to Investigate Source of Riots Across America,2020-10-02,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs and Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Chairman Jerry Nadler, urging him to immediately call a hearing to investigate the funding source of the riots that have plagued cities across the nation. Read the text of the letter below: October 2, 2020 The Honorable Jerrold L. Nadler Chairman Committee on the Judiciary U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairman Nadler, We write to urge you to immediately call a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee to investigate the funding source of the riots plaguing cities across America. We are concerned with the Committee's lack of oversight of this matter and urge you to consider this request. Mr. Chairman, you recently said in an interview that Antifa – an organization inciting violent riots across the country – was ""a myth that's being spread only in Washington, D.C."" The reality is that Antifa's actions are not a ""myth."" We know from federal agencies like the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that Antifa's actions pose a security threat to many communities across our country. Recently, Attorney General William Barr stated: ""We have evidence that ANITFA and other similar extremist groups, as well as actors of a variety of different political persuasions have been involved in instigating and participating in the violent activity."" FBI Director Christopher Wray stated that ""Antifa is a real thing,"" and that ""we have any number of properly predicated investigations into what we would describe as violent anarchist extremists and some of those individuals self-identify with Antifa."" This Committee has failed to engage in substantial oversight of the forces behind these organized riots. Instead, we have spent our limited time conducting partisan Committee business that does not help us advance safety and prosperity for the American people. We urge you to accept that Antifa and other domestic extremist groups pose a real threat to our communities and to call hearings to investigate the funding sources of these riots. Failure to conduct these investigatory hearings will result in an abdication of responsibility by this Committee, leading to continued unrest and crumbling security in communities across the nation. We urge you to join us in addressing this time sensitive issue of national priority. We look forward to your prompt response. Sincerely, Andy Biggs Jim Jordan Member of Congress Member of Congress Ken Buck Doug Collins Member of Congress Member of Congress Jim Sensenbrenner W. Gregory Steube Member of Congress Member of Congress Guy Reschenthaler Louie Gohmert Member of Congress Member of Congress Tom Tiffany Debbie Lesko Member of Congress Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-requests-judiciary-committee-hearing-investigate-source-riots,Congressman Biggs Requests Judiciary Committee Hearing to Investigate Source of Riots Across America,2020-10-02,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Andy Biggs and Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Chairman Jerry Nadler, urging him to immediately call a hearing to investigate the funding source of the riots that have plagued cities across the nation. Read the text of the letter below: October 2, 2020 The Honorable Jerrold L. Nadler Chairman Committee on the Judiciary U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairman Nadler, We write to urge you to immediately call a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee to investigate the funding source of the riots plaguing cities across America. We are concerned with the Committee's lack of oversight of this matter and urge you to consider this request. Mr. Chairman, you recently said in an interview that Antifa an organization inciting violent riots across the country was a myth that's being spread only in Washington, D.C. The reality is that Antifa's actions are not a myth. We know from federal agencies like the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that Antifa's actions pose a security threat to many communities across our country. Recently, Attorney General William Barr stated: We have evidence that ANITFA and other similar extremist groups, as well as actors of a variety of different political persuasions have been involved in instigating and participating in the violent activity. FBI Director Christopher Wray stated that Antifa is a real thing, and that we have any number of properly predicated investigations into what we would describe as violent anarchist extremists and some of those individuals self-identify with Antifa. This Committee has failed to engage in substantial oversight of the forces behind these organized riots. Instead, we have spent our limited time conducting partisan Committee business that does not help us advance safety and prosperity for the American people. We urge you to accept that Antifa and other domestic extremist groups pose a real threat to our communities and to call hearings to investigate the funding sources of these riots. Failure to conduct these investigatory hearings will result in an abdication of responsibility by this Committee, leading to continued unrest and crumbling security in communities across the nation. We urge you to join us in addressing this time sensitive issue of national priority. We look forward to your prompt response. Sincerely, Andy Biggs Jim Jordan Member of Congress Member of Congress Ken Buck Doug Collins Member of Congress Member of Congress Jim Sensenbrenner W. Gregory Steube Member of Congress Member of Congress Guy Reschenthaler Louie Gohmert Member of Congress Member of Congress Tom Tiffany Debbie Lesko Member of Congress Member of Congress Ben Cline Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-statement-september-jobs-report,Congressman Biggs' Statement on the September Jobs Report,2020-10-02,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor released the Employment Situation Report for September, showing that 661,000 jobs were created, and the nation's unemployment rate decreased to 7.9% last month. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement: ""Thanks to the pro-growth foundation that President Donald Trump has constructed for the first three years of his presidency, America's economy is quickly recovering from the draconian shutdowns instituted by state and local governments. Millions of Americans have returned to work, and more job creations and openings are certainly on the way. President Trump is truly leading the great American comeback. ""President Trump understands that there is more work to be done to ensure that all unemployed Americans return to work, and he knows that the local cures for COVID-19 were worse than the disease itself. States and local jurisdictions that are still operating under restrictions or lockdowns must reopen. I am confident that President Trump and his administration will continue to lead the way for America's safe economic recovery for our friends and neighbors who want to get back to work as quickly as possible. Our best days are ahead of us, and I am grateful for the president's commitment to free market principles."" ### Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:34:36Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/mcsally-introduces-bill-to-protect-native-american-children,McSally Introduces Bill to Protect Native American Children,2020-10-01,2020,2020-10,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McSally Introduces Bill to Protect Native American Children U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) introduced legislation on Thursday to improve and reauthorize several programs within the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act. These programs are the only tribal-specific prevention and treatment programs for Native children who are at risk of or have suffered abuse. There is an enormous need for family violence prevention and treatment resources in tribal communities,McSally said.Not only are Native women more likely than any other population to experience domestic violence, but Native children experience abuse and neglect at a higher rate than the rest of the country. Preventing child abuse is critical to the well-being of our tribal communities. My bill will shore up much-needed funding while making vital changes to several programs to improve the prevention, treatment, and investigation of child abuse involving Native children. Governor Stephen Roe Lewis, Gila River Indian Community said:The Gila River Indian Community supports the Native American Child Protection Act. Reauthorization of these programs that impact our youth populations and family services programs would provide additional resources that are much needed at the Gila River Indian Communityand throughout Indian Country. We applaud Senator McSally for making these programs a priority. Chairman Peter Yucupicio of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe said:It's great to see Senator McSally and Congressman Gallego reach across the aisle to shore up protections for our Native children. This bill is vital to protecting our community and ensuring that our families are safe. Chairman Dennis Patch of the Colorado River Indian Tribes said:By investing in native youth today, we are building stronger community leaders tomorrow. This is not an issue where we can afford to be reactive, so I thank Senator McSally for understanding that we must take preventative actions now to protect our most valuable resource. Read the bill textHERE. Background: The Native American Child Protection Actmodernizes and reauthorizes 3 programs that were originally established by the late Sen. John McCain's Indian Child Protection andFamily Violence Prevention Act, which expired in 1997. Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-07) sponsored a bipartisan House companion, which passed the House by voice vote on Sept 21. This new legislation will: Improve and reauthorize the Indian Child Abuse Treatment Grant Program to provide funding to tribal governments to establish treatment programs and culturally-appropriate services for the victims of child abuse and neglect. Establish a new National Indian Resource Services Center to provide tribes with technical assistance, advice, and training on addressing child abuse, family violence, and child neglect. Support efforts to improve intergovernmental coordination between federal and tribal personnel responding to those issues. Improve and reauthorize the establishment of tribal programs that investigate, prosecute, and prevent incidents of child abuse, child neglect, and family violence in tribal communities. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/mcsally-secures-protections-for-tribes-affordable-housing-funding,McSally Secures Protections for Tribes’ Affordable Housing Funding,2020-09-30,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McSally Secures Protections for Tribes' Affordable Housing Funding U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) announced today that tribes will not lose future Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) funding as a result of the CARES Act funding they received. Following a letter McSally sent last week to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Agency is exempting tribes from the disbursement requirement that would have reduced the amount of future IHBG funding that a tribe is eligible for. This change will ensure that CARES Act IHBG funding can be used for supplemental expenses related to COVID-19, and will not detrimentally impact regular IHBG grant amounts. Indian Housing Block Grants are vital for improving housing conditions on tribal reservations and reducing the spread of the coronavirus, McSally said. This requirement waiver by the Department of Housing and Urban Development is a huge win for tribal communities who can continue to receive this block grant funding regularly. The goal of the CARES Act was to provide needed relief during a crisis, not penalize recovering communities. Background: On September 23, McSally sent a letter to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson asking him to waive the disbursement requirement that would have reduced the amount of future IHBG funding that a tribe is eligible for. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/mcsally-votes-to-protect-americans-with-pre-existing-conditions,McSally Votes Again To Protect Americans With Pre-Existing Conditions,2020-09-30,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McSally Votes To Protect Americans With Pre-Existing Conditions U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) tonight voted once again to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions. Unfortunately, the Protect Act that McSally introduced was blocked by Senate Democrats. Tonight, I voted again to guarantee protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions, McSally said. Chuck Schumer and Democrats, however, blocked the bill on the Senate floor. Instead of standing up for the American people, Democrats once again turned their backs on them. I will continue to fight for Arizonans with pre-existing conditions, many of whom can't afford health insurance right now. Let's come together on initiatives like Association Health Plans so small businesses and individuals can band together to access health insurance like big businesses do. Earlier this month, I successfully fought to include language protecting Americans with pre-existing conditions in the Senate's targeted coronavirus relief package. Sadly, Senate Democrats blocked this too. It seems they will always choose scoring a political point over providing relief for the American people they represent. Background: Senator McSally successfully fought to include protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions in the Senate's targeted COVID-19 relief package. On September 10, Senator McSally voted to pass that package. The Protect Act that Senator McSally introduced would: Guarantee the availability of health insurance coverage in the individual or group market, regardless of pre-existing conditions. Prohibit discrimination against patients based on health status including prohibiting increased premiums for patients due to pre-existing conditions. Prohibit insurance companies from excluding coverage of treatments for a beneficiary's pre-existing condition. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-introduces-resolution-condemn-vicious-attacks-judge-amy,"Congressman Biggs Introduces Resolution to Condemn Vicious Attacks on Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Faith, Family, and Character.",2020-09-29,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs introduced a resolution to condemn the vicious attacks on Judge Amy Coney Barrett's faith, family, and character. The resolution calls for the House of Representatives to: Condemn any attempt to impose an unconstitutional religious test on Judge Amy Coney Barrett or any other individual seeking election or appointment to public office; Condemn any attempt to disparage Judge Amy Coney Barrett's constitutional right to exercise her religious faith; Condemn any attack on any member of Judge Amy Coney Barrett's family or her selfless decision to adopt two children from Haiti; and Support the Senate's constitutional advise and consent process on the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. After Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination was announced by President Donald Trump this past weekend, Congressman Biggs stated: ""Since her Senate confirmation process in 2017, Judge Barrett has withstood brutal attacks from the radical left and their allies in the mainstream media. Over the past week, these attacks have intensified as speculation grew about her likely nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. These despicable attacks are rooted in religious bigotry, hatred, and partisanship, and such attacks on Judge Amy Coney Barrett and members of her family should be condemned by all Americans. Amy Coney Barrett should be judged by her intellect and her record, and not by any other standard - especially not an unconstitutional religious standard."" Read the resolution here. ### Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:28:51Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-introduces-resolution-condemn-vicious-attacks-judge-amy-coney,"Congressman Biggs Introduces Resolution to Condemn Vicious Attacks on Judge Amy Coney Barretts Faith, Family, and Character.",2020-09-29,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Andy Biggs introduced a resolution to condemn the vicious attacks on Judge Amy Coney Barrett's faith, family, and character. The resolution calls for the House of Representatives to: Condemn any attempt to impose an unconstitutional religious test on Judge Amy Coney Barrett or any other individual seeking election or appointment to public office; Condemn any attempt to disparage Judge Amy Coney Barrett's constitutional right to exercise her religious faith; Condemn any attack on any member of Judge Amy Coney Barrett's family or her selfless decision to adopt two children from Haiti; and Support the Senate's constitutional advise and consent process on the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. After Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination was announced by President Donald Trump this past weekend, Congressman Biggs stated: Since her Senate confirmation process in 2017, Judge Barrett has withstood brutal attacks from the radical left and their allies in the mainstream media. Over the past week, these attacks have intensified as speculation grew about her likely nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. These despicable attacks are rooted in religious bigotry, hatred, and partisanship, and such attacks on Judge Amy Coney Barrett and members of her family should be condemned by all Americans. Amy Coney Barrett should be judged by her intellect and her record, and not by any other standard - especially not an unconstitutional religious standard. Read the resolution here. ### Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schweikert.house.gov/2020/09/28/schweikert-joins-bipartisan-call-increase-new-markets-tax-credit-access/,Schweikert Joins Bipartisan Call to Increase New Markets Tax Credit Access for Native Communities,2020-09-28,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,schweikert,https://schweikert.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman David Schweikert joined a group of bipartisan Ways and Means Committee members in calling on the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI) to ensure Native Communities have fair access to the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC). The NMTC has been a successful tool to generate jobs and business opportunities in America’s most distressed rural and urban communities, yet the latest round of NMTC allocation did not provide any credits to entities that commit 100 percent of their activities to aiding Native communities. Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA), Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI), Congressman Tom Reed (R-NY), Congresswoman Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA), Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO), Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI), Congressman Daniel T. Kildee (D-MI), Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (R-IN), and Congressman Ron Estes (R-KS) also signed the letter. “There is still more to be done to improve this vital tax incentive: increase investment in Indian Country,” emphasized the lawmakers. “Earlier this year, the Ways & Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures convened to hear testimony on the impact of the tax code on Native American tribes. Both Native American Members of Congress and tribal witnesses testified that the NMTC is crucial for their communities.” “While there has been investment in Indian Country and in census tracts with native populations (approximately $3.9 billion through 2019), the latest two NMTC allocation rounds resulted in zero allocation for Community Development Entities (CDEs) that committed 100 percent of their activities to aiding Native communities,” the lawmakers continued. “Overall, the poverty experienced in these communities, combined with a lack of access to private capital, is evidence that more NMTC investment is needed. The lawmakers requested “that the Fund examine its allocation application and review process to identify and revise any elements that may inadvertently limit investment in Indian Country or the participation of minority CDEs. As the Subcommittee hearing made clear, we in Congress need to ensure that our tax laws do not result in systemic disparities between Indian tribes and other taxpayers. The same review should be done on the regulatory level to ensure that programs like the NMTC do the most good as possible across all communities.” The full letter is available HERE. ### Back to News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:28:51Z https://schweikert.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/schweikert-joins-bipartisan-call-increase-new-markets-tax-credit-access,Schweikert Joins Bipartisan Call to Increase New Markets Tax Credit Access for Native Communities,2020-09-28,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,AZ,David Schweikert,S001183,schweikert.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC -Today, Congressman David Schweikert joined a group of bipartisan Ways and Means Committee members in calling on the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI) to ensure Native Communities have fair access to the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC). The NMTC has been a successful tool to generate jobs and business opportunities in America's most distressed rural and urban communities, yet the latest round of NMTC allocation did not provide any credits to entities that commit 100 percent of their activities to aiding Native communities. Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA), Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI), Congressman Tom Reed (R-NY), Congresswoman Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA), Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO), Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI), Congressman Daniel T. Kildee (D-MI), Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (R-IN), and Congressman Ron Estes (R-KS) also signed the letter. ""There is still more to be done to improve this vital tax incentive: increase investment in Indian Country,emphasized the lawmakers. Earlier this year, the Ways & Means Committee's Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures convened to hear testimony on the impact of the tax code on Native American tribes. Both Native American Members of Congress and tribal witnesses testified that the NMTC is crucial for their communities."" ""While there has been investment in Indian Country and in census tracts with native populations (approximately $3.9 billion through 2019), the latest two NMTC allocation rounds resulted in zero allocation for Community Development Entities (CDEs) that committed 100 percent of their activities to aiding Native communities,the lawmakers continued. Overall, the poverty experienced in these communities, combined with a lack of access to private capital, is evidence that more NMTC investment is needed. The lawmakers requestedthat the Fund examine its allocation application and review process to identify and revise any elements that may inadvertently limit investment in Indian Country or the participation of minority CDEs. As the Subcommittee hearing made clear, we in Congress need to ensure that our tax laws do not result in systemic disparities between Indian tribes and other taxpayers. The same review should be done on the regulatory level to ensure that programs like the NMTC do the most good as possible across all communities."" The full letter is availableHERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/irs-urges-arizonans-to-claim-1200-relief-check-by-october-15,"IRS Urges Arizonans to Claim $1,200 Relief Check by October 15",2020-09-28,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"IRS Urges Arizonans to Claim $1,200 Relief Check by October 15 U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) shared the following information regarding the Internal Revenue Service announcement urging Americans to claim their one-time coronavirus relief check by October 15. There are 239,037 unclaimed checks in Arizona. The IRS will bemailing out lettersthis month to Americans who don't typically file a federal income tax return urging recipients to visit thespecialNon-Filers: Enter Payment Info Heretool on IRS.gov before the October 15 deadline to register for an Economic Impact Payment. The IRS continues to work hard to reach people eligible for these payments,said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig.These mailings are the latest step by the IRS to reach as many people as possible for these important payments. We are releasing this state-by-state information so that state and local leaders and organizations can better understand the size of this population in their communities and assist them in claiming these important payments. Time is running out to claim a payment before the deadline. You can view a copy of the letterHERE. Background: TheCoronavirusAid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)Act establishedEconomic ImpactPayments for individuals who make less than $99,000 a year or married couples that make less than $198,000 a year. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4029,Rep. Gosar's statement on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court,2020-09-27,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AZ,Paul A. Gosar,G000565,gosar.house.gov,gosar,https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) made the following statement after President Trump announced Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his pick to replace the vacancy left by late Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, on the Supreme Court. ""Yesterday’s announcement by President Trump to nominate Federal Appeals Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court is already being hailed by conservatives nationwide as a brilliant choice. Unlike her predecessor, a far left activist and occasional adherent to the Constitution, Judge Barrett is an accomplished jurist and principled legal scholar who has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to interpreting and upholding our beloved Constitution as written -- and not legislating from the bench. She adheres to the ideology of Justice Antonin Scalia, for whom she clerked. “His judicial philosophy is mine, too,” Barrett said of Justice Scalia. “A judge must apply the law as written. Judges are not policymakers, and they must be resolute in setting aside any policy views they may hold.” President Trump has nominated an amazing person to fill this important seat who will faithfully interpret the Constitution. The American people deserve a fully operational Supreme Court in order to ensure the functions of our government remain unimpeded as it enters into the Fall 2020 work schedule -- where the Court will prepare to take up issues such as Obamacare, the Second Amendment, the right to life, and possibly even the Presidential election itself. There are cries from the Left that the American people should have a choice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice, demanding a delay in a confirmation until after the 2020 election. To them I say two things: 1. The American people need not be lectured on decorum and respect for the Constitution by the Marxist Democrat Party that has spent the last four months shredding the Constitution, rioting, looting and setting American cities ablaze. 2. The American people already spoke in 2016 when they elected Donald J. Trump as President and a Republican majority in the Senate. The people further spoke when they expanded that majority in 2018. Exit polling from the 2016 election shows that a majority of those who saw the President’s ability to nominate justices to the high court as the most important factor in their vote, backed Trump. Their voices deserve to be heard! Unlike in 2016, the current makeup of the White House and the Senate are congruent and unambiguously reflect the wishes of the American people. We cannot be intimidated by the radical calls from the Left for a delay in the confirmation process. It is the President's duty to nominate Supreme Court Justices and the Senate's duty to advise and consent. Following a complete assessment of her merits, the Senate should vote on her nomination without delay."" Background: Last Friday, on September 18, 2020, U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away due to complications from pancreatic cancer, leaving a vacancy on the Supreme Court. President Trump and Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell announced plans to immediately move forward with a nomination and confirmation process of a new Justice before the 2020 election. Unwarranted calls of hypocrisy quickly arose from the those on left, juxtaposing the Republican controlled Senate's treatment of this vacancy compared to the 2016 vacancy left by Justice Antonin Scalia. That year, the Senate chose not to act on President Obama's nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to fill the vacancy, leaving the seat vacant until after President Trump's election --citing long-held, election year, precedent. That precedent being, in years when the Presidency and Senate are held by opposing parties -- creating a conflict between two branches of government -- the historical norm is to wait until after the next election to confirm a new Justice, allowing the people to resolve the conflict with their votes. This has been the norm for 140 years, and was the precedent applied in 2016. In years when the Presidency and Senate are held by the same party, however, the historical norm is different. In this circumstance there is no conflict between two different branches of government, and no need to wait for a new election. This the historical precedent that applies in 2020, and why the Senate will move forward with hearings and a vote.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:28:51Z https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-applauds-president-trumps-nomination-judge-amy-coney-barrett,Congressman Biggs Applauds President Trump's Nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court,2020-09-26,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AZ,Andy Biggs,B001302,biggs.house.gov,biggs,https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"GILBERT, ARIZONA – Today, President Donald Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to fill the recently vacated seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Barrett currently sits on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Congressman Biggs released the following statement: ""I am thrilled with President Trump's latest selection for the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a highly qualified jurist for our nation's highest court, and she has been well regarded and respected by her colleagues. I expect that she will apply the law and the Constitution as originally intended to the cases before her on our nation's highest court. ""Since her Senate confirmation process in 2017, Judge Barrett has withstood brutal attacks from the radical left and their allies in the mainstream media. Over the past week, these attacks have intensified as speculation grew about her likely nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. These despicable attacks are rooted in religious bigotry, hatred, and partisanship, and such attacks on Judge Amy Coney Barrett and members of her family should be condemned by all Americans. Amy Coney Barrett should be judged by her intellect and her record, and not by any other standard - especially not an unconstitutional religious standard. ""I hope the Senate moves quickly to consider and confirm this brilliant nominee, and I will be praying for her and her family in the weeks ahead."" Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:28:51Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/mcsally-statement-on-judge-barretts-nomination-to-the-supreme-court,McSally Statement on Judge Barrett’s Nomination to the Supreme Court,2020-09-26,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McSally Statement on Judge Barrett's Nomination to the Supreme Court U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) released the following statement regarding the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a highly qualified nominee, who I look forward to meeting with and evaluating in the upcoming weeks, McSally said. Judge Barrett is highly esteemed in the legal community and has extensive judicial experience, including serving as a federal judge on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and clerking for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. She was confirmed to the 7th Circuit in a bipartisan vote in 2017. It is the President's duty to nominate Supreme Court justices and it is the Senate's duty to advise and consent based on who will faithfully interpret our nation's laws and Constitution. After a thorough review of Judge Barrett's merits, the Senate should vote without delay on her nomination. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/news/press-releases/mcsally-leads-arizona-delegation-to-urge-expansion-of-telehealth-care-at-va-facilities,McSally Leads Arizona Delegation to Urge Expansion of Telehealth Care at VA Facilities,2020-09-25,2020,2020-09,Republican,House,AZ,Martha McSally,M001197,www.mcsally.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) on Friday led several members of the Arizona congressional delegation in sending a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilke calling on him to adopt and expand telehealth coverage at VA facilities in the state. Out of the three VA Medical Centers in Arizona, only one has the technology to provide tele-critical care coverage. Reps. Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ-01), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ-02), Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04), Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), David Schweikert (R-AZ-06), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-07), and Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08) also signed onto the letter. The VA has been a leader in adopting tele-Critical Care coverage for over a decade.However, two-thirds of VAMC ICU beds are still without coverage nationally and zero beds have tele-Critical Care coverage for our brave veterans in our state of Arizona, the members wrote. We believe this gap in ICU coverage must be closed as part of our government's response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. Read the full letter HERE or below. The Honorable Robert Wilkie Secretary of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20420 Dear Secretary Wilkie: Thank you for your steadfast commitment to advancing telehealth technologies within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system to enhance care for our veterans. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact veteran care across the nation, we write to express our support for ensuring the rapid adoption of VA telehealth platforms through VA's tele-Critical Care program and accelerating telehealth accessibility for veterans receiving treatment in VA Medical Centers' (VAMCs) Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The VA has been a leader in adopting tele-Critical Care coverage for over a decade. However, two-thirds of VAMC ICU beds are still without coverage nationally and zero beds have tele-Critical Care coverage for our brave veterans in our state of Arizona. We believe this gap in ICU coverage must be closed as part of our government's response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. Additionally, the VA has more than 40,000 clinical vacancies, putting massive strain on a workforce responsible for delivering care for over 9 million enrolled veterans. VAMCs in rural communities not only lack general clinicians, but they are also lacking intensivists, with specialties veterans need, particularly in ICUs. We can and must do better by our veterans, and we have the opportunity now during this public health crisis to make permanent improvements to veteran care. In June 2020, the VA authorized the national expansion of its tele-Critical Care program, providing an opportunity for thousands of the sickest VA patients to receive improved care through technology, and to significantly improve their likelihood of exiting the ICU alive and well. Furthermore, VA tele-Critical Care systems operate on a Hub-Spoke model in which a central command center staffed by VA intensivists and critical care nurses, provides care by monitoring individual patients through direct connections to the vital sign monitors and other medical devices in the patient rooms. In addition, there is an audio-high-definition video link within each veteran patient's ICU room permitting the remote intensivist or critical care nurse to engage with a physician, nurse, or veteran in the room. According to an article in CHEST, the Journal of the American College of Chest Physicians (2014; 145(3))[1], patients who receive their ICU care from a hospital with tele-ICU capabilities were 26 percent more likely to survive in an ICU setting. These patients also experienced a 30 percent reduction in length-of-stay and were 15 percent more likely to survive hospitalization and be discharged. Moreover, use of the tele-ICU has expanded to include more than 500 of the 1,600 active VA tele-Critical Care beds and 38 VAMCs are currently utilizing the system. By increasing the number of ICU patients that VA critical care teams can manage, tele-Critical Care effectively extends the productivity and reach of intensivists and improves the quality of care for veteran patients. As Members of the Arizona Congressional delegation, we look forward to working with you to further expedite VA modernization for our veterans in Arizona and across the nation, particularly within the ICU setting. To that end, we respectfully request a timeline as to when our state's VAMC ICU's will be 100 percent covered by tele-Critical Care technology. Again, thank you for your commitment to transform VA services for our veterans. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z