Paul Gosar
RMy bill provides much needed reforms and will restore a greater role for Congress in decisions involving large areas of federal land and provide clearer limits on presidential authority under the Antiquities Act. Read more here 👇👇 https://t.co/3KJEqSps4Z
29 days until Election Day, Arizona. I’ve fought to cut your taxes, stop waste and fraud, and hold Washington accountable. I’m not done fighting. I’m asking for your vote so I can keep delivering results for Arizona. Today is the last day to register to vote. Early ballots go out Wednesday.
Arizona is being shortchanged on water. Under the proposed Colorado River framework, Arizona is being asked to take more than its fair share of cuts while California gets a better deal. That’s not right. Arizona has conserved. Arizona has invested. Arizona has done its part. I sent Interior Secretary Doug Burgum a letter demanding a fair deal for Arizona. We’re not asking for special treatment. We’re demanding equal treatment. I’ll keep fighting to protect Arizona’s water.
YUMA, AZ — Congressman Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement after sending a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum calling on the Department to ensure Arizona receives fair treatment in the federal government’s new Colorado River operating framework: “Arizona cannot continue to be asked to take the biggest hit. Arizona has conserved water, invested in infrastructure, stored water, and accepted reductions. Our farmers, communities, and businesses have done their part. The responsibility now needs to be shared across the entire Basin. Arizona’s circumstances have changed dramatically since Congress authorized the Central Arizona Project in 1968. Our state has grown from approximately 1.7 million residents to more than 7.6 million and has become a national center for agriculture, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor production, aerospace, and national defense. Reliable water supplies are no longer simply an Arizona issue. They are a matter of national economic and national security. Arizona is home to critical military installations, defense industries, farmers who help feed the nation, and some of the country’s most important semiconductor and advanced manufacturing investments. We need to ensure Arizona has the water necessary to continue contributing to the strength and security of our country. I have been warning for years that we cannot conserve our way out of a supply problem. Conservation is essential, but we also need to create, store, and move more water. I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to expanding America’s water infrastructure and the Department’s willingness to pursue innovative solutions. I will continue working with the administration and the Department to find a long-lasting solution that protects the Colorado River system while ensuring Arizona is treated fairly. Arizona is not asking for special treatment. We are asking for equal treatment and a fair share of the responsibility,”stated Congressman Paul Gosar. Background The Department of the Interior’s 2027–2028 Operating Guidelines establish a 1.25 million acre-foot annual reduction for the Lower Basin. Under the Lower Basin sharing arrangement, Arizona would absorb 760,000 acre-feet of that reduction, compared with 440,000 acre-feet for California and 50,000 acre-feet for Nevada. Since first being elected to Congress, Representative Gosar has actively worked to address the West’s long-term water challenges. In 2020, he founded and chaired the bipartisan Colorado River Caucus and has consistently advocated for water augmentation, desalination, new conveyance, expanded storage, aquifer recharge, and federal investment in long-term water infrastructure. Gosar has also convened Arizona water roundtables with water authorities, engineers, hydrologists, local officials, and infrastructure experts to identify practical solutions to the region’s water challenges. In his letter, Gosar urged the administration to continue pursuing water development alongside conservation, including desalination, advanced water treatment, aquifer recharge, additional storage, conveyance improvements, and other projects capable of increasing the West’s available water supply. Click here to read Congressman Gosar’s full letter to Secretary Burgum. ###
The gravy train is over.
Veterans deserve better than a VA plagued by waste and fraud. In 2023, the VA’s own watchdog found a convicted health care fraudster collecting a VA paycheck. The VA only removed the individual after inspectors caught it. I just introduced the VA Hiring Integrity Act to prevent anyone who knowingly defrauds the federal government from being hired or retained by the VA. Every dollar saved from fraud is a dollar that can go toward caring for our veterans.
The federal government has finally found a new spending strategy: Stop spending money on things Americans never asked for. President Trump just rescinded nearly $1 BILLION in wasteful and harmful spending—including programs benefiting illegal aliens, race-based DEI initiatives, foreign climate schemes and other questionable government grants. That’s not “cutting government.” That’s cutting the waste. American taxpayers work too hard to have Washington treat their money like an unlimited credit card. The Swamp’s credit card just got declined. Keep the rescissions coming. 🇺🇸
Weekly Newsletter September 27, 2026 Gosar Introduces VA Hiring Integrity Act This week I introduced the VA Hiring Integrity Act of 2026 to prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs from hiring or retaining individuals who have knowingly committed fraud involving federal funds. The legislation responds to a 2023 VA Inspector General report that identified four individuals on the Veterans Health Administration payroll who appeared on the HHS OIG exclusion list, including one convicted of health care fraud. Under the bill, individuals would be barred from VA employment if they have been convicted of certain crimes involving federal funds, found civilly liable under the False Claims Act, or excluded from federal health care programs. The legislation also includes an internal grievance process to protect due process. The VA should be a place veterans can trust. My legislation strengthens accountability, protects taxpayer dollars and helps ensure those entrusted with serving veterans meet a basic standard of integrity. Click here to learn more about the VA Hiring Integrity Act. Not on My Watch: Arizona Water Is Not California’s to Take Arizona is getting screwed, and I’m mad as hell about it. This week, Yuma officials announced they are preparing for a legal fight to defend Yuma’s water rightsagainst a recently announced federal framework that could force Arizona to shoulder even more of the Colorado River shortage. Yuma is right to fight—and I’m in this fight with them. For years, California has used its senior water rights and political muscle to push Arizona and other Western states around. Now that there isn’t enough water to go around, California wants Arizona to keep taking the hit. Not on my watch! I have been fighting for Arizona’s water for years, and I am not backing down now. Arizona farmers, cities, businesses and families have conserved, invested billions in infrastructure and accepted painful reductions. I encourage you to click here to read my recent Special Water Edition Newsletter. We have done our part. What we will not do is sit quietly while Washington protects California and tells Arizona to sacrifice even more. Yuma is on the front lines. Its farmers help feed America, its communities depend on the Colorado River, and Arizona’s economy depends on having a reliable water supply. I will fight like hell to protect it. This is not about asking for special treatment. I t is about standing up to a system that too often leaves Arizona holding the bag. We need to protect Arizona’s existing water rights while aggressively developing new supplies through desalination, infrastructure, aquifer recharge and other projects. California may have the bureaucrats in Washington on speed dial. Arizona has me—and I’m not backing down. 🚰 Gosar Sets the Record Straight: Cut Waste, Lower Taxes and No Socialism There has been a lot of talk recently from the Socialists serving in Congress about so-called “free” government handouts. Let me set the record straight: there is no such thing as a “free” government handout. Every dollar Washington spends first comes from someone who earned it. The government doesn’t create free stuff—it takes money from taxpayers and then redistributes it with strings attached. As your Congressman, I am taking a different approach. Instead of taking more of your money, I am working to let Americans keep more of what they earn, produce more energy and goods here at home, and bring down the cost of living. The results are already reaching Arizona families. Under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, Americans are paying less in taxes, including no federal tax on tips and overtime. The U.S. Treasury now estimates the average Arizona taxpayer will receive about $3,549 in federal tax relief this year! The Socialist answer is always the same: spend more, tax more, waste more and grow the size of the government. But remember who ultimately pays the bill - YOU do. I’ll always stand on the side of the taxpayer. Shocking Poll: Majority of Democrats Want President Trump Dead A sickening new poll released this week by Liberal Currents and the Center for Strategic Politics indicates that an overwhelming majority of Democrats want President Trump dead by any means necessary including dying in his sleep, assassination, or by military coup. Disagreement should not turn into anger and hatred. We need to remember that you can fight hard for your principles without hating the people who disagree with you. Make the argument. Defend your beliefs. Hold people accountable. Sadly, we are witnessing a deeply disturbing rise in political violence by hate-filled leftists—from attacks on police and ICE officers, to multiple thwarted attempts on President Trump’s life, threats against Supreme Court justices, and the assassination of my friend, Charlie Kirk. And somehow, it gets even more vile: this week, a Wisconsin brewery was reported to be offering “free beer all day long” on the day President Trump dies. At a time when political violence should be condemned without qualification, celebrating the death of a president is beyond disgraceful. You can disagree without demonizing your opponent, and there is never an excuse for threats or political violence. The vile rhetoric from the left and their willingness to approve of such violence as noted in this poll is truly a low point in our society. District Highlights It was another busy week in Arizona’s Ninth Congressional District, with stops throughout the district including in Yuma and Glendale highlighting our district’s role in strengthening America’s workforce, manufacturing base and national security. In Yuma, I joined SBA Associate Administrator Lisa Shimkat at Arizona Western College to tour its manufacturing facilities and recognize a $5 million Manufacturing in America E2G grant. The funding will provide hands-on technical training and business assistance to small manufacturers and startups across Southwest Arizona, helping local businesses grow and create good-paying jobs. In Glendale, I joined NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and the men and women of Honeywell to highlight Arizona’s critical role in aerospace and space exploration. From Luke Air Force Base to Honeywell, Arizona has the workforce, technology and expertise needed to keep America at the forefront of aerospace, space exploration and national security. Arizona is building the workforce, manufacturing capacity and technology that America needs to compete and lead—and I’m incredibly proud to represent the people making it happen. And Finally… Enjoy the Desert Fall Festival Looking for something fun to do with the family this fall? Head over to Surprise for the Desert Fall Festival! The festival returns this weekend for its second year and has grown into a major West Valley attraction, featuring 13 acres of fall-themed activities including excavator experiences, a pumpkin maze, zip lines, apple cannons, live entertainment, food and more. Organizers expect tens of thousands of visitors and estimate the festival could generate as much as $5 million in economic activity for the local community. It’s a great example of the family-friendly events and small-business opportunities that make the West Valley such a great place to live. If you’re looking for something to do, grab the family and check it out!🎡 Tweet of the Week: Photo of the Week: 📸 Maxine Scott from Mesa, AZ shares this picture of a gorgeous sunrise over Superstition Mountain taken from her home. Incredible photo, Maxine. Keep sending them in! Do you want the chance for your photograph to be featured as our "Photo of the Week?" If so, send your best shots along with a brief description to [email protected]. Remember to include your name and where you live. Gosar in the News and Other Must-Read Stories: 📰 Daily Signal: Gosar and Other Freedom Caucus Members Criticize Senate for Letting Over 600 Bills ‘Die’ While ‘Operating Like a Retirement Home’ 🗞 Fox 10: NASA chief visits Glendale to highlight Arizona tech powering moon mission 📰 KAWC: AWC receives $5 million SBA grant to support Southwest Arizona manufacturers 🗞 Fox News: Brewery that offered free beer when Trump dies faces possible closure after state revokes alcohol permits 📰 ABC 15: Desert Fall Festival returns to Surprise, bringing in economic potential ⚠ Warning!! The Gosar Weekly Newsletter is meant for discerning readers with above-average intelligence. We link to interesting stories. We get stories a couple different ways: Google alerts, a third-party aggregator and sometimes readers send stuff. We don’t vouch for every publication or every author. If we link to a story, it is because of that story. The views expressed in any of the publications do not represent any promotion, endorsement or reflection of Congressman Gosar’s views. While we try our best, we cannot guarantee every news organization spouting hatred, animosity or divisiveness will be filtered from appearing in the Gosar Weekly Newsletter. We will endeavor to prevent that from happening by never linking to Fake News organizations including CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, Rolling Stone, the Arizona Republic, the Arizona Mirror, Media Matters or the New Republic.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement in response to introducing H.R. 10556, the VA Hiring Integrity Act of 2026, legislation that would prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from hiring or retaining individuals who have knowingly committed fraud involving federal funds. “Veterans who risked their lives to defend our country deserve to know that the people entrusted with their care and benefits can be trusted. It is unacceptable for someone who has committed fraud against the federal government to turn around and collect a federal paycheck—especially from the very department responsible for serving our veterans. The need for stronger hiring protections is clear. A 2023 VA OIG report found four individuals on the Veterans Health Administration payroll who appeared on the HHS OIG exclusion list, including one convicted of health care fraud. The VA removed them only after the OIG identified the problem. As the VA itself recognizes, fraud, waste and abuse undermine the integrity of the agency and erode the trust veterans place in it. My legislation gives the VA a common-sense tool to remove bad actors and protect veterans and taxpayers. There should be no such thing as a federal job for someone who has defrauded the federal government. We need to put veterans first, protect taxpayer dollars and make sure the VA has the authority it needs to deal with fraud and abuse,” stated Congressman Gosar. “Veterans have tremendous potential to continue serving and strengthening their communities long after they leave the military, and they deserve a VA that helps them do just that,” added Michael Nudo, Federal Legislative Liaison for Concerned Veterans for America. “The VA Hiring Integrity Act is a commonsense safeguard that helps ensure bad actors don’t undermine the care and support veterans need to thrive and continue contributing to our country.” Background: Under the VA Hiring Integrity Act, an individual would be prohibited from employment at the VA if their conduct resulted in: A criminal conviction for fraud, theft, bribery, kickbacks, false statements, conspiracy to commit such offenses, or similar crimes involving federal funds; A final civil judgment establishing liability under the False Claims Act; or Exclusion from federal health care programs as listed by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The bill also preserves due process protections. The VA would be required to establish an internal grievance process for health care employees subject to the legislation, ensuring the law is applied based on documented conduct and cannot be weaponized for political purposes by changing administrations. Original Cosponsors (34): Alford, Baird, Bean, Bergman, Biggs (SC), Bilirakis, Bost, Brecheen, Burchett, Carter (GA), Cloud, Davidson, Edwards, Fine, Finstad, Fry, Harrigan, Lawler, Luttrell, Mann, McDowell, McGuire, Messmer, Miller (OH), Moore (NC), Murphy (NC), Norman, Obernolte, Rose, Self, Sessions, Van Duyne, Van Orden, Wittman
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement in response to introducing H.R. 10556, the VA Hiring Integrity Act of 2026, legislation that would prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from hiring or retaining individuals who have knowingly committed fraud involving federal funds. “Veterans who risked their lives to defend our country deserve to know that the people entrusted with their care and benefits can be trusted. It is unacceptable for someone who has committed fraud against the federal government to turn around and collect a federal paycheck—especially from the very department responsible for serving our veterans. The need for stronger hiring protections is clear. A 2023 VA OIG report found four individuals on the Veterans Health Administration payroll who appeared on the HHS OIG exclusion list, including one convicted of health care fraud. The VA removed them only after the OIG identified the problem. As the VA itself recognizes, fraud, waste and abuse undermine the integrity of the agency and erode the trust veterans place in it. My legislation gives the VA a common-sense tool to remove bad actors and protect veterans and taxpayers. There should be no such thing as a federal job for someone who has defrauded the federal government. We need to put veterans first, protect taxpayer dollars and make sure the VA has the authority it needs to deal with fraud and abuse,” stated Congressman Gosar. “Veterans have tremendous potential to continue serving and strengthening their communities long after they leave the military, and they deserve a VA that helps them do just that,” added Michael Nudo, Federal Legislative Liaison for Concerned Veterans for America. “The VA Hiring Integrity Act is a commonsense safeguard that helps ensure bad actors don’t undermine the care and support veterans need to thrive and continue contributing to our country.” Background: Under the VA Hiring Integrity Act, an individual would be prohibited from employment at the VA if their conduct resulted in: The bill also preserves due process protections. The VA would be required to establish an internal grievance process for health care employees subject to the legislation, ensuring the law is applied based on documented conduct and cannot be weaponized for political purposes by changing administrations. Original Cosponsors (34): Alford, Baird, Bean, Bergman, Biggs (SC), Bilirakis, Bost, Brecheen, Burchett, Carter (GA), Cloud, Davidson, Edwards, Fine, Finstad, Fry, Harrigan, Lawler, Luttrell, Mann, McDowell, McGuire, Messmer, Miller (OH), Moore (NC), Murphy (NC), Norman, Obernolte, Rose, Self, Sessions, Van Duyne, Van Orden, Wittman Group Support: Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS, Concerned Veterans for America (CV4A), Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military-Veterans Advocacy (MVA), National Defense Committee, Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors (TAPS), Vietnam Veterans of America ###
America's national debt has now surpassed $40 trillion. That is not just a number on a screen. It is a debt we are leaving to our children and grandchildren. I believe Washington has a responsibility to live within its means. That's why I support and have voted for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution, and why I've consistently fought for fiscal discipline and responsible stewardship of your tax dollars. Washington doesn't have a revenue problem. It has a spending problem. We cannot keep spending money we don't have and sending the bill to the next generation. It's time to balance the budget, cut waste, and put America's finances back on a sustainable path.
Crooked lawyer, crooked administration.
Every $ the Swamp spends comes from someone who earned it. The government doesn’t create "free" stuff—it takes hard-earned $ from taxpayers and then gives it back with strings attached. President Trump and Republicans in Congress are taking a different approach: let Americans keep more of what they earn, produce more here at home, and bring down the cost of living. Here’s what that means: • No tax on tips • No tax on overtime • No tax on Social Security • Record-low poverty rates • A nationwide construction boom creating more jobs • Trump Accounts helping families build long-term savings for their children • Lower Rx drug costs • More American energy production to put downward pressure on energy costs • Fighting to make homeownership more affordable
In case you missed it: I'm seeking to become the next Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee. I've spent years on this committee fighting for Arizona and the American West. I've helped write legislation that became law, expanded opportunities for responsible resource development, and led aggressive oversight to hold federal agencies accountable. As Chairman, I'll build on that record and make the most of the tremendous opportunities before us: from American energy and critical minerals to Western water, federal lands and economic growth. I've always said: good process makes good policy. And good policy should deliver real results for the American people. I'm ready to get to work.
The House passed the bills, but are dead in the Senate. The Senate has sunk so law that even getting our elections remotely secure by passing a basic voter ID law that a massive majority of Americans support has no chance. The Senate would rather protect themselves than help America.
Sick.
This is good company!
OCTOBER 5 is the last day to register to vote in Arizona! If you have moved, changed your name, or never registered, take care of it now, don't wait. Get registered: don't get left out! https://t.co/si9sm9ukjQ
Weekly Newsletter September 20, 2026 Gosar Seeks the Gavel of the House Natural Resources Committee Earlier this week, I announced my intention to seek the chairmanship of the House Natural Resources Committee. I have spent years working my way up through this Committee, and I believe my record and experience have earned me the opportunity to seek its leadership. I am a senior member of the Committee, currently serve as Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and serve on the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee. The next Congress presents an opportunity for the Natural Resources Committee to become an even more consequential part of the Republican agenda and a strong congressional partner to President Trump and his Administration. American energy dominance, critical-mineral security, domestic manufacturing, resilient supply chains, responsible resource development, economic growth and water policy are all directly connected to the Committee’s jurisdiction. I want to help turn those priorities into lasting congressional policy. As chairman, I would bring my years of legislative experience and my firsthand understanding of Western issues to the committee with a clear mission: put American energy, economic opportunity, responsible resource development and local communities first. I believe the Natural Resources Committee should focus on five priorities: • Unleash American energy. Expand responsible production of nuclear energy, coal, natural gas and other domestic resources so America can achieve true energy independence. • Restore multiple-use management. Federal lands should be managed to support energy production, mining, grazing, recreation, timber and other productive uses—not simply locked away from the American people. • Protect Western water. Arizona and other Western states cannot thrive without reliable water. Protecting Western water rights and addressing the long-term challenges facing the Colorado River Basin must be a priority. • Restore congressional oversight. Federal agencies must be held accountable when they abuse their authority, waste taxpayer dollars or impose policies that harm the people and communities they are supposed to serve. • Respect tribal sovereignty. The federal government must strengthen government-to-government relationships with Indian tribes and respect tribal sovereignty when federal decisions affect tribal communities, natural resources and treaty rights. Arizona has given me a front-row seat to many of America’s resource challenges—water scarcity, the harmful impact of invasive species, mining, federal land management, energy development and tribal sovereignty. But I do not view these as Arizona issues. They are American issues. I believe my seniority, legislative record, committee experience, leadership and record of oversight have prepared me for this responsibility. My objective is straightforward: A Committee that develops America’s resources, strengthens our national security, protects taxpayers, respects state and tribal sovereignty, advances the Republican agenda, and helps President Trump deliver on his commitment to American energy and resource dominance. Who is Really Paying for Environmental “Lawfare?” Two weeks ago, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman and I launched an investigation into 19 environmental organizations over their use of federal fee-shifting laws to recover attorney fees from American taxpayers. This is an issue I have been fighting for years. Here is the problem: laws such as the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) were created to help ordinary Americans challenge federal overreach—not to create a taxpayer-funded litigation machine for wealthy, politically connected organizations. Yet our investigation is examining how major environmental nonprofits—including the Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice and the Natural Resources Defense Council—use litigation to challenge federal decisions involving public lands, energy and natural-resource development and then seek reimbursement for their legal fees from the federal government. The numbers deserve serious scrutiny. From fiscal years 2019 through 2024, the Department of the Interior, U.S. Forest Service, NOAA, Department of Energy and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission paid $24.8 million in EAJA awards. Approximately 76%—$18.8 million—went to environmental nonprofits. That is taxpayer money. The concern goes beyond the cost of individual lawsuits. When organizations can sue federal agencies, obtain favorable outcomes or settlements and then seek reimbursement for their attorneys’ fees, taxpayers can end up funding litigation that challenges energy production, mining, grazing and other lawful uses of our public lands. At our May oversight hearing, witnesses testified about how the current fee-award system can produce attorney-fee awards substantially above the rates normally paid by private employers. The committee is now investigating whether these provisions are being exploited in ways Congress never intended I believe the answer is straightforward: taxpayers should not be forced to bankroll an endless cycle of litigation against the federal government. The Equal Access to Justice Act was intended to give ordinary Americans a way to hold the government accountable. It should not become a blank check for professional environmental litigants. As Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, I intend to follow the money, expose waste and abuse, and determine whether Congress needs to reform these laws. If taxpayer dollars are funding litigation designed to obstruct responsible energy and natural-resource development, the American people deserve to know about it—and Congress has a responsibility to act. Defending the Second Amendment Means Defending Our Freedom The Second Amendment is not a second-class constitutional right. It is not a privilege granted by government. It is not a right that can be rewritten by politicians, bureaucrats or academics. The Constitution is clear: “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” I believe that means exactly what it says. For too long, law-abiding Americans have been treated as though exercising a constitutional right makes them a suspect. Government has imposed unnecessary restrictions, burdensome regulations and intrusive policies on citizens who have committed no crime other than exercising their Second Amendment rights. I have fought that type of government overreach throughout my time in Congress. That record was recognized in the 119th Congress this week, when I was one of just 70 House Republicans named to the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Dean’s List for maintaining a perfect pro-Second Amendment voting and co-sponsorship record. I don’t just talk about defending the Second Amendment—I work to protect it. That includes supporting legislation such as the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would protect the ability of law-abiding citizens who can legally carry a concealed firearm in their home state to exercise that right when traveling across state lines. The Founders understood something that remains true today: an armed citizenry is an important safeguard against government tyranny and a fundamental part of the liberty secured by our Constitution. I will continue to stand with Arizona gun owners and every law-abiding American who believes that constitutional rights do not disappear simply because politicians in Washington decide they don’t like them. The Second Amendment says “shall not be infringed.” I intend to keep fighting to make sure it stays that way. Read the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Congressional Report Card and see my Second Amendment record for yourself. Gosar Bill Helps Deliver for Arizona Veterans at Sky Harbor When I introduced the VETS Safe Travel Act, my goal was simple: make air travel a little easier and more dignified for the veterans who sacrificed so much for our country. Disabled veterans should not have to struggle through long security lines, remove shoes and navigate difficult screening procedures simply to board an airplane. That is why I introduced the VETS Safe Travel Act in the 118th Congress to provide free TSA PreCheck to certain severely injured and disabled veterans. The legislation passed the House and Senate and was signed into law on January 4, 2025 by Sleepy Joe Biden (one of the few things he did right). Now, that effort is delivering real benefits for veterans here in Arizona. According to news reports this week, Phoenix Sky Harbor is among the airports receiving an expedited military security lane, providing a faster screening option for military personnel and veterans traveling through the airport. That matters in a state like Arizona, which is home to more than 450,000 veterans. And the VETS Safe Travel Act is now providing eligible veterans with something even more valuable: free TSA PreCheck enrollment. Veterans with qualifying severe service-connected disabilities can obtain a fee waiver through the VA and enroll in PreCheck at no cost, subject to the program’s security requirements. I am proud that legislation I introduced is now making a difference for Arizona veterans. Our veterans kept their promises to America. We should keep ours to them. If you are a veteran with a qualifying service-connected disability, I encourage you to check your eligibility and apply for your free TSA PreCheck benefits through the VA. ICE Arrests Two Criminal Illegals in Arizona Arizona communities are safer when federal immigration laws are enforced—and when individuals who are unlawfully present and have serious criminal convictions are removed from our communities. Phoenix ICE agents announced that they had arrested two illegals near Prescott and Flagstaff. Norberto Osornio-Gutierrez, a 50-year-old Mexican national, was arrested near Prescott on charges of burglary, traffic violations and drug offenses, including attempted possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Dinesh Sapkota, a 28-year-old Nepalese national, was arrested near Flagstaff for violating U.S. immigration laws. According to ICE, he was previously convicted of kidnapping, sexual abuse, aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault involving a physically restrained victim. These cases demonstrate why enforcing our immigration laws matters. Our immigration system must protect the American people. Individuals who are unlawfully present in our country and have serious criminal convictions should not be allowed to remain in Arizona communities indefinitely. I commend the men and women of Phoenix ICE for carrying out these targeted enforcement operations and working to remove individuals who have violated our immigration laws and have criminal records. Secure borders, enforce the law and put the safety of Americans first. The Border Is Secure Again Speaking of border security, the results are clear: this week the Trump Administration announced the 16th consecutive month of zero releases at the border. Under President Trump, catch-and-release has been replaced with apprehension, detention and removal. In August, Border Patrol recorded just 8,870 apprehensions along the southwest border—94% below the monthly average during the Biden administration. The numbers extend beyond illegal crossings. CBP reports that fiscal-year drug seizures are 73% higher than during the same period in FY2024, including 6,724 pounds of cocaine and 773 pounds of fentanyl seized in August alone. CBP and ICE also seized more than 120,000 pounds of drug precursor chemicals. Secure borders mean a safer America. After years of open-border policies, enforcement is once again focused on knowing who enters our country, stopping illegal crossings and keeping dangerous drugs out of our communities. The Hyde Amendment Turns 50: Protecting Life and Taxpayers Fifty years ago this week, pro-life Republican Congressman Henry Hyde took a historic stand for the unborn and the American taxpayer. In 1976, Rep. Hyde offered an amendment preventing federal taxpayer dollars from being used to pay for elective abortions. That amendment became a cornerstone of the pro-life movement and has been renewed by Congress every year since. The Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality in 1980. As a pro-life American, I believe every human life is precious and worthy of protection. Government should never force hardworking Americans to fund the destruction of innocent unborn life. And the impact of the Hyde Amendment has been enormous. According to a new analysis by the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the Hyde Amendment is estimated to have saved 2,678,274 lives since 1976. That means millions of Americans have had the opportunity to be born, grow up, raise families, pursue their dreams, serve their communities and enjoy the freedoms that make our nation exceptional. That is a legacy worth defending. The Hyde Amendment is more than a budget provision. It represents a simple principle: American taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize murdering innocent babies. As Congress continues the fight to protect innocent life, I will continue standing with the unborn and working to ensure that our federal government respects the sanctity of every human life. Fifty years later, the Hyde Amendment still saves lives. We must protect it. District Spotlight: Supporting Arizona’s Frontline Health Care Teams And finally this week, I was in Wickenburg to meet with the dedicated men and women who keep our community’s health care system moving - day and night. I stopped by Wickenburg Medical Center to meet with the staff and hear directly about the needs facing local health care providers. I also visited PHI Air Medical, where an extraordinary team of flight paramedics, pilots, mechanics and communications specialists works 24 hours a day, seven days a week to transport critically ill and injured patients. The Wickenburg team has completed more than 94,000 flights, providing a lifeline to patients who need urgent medical care. The crew was called out on an emergency during my visit, so I wasn’t able to take the planned flight or complete the full tour. That’s okay—when Arizona needs them, they go. This is what district work is about: showing up, listening to Arizonans and seeing firsthand the people who keep our communities strong. Tweet of the Week: Photo of the Week: 📸 Elizabeth Brewer from Prescott Valley, AZ sent in this touching photo of the 9/11 Memorial Field in Prescott Valley. Wonderful picture, Elizabeth. Thanks so much for sharing. Do you want the chance for your photograph to be featured as our "Photo of the Week?" If so, send your best shots along with a brief description to [email protected]. Remember to include your name and where you live. Gosar in the News and Other Must-Read Stories: 📰 Sportsmen Alliance: House Committee to Investigate Radical Environmental Groups 🗞 Punch Bowl News: Gavel Race Heats Up 📰 Surprise Independent: Surprise resident asks Congress to prioritize cancer issues 🗞 ABC 15: TSA offers expedited screening at more than 30 airports for our nation's military ⚠ Warning!! The Gosar Weekly Newsletter is meant for discerning readers with above-average intelligence. We link to interesting stories. We get stories a couple different ways: Google alerts, a third-party aggregator and sometimes readers send stuff. We don’t vouch for every publication or every author. If we link to a story, it is because of that story. The views expressed in any of the publications do not represent any promotion, endorsement or reflection of Congressman Gosar’s views. While we try our best, we cannot guarantee every news organization spouting hatred, animosity or divisiveness will be filtered from appearing in the Gosar Weekly Newsletter. We will endeavor to prevent that from happening by never linking to Fake News organizations including CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, Rolling Stone, the Arizona Republic, the Arizona Mirror, Media Matters or the New Republic.
Check out this latest article from AZ Free News on the NRA’s endorsement of my campaign. My A rating on the Second Amendment wasn’t handed to me. It was earned through years of always standing up for the right to keep and bear arms. Arizona gun owners know my record, and they know where I stand. https://t.co/tvZwXOOU5i
On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the Americans who were taken prisoner while serving our country and those who never came home. Their families have carried the weight of uncertainty for decades, never giving up hope for answers. We owe it to them to keep searching, remembering, and never stop bringing missing Americans home. You are not forgotten.
Very saddened by the loss Senator Kyl. He was a true statesman, mentor to so many and a giant in Arizona and our country. His service to AZ and our country will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are w/his family. https://t.co/BVY4EvEO1o
No amnesty, no excuses - just enforcement of the law and putting Americans FIRST!
Arizona is being asked to take the largest Colorado River water cuts of any state in the basin. That's not fair to Arizona's farmers, families, and river communities, especially when they didn't create this crisis. I'll keep fighting to protect Arizona's fair share of the Colorado River and ensure our farmers and communities aren't forced to bear the burden alone. Arizona's water. Arizona's future. We must protect both.
The NRA just endorsed my campaign and gave me an A rating. I have never wavered on the Second Amendment. Our right to keep and bear arms is not negotiable, and I have voted that way every single time. Grateful to have the NRA standing with me. https://t.co/9eGgVSGQyk