by Ethan Faverino | Apr 27, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) announced that he has begun work on the BRRRRT Act (Bolstering Recognition, Resurgence, Retention, and Remembrance of the Thunderbolt) to ensure U.S. troops on the front lines continue to receive the most effective and lethal close air support available.
The legislation aims to reinforce the iconic A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the “Warthog,” whose distinctive sound has long provided reassurance to ground forces under fire. Hamadeh quoted one soldier, who called it, “One of the most terrifying yet beautiful sounds ever heard.”
Earlier this week, at the request of President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of the Air Force announced that the Air Force will extend the A-10 Thunderbolt II through 2030. The service plans to keep two squadrons flying through that date: one active-duty squadron at Moody Air Force Base and one reserve squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base.
Congressman Hamadeh’s BRRRRT Act would build upon and strengthen this extension by:
- Reinforcing the 2030 timeline and increasing the minimum number of A-10s required in the operational inventory.
- Supporting robust training and sustainment pipelines for the platform.
- Requiring that certain retired A-10s be preserved in rapidly recoverable conditions at the AMARG boneyard in Arizona to enable future surge capacity.
- Directing an evaluation of retaining additional A-10s in Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard wings.
- Examining the feasibility of selling or transferring A-10s to foreign partners, including through shared sustainment arrangements.
The bill would also mandate a comprehensive report to congressional defense committees on the A-10’s combat legacy. The report will cover the aircraft’s employment from Operation Desert Storm through current operations and analyze lessons learned for future close air support doctrine. Topics would include pilot training, weapons integration, battlefield communications, and air-ground integration.
Specifically, the legislation directs the Air Force to assess how elements of the A-10 mission set, command-and-control methods, and operational experience could inform emerging close air support concepts, such as human-machine teaming, autonomous collaborative aircraft, counter-drone operations, AI-enabled mission planning and targeting, digital battlefield communications, and distributed air-ground integration.
“As a former U. S. Army Intelligence officer, I know that the arrival of the A-10 creates the most beautiful sound ever heard by troops under fire on the battlefield,” stated Congressman Hamadeh, who oversees fighter platform programs on the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces. “For too long, the military industrial complex has pushed newer, not better, leaving our troops at risk by retiring the great Warthog. The A-10 is proof that newer isn’t always better and price has nothing to do with performance.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Apr 25, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) announced his letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to adopt common-sense reforms to the VA Home Loan Guarantee Program.
The goal is to eliminate outdated bureaucratic hurdles, reduce unnecessary costs, and better align the program with today’s competitive housing market so more young veterans can achieve the American Dream of homeownership.
In a formal letter to Secretary Collins, Congressman Hamadeh highlighted the Trump administration’s strong progress in refocusing the Department of Veterans Affairs on its core mission: delivering timely benefits, expanding access to quality care, slashing the claims backlog, and eliminating waste. Building on that momentum, Hamadeh expressed confidence that practical improvements to the home loan program will receive serious consideration.
“As my fellow veteran and Committee member, Congressman Van Orden said in our hearing on the subject, we must find ways to eliminate the unnecessary administrative costs of the VA Home Loan program and better align it with other Federal housing programs,” said Congressman Hamadeh. “My family is in real estate. I am very familiar with housing, and I know the unintended consequences of bureaucratic policies that have little to no protective value and ignore the realities of the marketplace.”
Congressman Hamadeh’s recommendations focus on four key areas where the VA Home Loan program lags behind other federal housing programs, such as FHA and USDA loans:
Ending Origination Fee Stacking: VA rules cap lender origination and administrative fees at 1% of the loan amount, intended to cover all lender labor and overhead. However, veterans report lenders charging the full 1% while adding separate itemized fees for processing, underwriting, and other services. This practice amounts to an unfair cash grab that increases costs for veterans and should be strictly enforced.
Modernizing Underwriting Process: The VA continues to rely heavily on manual underwriting, resulting in average closing times of about 10 business days. In contrast, the FHA has implemented semi-automated systems that can approve straightforward loans in as little as 2 to 7 days. The Mortgage Bankers Association has testified that automated underwriting would accelerate the process and help reduce the perception that VA loans are slower and more cumbersome.
Raising the Seller Concessions Cap: The VA currently limits seller concessions to 4% of the home’s reasonable value. Both FHA and USDA programs allow up to 6%. In competitive markets, this 2-percentage point difference can mean the difference between a veteran’s offer being accepted or denied.
Addressing Appraiser Shortages Through Reasonable Certification Requirements: The VA has identified 436 counties in 31 states facing appraiser shortages that delay loans and drive up costs. A major contributor is the VA’s stringent experience requirement of 3 to 5 years for certification, compared to just 12 to 18 months for FHA and USDA programs. Aligning standards would increase the pool of qualified appraisers, shortening waiting times and lowering fees.
These targeted reforms would remove barriers without compromising program integrity, helping young veterans secure homes more efficiently and affordably. By modernizing the program, VA can better fulfill its promise to those men and women who have sacrificed for our country.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Apr 24, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) recently introduced H.R. 8331, known as the Maverick Act of 2026, a bipartisan measure to preserve three of the final remaining F-14 Tomcat fighter jets for historical display and public education.
The legislation is the House companion to Senate Bill 4161, introduced by Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT). Original cosponsors joining Congressman Hamadeh include Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA), Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), and Rep. James Moylan (R-GU).
Congressman Hamadeh, a former U.S. Army officer, emphasized the personal and cultural importance of the legendary fighter jets. “As a young man, I was inspired by the popular Tom Cruise movie Top Gun, which featured the F-14, one of the most iconic aircraft ever flown,” stated Congressman Hamadeh. “As a former U.S. Army officer, I know that many of the men and women I served with felt the same way. That is why I proudly introduced this legislation.”
The Maverick Act would authorize the Secretary of the Navy to transfer three specific F-14 Tomcats to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama. The aircraft would be conveyed at no cost to the federal government through a conditional deed of gift.
Currently, strict post-retirement rules have resulted in the destruction of nearly all F-14 airframes. This bill creates a narrow exception, allowing the three aircraft to be fully demilitarized and preserved under rigorous national security protections. The legislation explicitly prohibits any restoration of combat capability and bans any future foreign transfers.
All expenses related to transportation, restoration, operation, and maintenance of the aircraft will be the responsibility of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission. The jets will be provided in “as-is” condition, with the Navy permitted to include relevant technical manuals and limited excess spare parts needed for restoration and static display. The Commission may partner with qualified nonprofit organizations to help restore the aircraft.
“Because this legislation does not come at a cost to our hard-working taxpayers, I expect that my fellow fiscal conservatives will happily support this legislation,” added Hamadeh. “I am grateful to the cosponsors of the bill, who have already offered their enthusiastic support.”
Strong safeguards are built into the bill, including a rescission clause that returns ownership to the United States if any conditions are violated. The aircraft must remain demilitarized and may only be used for public displays, airshows, and commemorative events celebrating U.S. naval aviation heritage. All activities will comply with FAA regulations and applicable export control laws.
In a separate but related preservation victory, Congressman Hamadeh secured language in the FY26 defense bill – signed into law by President Trump – that rescued five historic T-37 jet trainers from destruction at Tucson’s aircraft boneyard. These aircraft, which trained generations of pilots, aces, astronauts, and the nation’s first female aviators, will now be restored by the Arizona Aviation Historical Group to support STEM education, aviation heritage, and military recruitment.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Apr 23, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Maricopa County Supervisor Mark Stewart invites residents of District 1 to join him for a virtual town hall meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
The one-hour webinar will provide an update on Supervisor Stewart’s 2026 priorities, the county budget, upcoming elections, and other key county initiatives. A large portion of the program will be dedicated to a live Q&A, allowing constituents to ask questions directly.
“It’s hard to believe we’re already a quarter into 2026! We have lots to cover,” said Stewart. “We want to hear from YOU! Be sure to bring your questions.”
As a supervisor, Stewart says he is “dedicated to people-focused leadership that improves quality of life, supports sustainable growth, and reflects the core values of Maricopa County.” He believes his approach “prioritizes transparency and accountability, ensuring that both residents and businesses have the opportunity to prosper.”
The virtual town hall is open to residents of Maricopa County Supervisor District 1, which includes parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Queen Creek, and Tempe.
Registration is required. Residents can register for the event using the official registration link available through the Maricopa County Supervisor District 1 office.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Apr 22, 2026 | Education, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne announced earlier this week that two northern Arizona schools have been named National Title 1 Distinguished Schools in recognition of their significant gains in student academic achievement.
Valentine Elementary School, located in the small northwest Arizona community of Valentine, and Window Rock High School, situated on the Navajo Reservation, earned the prestigious national honor. The schools were selected for demonstrating exceptional progress in boosting their students’ academic performance.
“I am very proud of the work these students and educators have done to earn this honor. Each year, the Arizona Department of Education recognizes schools that demonstrate exceptional achievement and success in the Distinguished Schools program,” stated Superintendent Horne. “In addition to the students, congratulations must go to all the district leaders, teachers, administrators, and staff for this remarkable accomplishment. It reflects these schools’ commitment to maximizing instructional time and ensuring that every instructional minute counts.”
The National Title 1 Distinguished Schools award is part of the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program, a project of the National Association of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Program Administrators.
The program publicly recognizes qualifying federally funded Title 1 schools for positive educational advances and outstanding academic achievement.
Each state may honor up to two schools per year. Schools selected for the award must meet strict criteria, including a poverty rate of at least 35% (or the state’s average poverty rate if below that threshold), high academic achievement or growth, and meeting or exceeding state-determined accountability standards.
Valentine Elementary and Window Rock High School join a select group of schools nationwide that have earned this distinction. As National Title 1 Distinguished Schools, they will receive a commemorative award package, including entry to the National ESEA Conference, a dedicated section on the ESEA Network website, and special recognition during the conference.
Select sessions at the conference will feature “Stories of Success” from Distinguished Schools, highlighting their effective strategies for improving student outcomes. Arizona’s Distinguished Schools finalists will also be recognized on the Arizona Department of Education’s Distinguished Schools website and at the state ESEA Conference.
“I congratulate these schools on their mission to provide a high-quality education that fosters academic achievement and character development, which is very important, while cultivating strong partnerships with families in the community,” said Horne. “It demonstrates the passion, the dedication, and excellence taking place in your classrooms every day.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
