Three Arizona Congressmen Push Back Against President Biden Bombing Yemen

Three Arizona Congressmen Push Back Against President Biden Bombing Yemen

By Corinne Murdock |

Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09), and Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07) were three out of less than 30 congressmen to push back against President Joe Biden’s bombing of Yemen.

Last week, the three men signed onto a bipartisan letter with 27 other members of Congress to declare that the military strikes were unauthorized, therefore unconstitutional, and that Biden required the consent of Congress to further engage. 

“Article One of the Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole power to declare war and authorize U.S. military action,” stated the letter. 

The congressmen argued that Biden only holds the authority to introduce U.S. forces into hostilities either after a declaration of war by Congress, after specific statutory authorization from Congress, or in a national emergency when the U.S. is under imminent attack. 

Biden ordered the strikes earlier this month in response to Yemen-based Houthi militant attacks on U.S. military forces dating back to November. Biden’s letter to Congress announcing the strikes alleged that he had authority under the War Powers Resolution (WPR) of 1973. 

Immediately following Biden’s letter to Congress, Biggs condemned the move as unconstitutional.

“[Biden] can’t unilaterally pull us into another war,” said Biggs. “Why does he want so many wars?”

Similarly, the congressmen contended in their letter that Biden proceeded under a selective reading of the WPR. 

“The WPR of 1973 does not give blanket authority for a President to unilaterally involve U.S. military forces in a conflict if a President simply notifies Congress within 48 hours. The 48-hour reporting requirement only applies to a situation in which a President must act due to an attack or imminent attack against the United States,” read the letter. 

However, the letter didn’t express any intent on applying punitive measures for the executive overreach. Rather, the letter concluded with a request for Biden to heed to their authority under the Constitution, with an offer to “debate” any war-making request by the administration.

The other members of Congress to sign onto the letter were Democratic Reps. Ro Khanna, Val Hoyle, Pramila Jayapal, Cori Bush, Jonathan Jackson, Summer Lee, Rashida Tlaib, Greg Casa, Ilhan Omar, James McGovern, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Ayanna Presley, Nydia Velazquez, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Delia Ramirez, Barbara Lee, Jamaal Bowman; and Republican Reps. Warren Davidson, Thomas Massie, Nancy Mace, Anna Paulina Luna, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Harriet Hageman.

In another statement on Tuesday following the deaths of three troops in Jordan, Gosar again declared Biden lacked the authority to bring the U.S. into a foreign conflict. 

“Biden does not have the authority to take us into war with Iran without Congressional approval,” said Gosar. 

Gosar further declared that Biden’s foreign policy was to blame for the three deaths. 

“Biden bears full responsibility [for] the drone attack on our troops by recklessly reopening nuclear arms negotiations [with] Iran [and] giving them $6 billion [to] fund its military, refusing [to] enforce the Trump-imposed Iranian oil sanctions which has allowed Iran [to] rake in billions of profits,” said Gosar. “Biden also reversed the Trump-imposed freeze on millions of dollars that were diverted [to] Iran-sponsored terrorist activities.”

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.

Gov. Hobbs Introduces Legislation To End School Choice In 2032

Gov. Hobbs Introduces Legislation To End School Choice In 2032

By Corinne Murdock |

Gov. Katie Hobbs has introduced legislation that would end the entirety of Arizona’s school choice program come 2032.

On Monday, Hobbs announced the release of the bill, part of a forthcoming package, to bring to heel and then end the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program. 

In the press release announcing the legislation, neither Hobbs nor Democratic leaders mentioned the provision ending the entire ESA Program: both the universal and special education components. The coalition characterized the legislation as containing accountability and transparency measures. 

As justification for the legislation, the governor repeated claims of misused ESA funding that have been debunked by Arizona Department of Education (ADE) officials.

“Arizonans deserve to know their taxpayer dollars are being spent giving Arizona children the education they deserve, not on luxury car driving lessons, ski trips, and water park passes,” said Hobbs. “We must bring accountability and transparency to the ESA program.”

The bill, SB1399, was introduced by Sen. Minority Leader Mitzi Epstein (D-LD12). Under the bill, the ESA Program would end on July 1, 2032 unless continued by an act of the legislature approved by the governor. 

The bill also would:

  • Require educators at ESA-funded schools to have a higher education; at least three years of teaching experience; and specialized skills, knowledge, or expertise related to the subject matter of instruction
  • Require fingerprinting and background checks for ESA-funded educators and tutors
  • Prohibit sales of items purchased using ESA funds
  • Require preapproval of transactions of $500 or more
  • Require the purchase of the least-expensive version of educational goods or services
  • Require ADE to disclose the legal rights waived by admission to the program
  • Require ADE to estimate the funds needed for the ESA program for the upcoming fiscal year
  • Implement additional performance and fiscal reporting requirements for ESA-funded schools
  • Require ESA-funded schools to adhere to outside individualized education programs or Section 504 plans
  • Establish annual audits of ESA-funded schools
  • Establish a legislative committee review of the ESA program to determine its economy and efficiency, achievements and shortcomings

Epstein also didn’t mention the bill’s total eradication of the ESA Program. Rather, the senator indicated that her issue with the ESA Program concerned its universalization. 

“The unaccountable government expansion of ESA vouchers has put our state’s financial security, and our students, at risk,” said Epstein. “These commonsense safeguards will be vitally important for giving Arizona children a safe and quality education, and bring the same accountability and oversight to ESAs that we expect for any taxpayer spending.”

Similarly, House Minority Leader Lupe Contreras (D-LD22) — anticipated to introduce mirror legislation soon — said that the legislation consisted of “basic standards” for transparency and accountability.

The governor put the legislature on notice of the forthcoming legislative package earlier this month.

The day after Hobbs dropped her legislation, ADE Superintendent Tom Horne released the latest data on the ESA Program. Horne reported a projected surplus of $28 million through the 2024 fiscal year, which ends in June. 

Citing the projected surplus, Horne denounced the accusations from Hobbs and Democratic lawmakers that the state’s budget woes were attributable to the ESA Program expansion.

“Whatever budget issues state lawmakers are facing this year, they have not been created by the ESA program or any other aspect of basic state aid for education,” said Horne. “The fact there is a surplus in basic state aid, including the ESA program, demonstrates our commitment to good financial stewardship.”

Matt Beienburg of the Goldwater Institute, a major proponent of the ESA Program, said that Hobbs’ proposal constituted “an all-out assault” on students and their families as well as a “government takeover” of private schools.

“Building off Gov. Hobbs’s recent proposal to rip away 50,000 ESA scholarship awards, this legislation goes even further and would terminate the entire ESA program—including for students with special needs—before thousands of these children even complete their studies,” said Beienburg. “This legislation would impose a government takeover of private school tuition rates and operational decisions, attempting to destroy private education and parental autonomy, forcing thousands of families back into a system they’ve desperately tried to escape.”

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.

Trump-Endorsed Candidate Takes Over AZGOP

Trump-Endorsed Candidate Takes Over AZGOP

By Daniel Stefanski |

The 45th President of the United States proved, yet again, to be the Republican kingmaker in the Grand Canyon State.

After a sudden vacancy at the Republican Party of Arizona, former President Donald J. Trump broke his curious public silence over the politically volatile situation, endorsing a surprise contender, Gina Swoboda, for chair. Trump said, “Gina Swoboda has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be Chairwoman of the Republican Party of Arizona. She is an outstanding person with incredible passion for our Party, which she will quickly MAKE GREAT AGAIN! ARIZONA2024”

Many Republicans from different factions across the state quickly echoed the former President’s sentiments, throwing their support behind Swoboda. This flurry of activity and endorsements ended up giving Swoboda a massive victory at the annual party meeting on Saturday.

Once Swoboda secured her runaway win to become the next chair of the state Republican Party, she expressed her gratitude to Trump for his support. On “X,” Swoboda wrote, “Arizona is the key to the presidency. I was proud to have the support of President Trump in this victory to lead the AZGOP into the most important election of our lifetime. Now it’s time to turn out every last vote for the 47th President, DONALD J TRUMP!”

Karoline Leavitt, the National Press Secretary for the Trump Campaign, responded to Swoboda’s hat tip to the current frontrunner for the Republican nomination, saying, “Congratulations to the newly elected Trump-Endorsed Arizona GOP Chairwoman, Gina Swoboda!”

Swoboda’s ascension to AZGOP Chair appeared to come out of nowhere as the hours ticked away toward the annual meeting. After the chairman’s vacancy occurred, two competing slates quickly emerged for the job, and speculation indicated that one of the candidates may have, at the least, been inquiring about information for a challenge to the state party’s top spot – even before the opening. Trump’s endorsement then flipped the narrative and potential outcome, showing the party faithful and outside onlookers alike that his endorsement reigns supreme for State 48 Republicans.

The new Republican Chairwoman of the AZGOP will have her hands full this year as she attempts to lead her party back into the win columns during the November General Election. Securing Arizona’s eleven electoral votes for Trump will be top of mind for Swoboda, followed by competitive U.S. Senate and congressional races. She will also be expected to lead the Republicans to victory at the state legislature, ensuring that Democrats and Governor Katie Hobbs are held in check for the next two years. Additionally, the state Republican Party will likely weigh in on several key initiatives that are expected to appear on the ballot for voters, including abortion and election system reform.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.

Arizona Conservatives Voice Support For Bill Protecting Kids From Pornography

Arizona Conservatives Voice Support For Bill Protecting Kids From Pornography

By Elizabeth Troutman |

Arizona Women of Action are urging the state legislature to pass a bill preventing children from accessing pornography. 

“This non partisan bill needs SUPPORT,” the activist group said on Twitter. “It would effectively protect AZ kids from accessing pornography. Age verification is a must!”

Sponsored by Republican state representatives Tim Dunn and Ben Toma, House Bill 2586 adds a new section to a statute regulating the “publishing and distribution of material harmful to minors on the internet.”

The bill subjects commercial entities to civil liabilities for damages if they knowingly publish or distribute material harmful to minors on the internet on a website without age verification. 

The legislation “Specifies that a commercial entity that fails to perform the age verification method described above is liable to an individual for the damages that result from a minor accessing the material harmful to minors, including court costs and reasonable attorney fees.”

If the bill passes, Arizona would be the tenth U.S. state to pass legislation requiring some form of age-verification for access to certain materials on the internet. 

The other nine states include Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. 

The Protect Arizona Children Coalition also voiced its support for the bill. 

“We can’t believe this needs to be said…Pornography isn’t for kids,” the PACC tweeted, asking citizens to voice their support for the bill at its hearing on Jan. 31. 

Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.

Senate President Fears California Policies Could Bring Lawlessness To Arizona

Senate President Fears California Policies Could Bring Lawlessness To Arizona

By Daniel Stefanski |

A famous burger restaurant chain is closing operations in one California city.

Last week, In-N-Out Burger announced it would soon be closing its Oakland location. In a statement released by Denny Warnick, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, the decision was made “due to ongoing issues with crime.” Warnick explained that “despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions, our Customers and Associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies.”

According to Warnick’s statement, the In-N-Out’s Oakland location was “busy and profitable,” but the company highlighted its “top priority” of ensuring the safety and well-being of our Customers and Associates,” adding that “we cannot ask them to visit or work in an unsafe environment.”

When asked by AZ Free News about the development out of Oakland, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen replied, “Arizona Republicans believe in the rule of law, and as a result, the policies we’ve implemented over the past decade have kept our state safe. Democrats have a track record of being soft on crime, and if they gain control of Arizona, it’s likely we will endure the same sad fate as Oakland, where criminals and lawlessness reign over our communities.”

The National Fraternal Order of Police addressed the Oakland news in a post on its “X” account, writing, “The closure of In-N-Out’s Oakland restaurant not only emphasizes the impact of persistent crime on our communities but also brings sadness for the employees losing their jobs. As we reflect on this, questions arise about leadership and community safety. Shouldn’t leaders actively combat lawlessness to protect businesses, jobs, and the well-being of individuals?”

As of January 24, there are 401 In-N-Out locations across 287 cities in the United States, according to the data company ScrapeHero. Out of those total locations, 275 are in California. Arizona has 34 restaurants – the third-most of the 8 states and territories that currently host the In-N-Out chain.

The Oakland In-N-Out location will continue operations until Sunday, March 24, 2024.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.

Arizona Legislators, GOP To Sue Over Elections Procedures Manual

Arizona Legislators, GOP To Sue Over Elections Procedures Manual

By Corinne Murdock |

The newly-elected chair of the Arizona Republican Party (AZGOP), Gina Swoboda, revealed that GOP leadership plans to sue Secretary of State Adrian Fontes over the Elections Procedures Manual (EPM). 

Swoboda dropped the news in an interview with Steve Bannon. She said Fontes’ EPM was “off the rails” and worse than the one produced by his predecessor, now-Gov. Katie Hobbs.  

“The legislature’s going to drop a lawsuit this week, the AZGOP’s going to drop the lawsuit this week,” said Swoboda. 

Bannon questioned why the lawsuits weren’t dropped earlier, to which Swoboda informed Bannon that the EPM was published on Dec. 30. 

On top of discarding Fontes’ EPM, Swoboda revealed that the state party would attempt to get rid of unstaffed drop boxes and implement stricter requirements for signature verification.

“What we can do is get in there now, eliminate the things that are the worst of the gaps in the system: the unmanned drop boxes, the lack of any requirements for signature verification, […] and what’s in this procedure’s manual will blow off the door, so if we thought what we saw before is bad, it’s off the rails,” said Swoboda.

Prior to her election as chair of AZGOP, Swoboda was a deputy registrar for the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office, the AZGOP Election Integrity Committee chair, and the executive director for an organization that published voter rolls online: Voter Reference Foundation (VRF), a subsidiary of Restoration of America.

Swoboda said that she hadn’t originally planned to run for party chair until she received a call from former President Donald Trump. 

Top Democratic lawyer Marc Elias referred to her selection as “a worrying choice,” citing her VRF involvement. 

Swoboda rebutted that Elias was “scared” of her. 

“I think Marc is scared of me and I think they actually tried to do a lot of damage over the last three days,” said Swoboda. “We need to litigate, we need to protect ourselves from lawfare, that’s how they weakened the system in 2020 and we didn’t see them coming. We know where they are.”

Despite expressing worry over Swoboda, Elias said that he didn’t feel threatened by the prospect of further litigation. 

In order to engage in that lawfare against Elias and others, Swoboda said the party required more funding. Swoboda disclosed that the AZGOP was “broke” and that there were financial unknowns dating back to a year regarding the party’s profits and losses. Swoboda said that the party was “running on fumes.” 

“If I can’t litigate, I can’t protect us,” said Swoboda. “We’ve got to take it to them, we can’t sit here and wait and then try to flail about when it’s too late and it’s already started. We’ve got to do it now, we’re bringing it now, but we need support to do it.” 

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.