Ranchers in Arizona and across the nation secured a step toward a potentially major grazing rights victory from the federal government following the intervention of a coalition of Arizona’s Republican congressmen.
Republican Reps. Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Eli Crane (AZ-02), and Paul Gosar (AZ-09) successfully petitioned the Department of the Interior (DOI) to issue a newly proposed grazing rule that purports to give ranchers greater flexibility and security for their work.
Biggs offered his support for this proposed rule, announced by the DOI on Monday. Biggs promised to Arizonans in a press release that the rule would prioritize American ranchers and food security.
“Under the previous administration, cattle ranchers were forced to reduce their herd counts because of federal mandates and orders cutting public grazing land use. This administration knows how critical it is to protect our great ranchers and allow these families to provide abundant food to the American people.”
DOI Secretary Doug Burgum issued a similar commitment to ranchers about the impact of the rule.
“For too long, ranchers and land managers have been forced to work under outdated rules that do not match today’s challenges,” said Burgum. “President Trump has made it clear that we must cut red tape, support the people who feed our nation and ensure our public lands remain healthy for future generations. These updates will help us do exactly that.”
The proposed rule promises to streamline grazing administration and expand rangeland health standards. As part of this approach, the Bureau of Land Management was directed to update definitions, simplify processes, and clarify regulatory language.
Last December, Biggs sent a letter requesting actionable support on expanding and rebuilding American cattle to Burgum, Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins, Forest Service Chief Tim Schultz, and Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik.
Ciscomani, Crane, and Gosar signed onto Biggs’ letter, which asked the agency heads to resist influencing from “extreme environmental causes.” Certain environmental advocates — most in progressive circles — believe cattle grazing to be environmentally devastating.
“Ranchers are not the problem. They are the solution,” said Biggs. “Yet outdated regulations and false claims continue to punish them, while predators such as the Mexican wolf devastate herds under the shield of a misapplied endangered species designation.”
Biggs claimed that he’d received reports of cattle ranchers forced to reduce herd counts due to government mandates and orders impacting the use of public grazing lands, and asked the agencies to review their processes, rules, and regulations for adverse impacts on American ranchers.
“At a time when rebuilding the domestic cattle herd is vital to our food security and rural livelihoods, these mandates are unacceptable,” wrote Biggs.
U.S. cattle operations have been on the decline for nearly a decade despite increased demand — the lowest in over 70 years. USDA reporting from last year reflected that cattle operations dropped by 17% while demand grew by 10%.
Biggs echoed the sentiments of blame regularly expressed by the average American rancher: increasing pressures from bureaucratic red tape magnifying other issues like the rising costs of supplies, namely feed, and environmental pressures, namely drought.
The DOI will continue to gather public input for the proposed rule affecting grazing management on public lands until July 13. The BLM is scheduled to host a virtual information session about the proposed rule on June 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. MT.
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The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) paid a visit to Arizona last week.
Sara Carter, director of the ONDCP, came to address Arizona’s unique situation with its ongoing drug crisis. Arizona was one of few states to experience an increase in drug overdose deaths rather than a decrease in 2025. Not only that: Arizona had the most drug overdose deaths last year.
While drug overdose deaths decreased 31% nationwide, Arizona experienced a 30% increase in drug overdose deaths.
Republican Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05) hosted Carter’s visit to Arizona, and Republican Rep. Eli Crane (AZ-02) joined the pair for meetings according to a press release from Biggs. These meetings were also attended by Drug Enforcement Administration officials, tribal partners, local law enforcement, and Angel Families.
Angel Families include all family members of individuals victimized or killed by criminal illegal aliens. Nearly all of the Angel Families in attendance last week were those whose loved ones fell victim to the crimes and violence resulting from drug cartel activity.
Eight of those families testified at a roundtable hosted at the Arizona State Capitol on Friday. These families claimed that the deaths of their loved ones were preventable through stricter immigration enforcement policies.
Among those to testify were Mary Ann Mendoza, who recounted how her son, Mesa police officer Brandon Mendoza, was killed in 2014 by an illegal alien drunk driver who had a criminal record dating back to 1994 and was living as a fugitive at the time of the crash.
Doug and Patricia Quets shared how their adult son Nicholas Quets, a Marine veteran, was murdered by Sinaloa cartel members in 2024.
Fernando Basurto explained that his grandson, Fernando Jose Basurto Jr., was about to graduate high school and had plans to enter the Air Force when he was murdered by a criminal illegal alien in 2016, who had been released shortly prior to the murder. Basurto said that former Sen. Martha McSally initially soured him on Congress because she refused to see their family to discuss Fernando Jose’s murder.
Patti Fox testified alongside her adult daughter, Carissa Aspnes, who was struck and severely disabled by an illegal alien running a stop sign in 2025. Carissa — a second-generation American on her grandmother’s side, a legal immigrant from Thailand — suffered a traumatic brain injury and now requires full-time care. Fox said local investigators initially covered up the fact that Carissa’s assailants were illegal aliens who entered the country under the Biden administration.
Karen Griffin explained that her teen son, Tyler Griffin, passed away in 2020 after taking a pill he believed to be Tylenol, but was actually laced with fentanyl.
Similarly, Anne Fundner shared that her 15-year-old son, Weston Fundner, passed away in 2022 after taking pills laced with fentanyl.
Carter promised to incorporate those suggestions from Friday’s roundtable into legislative proposals and policies put forth by the Trump administration.
Attendees included Reps. Quang Nguyen (R-LD-1), Nick Kupper (R-LD-25), and Lisa Fink (RLD-27); Sen. Carine Wrner (RLD-4); Maricopa County Supervisor Debbie Lesko; Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley; and Art Del Cueto, formerly president of the National Border Patrol Council.
As part of its mission to address the drug crisis, ONDCP has taken a special focus on Arizona’s increase in drug overdose deaths, especially those involving fentanyl. It is the belief of the Trump administration, and Biggs and Crane, that the border policies of former President Joe Biden are to blame for Arizona’s ongoing drug crisis.
Carter commended Arizona as taking steps to fight back against the drug crisis.
“These communities know firsthand the devastating impact of illicit drugs,” said Carter. “President Trump and his administration will continue to fight for our citizens until every American is free to live a safe and healthy life, free from the scourge of illicit drugs.”
Earlier this month, ONDCP released a 200-page National Drug Control Strategy for 2026.
Under this administration, Trump has signed legislation classifying fentanyl-related compounds as Schedule I drugs; designated cartels as foreign terrorist organizations; designated illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as weapons of mass destruction; and signed legislation expanding the border wall and increasing deportations.
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Earlier this week, Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) introduced the Providing Resources and Oversight for Tactical Equipment to Communities and Troops Act, also known as the PROTECT Act. This bipartisan legislation is aimed at modernizing and improving the administration of the Department of War’s Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO).
The PROTECT ACT, commonly known as the 1033 program, seeks to enhance efficiency, oversight, and effectiveness of this longstanding federal program, which provides surplus Department of War property to state and local law enforcement agencies at minimal cost.
The equipment and resources — ranging from vehicles and special tactical gear to office supplies, computers, and medical items — support critical missions including active shooter response, disaster relief, counter drug operations, and border security.
“I introduced the PROTECT Act following conversations with Arizona stakeholders who were frustrated with the growing lack of coordination between state and federal partners,” stated Congressman Biggs. “This necessary update ensures greater oversight, clearer standards, and more effective state-federal coordination to carry out the program’s mission.”
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is responsible for disposing of excess and obsolete property from U.S. military units worldwide. Through the 1033 program, authorized by Congress in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 and granted permanent authority in the 1997 NDAA, eligible law enforcement agencies can acquire this surplus property for bona fide law enforcement purposes, with a particular emphasis on counter drug and counter terrorism activities.
As of February 2025, approximately 6,300 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across 49 states and four U.S. territories participate in the program.
Participation requires each state to have a Governor-appointed State Coordinator responsible for oversight of the state’s participating agencies. States must sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) with DLA’s LESO, and each approved agency must enter into a State Plan of Operation with the coordinator.
Once approved, law enforcement agencies can review available excess inventory online and submit requests through their State Coordinator. Agencies do not pay for the property itself but are responsible for shipping, storage, maintenance, and any costs associated with returning items when they are no longer needed. All property is also transferred “as-is.”
The PROTECT Act strengthens the role of the State Coordinator and responds to requests for greater consistency by implementing:
Regular program reviews by the Defense Logistics Agency
Transparent biennial reporting to Congress and the public
“I’m grateful for another opportunity to stand with our Arizona law enforcement community as these agencies protect our communities and respond to emergencies, natural disasters, and public safety threats,” said Biggs.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ02) welcomed a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announcement Tuesday that multiple Arizona health care providers, tribal entities, and state agencies are receiving federal funding through grants released by the agency.
The grants were awarded to the Arizona Department of Emergency & Military Affairs, the Arizona Department of Health Services, Dignity Community Care, Dignity Health, the Havasupai Tribe, HonorHealth, and Valleywise Health.
More than $5.5 million of the funding is designated for the Havasupai Tribe to repair damage caused by flash flooding in 2024. The project includes replacing four damaged bridges with structures designed to withstand major flood events, including 100-year flood events. The funding will also support fencing and erosion-control systems intended to protect ancestral burial grounds and culturally significant tribal sites.
In a statement released by his office, Crane said, “On behalf of rural Arizonans, I’m grateful to President Trump, Secretary Mullin, Associate Administrator Phillips, and agency personnel for delivering this reimbursement. This funding will strengthen health care across our state, as well as provide meaningful assistance for the Havasupai Tribe.”
“I also appreciate the work of Chairman Garbarino and Arizona’s congressional delegation,” he added, specifically highlighting the efforts of Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ05), whom he said, “demonstrated considerable leadership behind the scenes to resolve these long overdue needs.”
Today, @fema announced the release of federal grants to strengthen Arizona’s health care system and support tribal infrastructure.
“We will continue to partner with the Trump administration to deliver wins for all Arizonans,” Crane said.
The Havasupai Tribe, located within Arizona’s Second Congressional District, was among the entities identified in the release. Crane’s district includes a significant number of tribal communities throughout northern and eastern Arizona.
The announcement follows a series of recent federal and congressional discussions surrounding rural infrastructure, tribal services, and health care access in Arizona communities. Last week, Crane participated in a Federal Partners Forum in Prescott focused on rural Arizona infrastructure and coordination between federal, state, and local agencies.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs released a new campaign video this week titled “A Freer, Safer, More Prosperous Arizona.” The video outlines his vision for the state as the 2026 gubernatorial race continues to take shape.
In the video, Biggs calls for what he describes as a “freer, safer, more prosperous Arizona,” while emphasizing issues including border security, public safety, tax policy, education, and election administration. The video also criticizes policies advanced under Gov. Katie Hobbs and argues Arizona should pursue a more conservative governing approach.
“We have always been rugged individualists. But under this Governor, we’re not leading the way except to go the way of California. We’re following California, for Pete’s sakes. So, for me, when I look at it and say, ‘Why am I running for Governor?’ I know that this state needs a leader that understands the tremendous potential it has and can unleash it using the processes we have in the Legislature and the authority that the Governor has.”
Biggs currently represents Arizona’s Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives and previously served as president of the Arizona Senate.
I’m running for Governor to make Arizona a freer, safer, and more prosperous state.
Katie Hobbs is trying to make Arizona more like California.
We have tremendous potential, but we need leadership to get there.
The release comes as the Republican gubernatorial primary field continues to develop ahead of the 2026 election. Biggs announced his gubernatorial campaign earlier this year and has emerged as one of the highest-profile Republicans in the race.
Biggs has centered much of his campaign messaging on border enforcement, tax reductions, school choice expansion, and election reforms. During a recent Turning Point Action rally in Phoenix, Biggs said he would seek to eliminate Arizona’s income tax, create what he described as a stronger state border security operation, and sign election-related legislation previously vetoed by Hobbs.
At that event, Biggs also described his goal as making Arizona “the most free, most prosperous, safest state in the union.”
The campaign has also emphasized Biggs’ relationship with President Donald Trump and his alignment with the broader “America First” movement. Trump endorsed Biggs earlier this year in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
Polling from Noble Predictive Insights released in March showed Biggs leading the Republican primary field by 21 points while trailing incumbent Gov. Katie Hobbs by five points in a hypothetical general election matchup.
Arizona is shaping up for another tight gubernatorial battle.
Biggs consolidates the GOP primary. Hobbs holds an early advantage. Undecideds remain decisive. Full AZPOP report available now: https://t.co/yyg9z0Kgzk
— Noble Predictive Insights (@NoblePredictive) March 6, 2026
The new video release is the latest in a series of campaign efforts by the Biggs campaign to frame the 2026 race around border security, economic policy, and opposition to the Hobbs administration’s agenda.
