by Matthew Holloway | Sep 22, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Republican Congressman Andy Biggs carried on the well-worn tradition of symbolic and sometimes whimsical naming conventions for congressional bills last week. On Tuesday, Biggs introduced the Keeping Aid for Municipalities and Localities Accountable Act, abbreviated as the KAMALA Act, in a bid to withhold federal funding from states and municipalities providing housing assistance to illegal immigrants.
The obviously pejorative nature of the bill’s name aside, Biggs and his co-sponsors identified the necessity of the bill by pointing to the “Dream for All program” passed in the California legislature last month. That bill would have allowed illegal immimgrants residing in the state to receive a mortgage down payment handout of up to $150,000 bankrolled by California taxpayers, and given that a 14.5% of the state’s budget comes from federal funding, the American people as a whole.
As Biggs’ office noted in a press release, this California bill was vetoed by Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom, but not based on an issue with the policy, but rather purely on funding grounds, “not a recognition that the policy creates new incentives for illegal immigration and would drive housing prices further out of reach of middle-class Americans.”
In his veto, Newsom wrote, “This bill seeks to prohibit the disqualification of applicants from one of California Housing Finance Agency’s (CalHFA) home-purchase assistance programs based solely on their immigration status. Given the finite funding available for CalHFA programs, expanding program eligibility must be carefully considered within the broader context of the annual state budget to ensure we manage our resources effectively. For this reason, I am unable to sign this bill.”
In response the KAMALA Act, if adopted, would add new legal language to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program which would prohibit funds from CDBG funded programs to be used to benefit “illegal aliens, parolees, or asylees,” and only benefit American citizens. It would further prohibit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from allowing the same funds to be allocated to “states or localities allowing noncitizens to participate in housing assistance programs.”
Biggs said in a statement, “Americans are outraged at the Biden-Harris Administration’s refusal to put the needs of citizens over the comfort of illegal aliens. Democrats across the country are coddling illegal aliens, providing them with housing assistance while hundreds of thousands of Americans live on the streets. Congress must step in and use the power of the purse to ensure that taxpayers aren’t subsidizing these foolish priorities.”
From the text of the KAMALA Act, the bill states, “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no amount from a grant under section 106 made in fiscal year 2024 or any succeeding fiscal year may be used to assist persons who are neither a national of the United States nor lawfully admitted for permanent residence under section 101(a)(20) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.”
The act is cosponsored by fellow Arizona Congressmen Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Elijah Crane (R-AZ), as well as Reps. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Bob Good (R-VA), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Andy Harris (R-MD), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), and Tim Burchett (R-TN).
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Corinne Murdock | Feb 1, 2024 | News
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.
by Corinne Murdock | Oct 5, 2023 | News
By Corinne Murdock |
Rep. Kevin McCarthy became the first in American history to be voted out of the speakership this week, and Republican lawmakers are divided over that development.
Led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL-01), House Democrats joined six other Republicans to vote out House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-20): in addition to Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) and Eli Crane (R-AZ-02), there were Ken Buck (CO), Tim Burchett (TN), Bob Good (VA), Nancy Mace (SC), and Matt Rosendale (MT).
As of Wednesday, Reps. Jim Jordan (R-OH-04) and Steve Scalise (R-LA-01) announced their candidacy for the speakership. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) is serving as the speaker pro tempore.
State Rep. Austin Smith (R-LD29) said that the “establishment” line of thinking was supporting Democrats to pass the continuing resolution, but not to vote out McCarthy.
Similarly, State Rep. Justin Heap (R-LD10) challenged claims that those against McCarthy were traitorous. Heap said that those Republicans against McCarthy were for more important GOP priorities: an end to foreign war funding, border security, and the rejection of lengthy omnibus bills.
Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-LD-08) said the ouster was a “bad move” for the Republican Party and the country.
“Now we are at a standstill again until we figure out who the new speaker is going to be,” said Lesko. “Republicans need to unite to defeat the Democrats’ radical agenda.”
Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) said the removal was “pointless, unproductive, and harmful” to the GOP agenda.
“[A] handful of Republicans partnered with Democrats to stop our efforts to get it done, obstructing the work we have at hand,” said Ciscomani. “Washington is broken.”
In response to a criticism of the ouster by Ciscomani, State Rep. Nancy Gutierrez (D-LD18) blamed the “radical right” faction of eight that ousted McCarthy for upending order in the House.
“This is bad for our economy and democracy,” said Gutierrez.
The day after issuing those criticisms of his party peers, Ciscomani had no problem taking a selfie with Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), who also voted to oust McCarthy.
Biggs said that McCarthy had repeatedly failed to uphold his policy promises. He further rejected the claim from Ciscomani and others that he was a chaos agent siding with Democrats.
Crane concurred, expressing hope for a leadership that upholds promises and displays situational awareness.
“I really want to see leadership that honors their word, understands the situation the country is in, and is willing to make a change,” said Crane.
It was for those reasons that other Republican lawmakers supported the ouster.
State Rep. Cory McGarr (R-LD17) said that McCarthy’s leadership was poor, hence why he was ousted.
Likewise, State Sen. Justine Wadsack (R-LD17) praised the House Freedom Caucus for standing up for Americans.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by Corinne Murdock | Oct 3, 2023 | News
By Corinne Murdock |
Arizona lawmakers mostly split along party lines in their votes last Friday on the continuing resolution that averted a government shutdown.
Freshman Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-03) was the only Republican to join his Democratic colleagues — Reps. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-03), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07), and Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) — in voting for the continuing resolution. Both Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema voted for it as well.
Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Eli Crane (R-AZ-02), Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09), and Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08) all voted against the resolution.
Ciscomani said that the avoidance of a shutdown was of greater concern than a future financial burden.
The resolution notably omitted funding for Ukraine. However, the House approved a separate bill sending another $300 million to the country and establishing an Office of the Special Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance.
Ciscomani, Gallego, Grijalva, Lesko, Schweikert, and Stanton all voted for that bill. Biggs, Crane, and Gosar voted against it.
In a statement, Gosar said that the U.S. shouldn’t issue any more funding for the proxy war. The federal government has sent over $100 billion to Ukraine. Gosar said the federal government should be advancing its own national security interest by securing the border.
“The southern border is under a sustained attack and invasion. Over eight million illegal aliens have entered the country,” said Gosar. “Rather than sending another dime to Ukraine, we should put our country first by increasing the pay of our brave service members right here in the United States.”
Following his “no” vote, Biggs declared that he would oppose the re-election of California Rep. Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker, citing the approved continuing resolution.
Biggs criticized the leadership-approved continuing resolution as a maintenance of unsustainable spending levels established by President Joe Biden, former House Speaker and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11), and Senate President Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Crane said that the approval of any continuing resolutions at this point was reckless. He blamed continuing resolutions as a major part of the $33 trillion debt burdening the country.
Crane further reflected on the continuing resolution with some levity on Monday.
“I’m heartened to see that Congress is getting serious now that we’ve avoided a shutdown for another 45 days,” said Crane. “Tonight, we will take critical steps to fix the national debt by considering legislation to rename some post offices.”
However, Democrats viewed the government shutdown as a worse alternative to worsening the national debt.
Gallego did criticize the fact that the continuing resolution became an option in the very last moments possible.
Stanton blamed “MAGA extremists” for nearly causing a government shutdown. He expressed dissatisfaction with the bill’s omission of even more funding for Ukraine on top of the $300 million he voted for in the separate bill passed Friday, as well as border security.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by Corinne Murdock | Sep 27, 2023 | News
By Corinne Murdock |
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09) said that “a better society” would hang General Mark Milley for his role in the Jan. 6 invasion of the Capitol.
Gosar issued the remarks in a newsletter over the weekend. The congressman pointed out that Milley delayed the deployment of the National Guard, criticizing Milley as a “homosexual-promoting-BLM-activist.”
“In a better society, quislings like the strange sodomy-promoting General Milley would be hung,” stated Gosar. “How this traitor remains in office is a question we need answered.”
Gosar also condemned Milley for his secretive 2020 calls to the Chinese government assuring that then-President Donald Trump wouldn’t launch a nuclear strike.
Although multiple media outlets reported on Gosar’s latest comments as novel, Gosar has called for Milley’s hanging before. In 2021, Gosar said that Milley’s collaboration with the Chinese government constituted “a hanging offense in most civilized societies.”
Earlier this year, a day after the two-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 invasion, Gosar called for an investigation into Milley as well as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11). Gosar declared Milley a traitor, and accused the pair of attempting a coup.
“Milley’s treasonous sellout to China will be investigated,” said Gosar. “Pelosi not warning members about intel of impending violence will be exposed.”
Milley’s spokesman at the time, Dave Butler, said in a statement that the calls were routine practices vital to national security interests.
“The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs regularly communicates with Chiefs of Defense across the world, including with China and Russia,” said Butler. “His calls with the Chinese and others in October and January were in keeping with these duties.”
Yet, Trump and other Republicans have repeatedly argued that warning adversaries of an attack without executive approval constituted treason. This past week, Trump called for Milley to be tried for treason.
“This is an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!” said Trump. “A war between China and the United States could have been the result of this treasonous act”
In August, the Capitol Police Chief on Jan. 6, Steven Sund, told Tucker Carlson that there was a coordinated effort of intentional neglect by federal intelligence, Congress, and military leadership to properly secure the Capitol.
Sund shared that he never received any requests concerning permit revocation or a citywide lockdown as reportedly discussed ahead of the invasion by Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley and Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller.
Instead, Miller issued a memo restricting the National Guard from carrying various weapons or civil disobedience equipment.
Sund also shared that Pelosi was the ultimate authority in a chain of command that stalled the provision of additional military assistance.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
