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U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Arizona Newsletter for Sunday July 12, 2020 ( 41 items )  

Chair Grijalva Issues Statement on McGirt Ruling
WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, D-Arizona, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, issued the following statement on July 9 on the Supreme Court ruling in McGirt vs. Oklahoma: "Our country is in the middle of a reckoning with its violent, racist past and the human consequences of ignoring that past. By taking the relevant laws and treaties at face value, in itself an overdue act of social responsibility, the Supreme Court advanced that reckoning in an important way toda  more

Chair Grijalva, Leader of Amicus Brief Calling for Dakota Access Pipeline Shutdown, Calls Recent Pipeline Closures 'Sign of What Strong Scrutiny Can Do'
WASHINGTON, July 7 -- Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, D-Arizona, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release on July 6: Chair Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) said the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruling this morning that the Dakota Access Pipeline must be shut down and drained of oil by Aug. 5 and the announcement over the weekend that the owners of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline have abandoned construction of the unpopular project prove the importanc  more

Chair Grijalva, Ranking Member Cantwell Urge Trump Administration to Stop Obstructing Release of 'Sharpiegate' Report
WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, D-Arizona, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release: Chair Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Senate Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), who lead the committees of jurisdiction over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), wrote to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross demanding that the Trump administration stop interfering with the Department of Commerce Inspector General's (IG) "Sharpiegate"  more

House Climate Crisis Action Plan Highlights 3 Rep. Gallego Bills
WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Last week, the house Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released its congressional climate action plan aimed at achieving net-zero carbon pollution by 2050 and addressing the legacy of environmental injustice harming America's low-income communities and communities of color. The report identifies three bills authored by Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) as important legislation to pass in order to successfully  more

New Sinema Bill Supports Families of Deceased Veterans
WASHINGTON, July 9 -- Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema and Republican Senator Thom Tillis (NC) introduced a new bipartisan bill ensuring family members of veterans who passed away due to the coronavirus receive the dependent benefits they've earned. "We must help family members grieving the loss of their veterans receive their rightful benefits by requiring investigations into whether service related disabilities contribut  more

Rep. Biggs Announces Promotion of Kate LaBorde as New Chief of Staff
GILBERT, Arizona, July 7 -- Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, issued the following statement: Congressman Andy Biggs announced the promotion of Kate LaBorde as his new Chief of Staff. Ms. LaBorde has worked on Capitol Hill for the past 11 years - both in the Senate and in the House. She has served as Congressman Biggs' Legislative Director since January 2017, and replaces outgoing Chief of Staff, Deborah Mazol. * * * "I am pleased to promote Kate LaBorde to be my Chief of Staff. Kate has faithfully  more

Rep. Biggs Praises Supreme Court Ruling in Little Sisters of Poor Case
WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, issued the following statement: The U.S. Supreme Court decided, 7-2, in favor of Little Sisters of the Poor in the case LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR SAINTS PETER AND PAUL HOME v. PENNSYLVANIA ET AL. * * * "I am pleased that the Supreme Court decided in favor of Little Sisters of the Poor. This religious order, and other companies, were targeted by the Obama administration's requirement that, under Obamacare, employees were required to offer hea  more

Rep. Gallego Leads AZ House Democrats to Request FEMA Testing Blitz in Arizona
WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Reps. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Raul M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), and Greg Stanton (AZ-09) sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Administrator Peter Gaynor asking them to work together to facilitate a "massive testing blitz" in Arizona. "Given that the state is so far behi  more

Rep. Gosar Applauds Signing of Shared Stewardship Memorandum Between USDA and the State of Arizona
WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Rep. Paul A. Gosar, R-Arizona, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed a Shared Stewardship Memorandum of Understanding. "Today's announcement by the USDA is much needed. Arizona has been the epicenter of the fire season so far this year and action is needed to prevent this from being the case going forward. Thi  more

Rep. Grijalva Joins House Colleagues in Calling for DOD Investigation Into Spc. Guillen's Death
WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: This week, Rep. Raul M. Grijalva joined House colleagues in a letter demanding that Department of Defense Acting Inspector General Sean O'Donnell immediately open an investigation into the death of Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen at Fort Hood, Texas. After missing for over two months, investigators discovered her body last week and revealed that she had allegedly been bludgeoned to death on the base by a fellow so  more

Rep. Grijalva on Mt. Rushmore Fireworks Display Opposed by Tribes: 'This Is Administration That Blew Up Sacred Native Burial Grounds for Its Wall'
WASHINGTON, July 7 -- Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Arizona, issued the following statement: Chair Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) released the following statement on President Trump's planned event at Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota, which will include a fireworks display that had not been practiced for more than a decade due to concerns about wildfires and water contamination. According to the impact assessment that allowed the event to go forward, "All tribes consulted objected to the event and consider it   more

Rep. Grijalva Slams Deregulation of Payday Lending Industry From Trump Administration
TUCSON, Arizona, July 9 -- Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: This week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rescinded a series of rules and regulations that oversaw the payday lending industry, making it easier for predatory short-term loan agencies to issues quick, high-interest loans to vulnerable consumers. The previous rule required short-term lenders to issue loans based off the ability of consumers to repay the loan within two weeks. "Payday lenders a  more

Rep. Grijalva Statement on Mexican President Lopez Obrador Visit to White House
TUCSON, Arizona, July 9 -- Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador visited the White House and met with President Trump. Lopez Obrador's visit comes as both Mexico and the United States have failed to control COVID-19 outbreaks. Although Lopez Obrador rose to power in opposition to Trump?, he has since played along with implementing his policies--particularly the 'remain in Mexico' policy that has kept thousands of migrants  more

Rep. Grijalva, Arizona Democrats Demand FEMA Testing Blitz in Arizona
WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Arizona, issued the following news release on July 7: Reps. Raul M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), and Greg Stanton (AZ-09) sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Administrator Peter Gaynor asking them to work together to facilitate a "massive testing blitz" in Arizona. "There's no sugar-coating   more

Rep. Grijalva, Leader of Amicus Brief Calling for Dakota Access Pipeline Shutdown, Calls Recent Pipeline Closures 'Sign of What Strong Scrutiny Can Do'
WASHINGTON, July 7 -- Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Arizona, issued the following news release on July 6: Chair Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) said the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruling this morning that the Dakota Access Pipeline must be shut down and drained of oil by Aug. 5 and the announcement over the weekend that the owners of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline have abandoned construction of the unpopular project prove the importance and beneficial impact of public scrutiny of the foss  more

Rep. Grijalva, Ranking Member Cantwell Urge Trump Administration to Stop Obstructing Release of 'Sharpiegate' Report
WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Chair Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Senate Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), who lead the committees of jurisdiction over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), wrote to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross demanding that the Trump administration stop interfering with the Department of Commerce Inspector General's (IG) "Sharpiegate" investigation that was scheduled to be released last   more

Rep. Kirkpatrick Announces Appropriations Victory for Security Gate Infrastructure at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Morris Air National Guard Base
TUCSON, Arizona, July 11 -- Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Rep. Kirkpatrick announces new funding victories from the FY2021 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill, which passed the full Appropriations Committee on a vote of 30 to 20. The legislation supports our military personnel, bolsters resources for military families, and provides robust funding for veterans' benefits, healthcare, and other programs. "This is a win for Davis  more

Rep. Kirkpatrick Begins Considering FY 2021 Funding Bills in Appropriations Committee
WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Rep. Kirkpatrick released the following statement as she begins her important committee work as a member of the House Appropriations Committee. The Appropriations Committee is considered one of Congress' three exclusive 'power committees.'The House Committee on Appropriations -- comprised of 30 Democrats and 23 Republicans, is organized into 12 subcommittees -- responsible for funding the federal governmen  more

Rep. Kirkpatrick Joins Colleagues Urging Trump Administration to Promptly Release Families Together
WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Rep. Kirkpatrick joined the list of eighty House Democrats and Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) led by Chairman Joaquin Castro demanding the Trump administration safely and swiftly release all parents and children that are in immigration family detention centers following the order of Judge Dolly Gee. In a letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Wolf and Acting Immigrations and Custo  more

Rep. Kirkpatrick Urges Governor Ducey to Extend Postponement of Harmful Evictions Until 2021
WASHINGTON, July 11 -- Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Rep. Kirkpatrick sent a letter to Governor Doug Ducey urging him to extend his Executive Order that postpones evictions of people impacted by the pandemic. In March, Governor Ducey issued an the Postponement of Eviction Actions, halting evictions for renters facing adversities due to COVID-19. It is set to expire July 23rd. "Arizona is home to some of the hottest cities, and with over 100K COVID-19 cases  more

Rep. Kirkpatrick Votes to Pass Democrats' Moving Forward Act
WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Arizona, issued the following news release on July 7: Rep. Kirkpatrick voted to pass H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, House Democrats' sweeping legislation to invest more than $1.5 trillion in modern, sustainable infrastructure while creating millions of good-paying jobs, combatting the climate crisis and addressing disparities in communities across Arizona and throughout the country. "I made a commitment to Southern Arizonans that I would advocate   more

Rep. Kirkpatrick, Appropriations Subcommittee Approve FY 2021 Energy, Water Development Funding Bill
TUCSON, Arizona, July 9 -- Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Arizona, issued the following news release on July 8: Rep. Kirkpatrick and her fellow colleagues that sit on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies approved by voice vote its fiscal year 2021 bill. For fiscal year 2021, the legislation invests $49.6 billion in Energy and Water Development programs, an increase of $1.26 billion, or 3 percent, above the fiscal year 2020 enacted level. To respond  more

Rep. Lesko to Accompany Perdue on Phoenix Food Bank Visit
SURPRISE, Arizona, July 7 -- Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Arizona, issued the following news release: U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) announced she would accompany U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on his visit to the St. Mary's Food Bank in Phoenix, Arizona. The food bank is a partner of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farmers to Families Food Box Program, which has distributed over 30 million food boxes in support of American farmers and families affected by the   more

Rep. O'Halleran Introduces Bill to Extend Deadline for Tribes to Spend CARES Act Funding
WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Rep. Tom O'Halleran, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Congressman Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01) introduced bipartisan legislation that would extend the coverage of Coronavirus Relief Fund payments allocated under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to tribal governments from December 30, 2020 to December 30, 2022. The bill is cosponsored by Congressman Paul Cook (R-CA-08). The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020, allocating $8  more

Rep. O'Halleran Introduces Legislation to Connect Students and Families With Computers
WASHINGTON, July 7 -- Rep. Tom O'Halleran, D-Arizona, issued the following news release on July 6: Congressman Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01) introduced the Broadband Adoption and Opportunity Act: bipartisan legislation to leverage public-private partnerships to refurbish internet-capable devices for students and underserved families through donation, lending, or low-cost purchasing programs. The bill is cosponsored by Congressman Bill Johnson (OH-06). Public-private partnerships outlined in the bill   more

Rep. O'Halleran, Members of AZ Delegation Request FEMA Testing Blitz in Arizona
WASHINGTON, July 9 -- Rep. Tom O'Halleran, D-Arizona, issued the following news release on July 8: Yesterday, Reps. Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Raul M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), and Greg Stanton (AZ-09) sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Administrator Peter Gaynor asking them to work together to facilitate a "massive testing blitz" in Arizona. View KTVK's co  more

Rep. Stanton: State Can Expand Testing, Lab Capacity Through CARES Act Funds
WASHINGTON, July 7 -- Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: As Arizona surpassed 100,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, Rep. Greg Stanton urged State leaders to take three immediate actions to contain the disease: use federal CARES Act funds to expand lab capacity for additional testing and to speed up test results; develop and implement a written statewide contact tracing plan; and mandate face coverings statewide. "Our state is in crisis. Bold leadership--and urgent act  more

Reps. Biggs, Massie Call for Immediate Withdrawal of All U.S. Military Personnel From Afghanistan and Iraq
GILBERT, Arizona, July 9 -- Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Biggs and Congressman Thomas Massie sent a letter to President Donald Trump, requesting that he immediately withdraw all U.S. military personnel from Afghanistan and Iraq. * * * July 7, 2020 To: President Donald J. Trump, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC Dear Mr. President: Thank you for leadership and effort to bring our troops home and end the endless w  more

Sen. McSally Urges HHS to Provide Relief to Rural Health Care Providers Affected by COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, July 7 -- Sen. Martha McSally, R-Arizona, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) and 48 Members of Congress are strongly encouraging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to quickly provide relief to rural health care providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Members said in part, "Rural healthcare was already in crisis prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the situation is only getting worse. Last year rural hospitals closures h  more

Sen. Rosen Joins Letter Calling for Department of Justice to Address Mass Closure of Polling Locations in Tribal Communities
WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined a letter led by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tom Udall (D-NM) to Attorney General William Barr expressing concern regarding the mass closures of polling locations in Tribal communities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The absence or closure of polling locations on Tribal lands disenfranchises Native American voters; polling location closures recently forced Native Amer  more

Sen. Sinema Bill Supports Safe Workplaces by Helping Businesses Implement Coronavirus Safeguards
WASHINGTON, July 11 -- Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema introduced bipartisan legislation with Republican Senator Kevin Cramer (ND) establishing a workplace safety tax credit to help Arizona businesses and nonprofits implement coronavirus infection prevention measures to keep Arizona workers and customers safe. "Helping Arizona small businesses and nonprofits implement best practices and critical hygiene measures will save  more

Sen. Sinema Calls for Funding, Support for Postal Service
WASHINGTON, July 6 -- Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema cosponsored a Senate resolution calling for increased funding and support for the United States Postal Service to protect mail service in Arizona communities. "The Postal Service provides a critical lifeline that connects loved ones and delivers lifesaving prescription drugs and other resources during this pandemic. Congress must address the Postal Service's financial  more

Sen. Sinema Calls for Increased Resources for Arizona Students to Safely Return to School
WASHINGTON, July 6 -- Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema called for increased funding for Arizona's K-12 public schools to help health and education officials develop coronavirus guidelines, precautions, and restrictions so Arizona students can safely return to schools. "Arizona parents and educators face uncertainty as classes resume during the ongoing pandemic. Our schools need support to ensure Arizona students can safel  more

Sen. Sinema Calls for Increased Support for Arizona Children's Hospitals During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, July 9 -- Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema urged the administration to distribute CARES Act funding and other coronavirus relief to Arizona's children's hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic. Congressionally appropriated coronavirus relief funding would help Arizona's children's hospitals deal with the additional costs associated with treating coronavirus patients and acquiring personal protective equipment   more

Sen. Sinema Calls for Increased Transparency of Strategic National Stockpile
WASHINGTON, July 9 -- Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema called for increased transparency around the Strategic National Stockpile, which is maintained by the federal government to rapidly distribute personal protective equipment and other critical medical supplies during public health emergencies. "The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona are rising by the day, and Arizona still lacks sufficient supplies of  more

Sen. Sinema Highlights Importance of Staffing, Support at VA Health Centers During Coronavirus
WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema spoke in a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on the importance of ensuring VA health centers and hospitals are fully staffed to support the influx of patients due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. "In Arizona, the VA health system covers rural areas, representing an additional challenge to recruiting and retaining VA employees. With COVID-19 cases rising ac  more

Sen. Sinema Statement on National Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema secured multiple Arizona military priorities in this year's annual defense bill currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate. Funding for critical projects at Luke Air Force Base, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Fort Huachuca, Yuma Proving Ground, and the Arizona National Guard are included in the NDAA. "Arizona's servicemembers put their lives on the line to keep us  more

Sen. Sinema: $8.1 Million for Yuma County 'Supports Jobs and Yuma's Transportation System'
WASHINGTON, July 11 -- Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, issued the following news release on July 9: Yuma County Area Transit was awarded $8.1 million in Urbanized Area Formula funds through the CARES Act, championed into law by Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Today's CARES Act funding supports jobs and Yuma's transportation system during the global pandemic," said Sinema. Yuma County Area Transit will use the $8.1 million grant for expenses associ  more

Senate Approves Sinema's Sgt. Daniel Somers Veterans Network of Support Act
WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: The U.S. Senate unanimously passed Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema's Sgt. Daniel Somers Veterans Network of Support Act, moving the bill one step closer to becoming law. Sinema's legislation--cosponsored by Republican Senators Marsha Blackburn (TN), Thom Tillis (NC), Steve Daines (MT), Kelly Loeffler (GA), Joni Ernst (Iowa), and Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) --requires the Department of V  more

Sinema's New Bipartisan Bill Boosts Electric and Broadband Services, Jobs in Rural Arizona
WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema introduced a bipartisan bill with Republican Senator John Hoeven (N.D.) that boosts jobs and expands electricity and broadband across rural Arizona by allowing rural Arizona electric and telecommunications co-ops to adjust loans so they can continue providing power and broadband services during the coronavirus pandemic. "Allowing rural utility providers to refinance Ru  more

Tomorrow: Rep. O'Halleran to Participate in Energy, Commerce Full Committee Hearing on Addressing Urgent Needs of Tribal Communities
WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Rep. Tom O'Halleran, D-Arizona, issued the following news release on July 7: Tomorrow, Congressman Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01) will participate in an Energy and Commerce Full Committee Hearing on the needs of tribal communities during COVID-19 and beyond. "This pandemic has laid bare the disparities tribal communities have faced for decades, now exacerbated by the spread of COVID-19," said O'Halleran. "Lack of access to quality, high-speed broadband, clean water and sanitation  more