Getting Things Done

I was sent to our nation’s capital with a clear message from hard-working Arizonans living throughout the 4th district: End the status quo of business as usual in Washington D.C.  That means taking bold action to stop out-of-control federal spending and fighting for commonsense solutions to expand economic opportunities for Arizonans.

In pursuit of these goals, I am proud that I was the most effective member of the 113^th Congress.  During those two years I was able to get six bills and 12 other legislative efforts signed into law and passed 25 amendments through the House of Representatives – more than any other Member of Congress.  During my relatively short tenure in Congress, I have passed 15 bills and 24 other legislative initiatives into law and 84 amendments through the House.

BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW:

1. H.R. 687—Southeast Arizona Land Exchange Act (Included in H.R. 3979). Will create 3,700 new jobs, generate $60 billion for our economy and provide 25% of U.S. copper supply. More HERE.

2. H.R. 1612—The I-11 Intermountain West Corridor Development Act (Included in H.R. 22). I-11 and the Intermountain West Corridor will generate $22 billion for our economy and create at least 240,000 permanent jobs. More HERE.

3. H.R. 4198—Grand Canyon Tourism Jobs Protection Act (Included in H.R.4348). Authorized 1,721 additional Grand Canyon flights per year utilizing quiet technology. The air tour industry supports 1,250 good-paying jobs in Arizona and Nevada. More HERE.

4. H.R. 1345—Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act (Included in H.R. 2642). Reauthorized stewardship contracting, Good Neighbor Authority, and insect and disease treatment to allow for healthier forests and watersheds throughout the country. More HERE.

5. H.R. 4924—Bill Williams River Water Rights Settlement Act. Provided certainty for the Bagdad Mine which has an annual economic impact of $339.1 million to the state of Arizona, and sustains nearly 4,000 direct and indirect jobs. More HERE.

6. H.R. 304—the La Paz County Land Conveyance Act. Directed the Secretary of the Interior to convey 5,935 acres of Federal Land to La Paz County with the intent of using this land for economic development opportunities. More HERE.

7. H.R. 274—the Cottonwood Land Exchange Act. Authorizes the U.S. Forest Service to exchange, at the request of Yavapai County, 80 acres of federal lands in the Coconino National Forest for 369 acres of lands owned by the county. The County intends to maximize use of Windmill Park to better serve the residents of Yavapai County, the City of Cottonwood and the community of Cornville. More HERE.

8. H.R. 755—the Black Mountain Range and Bullhead City Land Exchange Act. The bill authorized Bullhead City to donate the 1,100 acre mountainous property currently owned by the City to the Bureau of Land Management in exchange for 345.2 acres of land in Bullhead City, known as Section 12, a highly sought property within city limits along the Colorado River. More HERE.

9. H.R. 756—the Embry-Riddle Tri-City Land Exchange Completion Act. Supported the continued growth and development of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the local community by removing the outdated reversionary clause from a 16-acre parcel. More HERE.

10. H.R. 1268—the Bureau of Reclamation Transparency Act. This legislation increased transparency, consolidated multiple reports and required the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to do a thorough inventory of its assets as well as prioritize major repairs necessary at the agency’s facilities. More HERE.

11. H.R. 489—C.C. Cragin Dam and Reservoir Act. Provided a clear approval process for the Salt River Project (SRP) to maintain the Cragin Dam project and allows water to be delivered to Gila County and Phoenix. More HERE.

12. H.R. 4601—Transferred the reversionary interest on certain lands in Flagstaff, AZ. Authorized new economic development projects within the City of Flagstaff. More HERE.

13. H.R. 3027—Designating the Post Office in Prescott for Sen. Barry Goldwater. Named the Prescott Post Office at 442 Miller Valley Road after Conservative stalwart Barry Goldwater who kicked off his presidential campaign in Prescott, AZ. More HERE.

14. H.R. 1216—Designating the Prescott Vet Center for Dr. Cam McKinley. Named the Prescott Vet Center after Dr. McKinley, a veteran and doctor who spent his life treating veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. More HERE.

15. H.R. 862—Coconino National Forest Land Conveyance Act. A Gosar-Kirkpatrick bill. Gosar first introduced H.R. 1038 in the 112th Congress. Provided certainty and right of title for property owners. More HERE.

Rainbow Trout Stocking Program at Willow Beach

We had a big win back in October of 2016 when the Fish and Wildlife Service held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of the new water intake system and that operations of the rainbow trout stocking program will resume at the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery.

In November 2013, the Fish and Wildlife Service tried to terminate this program and threatened 1,700 jobs and $75 million in associated economic output in Mohave County. I fought for you to reverse this terrible bureaucratic decision and we were successful. 

The loss of the trout stocking program would have had a devastating economic effect on local communities. In fact, the state’s sport fishing industry relies on the national hatchery system for more than 97 percent of sport fish stocked in Arizona. Click HERE to read more. 

Another big victory came in Lake Havasu City, where we were able to lead a grassroots effort to keep Lake Havasu open for all users. 

When the Fish and Wildlife Service attempted to close down significant areas on Lake Havasu to motorized boating activities, I led the charge to get the agency to withdraw its 2016 proposal and passed an amendment through the House to reopen the part of the reservoir that was shut down for no good reason in 2015. Click HERE to read more. 

Previous Victories at the Local Level

• I am the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional I-11 Caucus. My I-11 Intermountain West Corridor Development Act was signed into law in December of 2015. I-11 and the Intermountain West Corridor will generate $22 billion for our economy and create at least 240,000 permanent jobs. Click Here to read more.
• My Southeast Arizona Land Exchange Act that was signed into law will create approximately 3,700 new jobs, generate $60 billion for Arizona’s economy and provide 25% of the United States’ copper supply. Click Here to read more.
• I successfully passed legislation into law that will resolve a non-controversial legal hurdle allowing for the pursuit of new economic development projects within the City of Flagstaff. Click Here to read more. 
• My Grand Canyon Tourism Jobs Protection Act that was signed into law has helped create jobs and allowed for 1,721 additional Grand Canyon flights per year utilizing quiet technology. Click Here to read more.My Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act that was signed into law has assisted with preventing dangerous wildfires in Arizona by reauthorizing stewardship contracting and good neighbor authority. Click Here to read more.
• When the Fish and Wildlife Service over-inflated the costs of repairing a broken water supply line by millions of dollars so it could terminate the rainbow trout stocking program at the Willow Beach Fish Hatchery, I acted to save the program and preserve 1,700 jobs and $75 million in associated economic output. Click Here to read more.
• My La Paz County Land Conveyance Act directed the Secretary of the Interior to convey 5,935 acres of Federal Land to La Paz County to use this land for economic development opportunities. This legislation reduced the federal footprint in a county where only about 5% of the land is private. More HERE.
• My Cottonwood Land Exchange Act. authorized the U.S. Forest Service to exchange, at the request of Yavapai County, 80 acres of federal lands in the Coconino National Forest for 369 acres of lands owned by the county. The County intends to maximize use of Windmill Park to better serve the residents of Yavapai County, the City of Cottonwood and the community of Cornville. More HERE.
• My Black Mountain Range and Bullhead City Land Exchange Act authorized Bullhead City to donate the 1,100 acre mountainous property currently owned by the City to the Bureau of Land Management in exchange for 345.2 acres of land in Bullhead City, known as Section 12, a highly sought property within city limits along the Colorado River. This law will allow for new economic opportunities for Bullhead City. More HERE.
• My the Embry-Riddle Tri-City Land Exchange Completion Act supported the continued growth and development of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the local community by removing the outdated reversionary clause from a 16-acre parcel of land. More HERE.
• When the BLM was considering merging its Arizona and New Mexico field offices, I acted to prevent that merger and keep those jobs in Arizona benefiting our economy as well as natural resource and agriculture users in the process. Click Here to read more.
• When the Fish and Wildlife Service attempted to close down significant areas on Lake Havasu to motorized boating activities, I led the charge to get the agency to withdraw its 2016 proposal and passed an amendment through the House to reopen the part of the reservoir that was shut down for no good reason in 2015. Click Here to read more.
• When the ICE Detention facility in Florence was considering releasing an illegal immigrant with drug resistant tuberculosis into the Pinal County Community, I led the effort to prevent this occurrence. Click Here to read more.
• I passed the Grand Canyon Bison Management Act through the House as part of H.R. 2406, allowing for the responsible management of more than 800 invasive “beefalo” that have invaded the Grand Canyon and are trampling the park. Click Here to read more.
• In order to facilitate trade and benefit communities like Yuma, I pressed the Department of Homeland Security to provide adequate staffing at Arizona ports and for our state to receive its fair share of 2,000 new Customs and Border Protection officers. Click Here to read more.
• To address increasing burro populations that are threatening public safety in Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, Yuma, Oatman and other parts of Arizona, I worked with the Appropriations Committee to direct the BLM “to work cooperatively with States and other partners to control wild horse and burro herds.” Click Here to read more.
• I have continually led the charge to ensure full-funding for our counties through the PILT program, a program that provides compensation for massive swaths of federal lands within county borders. My colleagues and I were able to get the House to provide full-funding in this year’s Interior Appropriations bill. Click Here to read more.
• As a result of the Fish and Wildlife’s failed management of the Mexican wolf, that has caused the wolf to linger on the endangered species list for nearly 40 years, I passed an amendment that will allow for the responsible state management of the population. Click Here to read more.
• I passed an amendment blocking Obama from unilaterally designating the proposed Grand Canyon Watershed, Sedona and expanded Sonoran Desert Monuments. Click Here to read more.
• I successfully passed an amendment that cut wasteful spending and redirected $70 million to wildfire prevention programs. Click Here to read more.
• I passed an amendment providing $2,000,000 for Quagga and Zebra Mussel containment, prevention, and enforcement. Click Here to read more.

   Previous National Victories

• I passed a House amendment blocking funds for sanctuary city policies 236-182. Click Here to read more.
• I inserted an appropriations rider this fiscal year ensuring no funds for Obama’s executive amnesty orders. Click Here to read more.
• After it was revealed that veterans were being forwarded to voicemail and not receiving an adequate response when contacting a suicide hotline, I passed a bipartisan provision through the House that will ensure veterans receive an immediate response from a trained professional when calling the Veterans Crisis Line. Click Here to read more.
• When the Secret Service broke the law and leaked private information about OGR Chairman Jason Chaffetz, I led a bipartisan effort that resulted in 42 employees being fired or suspended. Click Here to read more.
• When the IRS targeted conservative groups, I passed an amendment into law that cut the agency’s budget by $350 million. Click Here to read more.
• When the Department of Transportation was violating our Fourth Amendment Rights, I passed an amendment into public law in multiple years that prohibited funds for the administration’s unconstitutional roadside survey. Click Here to read more.
• I introduced legislation and passed two amendments through the House to block Obama’s regulation that aimed to take over the local zoning process and allow Washington bureaucrats to dictate where we live. Click Here to read more.
• After an Inspector General report revealed that more than 5,000 transactions and more $1 million had been squandered, I passed an amendment into public law that prohibited Government Travel Charge Cards from being used at strip clubs and for gambling. Click Here to read more.
• I passed an amendment that prevented $440 million from going to terrorist organizations ISIS, the Hamas/Palestinian authority coalition and other FTO’s. I also passed an amendment previously that  prohibited funds from going to the Muslim Brotherhood and Iran. Click Here to read more.I passed an amendment that successfully prevented President Obama’s proposed $500 million raid of the Highway Trust Fund, preserving important federal funding for roads and bridge in the process. Click Here to read more.I spearheaded the effort to defeat the Obama Administration's unconstitutional WOTUS rule, a proposed regulation that attempted to expand agency control over millions of acres of water and land. This unlawful new mandate caused significant harm to farmers, energy companies, small businesses and other job creators throughout the nation. I held a hearing, introduced legislation, defeated a Democrat amendment and successfully inserted appropriations riders utilizing the power of the purse to block WOTUS. Click Here to read more.
• I passed two amendments that cut the EPA's budget by more than $130 million. Click Here to read more.
• When the EPA and USGS attempted to expand jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act through unlawful guidance, I passed an amendment to defund this agency document. Click Here to read more.I passed an amendment prohibiting funds for the “Social Cost of Carbon”. Click Here to read more.
• My Bureau of Reclamation Transparency Act increased transparency, consolidated multiple reports and required the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to do a thorough inventory of its assets as well as prioritize major repairs necessary at the agency’s facilities. More HERE.

2015 Legislative Year in Review
(CLICK THE INFOGRAPHIC BELOW TO EXPAND)

During 2015, I was able to get eight of my legislative initiatives signed into public law and passed 27 amendments through the House. I also held 45 town halls and public meetings, completed 940 constituent requests for assistance with government agencies, and sent over 49,000 letters to constituents.  

My Intermountain West Corridor Development Act of 2015 was included in the Transportation bill and signed into law. This legislation extends the future I-11 beyond the Phoenix – Las Vegas region. Extending I-11 and allowing it to become the main transportation corridor in the West will be an economic boon for our communities, creating jobs, allowing for an easier flow of goods and services and authorizing the construction of much needed infrastructure. My WAPA Report language aimed at bringing transparency to this massive bureaucracy. 

Retention of one of my riders prohibited funds for an unconstitutional National Roadside Survey. I was able to secure important resources for the Lower Santa Cruz Feasibility Study. Retention of another of my riders saved taxpayer money and prohibit wasteful spending on Scrims. Another one of my amendments adopted into law blocked Obama's $500 million request for a wasteful new bus program and leaves those dollars in the Highway Trust Fund to be spent on roads and bridges. Another one of my amendments passed into law saved taxpayer money and prohibited funds from being used on Government Travel Charge Card expenses for gaming, or entertainment that includes topless or nude entertainers. Finally, I was able to secure an increase for SCAAP, an important grant program that reimburses states and local governments for the cost of incarcerating illegal immigrants convicted of crimes. 

113th Congress in Review
(CLICK THE INFOGRAPHIC BELOW TO EXPAND)