A Defense of Christopher Columbus on Columbus Day:

Every year, on the second Monday in October, we celebrate Columbus Day to commemorate the day Genoese explorer Christopher Columbus officially set foot in the Americas. Did you know that Columbus Day is also celebrated in numerous countries throughout the Americas, Italy, Spain and various "Little Italys" around the world? 

Do you know where it's not celebrated? Maine, New Mexico, Vermont, North Carolina, Alaska, South Dakota, Minnesota and over 100 (and counting) U.S. cities. It has instead been replaced with different variations of "Indigenous People's Day." There has been a seemingly global trend in recent years to redact human history in the interest of political correctness. I believe this to be a dangerous trend. American history has become a battleground and the enemy is gaining ground. 

Christopher Columbus was a skilled Captain ahead of his time, an explorer, a believer that the earth orbited around the sun, a capitalist who sought to open free trade routes, a respected diplomacist - and YES discoverer of the modern world.

Let me be clear, the violence and brutality associated with his exploration is well documented and should NOT be excused or glossed over. However, it need not be amplified, highlighted and underscored - which is what the modern left has done. It would be unfair to him and others from previous eras of history to cast judgement upon them without considering the appropriate cultural context unique to that time.

The history of the world is complex. Every time civilizations clash, there are winners and losers, the victors and the vanquished. That's not to say we can't also honor others who contributed to the fabric of our country - but in doing so, we shouldn't disown other parts of our history. We are an advanced species, fully capable of understanding these complexities, with no need to be coddled and propagandized to by the revisionists.

Those who lead the charge to rename Columbus Day are the same flag burners who tore down our statues this Summer. They seek to rewrite history because the history offends them. Yet, no amount of selective editing can ever alter history. What we can change is our future and in order to do that, we must know our past.

History has recorded that on this day in 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas. Happy Columbus Day!

"No, They Don't Deserve to Know":

Over the weekend, a U.S. Presidential nominee astoundingly stated that the American people "do not deserve to know" whether or not he will "pack the Court," if elected. It's just about the most absurd statement one could make as a candidate. If you have not yet heard Biden's shocking statement yet, you can watch it HERE.

Democrats are increasingly engaging in deceptive tactics as a means to an end. Biden previously stated, "You will find out my position after the election," sounding eerily similar to "We have to pass the Bill so you can find out what's in it." When asked directly by Vice President Pence during the Vice Presidential debate last week, Sen. Kamala Harris gave a non-answer and dodged the question entirely. 

What's worse and perhaps most astonishing, is the backup being provided to them by their fellow Democrats and many members of the media. A full-on crusade has commenced, attempting to redefine the term "Court packing" - promoting a falsehood that Republicans are "Court packing" by confirming Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court before the election. Filling a vacancy isn't packing. Adding seats is packing.

Every time Democrats don't get their way, they seek to tear up the rule book, for which they often regret, as times change and power ebbs... This is most recently evidenced by the fact that by the time this hits your inbox, Judge Barrett will be in the midst her first Senate confirmation hearing - courtesy of Democrats' last major rule change by made by Harry Reid in 2013.

That rule change was considered so radical, it was appropriately called "The Nuclear Option." Packing the Court would make the Nuclear Option look like children's play. If Democrats were to add Justices, Republicans would do the same. While technically legal, the Court would be completely devoid of credibility. And what then? I gravely fear this has the potential to spell the end of our Republic. It's that serious.

The silence from the Biden / Harris ticket is deafening and their arrogance, grotesque. The American people deserve so much better.

Justice:

Last Wednesday, the Department of Justice indicted two notorious members of ISIS, announcing multiple charges including hostage-taking resulting in death and conspiracy to commit murder outside the United States. 

The men, who are half of an ISIS cell of four Britons called “the Beatles” — a nickname bestowed by their victims because of their accents - are responsible for the kidnapping and abuse of more than two dozen hostages, some of whom were ultimately beheaded for propaganda videos, including American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff.

The U.S. government has also linked them to the deaths of American Aid workers, Peter Kassig and our very own, Kayla Mueller.

“These charges are the product of many years of hard work in pursuit of justice for our citizens slain by ISIS,” Attorney General William P. Barr said in a statement. “Although we cannot bring them back, we can and will seek justice for them, their families, and for all Americans.”

If convicted, the men could spend the rest of their lives in a maximum security prison in solitary confinement.

Kayla Mueller Should be Alive Today:

Did you know that President Trump has freed some 50 Americans from 22 countries in his time in office?

Unlike presidents before him, he has been willing to do deals with just about anyone. Hostages are a priority for this President and he often prefers to engage in the negotiations himself. This has had a profound impact on American hostage negotiations. It is my sincere belief that if Donald Trump were President during Kayla Mueller's captivity - she would be alive today. Carl and Marsha Mueller agree.

They spoke from the podium at the Republican National Convention in August to endorse Trump. Carl said: "The Obama administration hid behind policy so much that we felt hopeless… The administration showed more concern for the terrorists in Guantanamo than the American hostages in Syria… The Trump team gave us empathy we never received from the Obama administration. The Obama administration said it was doing everything it could. The Trump administration is.’ He finished with a damning comparison: ‘If Trump had been president when Kayla was captured, she would be here today."

Many of you know that Kayla's family home is in my district and I was deeply committed to trying to bring Kayla home - even sending a member of my staff to a Syrian refugee camp in Turkey to search for leads. Sadly, we did not bring Kayla home - under different leadership in the Administration, we could have.

Last Thursday, U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien presented a painting to Kayla's Parents, Governor Ducey and Sen. Martha McSally honoring Kayla. The painting titled "Into the Breach" commemorates the 2019 U.S. military raid that killed Kayla's captor, ISIS terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria. The raid was named "Task Force 8-14" in honor of Kayla's birthday.

The painting will hang in the Arizona State Capitol.

Gosar Applauds Trump Administration’s Overhaul of H-1B Visa System:

Last week, the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security released a rule to strengthen the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program to benefit U.S. workers. Like many government programs, the H-1B visa was created in good faith to allow companies to fill gaps in their workforce, but now the program actively undermines American workers, to the tune of half a million displaced U.S. workers for cheaper, foreign labor. Globalist special interest groups continue to argue that America is out of workers - yet we have an unemployment rate of 7.9%. These statements and justifications for maintaining the H-1B program at its current levels are simply untrue, and American jobs must be for Americans first. I have worked to reform these broken programs, and President Trump has joined this effort by reforming H-1B to require higher wages for foreign laborers to incentive hiring Americans, narrow the qualifications applicants must have, and shorten the length of visas for certain workers. This follows a legislative effort I recently led with Congressman Brooks (AL-05) to reform the H-1B program. I applaud President Trump for putting America First, another promise made and promise kept. 

For more information regarding the H-1B rule, click HERE

Continuing the Fight:

Last week, we discussed a concerning report that the VA, acting as a fiduciary of veterans it treats, was sending information regarding veterans’ mental health to the NICS background check system without a judicial order. This is dangerous because it undermines veterans’ 2nd Amendment rights when they have committed no crime, deters veterans from seeking mental health assistance at the VA out of fear their ailments could be reported to the NICS, and because it plays into Democrats’ big government, enhanced background check bill passed last year. Sadly, the VA often pushes back on conservative efforts because of an engrained, Liberal bias. To apply maximum pressure to protect our veterans’ Constitutional rights and access to healthcare, this week I joined Congressman Chip Roy (TX-21) on a bill, H.R. 3826, which prevents the VA from transmitting veterans’ information to NICS without a judicial mandate, granting veterans due process and ensuring the Constitutional rights they swore an oath to defend are not deprived from them upon returning from service. 

Yuma:

On Wednesday, I had a great meeting with proud veterans at VFW Post 330 in Yuma. I provided them updates on:

• The aforementioned Bill H.R. 3826, concerning the undermining of veteran’s 2nd amendment rights
• My letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie to rescind a memorandum and safeguard the health and safety of Veterans by reinstating the physician-led, team-based standard of care within the VA.
• H.R. 3356, the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act to provide ease of travel for severely injured or disabled veterans. While flying to visit our nation’s memorials, many handicapped veterans have expressed concerns about unnecessary screening. America’s heroes should be treated with dignity and respect and should not be subject to invasive searches while traveling. Especially now, in the wake of Covid-19, expedited security checks at airports and contactless screening is the least we can do for our veterans, who have already sacrificed so much for our nation.

They had our backs. Now we need to have theirs.

Continuing to Lead the Charge Against it:

This week, I was pleased to join The American Conservative’s Right Now podcast to discuss my recently introduced Don’t Push My Buttons Act. This bill, sponsored by Congresswoman Tusli Gabbard (HI-02) and Senator John Kennedy (LA), ends Big Tech’s immunity from liability for curating content for users based on data collection without the consent of the user. This is data manipulation, making users the product by creating a social media experience based on the collection of your personal beliefs, biases, and preferences. For too long, Big Tech has gotten away scot free with these damaging practices because the American people were unaware. But we are awake now and fighting back, and I am grateful to the American Conservative and Right Now for bringing me on to discuss this important issue to alert Americans to the issue while providing a forum to cover how I am working for you to protect you from this gross abuse of power. 

You can listen to my interview on Right Now HERE

The Monopoly Power of Big Tech:

Though I am not currently serving on the Judiciary Committee, I would like to share my thoughts on the House Judiciary Committee Investigation Of Competition In Digital Markets Report. I disagree with the partisan Democrat report to create new antitrust laws and continue to emphasize that my legislation, H.R. 7808, ensures that the tech industry is not given immunity from the application of antitrust laws.

No new antitrust laws are needed, but there should be no amnesty from existing federal laws, including existing antitrust laws. I recently passed a bill through the House that would repeal the exemption from antitrust laws for the health insurance industry. H.R. 7808 would ensure that Big Tech is not given special amnesty from existing federal antitrust laws.

Section 230 greatly contributed to the size and power of Big Tech. Online platforms have argued that the inclusion of the term "otherwise objectionable" creates immunity from antitrust claims (Enigma Sofware v. Malwarebytes). H.R. 7808 Stop the Censorship Act ensures that Section 230 does not extend immunity for antitrust claims aimed at promoting and preserving competition. Click here for more information from the Justice Department.

Here is what my colleagues are saying:

• House Democrats propose antitrust overhaul to rein in big tech - Politico, Democrat Majority Investigation Of Competition In Digital Markets (450 pages) 
• Ranking Member Jim Jordan Statement on Judiciary Democrats’ Antitrust Report (2 sentences)
• Reps. Buck, Collins, Gaetz and Biggs: Rep. Buck Pens Antitrust Report that Presents a “Third Way” to Take on Big Tech Link to Buck’s Report (19 pages)

Continuing to Work For You During Covid
While Democrats continue to use proxy voting to play hooky from work and hide in their basements, I remain active in Washington D.C. and throughout the Fourth Congressional District. I want to hear from you and vow to remain a presence in our state as we work together to address the best way forward through these difficult times. As part of that effort, this week I was in Yuma for a Coffee with the Congressman, hearing from you about important issues. Together, we discussed my recent legislative effort to pass the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act, ongoing issues our veterans are having with the VA, censorship and defamation of conservatives, and the new, disturbing releases of information of the Obama Administration’s involvement in the coup against President Trump. Be on the lookout for the next several events, I am eager to converse with you about the needs of our district, what’s going on in our country, and how I am fighting for you in Washington D.C.

Local Girl Scout Receives High Honors:

Earlier this week I had the privilege of awarding the Gold Congressional Award to an exemplary and impressive constituent of ours, local Yuma resident, Garvey Blackwell. Garvey is a member of the Girl Scouts of America and an officer in the local chapter of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets. She is also on the board of several organizations including the Arizona Community Foundation, the Community Justice Board and has completed over 4,000 hours of community service.

The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ award for young Americans. Participants earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates and Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas; Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Earning the Award is a fun and interesting way to get more involved in something you already enjoy or something you’d like to try for the first time.

If you or someone you know is interested in in earning the Congressional Award, you can find out more about it HERE.

Tweet: @RepGosar:"A member of my staff was not permitted to be in the room during the first ultrasound of his first child due to Covid restrictions! This a disgrace. It’s time to open up! #COVID19"

Extended deadline for Economic Impact Payments

There are several factors that may have affected the timing and accuracy of the IRS's distribution of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs). Of particular concern is that the agency may find it difficult to deliver EIPs to eligible taxpayers for whom it has no bank account information or a current mailing address.

Another factor is the need for the internet to provide needed information and a mechanism for low-income non-filers to receive a payment. Most EIPs have been issued, and the IRS is now focused on delivering them to nonfilers for whom the IRS has no current information. Lack of internet access, and now lack of access to public places where many normally get access, such as public libraries, community centers, and volunteer taxpayer assistance centers, unfortunately remain closed in many communities.

Thankfully, the deadline to register for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) is now Nov. 21, 2020. This new date will provide an additional five weeks beyond the original deadline. If you did not receive your stimulus check, please click HERE to fill out your information so the IRS can work to send you a check before the new deadline.