This Week With Gosar
April 7, 2024
Report: Congress Wastes Billions on Earmarks
A few weeks ago, I shared that Congress passed a massive, 1,012-page spending bill negotiated entirely in secrecy behind closed doors with zero input from Members of Congress. Tucked in the legislation were more than 1,400 wasteful earmarks, also known as pork barrel spending, to the tune of billions of taxpayer dollars. Sadly, both Republicans and Democrats in Congress share responsibility for spending us into historic debt and taking us one step closer to bankrupting our nation.
This week, an analysis conducted by Open the Books notes that I was one of 27 House Freedom Caucus members who refused earmarks and “stuck to their principles and promises,” concluding that “every dime of these earmarks was borrowed from future generations on our national debt and that’s a moral outrage.”
Earmarks create a culture of corruption and cronyism. That’s why Congress rightfully banned them 10 years ago. Sadly, three years ago Nancy Pelosi brought them back. And back they are! In 2024, the two omnibus spending bills contained 8,052 earmarks worth $15.7 billion. In 2023, the spending bills contained 7,510 earmarks worth $16 billion.
I am proud to be one of 27 Members of Congress on this “good list.”
Legislation Renaming Airport After President Trump Triggers Leftists
This week, I cosponsored legislation renaming the Dulles International Airport located outside of Washington, DC after President Trump and, wow, did the Left ever get triggered.
I can see no more fitting recognition than naming both airports in our nation’s capital after two of America’s best presidents: Washington National Airport after President Reagan and Dulles after President Trump.
I find it laughable the feigned outrage by Leftists concerning the renaming of the Dulles airport after Donald Trump when these same individuals celebrated the renaming of the airport in Little Rock after the corrupt Predator-in-Chief former President Bill Clinton.
District Work Period Highlights
Congress is home for the Easter district work period and I’ve been traveling all around the Ninth Congressional district. Earlier this week, I had the chance to meet with representatives from Lennox to welcome them to their new 369,000 square foot facility in Glendale.
Also, I had the privilege and honor of joining representatives from the nonprofit Building Homes for Heroes to present U.S. Army Private First Class Adam Sampson and his family the keys to their brand new home. PFC Sampson was seriously injured while serving our country in Iraq. On April 16, 2005, he was the lead gunner of his platoon while conducting recon and surveillance north of Baghdad. His vehicle was hit by mortar attack. From the explosion, he was struck with shrapnel in his right eye and right shoulder. He also suffered a traumatic brain injury and vision loss, and this incident changed his life completely.
This week PFC Sampson was gifted a mortgage-free home in Waddell. I am incredibly grateful for heroes like PFC Sampson and his family. Welcome home, Adam!
I also stopped by the Bullhead City Airshow on Saturday and caught up with Mayor D’Amico to check out some amazing military and civilian aircraft. The airshow is a fitting tribute to aviation history and fun for all ages!
Gosar to Biden: Leave Grand Canyon U Alone!
A few months ago, I shared in my newsletter that I sent a letter to the Department of Education raising serious concerns regarding the Biden administration’s decision to impose a record-setting $37 million fine on Grand Canyon University (GCU), located in Phoenix, AZ. If you missed it, don’t worry! You can get quickly caught up by clicking here.
This week I joined Congressman Biggs in sending a second letter, this time to the Inspector General of the Department of Education demanding an investigation of the fine levied against GCU. The Biden administration has waged an all-out assault on GCU seemingly because it is the largest Christian university in the country. This is the latest example of the Biden administration’s weaponization of the federal government.
The Department of Education should recognize GCU’s lawful nonprofit status and end the politically motivated actions against the university.
Final Reminder: Gosar Hosts Upcoming Military Academy Day
High school Juniors, Seniors and parents: you’re invited to attend my upcoming Military Academy Day to learn more about how to receive a congressional nomination to a United States military service academy. Details are in the flyer above. I hope to see you there!
Reminder: Ninth Congressional District High School Students Invited to Participate in the 2024 Congressional Art Competition
Attention high school students in Arizona’s Ninth Congressional District: you are invited to participate in the 2024 Congressional Art Competition!
Each Spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.
The first-place winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the United States Capitol. Each day, countless individuals will observe the amazing artwork. The Congressional Art Competition is a great opportunity to encourage and showcase the incredibly talented high school artists from Arizona.
More details in the flyer above!👆👆👆
Reminder: You’re invited! Gosar to Host Discussion on the Border Crisis
Please join me in Goodyear, Arizona on May 10th for a very important roundtable discussion regarding the ongoing border crisis. Check out the flyer above for additional information!👆👆👆
It’s Mail Time!
I’ve received more than 20,000 letters so far this year! I appreciate hearing from everyone, including those who disagree. Here are samples of some of the letters sent in this week:
📨 Bryan O’M. from Kingman, AZ writes:
It is refreshing and encouraging when I see an elected official not shying away from sending a Christian message. With anti-Christian sentiment spreading through our country, through our education system, and many politicians too afraid to share their faith, it is wonderful to see this well thought out letter. Keep up the good work and God bless you!
📫 Bryan, thank you for your warm note. I hope you, all your family, and all your loved ones had a blessed Easter. Easter is a joyous holiday where Christians celebrate and remember Jesus Christ’s resurrection. It is a wonderful time for faith, family, and friends. Because this is such a sacred time, I am deeply disappointed that Joe Biden proclaimed the same day as this year’s Easter as “Transgender Day of Visibility.” This was completely unnecessary. Mr. Biden owes an apology to Christians.
There is great comfort in fact that no matter what happens at home or abroad, in the end God always wins! Bryan, please pray for America because together, through positive actions and prayer, we can save our country.
📨 Steven S. from Buckeye, AZ shares:
While I understand that the government must remain open and departments need to be funded, my concern is that hidden in this bill are programs within the agency’s budget that will go against certain amendments contained in our constitution. NIH, DHS, to name just two, use money to push for gun control and our Second Amendment rights. This type of funding needs to be removed from all spending bills. Our Constitution is the only thing that stands between us and a complete breakdown of our country. No program or agency should ever be funded if they create programs that go against our Constitution.
📬 Steven, you’re exactly right. As I mentioned, the budget was negotiated in secret with very little time for debate. No amendments were allowed, and I can guarantee not one single Member of Congress read all 1,200 pages before casting their vote. I’m certain there are countless provisions that you and I object to and many more that empower bureaucrats to further strip away our Constitutional rights, including our right to lawfully own a gun. We must remain vigilant and enforce all our constitutional rights, not simply pick and choose the ones we like. I will never support unconstitutional efforts to restrict gun ownership. I can’t say the same for many other Members of Congress.
Tweet of the Week:
Photo of the Week:
Michael Risser from Kingman, AZ shares this amazing photo of the "Chloride Mural" in the hills above Chloride, AZ and explains that it was painted by artist Roy Purcell in 1966 it was repainted and added to by Roy and his family in 2005. Thanks for sharing, Michael.
📸 Do you have photography skills? Do you want the chance for your photograph to be featured as our "Picture of the Week?" If so, send your best shots of our great state along with a brief description to Anthony.foti@mail.house.gov.
Remember to include your name and where you live.
Gosar in the News and Other Must-Read Stories:
Open the Books: Gosar one of 27 House Freedom Caucus members who REFUSED earmarks again this year.
Axios: House Republicans push to rename Dulles airport after Trump
WLOX: Purple Heart veteran surprised with free home in Waddell
New York Post: Since when did Jill Biden dictate America’s Israel policy?
Gateway Pundit: Biden Administration May Postpone Ban on Menthol Cigarettes Because They’re Worried About Losing Support From Black Voters
National Pulse: Biden Adds ‘Third Gender’ Option to Immigration Forms.
Washington Examiner: Biden administration cancels purchase for Strategic Petroleum Reserve, citing high prices
Warning!! The Gosar Weekly Newsletter is meant for discerning readers with above average intelligence. If you are a reporter, it probably means you are in over your head already. We link to interesting stories. We get stories a couple different ways: Google alerts, a third-party aggregator and sometimes readers send stuff. We don’t vouch for every publication or every author. If we link to a story, it is because of that story. The views expressed in any of the publications do not represent any promotion, endorsement or reflection of Congressman Gosar’s views. While we try our best, we cannot guarantee every news organization spouting hatred, animosity or divisiveness will be filtered from appearing in the Gosar Weekly Newsletter. We will endeavor to prevent that from happening by never linking to Fake News organizations including CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, Rolling Stone, the Arizona Republic, the Arizona Mirror, Media Matters or the New Republic.
