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The Week in Review
Happy Friday!
I hope you had a wonderful week. I am grateful to serve you all in the 119th Congress. Read below to see what I’ve been working on this week.
Government Shutdown Resources and Guidance
Today is day 24 of the Schumer Shutdown. I voted YES on legislation to fund the government through November 21, 2025, which ultimately passed the House of Representatives, but Senate Democrats blocked this approach. As a result, we remain at an impasse until at least 60 Senators agree to advance a funding bill to the President's desk.
While many federal agencies will face disruptions during this period, my offices remain operational. If you are in need of assistance with casework, please call my Mesa district office at (480) 699-8239 or visit my website. My staff and I are here to help.
For your awareness, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and VA medical care will remain operational during the shutdown. Other agencies are actively coordinating their plans until spending resumes. For agency-specific details, visit each department’s .gov site (e.g. www.dhs.gov or www.va.gov).
The programs listed below will remain operational, but the agencies in charge of them will see workforce shortages until the shutdown is resolved. This is not a full list, but an overview of key services:
- Medicare and Medicaid benefits
- Social Security payments, including SSI benefits
- VA medical care and benefits (some regional offices may close)
- Disability payments
- SNAP benefits (longer shutdown could cause disruptions)
- Mail delivery
- Federal law enforcement and military operations
- Federal employee retirement payments
- Air travel
- Student aid, including Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans
- Visa and passport services (longer wait times are possible)
Information for Federal Employees:
For the foreseeable future, many federal employees will be furloughed. Others will be required to work but may experience a delay in their paycheck until a funding agreement is reached. All federal employees will receive back pay under federal law.
I have requested that my salary be withheld until Democrats open up the government. I’ll keep you posted.
Below are helpful links with more information:
Again, my offices will continue to operate as usual for as long as this Democrat shutdown lasts. We will never stop working for the great people of Arizona’s Fighting Fifth Congressional District.
Requiring DHS to Publicize
Final Orders of Deportation
This week, I introduced the Deportation Disclosure Act. The bill would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to make public the name, photograph, aliases, and last known state of residence for all illegal aliens with final removal orders from the United States.
In September, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Guyana national Ian Roberts, who was serving as Des Moines Public Schools superintendent despite having a final order of deportation. Roberts, an illegal alien with an extensive criminal history, falsely claimed U.S. citizenship and American work authorization to gain employment. The Des Moines School Board’s failure to use E-Verify allowed his ineligibility to go unnoticed. Congressman Biggs’s legislation will increase transparency and accountability to the United States’ immigration enforcement and removal processes, ensuring such a situation will never happen again.
President Trump’s Administration is working tirelessly to undo the chaos caused by the radical Biden-Harris-Mayorkas regime’s reckless border policies.
At the end of 2024, more than a million illegal aliens, including Ian Roberts, had final orders of removal against them, but were roaming freely in the United States. Instead of enforcing our immigration laws and deporting illegal aliens who had due process in our immigration courts, the Biden administration focused on making it as easy as possible for illegal aliens of any and every criminal background to enter and stay in our nation. Making final orders of removal readily accessible to the public will only increase public safety and ensure incidents like this one don’t happen again.
“The Deportation Disclosure Act would bring much-needed transparency and accountability to our immigration enforcement process. By making final orders of removal accessible, this bill would empower communities and law enforcement, ensuring that individuals who have already received due process in our courts cannot hide in plain sight,” said Grant Newman, Director of Government Relations at Immigration Accountability Project.
Fox News covered my legislation here.
My legislation may be read here.
Meeting with Japanese Consul General
This morning, I was pleased to meet with Japan’s Consul General Kosei Murota.
I enjoyed learning more about Japan’s culture and am looking forward to working together in the future to strengthen the partnership between our two nations.
America First Credit Union
This morning, my district office also attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for America First Credit Union in Mesa.
Congratulations, and thank you for your service to families, individuals, and businesses in the Fifth District.
The Congressional App Challenge is Back!
Applications are now open for the 2025 Congressional App Challenge! I encourage all interested Arizona students to participate for the chance to have your app featured in the U.S. Capitol and on the House of Representatives’ website.
Visit the Congressional App Challenge website to register before October 30th.
Letters and Legislation
Bills Sponsored:
Letters Cosigned:
- Letter to U.S. Attorney General Bondi and FBI Director Patel urging an investigation into Biden intel cover-up (Rep. Fallon)
Apply to Intern in My
Washington, D.C. or Mesa Office
I am excited to share that applications are open for spring internships in both my D.C. and district offices! If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about congressional work while aiding my team in a variety of tasks, please visit my intern portal to submit your application and review other important details.
Tweet of the Week
Constituent Services
Flags
Would you like to purchase a flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol? Flags flown over the Capitol include a certificate, which may be personalized for a particular person, event, or organization. Click here to learn more about purchasing a flag.
Please note that we will not be able to fulfill flag requests until government funding is approved.
Internships
If you or someone you know is interested in completing an internship in either my Mesa or Washington, D.C. office, they can apply directly on my website.
Help With a Federal Agency
If you can’t get an answer from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly, my office may be able to help resolve a problem or get you the information you need. For example, my office routinely helps constituents with issues involving the Veterans Administration, the IRS, the Social Security Administration, the State Department, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. You can learn more by visiting my website.
Click here to find out more information about my office’s services.
Tours and Tickets
Interested in touring the White House or U.S. Capitol? As constituents of the Fifth Congressional District, you may request tickets and tours for various Washington D.C. destinations from my office.
All tickets are provided to constituents on a first-come, first-served basis, so request tickets early.
Click here for more information.
Please note that Capitol and White House tours are not available during a lapse in appropriations. If you have a tour scheduled, my office will be in touch to reschedule for a new date.
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