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.

Voting to Again Restore DHS Funding

Today, I voted on a continuing resolution to restore funding to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for sixty days. The vote marked the fourth time the U.S. House of Representatives has approved a funding package for DHS. 

In the middle of last night, the U.S. Senate cowered to Minority Leader Chuck Schumer by passing a woefully inadequate resolution to restore funding to parts of DHS, which effectively defunded Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This package inexplicably withheld funding for operations combating child and sex trafficking, and it lacked funding for CBP agents and thousands of ICE staff.

While I could take the easy way out and vote to fund most of DHS and hope everything turns out alright, that’s not what I came to Washington, D.C. to do. I will not allow my friends in CBP and ICE to wonder where their future payments might be, while the Members of Congress playing these political games receive theirs. These men and women on the front lines of our border and immigration enforcement deserve much more commitment and backing from their elected representatives. That is why I have voted for the fourth time to fund DHS – all of it. As part of the solution, President Trump has made sure TSA agents will be paid until the Democrats come to their senses and join us in fully funding DHS.

The House has done its job. Now, the Senate must return to fulfill its responsibility. Click below to hear more of my thoughts:

America Has a Spending Problem Congress Refuses to Fix: Op-Ed

Washington Democrats just voted against the one rule every American family already lives by: balancing the budget. Last week, I brought my Balanced Budget Amendment to the House floor. It failed. Meanwhile the national debt has reached $39 trillion and counting.

My amendment would have required Washington to phase in a simple rule: Congress cannot spend more than it takes in.

The Blaze published my latest op-ed, and the full piece may be read here. 

House Judiciary Committee Activity

The House Judiciary Committee held a markup where they passed the following bills out of committee:

• H.R. 1468- Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act;
• H.R. 7730- Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment Act;
• H.R. 6194- Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act;
• H.R. 3420- Worlds Matter Act; and
• H.R. 6453- ADA 30 Days to Comply Act

Tracking Airport Wait Times

DHS recently launched its new MyTSA app to help travelers track airport wait times during the Democrats’ DHS shutdown. 

TSA agents, who have not received a paycheck in over two months, are warning that airports could see an influx of travelers ahead of Easter weekend, affecting travel operations even more. 

Click here to download the MyTSA app. 

Meeting with Awake America

I had a great time meeting with Phoenix Pastor Mark Chappell, his wife, and other Arizona Pastors who represent the Christian revival group Awake America.

God bless you all, and thank you for stopping by. 

Meeting with Globe Mayor and
City Council Members

I was pleased to meet with Globe Mayor Al Gameros, Vice Mayor Mike Stapleton, and Councilmember Freddy Rios. They provided important updates on the recovery efforts following last year’s devastating floods. 

I look forward to working together in the future!

Meeting with Director of the Bureau of Prisons

I also met with William Marshall, Director of the Bureau of Prisons, and his team to discuss the federal prison system, retention of correctional officers, rehabilitation efforts, and keeping prisoners safe.

The topics discussed are pertinent to my role as Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, and I look forward to sharing the information with my colleagues during the legislative process. 

Visiting with Grand Canyon University Students

I was happy to welcome students from Grand Canyon University to our nation’s capitol. We talked about life on the Hill, some of my legislative priorities, and future career opportunities in politics.

These students give me hope for the future. Best of luck, and Go Lopes!

RECAP: Military Service
Academy Conference

My office’s Military Service Academy Conference, which took place last Saturday in Queen Creek, was a huge success.

Thank you to all the liaisons from the U.S. Naval, Air Force, Merchant Marine, and Coast Guard Academies, as well as local ROTC programs, for being in attendance to discuss military service and career opportunities with prospective students.

Assistance Evacuating the Middle East

The State Department is on call 24/7 to assist Americans with safely evacuating the Middle East.

If you or someone you know is currently in the region, please follow the below guidance from the United States government and visit my website for more information: 

2026 Drop Zone

I am excited to share that my office’s annual Drop Zone event is happening soon!

When: May 9th, 2026, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Where: ALA Applied Technologies Campus, located at 7729 E. Pecos Rd. Mesa, AZ 85212

What: DropZone is the East Valley’s one-stop resource fair for veterans, seniors, and residents of Arizona’s 5th District. Participants will have access to many valuable resources in one location, such as VA benefit consultations, haircuts, health screenings, Taxpayer Advocacy Services, community support organizations, employment assistance, and more. I hope to see you there!

Awarding a Car to a Veteran in Need

My office’s Director of Veteran Services attended the Disabled American Veterans’ East Valley Chapter 8 (DAV) to participate in the gifting of an SUV to a disabled Air Force veteran. 

This donation gives the veteran access to necessary transportation that will help her find a stable job. 

Thank you to Sally Harrison from the Mesa Chamber of Commerce for your assistance and to DAV for its help in executing this thoughtful gift. 

2026 Congressional Art Competition 

The 2026 Congressional Art Competition is now open to all high school students (9th-12th grades) within Arizona’s Fifth Congressional District.

Students who are interested in participating must complete the 2026 Student Release Form and the Student Information Form.

All entries must be delivered by teachers, parents, or other assigned adults to my district office located at 2509 South Power Road, Suite 204 Mesa, Arizona 85209 before Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Please visit my website for more information.

Letters and Legislation 

Letters CoSponsored:

• H.R. 8017- Defeat Sharia Law in America Act (Rep. Barry Moore)
• H.R. 8077- 287(g) Cooperation Act of 2026 (Rep. Ben Cline)

Letters CoSigned:

• Letter to Governor Gavin Newsom regarding the Oversight Committee’s investigation into alarming reports of taxpayer fraud in California’s hospice programs. (The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform)

Medical-Legal Expert Aaron Siri
Joins the What’s the Biggs Idea? Podcast 

On this week’s episode of the What’s the Biggs Idea? Podcast, I was joined by medical-legal expert Aaron Siri to discuss the MAHA movement, vaccines, and Big Pharma. Click the image below to watch the full episode: 

Top Media Appearance of the Week

I joined Fox News with Julie Banderas to share my thoughts on the Senate’s DHS funding bill. Click the image below to watch the segment:

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.

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.

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.