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Dear ,
I hope you and your family are doing well! Below, please find a few updates on my work last week for the residents of Arizona’s First Congressional District.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Declares Border Crisis A "National Security Threat"
In an exclusive interview with CBS News, U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Chief Jason Owens declared the crisis at the southern border a “national security threat.” Border Patrol agents are steadily approaching a record number of one million migrant apprehensions of migrants since the start of Fiscal Year 2024. The current total sits at over 900,000 apprehended migrants. USBP anticipates over two million migrant apprehensions for the third consecutive year by the time the current fiscal year ends on September 30.
Even though U.S. Customs and Border Protection only reported a “tiny fraction” of migrants crossing into the U.S. illegally have criminal records in the U.S. or other countries, hardworking Americans deserve to feel safe. Our border patrol agents and law enforcement officers must work to apprehend all convicted and would-be criminals attempting to enter the country. I applaud Chief Owens for admitting there needs to be tougher policies at the border, and I am closely monitoring to see how he works with the Biden administration to ensure that further safeguards are put in place.
Ways & Means Committee Hearing Pressures HHS Secretary to Address Administration Shortcomings
Click here to view my full committee testimony.
Last week, the Ways and Means Committee held Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra accountable for playing politics with health care during a hearing on the Biden administration’s HHS budget request for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. Secretary Becerra wasted no time lauding President Biden’s proposed FY25 budget, which hands Obamacare subsidies to wealthy families earning nearly $600,000 annually and seeks a $7 trillion tax hike on Americans.
The administration's botched implementation of the No Surprises Act, the historic law that banned surprise medical bills, has resulted in more patients unable to find doctors that accept their insurance and more providers that are facing financial difficulty. Democrats’ price-setting scheme could kill up to 135 new life-saving drugs and increase launch prices, according to the Congressional Budget Office, while also taking steps to stop Alzheimer’s patients from receiving innovative drugs.
There IS a way to both take on America's sovereign debt and make America healthier. The lack of response to innovators from the Department is a blatant disregard by the Biden administration. It's about the disruption, not the continued push for further funding with the current model. My goal remains to make our brothers and sisters healthier.
Planning to Travel Abroad and Awaiting Enrollment Into the Trusted Traveler Program?
Whether you filed a new application, or renewed existing enrollment, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program is experiencing significant processing delays, and you should plan accordingly. Currently, the average processing time for both new and renewal Global Entry applications is approximately 13 months. To account for the extended processing times, the CBP has provided existing participants with an automatic extension if applicants renew enrollment before their expiration date. The extension provides an additional 24 months of benefits and validity while the renewal application is processing. Therefore, check your enrollment card and make sure to renew before the expiration date. Additionally, keep in mind that applications are processed individually and on case-by-case basis, even for families who may apply at the same time. To learn more about Global Entry and the application process and renewing your membership, please review the FAQ section of the Trusted Traveler Program website. If you have additional questions about the status of your Global Entry application, please contact my District Office staff at (480) 946-2411!
Recognizing Some Amazing Citizens Of AZ-01
This week, I wanted to highlight an inspiring community member from our district and commend her on her business endeavors. During this Women's History Month, there has been an endless number of women who are making made tremendous strides and setting the standard for personal and professional development. Congratulations to Dr. Maria Wytko on the start of her new practice, TKO Dentistry! It is a pleasure to see individuals who are determined to provide care to our community and have the support to kickstart their passion. Well done on this achievement, Dr. Wytko, we wish you well as you continue to build your practice.
Apply For the Opportunity to Intern Alongside My Staff!
My Scottsdale office is accepting applications for full-time congressional internships for the 2024 summer session. College students interested in interning in my Scottsdale office are encouraged to submit their applications to Ernestina.Borquez-Smith@mail.house.gov by April 26th. For more information, please review my website or please call my district office at (480) 946-2411. We look forward to reviewing your applications!
The 2024 Congressional Art Competition Is Underway
The 2024 Congressional Art Competition is underway! Any students who wish to participate can review the official rules and regulations at my website. Students will need to complete TWO copies of the 2024 student release form, one to turn in upon submission, the other to be attached to the back of the art piece. Artwork intake, with my staff, is set for Friday, April 22, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. the Scottsdale Artists’ School at 3720 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Drop off submissions will only be available during this time. If students or teachers have any questions please contact Chris Wiley, of my District Office staff at (480) 946-2411. I am looking forward to seeing the creativity of young artists in our community on display!
The Congressional Budget Office Continues To Miss Total Debt Projections by $1 Trillion
Click here to watch my full floor speech.
If we're being honest with the math, the exponential increase in inflation is directly related to our outrageous government spending over the course of these past three years. In many of my past floor speeches, I've pointed out the flawed math by both the Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget in projecting the total debt increase for Fiscal Year 2024. In May 2023, CBO estimated the federal debt would increase by $1.744 trillion in FY24, while in June 2023, OMB estimated a $1.988 trillion increase in the debt in FY24. We’ve already borrowed $1.411 this fiscal year to-date, and at the current borrowing level, we’ll add $3 trillion to the debt by October 1. The Joint Economic Committee has calculated through my Daily Debt Monitor that our spending per second will soon surpass $100,000. We are missing the actual projected borrowing total by $1,000,000,000,000.
While Congress is fighting over millions of dollars here and there, while important, the math reminds us that we are borrowing $9,000,000,000 a day.
What I’m Reading & Why It Matters
The combination of sunshine and success in Scottsdale has been correlated with a surplus of smiles. In a recently released report, the Grand Canyon State's very own city of Scottsdale was listed in the nation's top ten happiest cities. The research was conducted by exploring the 29 key indicators of happiness within each state. Scottsdale ranked fourth in the category of "Community & Environment" and 27th in the category of "Emotional & Physical Well-Being".
I'm also reading up on how Wall Street is growing, and it's making people nervous. Annual issuance of U.S. Treasuries has doubled since the start of COVID-19. A record sale worth $23,000,000,000,000 in 2023 has some thinking that our outrageous spending will slow down, and has others convinced that even after the election in November, spending isn't even close to letting up. Foreign holdings have declined below one-quarter of outstanding debt. The International Swaps and Derivatives Association trade group asked the Federal Reserve to reinstate a policy from the pandemic that would allow banks to finance more U.S. debt and open up their balance sheets when markets become strained. |