The Week in Review 

Happy Friday!

I hope you had a wonderful week. I am grateful to serve you all in the 118th Congress. Read below to see what I’ve been working on this week. 

Assessing President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union Address

To no one’s surprise, President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union Address was filled with deliberate lies, fake optimism, and authoritarian rhetoric. The highly partisan campaign speech fell flat with most Americans. Below are five observations I made:

1. President Biden began the 2024 State of the Union Address by dedicating several minutes to Ukraine and reiterating the need to continue funding their country. The American people anxiously waited for a year to hear about the state of America—not the state of Ukraine.
   
   
2. President Biden had a moral obligation to pay respects to Laken Riley—the 22-year-old nursing student who was brutally murdered by an illegal alien released by his Administration. Not only did he botch Laken Riley’s name (saying “Lincoln Riley”), but he failed to take accountability for the 100% preventable death.
   
   
3. President Biden often touted how he has helped improve the American economy. He declared that “now our economy is the envy of the world,” even though inflation under him remains at historically high figures, layoffs are their highest totals in 15 years, and food, gas, and rent prices continue to surge nationwide.
   
   
4. President Biden announced the creation of a “Gaza Port” in the Mediterranean Sea, which will serve as a distribution center for humanitarian aid to Gaza. Numerous intelligence reports indicate that our aid to Gaza ends up in the hands of the terrorist group Hamas. The President is simply spending more taxpayer dollars to strengthen a barbaric terrorist group. 
   
   
5. Despite pledging to unify the country, President Biden’s rhetoric could only be described as divisive and angry. He is fanning the flames, wrongly blaming Republicans for his Administration’s policy failures, and taking zero accountability. He is not fit to lead this country.

Earlier in the week, I released ten questions that President Biden should have answered to Americans. He didn’t answer a single one of them. Those questions may be viewed here. 

Opposing the DC Cartel’s America Last Spending Package

I voted against the House of Representatives’ reckless minibus spending package that funds portions of our federal government—including the Agriculture, Commerce, Interior, Justice, and Transportation departments—through the end of September. The 1,200-page explanatory statement and separate document containing 6,000 earmarks—totaling $12.7 billion—is filled with hundreds of bogus earmarks and continues to fund the destruction of our great nation. There were no substantial policy reforms, no sizable spending cuts, and overall no real wins for Americans.

This funding package maintains funding for: 

• FY23 Pelosi-Biden spending levels—with total outlays being $34 billion HIGHER than the Pelsoi omnibus that Republicans opposed. These are levels she never dreamed of. 
• Sanctuary cities that shield criminal illegal aliens.
• Disturbing CRT and DEI initiatives.
• ATF's "pistol brace" anti-2A rule.
• Taxpayer-funded abortions, abortion travel, and transgender surgeries.
• The creation of the massive, Pentagon-sized FBI HQ. 

This funding package provided 6,000 earmarks for items including:

• $5 million for a revitalization center for the Ojibwe tribe’s language institute.
• $2.5 million for kayaking and slalom facilities in New Hampshire.
• $1 million for a radical New York environmental group's advocacy activities. 
• $1.4 million for a solar energy system in Northern Wisconsin, which sees among the lowest average daily sunlight in the U.S.       
• $9.5 million for a mass transit project for a Hawaiian community of 19,000.
• $2.7 million for a bike park in a West Virginia town of 2,200 people.

No Republicans should have supported this bill. The House should only fund the federal government once these items are better addressed and our southern border is secured. We control the money.

March Tele-Townhall Recap

I held my March tele-town hall last night. Several thousand constituents joined the call and we discussed the 2024 State of the Union Address, the many fights occurring in Washington, and district updates. Thank you to all who joined and for those who missed the town hall but would like to watch a recap of it, please click the image below:

Standing with Laken Riley 

I supported legislation titled the Laken Riley Act that would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest, detain, and deport illegal aliens who commit theft-related offenses. It would also allow individual states to sue the federal government if an immigration-related action harms the state or its citizens.

Laken Riley was a nursing student who was tragically killed by a Venezuelan illegal alien who was released by the Biden Administration after crossing the southern border in 2022. The illegal alien was subsequently released again from law enforcement in New York after endangering a 5-year-old child. 

This tragedy was 100% preventable had the Biden Administration enforced our laws. 

My prayers are with Laken Riley and her family. 

Click the image below to see my remarks supporting the legislation: 

Introducing Legislation to Reduce Overregulation of the American Economy 

I introduced the Modernizing Retrospective Regulatory Review Act—legislation that would enable federal agencies to efficiently and accurately review regulations that may be outdated, redundant, or contain typographical errors. According to a 2016 study by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, regulatory accumulation has resulted in an estimated $4 trillion loss in U.S. GDP from the 1980s to 2012. My bill will help counter the disastrous impacts of regulatory accumulation by guiding agencies to utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to analyze previously issued regulations while adding measures to facilitate retrospective reviews. It also passed out of the House Oversight & Accountability Committee yesterday. 

American businesses must be given the opportunity to thrive without overbearing, costly, contradictory, and duplicative regulations mandated by the DC Swamp. Federal overregulation takes a colossal toll on the U.S. economy. Thousands of new regulations go into effect every year, and there simply isn’t enough manpower or existing technology to sift through previously issued regulations. AI technology is an effective tool that can save taxpayer dollars, benefit American business owners, and promote economic growth.

The legislation may be read here. 

Fox News covered the legislation here. 

My public comments on the legislation may be seen below:

Former NFL Star Tim Tebow Joins My Hearing on Child Sex Exploitation 

I chaired the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance’s hearing titled “Voice for the Voiceless - CSAM Identification.” My colleagues and I examined the exploitation of children through child sex abuse material (CSAM) and how it has become a major issue within the United States and abroad. 

Identifying children in CSAM is a particularly difficult task to do. However, identifying children is crucial to stopping their ongoing victimization and helps authorities capture offenders. 

Former NFL Star Tim Tebow testified before my committee as his foundation—the Tim Tebow Foundation—works extensively on this issue. Last year, authorities launched Operation Renewed Hope, the first U.S. based, multi-jurisdictional victim identification collaboration led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Tim Tebow Foundation. These types of collaborations highlight the effectiveness of public and private partnerships. 

I thank Mr. Tebow and our other witnesses for participating in this hearing. 

Click the image below to see some of my remarks from the hearing:

Presidential Powers to Secure Our Border

I participated in the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement’s hearing on “Presidential Powers to Secure Our Border.”

My colleagues and I discussed how the president has the authority right now to end the catastrophic crisis at our southern border. In fact, President Biden has already issued 94 executive orders to undo President Trump’s border policies. The Constitution, laws, and courts have made clear that the president has the authority to regain control of our southern border. 

Click the image below to watch some of my remarks from the hearing:

Standing With Israel

I joined House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good’s press conference on a resolution showing support for our greatest ally, Israel. 

Israel remains America’s greatest ally and I support its right to self-defense. We will never forget the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists on October 7th. Hamas terrorists have no regard for human life and are directly responsible for murdering over 1,200 Israelis.

As Members of Congress, we should use every leverage we have to terminate U.S. funding for UNRWA, end assistance to Palestinian entities, and not support a “ceasefire” that will be used against Israel.

We must hold the Biden Administration accountable for facilitating these attacks. The Biden Administration emboldened Iran by unfreezing $6 billion assets, despite knowing that this money is fungible and admitting that Iran is a state-sponsor of terrorism. Congress controls the Administration’s money. We have the leverage here.

Click the image below to see some of my remarks from the press conference:

Veterans Corner: Upcoming Gatherings

Veterans often find solace and understanding in the company of other Veterans, recognizing a unique camaraderie forged through shared experiences. The bond among those who have served runs deep, as they can relate to the challenges, sacrifices, and triumphs of military life in ways that are difficult for others to fully grasp. 

You may consider attending some of these gatherings for veterans, their wives, and family members. I know they would love to see you there. See locations and times below: 

Mariposa Gardens Veterans’ Coffee Hour located at 6747 E Broadway Rd, Mesa, AZ 85206. They meet on the first Thursday of every month from 9:00 am – 10:00 am.

Red Mountain Multigenerational Center Veterans’ Coffee Hour located at 7550 E Adobe St, Mesa, AZ 85207. They meet on the second Friday of every month from 10:00 am – 11:00 am.

Valley of the Sun Veteran’s Coffee Hour located at 10940 E Chandler Heights Rd, Chandler, AZ 85248. They meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 9:00 am – 10:00 am.

Military Service Academy Conference: May 4th 

I will be hosting a Military Service Academy Conference with Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ) on Saturday, May 4th from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm at Combs High School Performing Arts Center. 

Liaisons from the U.S. Military, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and Naval academies will discuss military service and career opportunities. My staff will additionally be on-site to discuss the application and nomination process. 

Hope to see you there! Please RSVP with the link below: 
https://biggs.house.gov/service-academy-conference

Drop Zone 2024

On Saturday, June 1, 2024, my office will host our 5th annual DROP ZONE event!

Drop Zone is a 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: VA benefit consultations, health screenings, haircuts, Taxpayer Advocacy Services, community support organizations, employment assistance, and more!

Drop Zone 2024 will be held on June 1, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the American Leadership Academy Applied Technologies Campus located at 7729 E Pecos Road, Mesa, AZ 85212.

Stay tuned for more updates. Drop Zone 2023 was a major success!

2024 Congressional Art Competition 

Our 2024 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 2024 Student Release Form and the Student Information Form.

Please contact my Constituent Services Representative, Christina Cleveland, at (480) 699-8239 to request more information.

Dr. Sebastian Gorka and Rumble Join the What’s the Biggs Idea? Podcast 

Dr. Sebastian Gorka—the former Deputy Assistant to President Trump—joined me on this week’s episode of the What’s the Biggs Idea? podcast in the Washington D.C. Rumble studio. Dr. Gorka served in the British Army reserve in a Military Intelligence unit and has briefed the CIA, the DIA, the US Navy Seals, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. He earned a doctorate in Political Science from Corvinus University in Budapest and was a fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Now, he hosts America First on the Salem Radio Network. 

We discussed the state of American politics and how to reinvigorate our country. Check out my website here to watch previous episodes. Click the image below to watch this week’s episode:

Legislation & Letters

Bills Sponsored:

• H.R. 7533 - Modernizing Retrospective Regulatory Review Act 

Bills Cosponsored:

• H.R. 7570 - Shrinkflation Reduction Act (Rep. Ogles)  
• H.Res. 1057 - Denouncing Calls for a Ceasefire in Gaza (Rep. Good) 
• H.R. 7551 - LIABLE Act (Rep. Roy)  
• H.R. 7580 - To provide for the effective use of immigration detainers to enhance public safety (Rep. Bishop)
• H.R. 7584 - To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Congressional Budget Office to provide cost estimates for legislation reported by the Committee on Appropriations of each House, and for other purposes (Rep. Grothman)
• H.R. 3611 - Kazakhstan Permanent Normal Trade Relations Act of 2023 (Rep. Panetta)
• H.R. 7526 - D.C. Consumer Vehicle Choice Protection Act (Rep. Luna)
• H.R. 7530 - D.C. CRIMES Act (Rep. Donalds)
• H.R. 7544 - To prohibit the conditioning of any permit, lease, or other use agreement on the transfer of any water right to the United States by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes (Rep. Maloy)
• H.R. 7551 - To prohibit any Federal law from making the manufacturer of a COVID-19 vaccine immune from suit or liability, or limiting the liability of such a manufacturer, with respect to claims for loss caused by, arising out of, relating to, or resulting from the administration to or the use by an individual of a COVID-19 vaccine, and for other purposes (Rep. Roy)
• H.Res. 1057 - Denouncing calls for a cease-fire in Gaza (Rep. Good)

Letters Cosigned:

• Letter to CBP on the Biden administration flying 320,000 illegal aliens into 43 U.S. cities (Rep. Fry) 

Alien Invasion Border Documentary

Check out my border documentary titled Alien Invasion. The 30-minute documentary features footage from private ranches along the border, the Darien Gap in Panama, and interviews with members of Congress, Border Patrol, local and state law enforcement, and much more. It addresses how President Biden’s border crisis began, its consequences, and solutions to address the crisis.  

The border documentary may be watched here.

Top Media Appearances of the Week

I joined Liz MacDonald on Fox Business to express my concerns over President Biden’s cognitive abilities. Click the image below to watch some of the segment:

I joined Steve Bannon on War Room to preview the 2024 State of the Union Address. Click the image below to watch some of the segment:

I joined Fox Radio’s Jimmy Failla to explain how Democrats are still obsessed with one guy: Donald J. Trump. Click the image below to hear some of 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.

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.