The Week in Review 

Happy Friday!

I hope you had a wonderful week. I am grateful to serve you all in the 118th Congress. 

This week’s edition of the newsletter was delayed so I could fill you in on the outcome of the House’s Saturday votes. Read below to see what I’ve been working on this week.

House Advances $95 Billion of Foreign Aid Under Johnson’s Coalition Government

On Saturday, the Uniparty approved $95 billion in foreign aid in a Biden-Schumer-Johnson negotiated package. This represents a betrayal of Speaker Johnson’s monthslong commitment that we would force the Biden Administration to secure our Southern Border before providing a dime of additional funding for a war in Europe. Additionally, despite our $34 trillion national debt, the package isn’t offset, and doesn’t reduce spending by a single dollar. We are funding war on credit. 

This bloated package includes: 

• $60.84 billion for Ukraine without requiring any oversight of use of the funds or any plan for ending the war or U.S. participation in it. 
  
• $26.4 billion for Israel, although $9 billion will be given to Gaza with no assurances the funds and resources won’t go straight to Hamas. 
  
• $8.12 billion for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific despite no knowledge of an imminent threat.
  
• A conglomeration of other policies, some of which I support like increasing sanctions on Iran and fighting fentanyl traffickers, and others I have opposed, like giving the President new authorities to force private companies to separate from their ownership.
  

Don’t be deceived by the appearance of votes on separate bills in this package. The process, called a “rule,” used by Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jeffries to bring this package to the floor ensured that each piece would pass on its own with different coalitions, but be stitched together as one bill before it was sent to the Senate. 

The rule allowing for consideration of the bill passed with more Democrats supporting it than Republicans. Johnson's coalition government now relies on Democrats to prop up America Last legislation in a supposedly Republican-controlled House.

Senator Schumer Dismisses Mayorkas Impeachment Charges Without a Trial

On Tuesday, the House transmitted its articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate. 

The House passed the impeachment articles in February. We impeached Secretary Mayorkas for high crimes and misdemeanors, including his willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and his breach of public trust. Throughout Alejandro Mayorkas’s tenure as Homeland Security Secretary, he has refused to comply with the immigration laws passed by Congress. He has repeatedly lied to Americans about his role in the invasion at our southern border.

As one of Secretary Mayorkas’s impeachment managers, I walked alongside the House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green (R-TN), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA), Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS), Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), and Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL) to deliver the impeachment articles to the Senate Chamber. 

Some of my House and Senate colleagues and I held a press conference after we transmitted the articles. Click the image below to watch some of my remarks:

On Wednesday, our Republican Senate colleagues fought valiantly with procedure to force Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to hold a trial. Unfortunately, Schumer ultimately dismissed the impeachment charges against Mayorkas without holding a trial. This unprecedented procedural move by Senator Schumer is a concerning, unchecked show of partisan politics. Of 22 impeachments delivered to the Senate by the House, none have ever been dismissed without a trial while the impeached official is still alive and remains in office.

The House impeachment managers, our friends in the Senate, and I poured countless hours into preparing for Senator Schumer to hold a trial. Though the Senate did not fulfill its duty to hold an impeachment trial, I am proud to have worked alongside patriots calling attention to the Biden Administration's disastrous border policies.

House Republicans will continue to hold the Biden Administration accountable for the destruction it has wreaked upon American families.

Standing Against U.S. Surrender of Sovereignty to the World Health Organization

Congressman Ralph Norman (R-SC) held a press conference to bring attention to America’s surrender of sovereignty to the World Health Organization (WHO). We were joined by several Representatives, Senators, and outside groups who understand the urgency of this issue.

The American people are concerned about the Biden Administration's apparent willingness to hand over public health decision-making to an unaccountable international organization. For years, the WHO has undermined American interests and remains one of the most corrupt and ineffective international institutions.

The organization has been compromised by China and has sabotaged many public health investigations–including the COVID investigation in Wuhan. The WHO failed its member nations and the American people during the COVID-19 outbreak and has gone out of its way to provide cover for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and the CCP’s efforts to cover up the origins of the virus.

Despite the WHO’s failure to objectively provide health guidance to the world, President Biden now seeks to give the WHO more authority to define what a pandemic is, how long a pandemic lasts, and encroach upon the sovereignty of nations like ours. My constituents worry that the Biden Administration’s involvement with the WHO will result in more lockdowns and mandates, and no accountability for the CCP in the future.

President Donald Trump recognized the threat posed by the WHO and took action to end U.S. contributions, but his decision was reversed by President Biden, who has since directed more than $700 million in federal funding to the WHO.

I introduced the Who Withdrawal Act originally in 2022, and I reintroduced it at the beginning of this Congress. My bill requires the President to withdraw the United States from the WHO, repeals the law that originally authorized the United States to join the WHO, and prevents taxpayer money from being spent to participate in the WHO.

Americans across the country are pleading for action on this issue. I urge the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to move forward with my important legislation.

I thank Congressman Norman for organizing this important press conference. Click the image below to watch some of my remarks:

Tele-Town Hall Wrap-Up

I hosted my virtual tele-town hall on Tuesday. Thousands of constituents joined the call to hear updates on what I’m doing in DC and Arizona’s Fifth District. We discussed the World Health Organization (WHO), the Uniparty begging for more Ukraine aid, and Biden’s border crisis. Be sure to keep an eye out for updates on my next tele-town hall! If you weren’t able to join us this week, click the image below to watch a recap:

House Oversight & Accountability Committee Activity

The House Committee on Oversight & Accountability held a hearing titled “Defending America from the Chinese Communist Party’s Political Warfare, Part I.” Experts outlined how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is waging an influence and infiltration campaign that threatens U.S. military readiness, the technology sector, financial markets, the agriculture industry, education systems, intellectual property, and federal government agencies. The House Oversight Committee has a responsibility to ensure the federal government is using all existing resources effectively to thwart China’s political warfare and examine solutions that agencies can adopt to eliminate CCP threats.

Click the image below to watch some of my remarks:

House Judiciary Committee Activity

The House Committee on the Judiciary held a markup and passed the following out of committee:

• H.R. 1631, the Pro Codes Act;
• H.R. 7737, the One Agency Act;
• H.R. 3591, the Asylum Accountability Act;
• H.R. 3269, the Law Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act; 
• and H.R. 7581, the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act.

Military Service Academy Conference: May 4th 

I will be hosting a Military Service Academy Conference with the office of 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, Taxpayer Advocacy Services, community support organizations, employment assistance, and more!

Drop Zone will be held on June 1, 2024, from 10 am to 2 pm 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 and we hope this year’s will be too!

2024 Congressional Art Competition

The submission process for this year’s Congressional Art Competition has concluded, and our office received some astounding pieces. This week, many constituents dropped into Communiversity in Queen Creek to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Thank you to all who submitted their artwork, and thank you to those who visited the exhibit! We will be crowning our winners this evening, so be sure to keep an eye out for the winning pieces.

Attending the Governor's Prayer Breakfast

Team Biggs was invited to attend the 2024 Arizona Prayer Breakfast to hear from local faith leaders, elected officials, and those who provide invaluable charitable services in our community.  I’m encouraged to see people of all faiths come together to offer prayers and words of support, hope, and love for one another at a time when we are otherwise so divided. Thank you to two of our great state legislators in AZ-05, Warren Petersen (LD-14) and David Marshall (LD-7), along with Justice Clint Bolick and Chandler City Councilman Mark Stewart for their optimistic messages.

Legislation and Letters

Bills Cosponsored:

• H.R. 7991 – Safeguarding American Workers’ Benefits Act (Rep. Higgins)
• H.R. 8011 – The Iranian Terror Prevention Act (Rep. Steube)

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 Newsmax with Rob Schmitt and Senator Ron Johnson to discuss the disastrous effects of Mayorkas’s refusal to defend the homeland. Click the image below to watch some of the segment:

I joined Vince Coglianese on WMAL-FM to discuss the Uniparty funding Ukraine aid instead of fighting for our border. Click the image below to listen to some of the segment:

I joined KFYI-AM’s James T. Harris to discuss last weekend’s attack on Israel by Iran. Click the image below to listen to 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.