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 17 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:

• OPM Operating Status
• OPM Shutdown Furlough Guidance
• Thrift Savings Plan - Lapse in Appropriations

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.

Condemning the United Nations’ Attempt
to Impose Global Shipping Tax

Today, I introduced a resolution condemning the United Nations (UN) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) for proposing a global tax on shipping emissions. The UN-backed “Net-Zero Framework” under consideration by the IMO would impose a global tax or levy on maritime shipping emissions and funnel the proceeds into a centralized international fund. This proposal would undermine American sovereignty, raise costs on U.S. consumers, and empower unaccountable international bureaucrats to dictate American trade policy.

• Condemns the proposed global carbon tax as illegitimate and harmful to national sovereignty;
• Opposes any international attempts to impose global taxes, tariffs, or levies on U.S. companies or consumers;
• Calls on the President to direct U.S. representatives at the IMO to vote against and oppose any such tax;
• Affirms that no American-flagged vessel or company may be taxed by an international body without congressional consent;
• Urges reciprocal U.S. action, including tariffs or restrictions, against nations that enforce or benefit from such a tax; and
• Reaffirms America’s commitment to free enterprise, energy independence, and the protection of U.S. industries from global overreach.

The corrupt, globalist United Nations has no authority to tax the American people or our industries.

This proposal is an outrageous attempt by unelected elites to impose economic burdens on sovereign nations under the guise of climate policy. President Trump’s America First policies put the prosperity and independence of our nation above globalist agendas, and Congress must make clear that the United States will never surrender its sovereignty to unelected multinational institutions. We will always defend our right to self-governance.

Cosponsors of the resolution include: Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) and Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX).

Breitbart covered the resolution here.

The resolution may be read here.

Commemorating the First National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk

Tuesday, October 14 would have been Charlie Kirk’s 32nd birthday. We miss him and his leadership, but we rest knowing that he celebrated his birthday with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Please continue praying for his dear family and friends.

Recognizing Columbus Day

On Monday, we recognized and celebrated the legacy of renowned world explorer Christopher Columbus. 

The Left tried to cancel Columbus Day, but patriots stand firm in honoring our past and fighting for our future. 

May we all learn from his courage and resolve.

Celebrating the U.S. Navy’s 250th Birthday

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:

• H.Res. ___ - Condemning the United Nations and International Maritime Organization for proposing a global tax on shipping emissions, threatening United States sovereignty, trade, and economic interests.

Bills Cosponsored:

• H.R. 5722 - Preserving A Sharia-Free America Act (Rep. Roy)

Letters Cosigned: 

• Letter to Acting Director Driscoll urging the ATF to process National Firearms Act forms during the government shutdown (Rep. Cline)

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.

Top Media Appearances of the Week

I joined Fox Business with Dagen McDowell and James Freeman to discuss the Democrats’ participation in “No Kings” rallies while refusing to open the federal government. Click the image below to watch part of the segment:

I joined Newsmax with Rick Leventhal to discuss the Senate’s option to override the 60-vote rule to reopen the federal government. Click the image below to watch the segment:

I joined OAN with Dan Ball to discuss the Democrats’ continued refusal to reopen the federal government. Click the image below to watch to 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.

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 
I 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.