Paul Gosar, the U.S. Representative for Arizona’s 9th Congressional District, released his weekly newsletter on February 22, 2026, highlighting ongoing issues related to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding and other political developments.
Gosar criticized Senate Democrats for blocking a bipartisan funding bill that would keep DHS operational. He stated, “Let’s be clear: this is not a ‘stalemate.’ It is a calculated stunt by the Democrats. House Republicans and Democrats passed a bipartisan, full-year funding bill to keep DHS operating and protect the American people. Senate Democrats refused to move it forward. Instead of negotiating in good faith, they chose obstruction—again—leaving the men and women on the front lines of our national security paying the price.”
He added that essential personnel such as Border Patrol agents, TSA officers, Coast Guard members, Secret Service staff, and FEMA responders are being impacted by what he called deliberate political maneuvering. “This shutdown is a choice. It is unnecessary. It is reckless. And it is happening because Democrats would rather score political points than secure the homeland,” Gosar wrote.
The newsletter also reported that expedited airport screening programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry have been suspended nationwide due to the partial government shutdown affecting DHS operations. Travelers in Arizona were advised to expect longer wait times at airports.
On trade policy, Gosar addressed a recent Supreme Court decision limiting one specific presidential tariff authority but emphasized that President Trump still retains several legal tools for imposing tariffs. He wrote: “What makes the Court’s ruling especially frustrating is that it did not strike down tariffs themselves. It only ruled that President Trump had exceeded his power by invoking the use of one specific legal authority known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA.” Gosar noted President Trump has since used Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to implement new tariffs aimed at reducing America’s trade deficit.
In another section, Gosar discussed crime linked to immigration policy after reporting an arrest in Phoenix involving Marenn Sorm from Cambodia who faced charges including negligent manslaughter and aggravated assault. “This is someone who never should have been in our country — or our state — in the first place,” he said.
The newsletter previewed President Donald Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address with expectations it will focus on border security and election integrity measures such as requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration—a policy supported by House Republicans but opposed by most Democrats according to Gosar.
Gosar also encouraged high school students from Arizona’s 9th District to participate in the annual Congressional Art Competition before April 1st.
Representative Paul Gosar has served in Congress representing Arizona’s 9th District since 2011 after replacing Ann Kirkpatrick [source]. In recent elections he defeated Quacy Smith in 2024 with over 65% of votes [source] and Richard Grayson in 2022 with nearly 98% [source]. Born in Rock Springs, Wyoming in 1958 and currently residing in Bullhead City, Gosar holds a BS from Creighton University [source].
