This week, U.S. Representative Paul Gosar addressed ongoing issues in his weekly newsletter, focusing on the continued government shutdown and its impact on national security. According to Gosar, the House passed legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and end the shutdown, but most Democrats voted against it. He criticized this decision during a time when threats from Iran are increasing.
Gosar stated: “At a moment when the world grows more dangerous by the hour, House Democrats have chosen politics over the security of the American people. This week, the House passed legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security and end the ongoing shutdown. Yet nearly every Democrat voted against it—continuing the shutdown of the very agency responsible for protecting our homeland.”
He emphasized concerns about border security, referencing recent military actions against Iran and reports that over 1,600 individuals from Iran crossed into the United States during President Biden’s administration. Of these, he said 729 were released without vetting. Gosar highlighted an incident where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested an Iranian national in Arizona.
He argued that: “The consequences are real. The shutdown has disrupted planning, training, and key operations within DHS, forcing the agency tasked with protecting Americans to operate on skeletal resources while threats escalate.” Gosar noted that essential personnel such as Transportation Security Administration employees are working without pay due to stalled funding.
In another section of his newsletter, Gosar discussed a case in Virginia involving an undocumented immigrant with a criminal record who allegedly killed a woman at a bus stop near Washington D.C. He wrote: “What makes the tragedy even more heartbreaking is that the killer was hardly an unknown threat, having accumulated more than 30 arrests over the years for a disturbing list of crimes including rape, assault, malicious wounding, theft, and weapons offenses.”
Gosar linked these events to broader immigration policy debates and criticized what he called “open-border policies” and lenient prosecution practices.
He also reported on ICE’s arrest of Payam Khoshbin in Pima County, Arizona: “Just this week, ICE arrested Payam Khoshbin, an illegal alien from Iran convicted of first-degree murder and drug trafficking right here in Pima County.” He argued that ongoing political disagreements risk undermining law enforcement efforts.
Additionally, Gosar invited high school students from Arizona’s 9th Congressional District to participate in the annual Congressional Art Competition. Submissions will be accepted through April 1.
Paul Gosar has represented Arizona’s 9th district since 2011 after replacing Ann Kirkpatrick as its congressional representative [source]. In previous elections—including those held in 2022 and 2024—he won by significant margins [source].
Gosar concluded his newsletter by sharing photographs submitted by constituents and listing media stories covering current political issues.
