U.S. Representative Paul Gosar addressed several national and local issues in his weekly newsletter released on March 23. The topics included the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding impasse, efforts to enforce fiscal discipline, legislative actions on public assistance fraud, and community events in Arizona’s 9th Congressional District.
The newsletter comes as the DHS shutdown continues to affect federal workers and services across the country. Gosar said that more than 100,000 frontline workers are without pay and airports are experiencing significant delays due to staffing shortages. He attributed these disruptions to Senate Democrats blocking funding for DHS. “By their own admission, the pain is intentional. As one Democrat Congressman acknowledged this week, this standoff is about ‘making people hurt’—a stunning confession that hardworking Americans are being used as leverage – again, to stop criminal illegal aliens from being deported,” Gosar said.
Gosar also highlighted his support for a balanced budget constitutional amendment introduced by Representative Andy Biggs. He said Washington’s spending habits have led to a national debt exceeding $39 trillion and threaten programs like Social Security and Medicare. “That’s why I voted this week to support a balanced budget constitutional amendment… Enough excuses. Enough overspending. It’s time to restore accountability and put America’s finances back on solid ground,” he said.
On immigration matters, Gosar reported meeting with DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials regarding a proposed processing center in Surprise, Arizona. He emphasized the need for transparency as plans move forward: “I will continue working closely with DHS, ICE, and local leaders to demand transparency, accountability, and to protect our communities.” In addition, he announced co-sponsorship of legislation requiring states to report data on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud over the past five years.
Gosar also celebrated a recent court decision allowing the Resolution Copper project in Superior to proceed after years of legal challenges: “Developing the Resolution Copper mine in Superior will strengthen America’s domestic supply of critical minerals… After years of delays and lawsuits, it’s time to move forward.” The newsletter invited students from Arizona’s 9th District to participate in the Congressional Art Competition before April 1.
Gosar has served as U.S. Representative for Arizona’s 9th district since replacing Ann Kirkpatrick in 2011 according to GovTrack. He was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming in 1958 and currently lives in Bullhead City according to Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Gosar graduated from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981 according to Congress.gov.
In recent elections, Gosar defeated Quacy Smith with over 65% of votes cast in 2024 according to official results, following his victory over Richard Grayson with nearly 98% support in 2022 as reported by state records.
Looking ahead, Gosar encouraged community participation at upcoming events such as Vet Fest in Surprise: “Our veterans have given so much for this country—now it’s our turn to show up for them.”
