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Weekly Newsletter
March 8, 2026
Democrats’ Government Shutdown Continues
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.
Let that sink in. As the United States confronts Iran—a regime widely recognized as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism—Democrats decided that funding America’s front-line security agency simply wasn’t worth their vote.
The timing could not be more reckless. Security officials have warned that the threat of terrorism inside the United States is elevated in the wake of military action against Iran and its proxies. More than 1,600 Iranian illegals crossed the southern border during the Biden Administration. Alarmingly, 729 were released into the United States with no vetting. Yet instead of ensuring our homeland defenses are fully operational, Democrats have chosen to hold the Department of Homeland Security hostage to their political grievances. ICE officials arrested an illegal alien from Iran this week in Arizona! More on that later.
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. Essential personnel—including thousands of Transportation Security Administration employees—are still working to keep our skies safe, many without pay, because politicians in Washington refuse to do their basic job of funding the government.
This is not governance. It is political sabotage masquerading as principle. Let’s be honest about what is happening: Democrats are willing to weaken America’s homeland defenses in order to score ideological points. At a time when our adversaries are watching closely, the Democrats’ actions send a dangerous signal that partisan theater matters more than national security.
Funding the Department of Homeland Security should be the easiest vote in Congress. Protecting our borders, securing our airports, and preventing terrorist attacks is not a partisan luxury—it is the most fundamental responsibility of the federal government.
Yet once again this week, Democrats have demonstrated that their priorities lie elsewhere. They will fight endlessly for criminals, ideology, and political messaging—but when it comes time to stand up for the safety of the American people, they vote “no.”
History will not look kindly on this moment. When threats were rising and the homeland needed protection, Democrats chose to play games with America’s security. And the American people deserve to know exactly who put politics ahead of their safety.
Illegal Alien with Lengthy Criminal Record Murders Woman Outside of Washington, DC
Speaking of illegal aliens, this week’s news report of the brutal killing of a Virginia mother at a bus stopis the latest horrifying example of what happens when failed immigration enforcement and soft-on-crime policies collide. Stephanie Minter, a 41-year-old mother from Fredericksburg, was stabbed to death by an illegal alien while waiting at a bus shelter in Northern Virginia, just a few miles outside of Washington, D.C.
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. Despite this extensive record, the illegal repeatedly cycled through the criminal justice system and remained free on the streets.
Federal authorities say the illegal alien was issued a final order of removal in 2020, yet he was never deported. Instead, leftist soft-on-crime and open border policies allowed him to remain in the country.
Even more troubling, police reportedly warned prosecutors multiple times that the illegal was a dangerous repeat offender who posed a threat to the community. Yet the warnings were not enough to keep him behind bars.
The result was devastating. A mother who was remembered by loved ones as joyful and compassionate lost her life in a random act of violence by an illegal alien, leaving behind grieving family members.
This was a preventable tragedy. The truth is that open-border policies, sanctuary-style resistance to federal immigration enforcement, and lenient prosecution practices create a revolving door that allows violent illegals to remain on American streets. When individuals with dozens of arrests and a deportation order can still walk free, the system prioritizes political ideology over public safety.
How many more tragedies must occur before Democrats choose public safety over politics?
Arizona Murder Arrest Shows Why Democrats’ DHS Shutdown Is Reckless
Unfortunately, even more disturbing news concerning illegal aliens. 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, Arizona. As a Member of Congress representing Arizona, I see firsthand why the work of our immigration enforcement officers is essential to keeping our communities safe. This is exactly the type of dangerous criminal ICE is tasked with finding and removing from our communities. Yet at the very moment our law enforcement officers are doing this critical work, Democrats are forcing a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. That political stunt jeopardizes the very resources needed to track down violent offenders and protect American families—making their shutdown both reckless and unjustifiable. Not that we needed another reminder.
Reminder: Submissions Being Accepted for Congressional Art Competition
The 2026 Congressional Art Competition is underway, and I invite creative high school students from Arizona’s 9th Congressional District—grades 8 through 12, including homeschool, online, and alternative programs—to show off their artistic talents. My office is now accepting submissions through Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Each spring, the Congressional Institute hosts this nationwide visual art competition to celebrate and inspire young artists across the country. Since it began in 1982, more than 650,000 students have participated. The winning artwork from our district will be proudly displayed for an entire year in the United States Capitol—a truly unique honor. This competition is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the creativity, passion, and talent of Arizona’s next generation of artists, and I encourage every student with a love for art to participate. See the above flyer for more information and details about this year’s art competition! 🎨
Tweet of the Week:
Photo of the Week:
📸 Randy and Barb Meyer from Litchfield Park, AZ share this picture of another beautiful Arizona Sunset recently taken on Watson Road just north of I-10. Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing Randy and Barb!
Do you want the chance for your photograph to be featured as our “Picture of the Week?” If so, send your best shots along with a brief description to Anthony.foti@mail.house.gov. Remember to include your name and where you live.
Gosar in the News and Other Must-Read Stories:
📰 Fox News: House Democrats vote to continue DHS shutdown despite Iran threat, Noem’s ouster
🗞 Newsmax: 97% Support Trump Deporting Criminal Illegals
📰 New York Post: Rabid Democrats toss truth aside to rescue Iran’s regime
🗞 Fox Business News: Numbers show how much Trump has slashed government workforce
⚠ Warning!! The Gosar Weekly Newsletter is meant for discerning readers with above-average intelligence. We link to interesting stories. We get stories a couple different ways: Google alerts, a third-party aggregator and sometimes readers send stuff. We don’t vouch for every publication or every author. If we link to a story, it is because of that story. The views expressed in any of the publications do not represent any promotion, endorsement or reflection of Congressman Gosar’s views. While we try our best, we cannot guarantee every news organization spouting hatred, animosity or divisiveness will be filtered from appearing in the Gosar Weekly Newsletter. We will endeavor to prevent that from happening by never linking to Fake News organizations including CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, Rolling Stone, the Arizona Republic, the Arizona Mirror, Media Matters or the New Republic. 
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RJ Hamster 