Headlines

Headline: Paul Gosar plagued by staffing turmoil

In 2011, Politico reported that Gosar’s staff was plagued by staff turmoil. [Politico, 8/3/11]

Headline: New Arizona congressman may have a Palin problem

In 2011, the Anchorage Daily News reported “Republican Arizona congressman Paul Gosar's decision to hire a pair of staffers closely linked to Sarah Palin has led to resignations and turmoil in his office, writes Politico.” [Anchorage Daily News, 8/4/11]

Headline: “At Town Hall Seniors Called Gosar’s Vote to Turn Medicare into Voucher System Scary”

Headline: “At Town Hall Seniors Called Gosar’s Vote to Turn Medicare into Voucher System Scary.” [Daily Courier, 3/30/11]

Headline: “‘Hands off my Medicare,’ Protesters Tell Gosar”

In 2011 the Daily Courier reported that in response to Gosar’s vote for the Republican budget people protested outside of his office saying “hands off my Medicare.” The Daily Courier reported “Prescott-area workers and senior citizens protest in front of U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar’s Prescott office Wednesday. Gosar recently voted in favor of the House Republican budget that would privatize Medicare and Medicaid.” [Daily Courier, 4/30/11]

Headline: Budget Protest Held at Gosar’s CG office

In 2011, the TriValley paper reported that people congregated outside of Gosar’s office to protest his vote for the Republican budget. “Carrying signs that read ‘Hands off my Medicare’ and ‘Don’t make us work until we die,’ two Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans volunteers protested outside Republican Rep. Paul Gosar’s Casa Grande office Wednesday morning.”

“We’re here to protect our grandkids,” said Tempe resident Doug Hart, who traveled to Casa Grande to take part in the protest. “What [Gosar] is saying is not to worry about the cuts because the changes won’t affect us. They will only affect our kids and grandkids — that’s who we want to protect.”

Henry Telfer, a Gilbert resident, also traveled to Casa Grande to take part in the demonstration. He said he wanted to help raise awareness of the proposed budget on future generations. “They want to raise the retirement age and privatize Social Security,” he said. Demonstrators also protested in front of Gosar’s other offices in Flagstaff, Prescott and Washington, D.C. [Casa Grande Dispatch , 4/28/11]

Clips of Interest

Staffer Resigned After Violent Twitter Posts

In 2011, a Gosar staffer resigned after posting “violent and off-color Twitter messages.” The staffer’s name was Blake Schritter, and had posted to his personal twitter account that he was ready “to open fire with a handgun to get some damn service,” and that he couldn’t believe how unprofessional liberal professors can be. I’m sitting here, cleaning my gun, thinking … this is a classroom!!!” [Cronkite News, 7/9/11]

Tweets Included “I can’t believe how unprofessional liberal professors can be. I’m sitting here, cleaning my gun, thinking...this is a classroom!!!” 

In 2011, Roll Call discovered that Blake Schritter’s, a caseworker in Gosar’s Flagstaff office was tweeting violent messages under the name “drunkenbs.” As a graduate student in Arizona he tweeted “I can’t believe how unprofessional liberal professors can be. I’m sitting here, cleaning my gun, thinking...this is a classroom!!!” 

Schritter initially denied owning the account, however the account disappeared after Gosar’s office was asked to respond. The staffer was fired according to Gosar’s chief of staff. [Roll Call, 7/8/11]

Risked Entering 2012 Race Underfunded; Surrounded Self with Palin Insiders Who Were Political Novices

In 2011, the Arizona Capitol Reports reported that Gosar’s re-election fundraising was “floundering” and “he could be in danger of entering a rematch with Kirkpatrick next year woefully underfunded.” A DC source said Gosar was not doing the work, “All fundraising is is work. You make phone calls, you go to events. You just have to do the work.”

Gosar’s chief of staff was considered a novice. His Chief of Staff Rob Robinson and Legislative Director Tom Van Flein – seemed more occupied with “catering to Sarah Palin,” (Robinson was a dentist in Wasilla, Alaska, and is a political friend of Palin; Van Flein worked as Palin’s attorney from 2008 until he joined Gosar’s staff in January.) A source said “If I were [Gosar], I’d say, ‘I’m on three good committees. I should be having $250,000 quarters. I’m not seeing that. Why?’ The only thing that can save him is a new chief of staff and legislative director who will fight for him and restore order.” [Yellow Sheet Report, Arizona Capitol Reports, 6/15/11]

Complained He Did Not Have Enough Money to Serve District

At a January 2011 town hall Gosar said a 5 percent budget cut translated into a nearly $300,000 in cuts for his own office. He said the cut was making it challenging to serve his district. [Daily Courier, 1/31/11]

Supported Cutting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security

In 2011 it was reported that Gosar supported cutting “entitlements,” including Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, although he offered no specifics.

Gosar opposed cuts that would affect retirees in the near-term. His spokesman said he “believes it’s very important that those who are currently vested and are near retiring get what they were promised.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 3/18/11]

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Flip Flop: Accused the Administration of Decreasing Security at Border While Voting to Cut Border Security

FLIP: In March 2011, Gosar visited the border with Senator McCain and Congressmen Flake, Quayle and Schweikert. He said he “personally inspected several ports of entry into Arizona, including rural areas along the border and residential communities. One thing became very clear- the people of Arizona are far from being safe and secure on the border. More troubling is the recent decision by the Administration to unilaterally withdraw the National Guard troops from the border. Although the threat level is increasing, the Administration is decreasing our security efforts. This makes no sense. The personnel on the border are already stretched too thin - we cannot take away this vital resource from our brave men and women who serve and are vigilantly working to keep Arizona safe.” [Prescott eNews, 3/27/11]

FLOP: During the election, Gosar supported a plan to slash border security funds by sixty million dollars. During his time in office he has already voted to eliminate $243 million for border surveillance technology. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-S7afttdKw&playnext=1&videos=rRXq7d1uVeI, loaded 8/06/10; HR 1, Vote #147 , 2/19/11]

Defended Vote for Republican Ryan Budget, Saying He Voted to Improve and Strengthen Medicare and Medicaid

In April 2011, Gosar voted in a favor of the Republican Ryan Budget blueprint. He was initially undecided on privatizing Medicare and cutting taxes for the highest-income Americans, however he said “Today, I voted to open up the discussion with my district and supported baseline spending cuts for next year’s budget. I supported two budgets that make strong recommendations for spending cuts and ways to improve and strengthen programs like Medicare and Medicaid.”

Gosar touted the cuts in federal employees, about 5 percent of the Coconino County workforce according to federal labor data.

The Arizona Sun previously described the House Republican budget as a plan “that would preserve tax cuts for the wealthy but cut federal spending by trillions of dollars over the next decade, including major trims to spending for Medicare and Medicaid.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 4/15/11; Arizona Daily Sun, 4/16/11]

Said Raising Debt Ceiling was Necessary; Wanted 10% Cuts to Agency Budgets

Gosar said he knew it was necessary to raise the debt ceiling, but in exchange he wanted to cut 10 percent of all agencies budgets. Gosar said “We have to raise the debt ceiling. It’s how we do the debt ceiling that makes a difference to me. This is a credit card. And if you were like any American, anybody in Flagstaff, the credit card should have been cut up.”

He went on to say “What we want to see is the agencies to show us that, for example, pretty much widespread around here all the agencies talk about a 10 percent waste, fraud and abuse. That all agencies cut 10 percent off their budgets by that time. They don’t do it, we don’t bump it.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 4/15/11]

At Town Hall Seniors Called Gosar’s Vote to Turn Medicare into Voucher System Scary

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Gosar was criticized in a town hall for vote for the 2012 Republican budget. NPR reported “People at the town hall were much less sympathetic to Gosar’s vote in favor of the House budget bill that would significantly transform Medicare. It’s a risky vote in a state like Arizona, where retirees known as snowbirds flock to the desert sun and vote in high numbers.”

NPR interviewed two seniors about the plan to revamp Medicare. Retiree Susan Cosentino said “I’m horrified by the plan to turn Medicare into a voucher system. I think it’ll just send the seniors into poverty.” Anne Leap, who worked with retirees said “Seniors at the lower end are so frightened by all this, and seniors at the upper end, they’re just - many of them are just outraged. It’s a scary time for us.”

At the town hall Gosar said “Kicking the can doesn’t work anymore. There is a way that we should be able to hold our promise to our seniors and not put it on the back of our future generations. That’s where we need to go.” [NPR, 4/22/11]

Headline: “Medicare a Thorn for GOP”; Gosar Faced Tough Questions at Town Hall

In 2011, The Arizona Republic reported that Medicare was a “thorn for GOP.” The paper reported, “Republicans are the ones being confronted with disgruntled constituents, who are upset about the GOP plan to dramatically overhaul Medicare, a popular health-insurance program for senior citizens. In 2022, under a GOP plan crafted by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., seniors on Medicare would begin receiving a set amount of money to buy private health insurance that would replace the government’s Medicare program.” Rep. Gosar faced tough questions from his constituents at town halls in Arizona.

“The American people deserve to know the truth,” Gosar said. “Medicare is going broke fast. ... There is no quick fix to the problem Medicare is facing, but if we do nothing, then the program will not exist for anyone.” Opponents of the plan said it would gut the program and force future seniors on Medicare to pay about $6,000 more in annual medical costs. [Arizona Republic, 5/31/11]

Traded Tips on Keeping Peace at Town Halls, Didn’t Bring Up Medicare

In 2011, Gosar said he worked to keep the peace at his town halls. He asked generic questions such as “Did your own personal health care (concerns) get heard?” He admitted to trading tips on managing town halls “That’s one thing about the freshmen lawmakers, we do talk,” Gosar said. “We spend some time (on) ‘What happened to you, did you have a town hall, how’d it go, what was the major issue of the day, how did you respond?” Gosar didn’t even bring Medicare up by name at his town hall. [Associated Press, 5/21/11]

Columnist Took Issue with Gosar’s Claim that He was Protecting Medicare

In 2011, columnist Tom Cantlon took issue with Paul Gosar’s claim that he was protecting Medicare. He wrote “House Republicans adopted a budget plan proposed by Congressman Paul Ryan, a big part of which is to save money on Medicare. It replaces the existing form of Medicare. Starting with those currently under 55, as they reach Medicare age, they will receive a voucher to help seniors buy private insurance. The value of that voucher would shrink over time relative to expected healthcare costs, so that, according to the Congressional Budget Office, eventually seniors would have to pay about 70 percent of the cost of their healthcare.”

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He went on to write, “The problem with the approach Gosar is supporting is that the eye is on the wrong goal. This plan would save some program named Medicare, but the original goal was to ensure healthcare for seniors. It is of no help toward that goal and actually makes the situation worse.” [Column, Tom Cantlon, Daily Courier, 5/11/11]

Participated in Medicare Scare Tactics Press Conference

In May 2011, Gosar participated in a press conference advocating for Democrats to stop the “Medicare Scare tactics being used against Members who are opening up the dialogue with their constituents and looking for solutions to preserve and protect this program.” [Rep. Gosar, press release, 5/11/11]

Representative of Native People Opposed Gosar’s Support for Republican Budget Proposal

In April 2011, Rep. Hale met with Gosar and discussed his opposition to the Republican budget proposal. “The proposed cuts will greatly impact services to Native people living on and off Indian reservations.  In a time when many are struggling, these cuts will take away the only survival mechanisms available to the most vulnerable of our population,” Hale said. Gosar shared his empathy with the situation in Arizona but said, “There is no money. The federal government is broke.” [Flagstaff Business News, 4/1/11]

Gosar: “The Things That Were Offered To Our Seniors Are Not Attainable”

A senior women said she paid into Social Security and Medicare and she earned those benefits and she wondered why Gosar was not taxing the rich. Gosar rephrased her question and said “The things that were offered to our seniors are not attainable. Because they’re based on suppositions that number one each working class would be bigger than the next and that didn’t happen. Number two is we’re living longer those were never taken into fabrication into the equation. As well as it was never heralded is how much the investment return would come about.” [Rep. Gosar, town hall, part 5, 4/20/11]

Gosar: “I said it on the Campaign Trail and I’ll Say it Again there is a Way to Honor Our Promises to our Seniors”

Gosar said “I said it on the campaign trail and I’ll say it again there is a way to honor our promises to our seniors, but not putting it on the back of our future. There are opportunities and options to make a difference and that’s why I’m here.” [Rep. Gosar, town hall, part 3, 4/20/11]

Touted Republican Plan to Address Tax System “There are Better Minds then me. I’m just a Dentist”

Gosar was asked why GE didn’t pay any taxes. He said “First of all, we can all agree that our tax system…is broken. It is broken the way it is and one of the things that was addressed in Paul Ryan’s plan is actually looking at the tax structure. I don’t care if you believe in fair, flat, consumption tax we’ve… got to have some solutions. There are better minds then me. I’m just a dentist. But you know we have to get people together to look and remedy that tax system.” [Rep. Gosar, town hall, part 4, 7:16, 4/20/11]

Said He Didn’t Trust President on Economy, but Didn’t Blame Him for Status of Economy

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In 2011, Gosar spoke at Eloy’s Robson Ranch and said he didn’t trust the President, particularly when it came to the economy. “Do we trust the president?” Gosar said. “No, we don’t trust him now.” Gosar said it was hard to see where the President was going with the economy, but he didn’t blame the president for the status of the economy. [Eloy Enterprise, 6/16/11]

Said Social Security and Medicare Were Unsustainable; Wanted to Put Decision-Making Power in Hands of People

In 2011, Gosar spoke at Eloy’s Robson Ranch and said Social Security was unsustainable, “Most of us are living a decade beyond that now,” Gosar said. The Eloy Enterprise reported “For Gosar, Social Security is only half of the problem. Medicaid and Medicare make up the second half of the healthcare equation.” Gosar said “For every dollar we put into Medicaid and Medicare…we’re taking three dollars out. That’s a problem and the country is growing.”

Gosar said the government was taking all of the decision-making power out of the hands of the people. “Even if you wanted to give me cash for some of these problems, you can’t do it,” Gosar explained. [Eloy Enterprise, 6/16/11]

Said He Wanted to Make “Modest Changes to Social Security and Medicare

In 2011, Gosar spoke at Eloy’s Robson Ranch and he wanted to make “modest changes” to Social Security and Medicare. “The congressman is for Premium Support, where everybody gets to pick their plan and make their appropriate changes. It’s the changes that Gosar said the government has taken out of the people’s hands.” [Eloy Enterprise, 6/16/11]

Voiced Support for the Ryan Budget Plan as Way to Make Medicare Solvent

In June 2011, Gosar defended the Ryan Budget plan and said Medicare/Medicaid were unsustainable at a town hall meeting. He also criticized the Democrats for taking $500 billion dollars out of Medicaid in the Health care bill. He stated, “When they tell you that we’re trying to take away Medicare, we’re not, we’re just trying to make it solvent” he said. [San Tan Valley Today, 6/14/11]

Called Department of the Interior’s Moratorium on Mining Around Grand Canyon “Short Sighted”

In 2011, Gosar called the Department of the Interior’s decision to that restricted new uranium mining claims and explorations in northern Mohave County “short sighted.” Salazar announced the six-month emergency plan at Mather Point Amphitheater, Grand Canyon National Park. He said, “Wisdom, caution and science should protect the Grand Canyon.” He also said protecting water, jobs and tourism in the area of Grand Canyon were his main motivation for closing the area off through December. [Today’s News-Herald, 6/21/11]

Argued in Favor of Mining Around Grand Canyon

In 2011, Gosar argued in favor of mining the area around the Grand Canyon for uranium. He opposed the decision to decision to prohibit new mining claims on federal land surrounding the Grand Canyon saying it would lock up 1 million acres of public lands. He said the move undermined job growth and argued that the uranium found around the site was high-grade. [Arizona Daily Sun, 6/21/11]

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Op-Ed: Thousands of Solar Jobs in Arizona Were Made Possible Through Loan Guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy

In 2011, in an opinion piece, Amanda Ormond, a clean-energy consultant and former director of the state Energy Office called on Gosar to save jobs generated by the solar industry. She argued that it was imperative that Gosar support loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy that help fund renewable energy sources, which was set to expire. Ormond reported that one of the largest solar-power plants in the world running near Gila Bend was set to generate enough energy to power 70,000 homes and employ hundreds of people. In 18 months alone in Arizona companies announced that they would invest more than $500 million and create 2,100 high-tech solar jobs. Ormond wrote “These jobs are made possible through loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy for renewable-energy projects.” [Op-ed, Amanda Ormond, Former Director of the State Energy Office, Arizona Republic, 7/5/11]

Oil Got Tax Breaks While Solar lost Loan Guarantee Program

In 2011, in an opinion piece, Amanda Ormond, a clean-energy consultant and former director of the state Energy Office said when opponents of loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy for renewable-energy projects said solar should play on a level field with oil that was a false argument. She wrote “Recent congressional hearings have documented the huge subsidies that fossil fuels are set to receive in the next 10 years: at least $21 billion. The playing field is far from level.” [Op-ed, Amanda Ormond, Former Director of the State Energy Office, Arizona Republic, 7/5/11]

The Solar Industry in Arizona was in Jeopardy – Industry Employed 100,000 Nationwide

In 2011, the Arizona Republic reported that solar industry projects such as a massive solar plant in Gila Bend was in jeopardy. A U.S. Treasury grant program that helped solar companies stay alive during the economic downturn was set to expire in December. An Energy Department loan-guarantee program that provided help to Gila Bend, which will be one of the world’s largest solar plants and the Agua Caliente power plant in Yuma County was slated to end in October.

The solar industry grew 67 percent last year - faster than any other U.S. industry – and employed 100,000 people nationwide according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Analysts pointed out that the government subsidized oil, gas, coal and nuclear industries. [Arizona Republic, 6/26/11]

Criticized by Arizona Republic for Opposing Flight Proposal that Could Hurt Grand Canyon

In 2011, Gosar was criticized for co-sponsoring legislation to end a proposal to reduce aircraft noise at the Grand Canyon. The paper wrote, “you think the sweetest sound at the Grand Canyon is the buzz of aircraft motor, not nature, then Arizona Congressmen Paul Gosar and Trent Franks are on your side.” Gosar argued that allowing 65,000 air tours a year was too restrictive. The papers said the National Park Service was wrapping up negotiations on the deal when Gosar came in and tried to derail it. The paper said the Grand Canyon played a critical role in Arizona’s economy and should be protected. [Editorial, Arizona Republic, 7/29/11]

Protesters Called on Gosar to Oppose Cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid

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In 2011, concerned citizens and members of MoveOn.org protested in front of Gosar’s office in opposition to cuts in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid amidst the debt ceiling negations in Washington. [Daily Courier, 7/26/11]

Gosar Wrote Letter Opposing Proposal to Withdraw Mining Claims from Grand Canyon

In 2011, Rep. Grijalva wrote that due, in part to Gosar the Grand Canyon was “under siege from mining claims.” In 2011, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar recommended withdrawing more than 1 million acres around the Canyon from mining claims for the next 20 years. Gosar wrote a May 16 letter to House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings, R-Wash., calling Salazar’s proposal “a serious national-security threat.” Grijalva said that he was betting Gosar would vote for an amendment that said that Interior couldn’t implement Salazar’s proposal. [Op-ed, Rep. Grijalva, Arizona Republic, 7/27/11]

Headline: U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar Stunned by Rival’s Fundraising

In April, May and June in 2010 Ann Kirkpatrick shocked Gosar and his Republican allies by “dramatically out-fundraising him.” Kirkpatrick raised $221,289 for the three-month period while Gosar raised only $166,544.

“Kirkpatrick made it clear very early on that she was going to run, and I would have thought that was an imperative for Gosar to raise some money,” said Stuart Rothenberg, a national political analyst. He went on to state “Being outraised has to make national Republican strategists at least nervous. They want their guys to get out of the gate quickly on fundraising.” Rothenberg said Gosar should take the second-quarter results as a wake-up call “to get on the stick” to raise money. [Arizona Republic, 7/19/11]

Falsely Claimed that the Mayo Clinic Would Not Take Medicare

A columnist criticized Gosar in 2011 for issuing a quote claiming that the Mayo Clinic “recently announced it will not take Medicare.” The columnist wrote, “It’s an old story that the Mayo Clinic clarified over a year and a half ago. Out of about 4,000 physicians in the nationwide clinic network, there are five in one office in Glendale who do not accept Medicare payments. The rest of the Mayo Clinic network continues to accept Medicare.” [Columnist, Tom Cantlon, Daily Courier, 7/19/11]

Wrote That Even the Mayo Clinic in Arizona Announced it Would Not Take Medicare

In an op-ed Gosar accused the Obama Administration of cutting Medicare and claimed the Mayo Clinic did not take Medicare. “Former CBO Director Doug Eakin testified this week that Medicare right now ‘no longer guarantees access to care.’ Because of last year’s changes, more doctors won’t take Medicare. So access to Medicare is already being reduced. Even the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, which famously supported the government take-over of healthcare, recently announced it will not take Medicare because of the Medicare panel that will keep payments low.” [Op-ed, Paul Gosar, Daily Courier, 7/15/11]

Said Taxing Jets Would Not Be a Drop in Bucket, Comprehensive Debt Plan was Needed

In 2011, Gosar was joined over 60 members of Congress in signing a letter to the President asking for him to detail his proposal to raise the debt ceiling.

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The letter also called the nation’s spending “out of control” and not a partisan crisis, but instead a national crisis. He went on to state “The Obama Administration has been silent on any comprehensive plan and simply repeats the need to raise taxes on corporate jets. We can tax all corporate jets out of existence, starting with Air Force One. It won’t be a drop in the bucket of a $14.3 trillion debt, a debt that is growing.” [Prescott News, 7/19/11]

Proclaimed Medicare was Fundamentally Flawed; Touted Vote for Republican Budget to End Medicare

Gosar wrote an op-ed and proclaimed “Medicare today is fundamentally flawed.” He accused the Obama Administration and health care reform for cuts.He went on to tout the passage of the Republican budget that he claimed “reformed” Medicare. He wrote, “I am proud to have been counted among those who voted for a solution. This spring, the House of Representatives passed a budget that reformed Medicare for the 21st century and will help continue the program.”

He claimed “You may have heard some disinformation on what this new budget does, so I will set the record straight: It provides every Medicare beneficiary the choice of their own personalized healthcare plan, based on their wants and needs. The sick and low-income seniors who count on the program will have more subsidies in choosing their plan. And no beneficiary can be denied coverage under the plan. This plan does not apply to current beneficiaries older than 55. I strongly believe that everyone should have a choice when it comes to their health insurance.” [Op-ed, Paul Gosar, Daily Courier, 7/15/11]

Criticized for Failing to Admit that Republican Budget Plan Increased Health Costs for Seniors

A columnist criticized Gosar in 2011 for writing an op-ed defending the Republican plan to increase medical costs for seniors. “The Republican Medicare plan vastly increases the amount seniors will have to pay out of pocket over time, up to 70 percent. It also ends all projects in the current law to find ways to reduce the cost of medical care itself. If that’s what you think we should do, then just say so. Then we can openly engage in a public debate about whether that’s what we want to do. We can dig into the consequences, like the fact that cutting Medicare solves nothing for the nation. Seniors will still get sick. It will just be paid for out of impoverishing them, or they’ll go broke on health bills and end up on some form of healthcare for the poor, or they’ll show up at the emergency room. All cutting Medicare does is shift the problem elsewhere.” [Columnist, Tom Cantlon, Daily Courier, 7/19/11]

Opposed Federal Laws to Ensure Laborers Were Paid Prevailing Wages on Federal Construction Projects

In 2011, Gosar opposed the Davis-Bacon Act, which set federal guidelines on wages to be paid on federally funded construction projects. The Arizona Daily Sun reported, “For a bricklayer working in Coconino County, for example, the going rate is $24.62 an hour.” He said “... At a national unemployment rate of 9.3 percent, this is a jobs amendment. Davis-Bacon does not protect the federal government, nor the taxpayer. It only increases the cost to the taxpayer and the federal government by 22 percent.” He went on to say, “There are no studies that show that there is any difference in outcomes. As a contractor and working in contracts, we’re held to the same standards. This is a temporary measure meant

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to help all our small companies and business contractors. It’s also an investment into increasing the number of build-outs of our vital infrastructure projects.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 7/31/11]

Criticized by Arizona Republic for Opposing Flight Proposal that Could Hurt Grand Canyon

In 2011, Gosar was criticized for co-sponsoring legislation to end a proposal to reduce aircraft noise at the Grand Canyon. The paper wrote, “you think the sweetest sound at the Grand Canyon is the buzz of aircraft motor, not nature, then Arizona Congressmen Paul Gosar and Trent Franks are on your side.” Gosar argued that allowing 65,000 air tours a year was too restrictive. The papers said the National Park Service was wrapping up negotiations on the deal when Gosar came in and tried to derail it. The paper said the Grand Canyon played a critical role in Arizona’s economy and should be protected. [Editorial, Arizona Republic, 7/29/11]

Headline: New Arizona congressman may have a Palin problem

In 2011, the Anchorage Daily News reported “Republican Arizona congressman Paul Gosar's decision to hire a pair of staffers closely linked to Sarah Palin has led to resignations and turmoil in his office, writes Politico.” [Anchorage Daily News, 8/4/11]

Gosar’s Office Experienced Turmoil and Turnover

In 2011, the Prescott News reported that Gosar’s office experienced “turnover and turmoil.” Gosar defended himself by saying, “I take enormous pride in having one of the hardest working staffs on the Hill, and our legislative record reflects that. I am not a Washington insider, and neither are the people who work alongside me. We came to Congress to make changes, not to engage in more business as usual.” [Prescott E-News, 8/6/11]

Gosar was Plagued by Staffing Turmoil Emanating from Decision to Hire Staffers with Palin Ties and No Congressional Experience

In 2011, staffing problems at the highest level of Gosar’s office threw his operation into disarray. “Gosar has serious congressional staff issues…It’s a total cluster,” said one Arizona Republican familiar with the operation. E-mails written by former staffers of Gosar’s office implicated the chief of staff Rob Robinson and legislative director Tom Van Flein as the heart of the problem.

Gosar’s decision to hire the pair after he was elected raised doubt from the start. Both men had no congressional experience and both had close ties to Sarah Palin, who boosted Gosar’s campaign with an endorsement. [Politico, 8/3/11]

Gosar’s Former Communications Director Accused his Legislative Director of Looking Out for Palin’s Interests Rather Than Constituents

In 2011, Gosar’s former communications director, Stefani Zimmerman, accused legislative director Tom Van Flein of being disengaged and looking out for Sarah Palin’s interests, rather than the interests of Arizona. Zimmerman described Van Flein as disengaged and preoccupied with Sarah Palin’s. [Politico, 8/3/11]

Gosar’s Former Communications Director Accused his Legislative Director of Working on Palin Speeches on Office Time

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In 2011, Gosar’s former communications director, Stefani Zimmerman, accused legislative director Tom Van Flein of spending office time on Palin and other clients. She wrote that he “relays information the staff discusses with each other to other people like Sarah Palin” and “writes op-eds and speeches without permission, all from Sarah Palin’s point of view,” wrote Zimmerman.

Zimmerman said Van Flein “asks questions that would benefit Sarah, not Paul,” and “advises Paul from a tea party perspective, not Arizona 1st’s perspective,” in meetings. Van Flein, like Palin, “goes rogue…takes meetings, advises Paul, etc., without telling anyone, including Rob,” wrote Zimmerman. “[Tom] is never at his desk, doesn’t do anything for the office, is very disrespectful of every other staffer in the office, is late for work, is gone all day, and leaves early,” wrote Zimmerman. [Politico, 8/3/11]

Gosar’s Former Communications Director Wrote that Staff Leadership Did Not Do Their Jobs

In 2011, Gosar’s former communications director, Stefani Zimmerman, wrote an email to Gosar’s general consultant and complained about his chief of staff Rob Robinson.

She wrote that he “doesn’t take anything seriously, sleeps in the office, won’t sit down and have a budget meeting with the appropriate staff, wont’ sit down and discuss the communications budget with the appropriate staff, does not give the staff guidance in meetings.” She questioned the effectiveness of both Robinson and Van Flein

She went on to criticize Gosar and his chief of staff of considering buying a car together and she wrote that Robinson, “won’t say anything when Paul needs to focus, goes everywhere with Paul but doesn’t loop other staffers in, even though a meeting/contact would be best suited for legislative staff.” [Politico, 8/3/11]

Allegedly Approached by NRCC Chairman Because His Top Aides Were Not Doing Their Jobs

In 2011, The Yellow Sheet Report, an Arizona-based political website, reported that National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions approached Gosar directly, out of concern that “the congressman’s top aides were not doing their jobs.” Gosar’s office faced serious congressional staff issues. In 2011 alone he lost his communications director, Stefani Zimmerman, Tiffany Dinneen, the office’s scheduler and Rachel Aja, a district staffer in Casa Grande. [Politico, 8/3/11]

Gosar’s Fundraising Problems May Be Result of Staff Turmoil and Poor Leadership

In 2011, Gosar’s office faced serious congressional staff issues and the most tangible evidence of the turmoil was Gosar’s paltry bank account. The National Republican Congressional Committee and other GOP consultants who worked on House races believed Gosar’s slow start were a result of staff disorganization and dissension.

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Gosar only raised $169,112 over three months, which followed a dismal $91,012 first-quarter haul. As of June 30, 2011, Gosar had just $138, 392 on hand and $34,121 in debt. A fundraiser for Gosar expressed concern when Dave Cook, cattleman from Globe said he would not contribute because Gosar’s Chief of Staff never responded to him about a concern. [Politico, 8/3/11]

Was Featured in Two PSAs from National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)

In 2011, Gosar “struck political gold” when he was featured on two PSAs. He was featured repeatedly in two public service announcements (PSAs) about mental health and volunteerism, sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB).  The blogger noted that the publicity was free and beneficial in an election year. Joe Dana also asked KPNX-TV General Manager John Misner about the perception that Gosar could be getting generous air time in exchange for his support of current or future issues involving broadcasters. [Blog, Joe Dana, Arizona Republic, 8/3/11]

Biographical

Said He Feared Himself; He was the Enemy

In 2011, Gosar spoke with the Pinal County Supervisors and said, “I was asked a question, who do I fear most, it’s not China, it is not anyone else, it’s me. It’s not anyone else in the world. What I most fear is me. I look in the rear-view mirror and the enemy is me.” [YouTube, PinalCountyAzGov, Summary, 58:30, Uploaded 8/29/11]

Taught to Step in If He Saw People Doing Something Wrong

Gosar was asked, “Who do you look to for inspiration and strength?” He said “I watch my parents and they were an inspiration to me. They always taught us that if you saw something wrong you get involved or you’re as guilty as the people in the wrong. And you go through your full resources of trying to get that done. And I’ve watched them fight their whole lives for…a better America for their kids.” [Meet Your Oversight Watchdogs: Rep. Paul Gosar, 4/1/11]

Budget Issues

Said He was Co-Sponsor of Four Balanced Budget Amendments to the Constitution

In 2011, Gosar said he was a co-sponsor of four balanced budget amendments to the Constitution. Also regarding budgeting, he said that you can’t make a decision without a budget and that Congress must come up with a plan to pay the country’s debts. [Arizona Journal, 8/29/11]

Said Balanced Budget was Only Debt Solution

At a 2011, tea party town hall, Gosar said the only solution to the debt was a balanced budget“I can tell you that as messed up as we are, a balanced budget may be our only salvation,” Gosar said, ”We have to have some common sense for this problem. Now, a lot of people say there’s no chance. I disagree. I do believe that we’re going to get one out of the [U.S.] House [of Representatives]. I can probably guarantee that.” [North Arizona News, 9/5/11]

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Said He Understood You Can’t Spend More Than You Have

In talking about the budget to Pinal County Supervisors Gosar said, I think we all understand that you can’t spend more than you have. [YouTube, PinalCountyAzGov, Summary, 2:32, Uploaded 8/29/11]

Claimed to Be Bipartisan, Said He Even Voted with Pelosi

In talking about the budget to Pinal County Supervisors Gosar claimed to be bipartisan. He said he voted with Pelosi and Weiner at certain points. [YouTube, PinalCountyAzGov, Summary, 2:32, Uploaded 8/29/11]

Released Statement on His Intentions to Support Final Debt Ceiling Deal

In 2011, Gosar released a statement on his intention to vote in support of final debt ceiling deal. His press release read, “Our nation’s debt and spending crisis is like a super tanker. In order to bring a supertanker to a stop, its engines are typically cut off about 15 miles from port. In order to change direction even slightly, the captain has to start the maneuver miles ahead of time. The current bill is a change in direction. But we cannot stop this “supertanker of debt” tonight, in one vote. Our Supertanker of Debt was created over the last 10 years or more. We cannot undo a decade of wasteful spending in one night. I plan on voting for the Budget Control Act tonight even though it is far from perfect…I preferred the Cut, Cap and Balance Act. I heard the people loud and clear. This bill is far from perfect, but it is actually a milestone of progress,” wrote Gosar. [Prescott News, 8/1/11 ]

Wanted Balanced Budget Amendment to Raise Debt Ceiling

In 2011, Gosar said he wanted to see a balanced budget amendment in debt ceiling negations. Gosar said, “History shows us that without this amendment, those drunk with federal spending, those intoxicated with endless borrowing, and those addicted to federal largesse, cannot stop.” [Examiner, 8/1/11]

Said Taxing Jets Would Not Be a Drop in Bucket, Comprehensive Debt Plan was Needed

In 2011, Gosar was joined over 60 members of Congress in signing a letter to the President asking for him to detail his proposal to raise the debt ceiling.

The letter also called the nation’s spending “out of control” and not a partisan crisis, but instead a national crisis. He went on to state “The Obama Administration has been silent on any comprehensive plan and simply repeats the need to raise taxes on corporate jets. We can tax all corporate jets out of existence, starting with Air Force One. It won’t be a drop in the bucket of a $14.3 trillion debt, a debt that is growing.” [Prescott News, 7/19/11]

Cut, Cap, and Balance: “The Plan This Country Needs”

In 2011, Gosar supported Cut, Cap, and Balance in a statement, calling the proposal “the plan this country needs.” Gosar also said the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act “means less government, lower taxes, and more jobs, especially for the next generation, whose futures have been mortgaged by the national debt to the tune of $46,000 each.” [Cronkite News, 7/18/11]

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Backed Cut, Cap and Balance Act; Said Default Wasn’t an Option

In 2011, Gosar voted for the Cut, Cap and Balance Act, calling the day a “milestone” in the process of address the short and long term financial issues facing America. The legislation would increase the debt ceiling and “make immediate cuts of $111 billion, require Congress to approve a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, and require a two-thirds vote of each chamber to approve future tax increases.”

“History shows us that without this amendment, those drunk with federal spending, those intoxicated with endless borrowing, and those addicted to federal largesse, cannot stop. We must stop their profligacy. We did so today,” Gosar said in a press release. [Daily Courier, 7/19/11]

Said Default was “Not an Option”

In 2011, after voting for Cut, Cap and Balance, Gosar blamed the President for not proposing a solution to the nation’s debt problem, but added that default was “not an option.” [Daily Courier, 7/19/11]

Voted for Cut, Cap and Balance, Inflicting Cuts on Social Security and Medicare

In 2011, Gosar backed legislation to slash spending by trillions and require a balanced budget constitutional amendment in exchange for increasing the debt ceiling. Democrats argued that the measure would inflict cuts to Social Security and Medicare. “If previous Congresses had shown fiscal discipline, we would not need a balanced budget amendment,” said Gosar, a co-sponsor of the bill. “But history shows us that without this amendment, those drunk with federal spending, those intoxicated with endless borrowing, and those addicted to federal largesse, cannot stop. We must stop their profligacy. We did so today.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 7/20/11]

Opposed Plan to Allow President to Raise Debt Ceiling

In 2011, Gosar called Senator McConnell’s plan to allow the President to raise the debt ceiling up to $2.5 trillion over the coming year, “patently unconstitutional and unwise.”

“The McConnell proposal abdicates constitutional power from Congress and gives the President the authority to unilaterally raise the debt ceiling in exchange for insufficient spending cuts and a congressional expression of disapproval,” said Gosar. [Arizona Daily Sun, 7/20/11]

Opposed Raising Debt Ceiling

In 2011, Gosar opposed raising the debt ceiling. He said “I was sent to Washington by my constituents with the instructions to rein in federal spending and stop the growth of the deficit. With that in mind, I voted against the bill to raise the debt ceiling. This vote was an important step in our fight to restore fiscal sanity. Earlier this year, the President proposed a budget that would need more than $2 trillion of borrowed money. Tonight, we sent him a message loud and clear—it’s time to get our financial house in order. We now owe over $14.3 trillion in borrowed money, and so we also owe it to ourselves, and our children, to stop the reckless borrowing. This is the time to grow our economy, not our debt. I will continue to support spending cuts and work to create jobs to develop our economy.” [Prescott E-News, 6/1/11]

Representative of Native People Opposed Gosar’s Support for Republican Budget Proposal

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In April 2011, Rep. Hale met with Gosar and discussed his opposition to the Republican budget proposal. “The proposed cuts will greatly impact services to Native people living on and off Indian reservations.  In a time when many are struggling, these cuts will take away the only survival mechanisms available to the most vulnerable of our population,” Hale said. Gosar shared his empathy with the situation in Arizona but said, “There is no money. The federal government is broke.” [Flagstaff Business News, 4/1/11]

Did Not Think There Was a Contingency Plan for the Debt Ceiling

In June 2011, Gosar left a debt ceiling meeting with top White House officials and said he did not think there was a clear plan for the debt ceiling. He said the administration was “betting on Congress to come through and bail them out, that’s what they said.” [The Hill, 6/5/11]

Headline: Budget Protest Held at Gosar’s CG office

In 2011, the TriValley paper reported that people congregated outside of Gosar’s office to protest his vote for the Republican budget. “Carrying signs that read ‘Hands off my Medicare’ and ‘Don’t make us work until we die,’ two Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans volunteers protested outside Republican Rep. Paul Gosar’s Casa Grande office Wednesday morning.”

“We’re here to protect our grandkids,” said Tempe resident Doug Hart, who traveled to Casa Grande to take part in the protest. “What [Gosar] is saying is not to worry about the cuts because the changes won’t affect us. They will only affect our kids and grandkids — that’s who we want to protect.”

Henry Telfer, a Gilbert resident, also traveled to Casa Grande to take part in the demonstration. He said he wanted to help raise awareness of the proposed budget on future generations. “They want to raise the retirement age and privatize Social Security,” he said. Demonstrators also protested in front of Gosar’s other offices in Flagstaff, Prescott and Washington, D.C. [Casa Grande Dispatch, 4/28/11]

Wrote Op-ed Urging Citizens to Provide Input on America’s Debt Problem

In 2011 Gosar wrote “in strong economic times, America has spent money and made promises without looking toward the future. Today, we are no longer in a financial situation that allows the government to make promises and provide for every individual want; rather, now is a time to focus on our nations needs. We can continue down the road we are on, stick our heads in the sand, and pretend that our debt and financial problems will disappear, which will cause our country to go bankrupt and end America as we know it. Or, we can engage in an honest conversation with the American people and work together to turn around this economy, pay down our debt and get our nation back to work.”

He went on to write “It is time we look outside the walls of the Capitol and discuss the financial future of our country with the American people. That is why I voted to open up the discussion with my district and supported base line spending cuts for next year’s budget.” [Op-ed, Paul Gosar, White Mountain Independent, 5/3/11]

Praised Boehner for Listening to House Republicans During 2011 Budget Negotiations

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Gosar said Boehner did a lot of listening to members during the budget negotiations. “The thing I see him doing is listening a lot,” said Gosar, “It’s listening. It’s not telling us. It’s listening.” He said Boehner made sure he had “buy-in” from Republicans during budget negotiations. [ABCNews, 4/20/11]

Pledged to Vote to Increase Debt Ceiling with Spending Reductions

In 2011, Gosar was asked about John Boehner’s negotiations which helped avert a government shutdown, he said the cuts were $315 billion and that was a good thing. We are only control part of the government so I have to give Boehner credit and no one benefits from a government shutdown. This continuing resolution represented Democrats that did not do their business. We got a debt ceiling coming up, so if we take care of business, we are turning the conversation about cutting. This has been one step of the fight. We’re going to have to increase that debt ceiling, but we have to put limits on the debt in the debate…Gosar said he would vote for the debt ceiling if he got something in return. The American people don’t trust Congress and neither do I. I want us to set benchmarks and people can hold us accountable…Our country was founded on guaranteeing our debt. The cuts we’ve made are only slowing the bleeding…We have to look at 2012 and make sure we get the Senate and Presidency back. [News Talk 790, KNST, 4/14/11]

Said President Obama’s Position on Deficit Reduction Delayed Difficult Decisions

In 2011, Gosar was asked about his position on President Obama’s deficit reduction proposal. He said I was upset, Obama wants to kick the can down the roads…Said people in DC had never created jobs as a small business owner. He said government should get out of the way. He said we need government somewhat to make sure we have a field we can all play on. [News Talk 790, KNST, 4/14/11]

Uncomfortable with Administration Proposal to Cut Military Budget

When asked about Obama’s proposal to reduce military spending by about $400 billion by 2023 Gosar indicted that he was not comfortable with the cuts. He said “First right now you’ve got four theaters. It’s pretty kind of impossible to cut that budget when you have four theaters that you’re engaged in. I think it’s inappropriate to put our men and women in harm’s way, that are fighting all over the world.”

He went on to say “As it stands right now with all the theaters that are out there, I think it makes it very, very tough. The military can do its due diligence to try to find waste, fraud and abuse.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 4/15/11]

Said Raising Debt Ceiling was Necessary; Wanted 10% Cuts to Agency Budgets

Gosar said he knew it was necessary to raise the debt ceiling, but in exchange he wanted to cut 10 percent of all agencies budgets. Gosar said “We have to raise the debt ceiling. It’s how we do the debt ceiling that makes a difference to me. This is a credit card. And if you were like any American, anybody in Flagstaff, the credit card should have been cut up.”

He went on to say “What we want to see is the agencies to show us that, for example, pretty much widespread around here all the agencies talk about a 10 percent waste, fraud and abuse. That all agencies cut 10 percent off their budgets by that time. They don’t do it, we don’t bump it.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 4/15/11]

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Voted for Continuing Budget Resolution With $38 Billion in Cuts; Voted for Cuts to Make Sure Military was Paid

In April 2011, Gosar voted for a continuing budget resolution cutting $38 billion. “The Environmental Protection Agency took a $1.6 billion cut. Spending for community health centers was reduced by $600 million, and the Community Development Block Grant program favored by mayors by $950 million more. The National Park Service was cut by $127 million.”

Gosar was asked why he voted for the continuing (budget) resolution. He said “First of all, any time anyone uses the military folks who are in harm’s way as pawns, it’s over. If they weren’t in harm’s way, there might be different outcomes. But they were used specifically as a pawn in that last discussion, and we can’t do that…I’m not willing to risk anything with our military right now who are in harm’s way in four theaters.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 4/15/11]

Touted His Votes to Cut Billions in Spending

In March 2011, Gosar wrote an op-ed that touted his votes to cut billion in spending. He wrote “Indeed, if all of the bills I have voted for were signed into law, we would have slashed several hundreds of billions in wasteful and unnecessary spending. And even that is just a start.”

Gosar said everyone agreed that the budget needed to be cut. [Op-ed, Rep. Gosar, Daily Courier, 4/14/11]

Blamed Senate for Stalemate in Continuing Resolution; Said He was Teaching People Across the America About Fiscal Responsibility

Gosar was asked about the continuing resolution in March 2011, he said people had to understand the difference between a continuing resolution and a budget. He said in a continuing resolution you could only cut a small piece.

We had a contract with America and we came up with a bill that cut $61 billion, that went to the Senate and then there was a stalemate…we are having to teach people across the America what budget 101 is. You’ve only got one chance to save America from financial ruin.

The budget in 2012 is magic folks. The other side is deathly afraid of Paul Ryan’s budget committee. Paul Ryan has said there is going to be a budget. [The Mitch and Joe Show Podcast, Summary, 3/31/11]

Said there was Waste in Government and Block Grants May Need to be Cut

Gosar was asked if the budget could realistically be balanced. He said waste and abuse was part of the equation. When you look at the accounting process the government couldn’t even tell you how agencies reported. Look at the Department of Defense, there has got to be fraud and abuse. When I went to DC it took seven groups of people to hang my television. We’re probably going to have to look at cutting block grants. [The Mitch and Joe Show Podcast, Summary, 3/31/11]

Voted for Legislation to Averted Shutdown to Support Armed Forces

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In 2011, Rep. Gosar said that he voted to continue HR 1463, the short-term/the continuing resolution that averted a shutdown to support continued funding for the armed forces fighting overseas.

Gosar also said that he was very disappointed in both the Senate and the Obama administration for the deficit and their unwillingness to cut spending.

Gosar noted that the deficit should be cut tremendously saying that, “The cuts made with the continuing resolutions are nearly four times greater than any cuts made in American History, but it only slows the bleeding.” [Prescott News, 4/8/11]

Didn’t Believe $60 Billion in Cuts Would Result in Loss of Jobs

Gosar said he would sign onto another CR. “I’m not here to shut down the government, I’m here to reform the process.”

Gosar said he didn’t believe the chief economist at Moody’s Analytics estimate that the Republican plan to cut $60 billion would result in the loss of 700,000 new jobs. Gosar said he did not believe that. [Prescott Daily Courier, 3/14/11]

Said Community Development Block Grants had to be Cut

Gosar said with the interest rates on the countries debt “Everything has to be on the table.” He said “Everybody wants their program saved, and they don’t realize we’re about to lose everything.” He noted that county supervisors expressed disappointment in cuts of Community Development Block Grants. [Prescott Daily Courier, 3/14/11]

Said He Would Vote to Raise Debt Ceiling with Timetable on Cuts

In 2011, Gosar voted for a second continuing resolution to keep the government temporarily operating and said he would vote to raise the debt ceiling. “If I have to vote to raise the debt ceiling, there is going to be a timetable on cuts, there will be benchmarks, and there will be timetables on which they will be done.” It was reported that a failure to raise the debt ceiling would increase the borrowing costs for the government. [Prescott Daily Courier, 3/14/11]

Said It was Time to Washington to Get with the Program When Asked About Ryan Budget

In April 2011, Gosar was asked if the Paul Ryan budget was hard-headed or inhumane? He said it was time for Washington to start telling the truth about the nations finances. He said budget cuts were not easy, but tough choices needed to be made. He said “It is time that Washington get with the program and start talking about what it can and can’t afford.” [The Arena, Politico, 4/5/11]

Voted to Cut $60 Billion from Federal Government

In 2011, Gosar voted to cut $60 billion in federal spending on foreign aid, domestic program and the federal government. [Arizona Daily Sun, 3/18/11]

Said He Voted for Continuing Resolution to Continue to Rein in Spending-Cut $6 Billion

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On March 18, 2011, Gosar issued a statement on his vote for the continuing resolution saying “I voted to cut $6 billion from the government’s budget for the next three weeks.” He wrote, “I was elected to rein in spending and ensure the money we spend is spent wisely- not to shut down the government.” [Rep. Gosar, press release, 3/18/11]

Voted to Temporarily Fund Government Twice

In 2011, Gosar voted to temporarily fund the federal government twice to avoid a government shutdown while budget negotiations continued. [Arizona Daily Sun, 3/18/11]

Criticized the Senate While Voting for Another Stopgap Budget Bill

In 2011, Gosar supported another stopgap bill to keep the government funded through April 8th, while cutting $6 billion. He said he was prepared to give the Senate “a little extra time.”

“Trying to get the Senate to move -- that’s the slowest body in the world,” Gosar said. “I mean, boy, they couldn’t operate a business in the real business world.” [Blog, Post Politics, Washington Post, 3/15/11]

Voted to Cut Budgets for Congressional Offices

Gosar voted to cut budgets of congressional offices. [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/13/11]

Co-Sponsored Bill to Send Unspent Congressional Office Money to U.S. Treasury

Gosar co-sponsored legislation to send unspent congressional office budget money to the U.S. Treasury. [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/13/11]

Refused to Rule Out Government Shut-Down

During an interview with ABC’s Rick Klein, Gosar was asked, “would he vote against a CR and risk government shutdown?” “we’ll see,” said Rep. Gosar. [ABC News, 2/14/11]

Said Sky was not going to Fall if Federal Debt Ceiling wasn’t Raised

In February 2011, Gosar was dismissive of federal entities who said raising the federal debt ceiling was necessary. “We’ve been told the sky is going to fall if we don’t,” he said, “so if we have to raise it, there will be cuts across the board and a timetable put in place.” [Gold Canyon Today, 2/15/11]

Said “Adult Conversation” on Entitlements was required

In February 2011, Gosar said the Obama Administration wanted to continue spending as usual. He criticized Obama’s FY2012 budget request saying it taxed families and small businesses and increased the national debt.

He said spending cuts would require an “adult conversation about our entitlement programs.” [Op-ed, Rep. Gosar, The Hill, 2/16/11]

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Said He Was Making Headway on Meaningful Budget Cuts

In February 2011, Gosar said the President’s budget did not make meaningful cuts and the days if a blank government check was over.

Gosar wrote “My Republican colleagues and I have been making headway. We have worked together to make meaningful cuts and we will continue to listen to the American people and say enough is enough to the big spending ways of the past.” [Official Press Release, Representative Gosar, 2/14/11]

Said Wait and See on Government Shutdown

In February 2011, when asked if he would support a government shutdown Gosar said, “We wait and see. I think, you know, what we’ve done is, we’ve had that adult discussion in our side -- we’ll have that discussion coming about on the [House] floor. And I hope the Senate takes heed of that. And I think there’s plenty of people that are listening over there with eyes wide open.” [ABC News, Top Line, 2/14/11]

Said it was Up to Senate to Cut

In February 2011, Gosar said he had anteed up and “Now we’re putting the onus on the Senate,” to cut the budget.

He said of Obama’s budget proposal “We didn’t have that adult discussion, and it’s -- we’re talking about entitlements and at least putting something on the table and looking at true cuts that really mean something to the American people. I think this was deflating to be honest.” [ABC News, Top Line, 2/14/11]

Said if Debt Ceiling was Raised there would be Across the Board Cuts and a Timetable

In February 2011, Gosar said he did not believe the pressures he faced to raise the federal debt ceiling.

“We’ve been told the sky is going to fall if we don’t,” he said, “so if we have to raise it, there will be cuts across the board and a timetable put in place.” [Gold Canyon Today, 2/15/11]

Said He was Proud to Cut $100 Billion From CR

When the continuing resolution passed in February 2011, Gosar issue a press release saying, “I am proud that under House Republican leadership we were able to cut $100 billion in the next seven months from the FY 2011 continuing resolution with bipartisan support. But let me be clear, this is just a start. Our next step is to focus on the FY 2012 budget.” [Rep. Gosar, press release, 2/19/11]

Said He was Confused on What He was Voting on

Gosar told the Chicago Tribune that during the February 2011, CR debate there was bipartisan confusion and members were striking up conversations, asking each other what each amendment did.

“It thought it was pretty darn cool,” Gosar said. [Chicago Tribune, 2/17/11; LA Times, 2/17/11]

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Welcomed Potential Government Shut-Down

In February 2011, Gosar said he welcomed the debate over the debt ceiling and the risk of a government shutdown saying, “We’ve been told about the doom and gloom about not raising it, and I think there’s a lot of question as to that doom and gloom.” [Bloomberg News, 2/22/11]

Said It Would Take Two to Tango on Government Shut Down

In February 2011, Gosar said, “We’re not here to shut the government down, but it is going to take everyone to tango.” [International Herald Tribune, 2/18/11]

Called Cuts in CR “Token” Cuts; Advocated for Entitlement Reform

In February 2011, Gosar called cuts for college students, the mentally ill and homeless shelters that he voted for “token” cuts.

Gosar said, “You can’t cut enough…You’ve got to address your entitlements,” such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. [LA Times, 3/1/11]

Acknowledged He Would Accept Lower Cuts on CR

In February 2011, Gosar acknowledged that final budget cuts will be less than the $61-billion Republican proposal, but refused to reveal home much less he would accept.

“We’re at that adult moment right now, here it is,” Gosar said. [LA Times, 3/1/11]

Said Both Parties Were Responsible for Failing to Pass Budget

In March 2011, Republicans blamed Democrats for failing to pass a budget bill. Gosar said both parties were responsible for failing to pass a budget “If the only way to cut spending and start living within our means is to hold a vote every two weeks, then that is the route we must take,” he said. [Politico.com, 3/3/11]

Defended Over $60 Billion in Cuts and Said He Targeted the Places That Could Take Hits

In March 2011, when asked about his decision to cut over $60 billion and refuse flood aid in Flag Staff Gosar said, “We have to make these cuts… that are why we went in, and instead of looking at across the board cuts we looked at the places that could take some hits. Plus the no earmark ban, that really is a tough…in regards to flood insurance, water settlements, tariffs, all those little things we didn’t think about and we’ve got to come up with a better solution on that.” [Newsmaker Sunday, FOX News, Part 1, 6:10, 3/6/11]

Wanted to Put Remaining Stimulus Money Toward Paying Off Debt

At a January 2011 town hall Gosar said he would be “creative” with future generations Social Security, “for future generations, we’re going to have to be more creative.”

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He said he would protect currently retired people from Social Security cuts and reward people for working past the retirement age. [Daily Courier, 1/31/11]

Questioned Why Debt Ceiling Needed to Be Raised

Gosar said the push to raise the debt ceiling as “a lot of question as to that doom and gloom,” despite the fact that President Barack Obama, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, and even Republican House Speaker John Boehner all agreed the debt ceiling needed to be raised. Gosar was described as a anti-Washington tea party candidate. [Bloomberg Business Week, 2/3/11]

Had Not Made Up His Mind On Raising Debt Ceiling

At a February 2011 town hall, Gosar said he had not made up his mind on raising the debt ceiling. [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/2/11]

Business and Consumer Issues

Said He Represented a lot of Small Mom and Pop Businesses

Gosar was asked, “you represent a big slice of Arizona, what’s it like?” He said “we got the Grand Canyon; in my district is the top part of the Grand Canyon. In fact when you go from Flagstaff to Phoenix, you go through five micro climates so you’re going a little over 6,000 feet…when you transcend the 140 miles there. But it’s very, very, very, mom and pop, small businesses top to bottom.” [Meet Your Oversight Watchdogs: Rep. Paul Gosar, 4/1/11]

Living In Congressional Office

In January 2011, Gosar announced that he would live in his office for his first term in Congress.

“This becomes very economical from my standpoint. It’s very efficient,” he said. [kpho.com, 1/22/11]

Campaign Finance Issues

Had Fundraiser with Darrell Issa

In 2011, Gosar had a brunch with Congressman Darrell Issa in support of Congressman Gosar’s 2012 campaign. Gosar said, “I am honored to have Congressman Issa join me for brunch and am humbled by his support,” said Congressman Paul Gosar. “With the people of my district concerned about out-of-control government spending, who better to come to our district than Congressman Issa. As the Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Congressman Issa has fought tirelessly for the responsible, transparent use of taxpayer dollars.” [Sonoran Alliance, 9/20/11]

Lagged Behind Kirkpatrick in Fundraising

Gosar lagged behind Kirkpatrick fundraising in second quarter of 2011. “Kirkpatrick previously came on strong in the second quarter, receiving $221,289 in total contributions for April, May and June. Gosar, the

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incumbent, lagged behind with only  $166,544 in total contributions for the three-month period. At that time, Gosar's campaign also reported debt of $34,121.” [Blog, Arizona Republic, 10/4/11]

Gosar Heard Testimony from Campaign Contributor Who Represented National Water Resources Association

In 2011, as a member of the House Natural Resources subcommittee on water and power Gosar heard testimony from Phoenix lawyer Robert Lynch who represented the National Water Resources Association. Lynch testified in support of legislation that Gosar sponsored called the Bureau of Reclamation Small-Conduit Hydro-power Development and Rural Jobs Act of 2011. [Arizona Daily Star, 9/19/11]

Gosar Received Over $2,800 from Lawyer and Lobbyist Robert Lynch

Between 2010 and 2011, Gosar received $2,833 from lawyer and former lobbyist Robert Lynch.

Contributor Occupation Date Amount RecipientLynch, RobertPhoenix, AZ 85004

Self/Attorney 6/9/11 $2,000 Gosar, Paul (R)

Lynch, RobertPhoenix, AZ 85004

Self/Attorney 6/30/11 $500 Gosar, Paul (R)

Lynch, RobertPhoenix, AZ 85004

Self/Attorney 10/29/10 $333 Gosar, Paul (R)

[Open Secrets, accessed 9/19/11]

Robert Lynch was Previously a Registered Lobbyist

In 2009, Robert Lynch was a lobbyist with the Central Arizona Water Conservation District. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 9/20/11; Lobbying Report, Termination Report 12/31/09]

Gosar Received Over $70,000 from Health Care Professionals and Backed Their Bill

In 2011, the Arizona Republic published a report that Gosar got over $70,000 health care professionals and introduced a bill backed by the same group. The story accused House freshmen of vowing to change Washington’s ways, but pushing legislation that could benefit some of their most generous campaign contributors. Gosar got nearly $74,000 in the first six months of 2011 from doctors, dentists and health professionals and proposed a bill to end health-insurance companies’ protection from antitrust provisions, a measure that was applauded by the same health care professionals. Craig Holman of the watchdog group Public Citizen said, “The incoming freshmen have learned business-as-usual on Capitol Hill. They are very quickly moving into the ranks of normal incumbents.” [Arizona Republic, 8/31/11]

Gosar was Tight Knit with Dental Lobby

Gosar’s campaign was successful in part because he fundraised through dental lobbyists and was a member of the American Dental Association’s council on government affairs. [Bloomberg Businessweek, 2/22/11]

Raised Majority of Money from Dentists and American Dental Association

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During his 2010, campaign Gosar raised more than $415,000, nearly all of it from dentists across the country. The American Dental Association’s political action committee spent $10,000 on his campaign. [Arizona Capitol Times, 8/20/10]

Headline: House Freshman Push Bills that Benefit Big Donors

In 2011, the Arizona Republic published a report that Gosar got over $70,000 health care professionals and introduced a bill they same group backed. The story accused House freshmen of vowing to change Washington’s ways, but pushing legislation that could benefit some of their most generous campaign contributors. Gosar got nearly $74,000 in the first six months of 2011 from doctors, dentists and health professionals and proposed a bill to would end health-insurance companies’ protection from antitrust provisions, a measure that was applauded by the same health care professionals. Craig Holman of the watchdog group Public Citizen said, “The incoming freshmen have learned business-as-usual on Capitol Hill. They are very quickly moving into the ranks of normal incumbents.” [Arizona Republic, 8/31/11]

Claimed He Got Money from Health Care Industry Because He was Passionate About Getting Things Done

In 2011, the Arizona Republic published a report that Gosar defended himself against accusations that he took over $70,000 from health care professionals and then backed their bill. He said campaign contributions played no role in his support for a bill to strip health-insurance companies of their protection from federal antitrust scrutiny. The American Dental Association, Gosar’s top contributor this year, was among the groups endorsing the measure and overall, donations from health-care professionals top Gosar’s contributor lists. “They see somebody who is passionate about getting things done,” Gosar said. “I see where problems exist, and I’m not afraid to take on entities to make sure we get a solution process.” [Arizona Republic, 8/31/11]

Touted Bill to Pinal County Supervisors

In talking about the budget to Pinal County Supervisors Gosar touted his health care issue bill and said he had been very active in that arena. [YouTube, PinalCountyAzGov, Summary, 4:30, Uploaded 8/29/11]

Headline: “House freshmen push bills that benefit big donors”

In 2011, USA Today reported that Gosar and other Freshman vowed to change Washington’s ways, but pushed legislation that benefitted some of their most generous campaign contributors. “Gosar would end health insurance companies’ protection from anti-trust provisions, a step applauded by doctors, dentists and health professionals who have donated nearly $74,000 to his campaign in the first six months of this year.” [USA Today, 8/31/11]

Risked Entering 2012 Race Underfunded; Surrounded Self with Palin Insiders Who Were Political Novices

In 2011, the Arizona Capitol Reports reported that Gosar’s re-election fundraising was “floundering” and “he could be in danger of entering a rematch with Kirkpatrick next year woefully underfunded.” A DC

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source said Gosar was not doing the work, “All fundraising is work. You make phone calls, you go to events. You just have to do the work.”

Gosar’s chief of staff was considered a novice. His Chief of Staff Rob Robinson and Legislative Director Tom Van Flein – seemed more occupied with “catering to Sarah Palin,” (Robinson was a dentist in Wasilla, Alaska, and is a political friend of Palin; Van Flein worked as Palin’s attorney from 2008 until he joined Gosar’s staff in January.) A source said “If I were [Gosar], I’d say, ‘I’m on three good committees. I should be having $250,000 quarters. I’m not seeing that. Why?’ The only thing that can save him is a new chief of staff and legislative director who will fight for him and restore order.” [Yellow Sheet Report, Arizona Capitol Reports, 6/15/11]

Paid Thousands in Late Payments on Property Taxes for Dental Practice

From tax year 1999 to 2009, Gosar paid his property taxes late twelve times and incurred a total of $2,928.06 in interest on his delinquent tax payments. Gosar also paid the property taxes on his dental practice late nine times and incurred $2,798.86 in interest on those late payments.  [Coconino County Treasurer, Tax Payments, Parcel 301-23-047, 12/21/99-4/29/10; Parcel 109-07-002A, 12/21/99-5/18/10]

AZ-01: Paul Gosar for Congress April Quarterly Report Analysis

Paul Gosar for Congress April Quarterly Report AnalysisTotal Raised: $91,012.83Raised from PACs: $47,000.00Cash on Hand: $65,069.11Debt: $83,012.29[Paul Gosar for Congress, 2011 April Quarterly FEC Report, Filed 04/15/11]

Received over $28,000 from Dental Interests

In his April Quarterly FEC Report Gosar raised at least $28,450 from dentists, people associated with dentistry and PACs associated with dentistry. [Paul Gosar for Congress, 2011 April Quarterly FEC Report, Filed 04/15/11]

Had a Successful 2010 with Support from Dental Lobbyists. Gosar’s campaign was successful in part because he fundraised through dental lobbyists and was a member of the American Dental Association’s council on government affairs. [Bloomberg Business week, 2/22/11]

Advocated for Bill to Integrate Dentists into Emergency Planning. Gosar spoke in favor of H.R. 570, the Dental Emergency Responder Act, saying the legislation would integrate much needed medical services during an emergency. He said “As a trained dentist, I know that dental students receive a great deal of general medical training during the course of their education.” [Gosar Congressional Records Remarks, 3/9/11]

Spent Several Thousand at the Capitol Hill Club

In 2011, Gosar spent over $2,370.10 at the Capitol Hill Club on eight different occasions. For someone who claims to eat and sleep in his office that sure is a lot of money. [Paul Gosar for Congress, 2011 April Quarterly FEC Report, Filed 04/15/11]

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Voted Against Public Funding for Presidential Elections

Gosar voted to end taxpayer options to send $3 of their tax returns to presidential elections. [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/13/11]

Sheriff Paul Babeu Wrote Fundraising Letter for Gosar

In March 2011, Sheriff Paul Babeu wrote a fundraising letter for Gosar’s re-election. He wrote “Paul is doing a great job for Arizona, and he deserves to win reelection next year. Yesterday, however, Ann Kirkpatrick announced that she is running to get her old job back... and that Paul will face a rematch next year. My friend, nothing could be worse for Arizona and America than allowing Ann Kirkpatrick and Nancy Pelosi to return to power in Washington, DC. That is why I have committed to doing all I can to help Paul win again next year, and why I have personally contributed to his campaign.” [Sheriff Paul Babeu Fundraising Letter, 3/31/11]

Listed His DC and District Office Staff

In January 2011, Gosar released the names of his district and DC office staff. His district office team included Penny Pew, Anthony Smith, Rachel Aja, Julie Schreiner and Larry Renken. His DC office team included Rob Robinson, Tom Van Flein, Stefani Zimmerman, Tiffany Dinneen, Jeremy Harrell, Kelly Maughan Ferguson and Michael Vincent Mansour II. [Official Press Release, Paul Gosar, 1/25/11]

Choice

EMILY’s List Targeted Gosar’s Anti-Women Record

In April 2011, it was reported that EMILY’s List announced that they would targeting Gosar due to his “appallingly anti-woman, anti-family records.” EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock said “considering the strong female Democratic talent in their districts, we’re putting these guys on notice. Clean up your act, or it’s going to be a lousy election day for you.” [The Note, ABC News, 4/5/11]

Co-Sponsored Bill to Prohibit Use of Federal Money for Abortions

Gosar co-sponsored legislation to end the use of federal use of money for abortions, unless the pregnancy would kill the mother or resulted from rape or incest. [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/13/11]

Crime & Public Safety Issues

Said He Wouldn’t Secure Funding for Flagstaff Flood-Control Project

In February 2011, Gosar did not deliver the millions in funding for projects delivered by his predecessor. In February 2011, he said he would write a letter supporting funding for a $65 million flood-control project in Flagstaff. However, he did not agree deliver the funding.

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Gosar stated, “I’m not an earmark guy,” Gosar said. “The City Council is going to be frustrated; the county is going to be frustrated.” [Bloomberg News, 2/22/11]

The Incumbent Gosar Beat Sought Funding for Flood Control Project

In February 2011, Ann Kirkpatrick, the incumbent Gosar defeated, sought funding for the $65 million flood-control project in Flagstaff.

Gosar ran for office promising to slash government spending and dismantle federal regulations. [Bloomberg News, 2/22/11]

Did Not Swear Off All Pork After Vote to Spar COPS Program

In February 2011 Gosar was the only Arizona Republican to support the COPS program, which some House Republicans supported cutting. The program helped pay for local police and Gosar was from a northern mart of Arizona where bringing home the bacon was considered important. “Gosar ran as a ‘tea party’ conservative but apparently hasn’t completely forsworn the other white meat.” [Robert Robb, columnist, Arizona Republic, 3/12/11]

Introduced Legislation for Flood Victims to Receive Retroactive Waiver

Gosar introduced legislation to ensure that residents who purchased flood insurance after the July 20, 2010 floods near the Schultz fire would receive a retroactive waiver to bypass the 30-day waiting period.

“It is absolutely vital that Congress address the Schultz fire disaster and the tragedy that occurred,” Gosar said, according to a written statement. “The federal government bears the responsibility for what happens on federal land. As a result of the Schultz fire, thousands in my community were left unprotected from raging flood waters and had insufficient time to purchase flood insurance. I urge my colleagues in Congress to address this legislation and bring much-needed relief to the families who still remain in danger of hazardous flooding year after year.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 3/8/11]

Committed to Working to Alleviate Flooding in Timberlin

At a February 2011 town hall, Gosar said he would work with federal agencies and hold field hearings “Very, very, very soon” to work to alleviate flooding in Timberlin. Gosar’s townhall included Coconino County Republican Party and members of the Flagstaff Tea Party. [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/2/11]

Earmark Issues

Said it was Not His Job to Bring Home Money for His District

In February 2011, Gosar said he was living up to his campaign pledge of “more freedom, less government.” He said his job was not to bring home the bacon saying, “That’s still part of my job, but I look at it differently,” he said “If we continue the way we’re going right now we’re not going to have any choices down the road. We have to learn to do more with less.” [LA Times, 3/1/11]

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Economic and Financial Issues

Said the Country’s Dire Financial Situation was Created by Everyone in America

In 2011, Gosar said the country’s dire financial situation was not the result of one party or another, but was created by everyone in America. “This isn’t a Republican issue; this isn’t a Democratic issue; this isn’t an independent issue; it’s an American issue,” Gosar said, “and we are all responsible. Every single one of us is responsible for this problem, and until we get everybody on that same page acknowledging they are part of the problem, we can’t solve the problem.” [Easter Arizona Courier, 9/4/11]

Favored Easing Up on Audits for Banks

In 2011, Gosar, opposed quantitative easing to infuse banks with cash in favor of easing up on audits of small community banks. “QE is flooding the market with more money and it’s unacceptable,” Gosar said. “All we’ve seen here is restriction and constriction with community banks,” Gosar said. “They can’t give money unless the Fed allows it. Allowing a person to get a loan is not made at the local level.” [The Hill, 8/26/11]

Defended Debt Ceiling Vote in Meeting with Business and Community Leaders

In 2011, Gosar explained his vote in favor of raising the debt ceiling, which the Arizona Silver Belt called a “subpar solution.” He said, “I wanted to make sure we have commerce again and we can start turning the ship around.” Gosar said a balanced budget was key, “It’s going to get worse,” he warned, saying, “Without jobs, you’re not putting into health care, social security, etc. We all have to take credit for the situation we’re in, including the President who keeps putting blame on others.” [Arizona Silver Belt, 8/24/11]

Said His Legislation Would Create Jobs, Attacked Obama’s Job Creation Plan

In 2011, Gosar claimed he was introducing legislation to create jobs and criticized the President’s job creation proposals. He touted his version of the Resolution Land Swap bill, which he said would create more than 1,000 jobs. He also touted his Salvage Bill, which aimed at creating jobs linked to the salvaging of natural resources left scarred by the disaster. [Arizona Silver Belt, 8/24/11]

Stressed Need to Evaluate Fair Tax

In 2011, Gosar “stressed the need to reform the tax code, proposed the need have experts evaluate the Fair Tax as a possible plan.” [Arizona Silver Belt, 8/24/11]

Advocated for Banks to Restrict Federal Credit

In 2011, Gosar spoke with the Pinal County Supervisors, talked to the rating agencies, and advocated for banks to restrict the credit of the federal government. [YouTube, PinalCountyAzGov, Summary, 16:00, Summary, Uploaded 8/29/11]

Said He Didn’t Trust President on Economy, but Didn’t Blame Him for Status of Economy

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In 2011, Gosar spoke at Eloy’s Robson Ranch and said he didn’t trust the President, particularly when it came to the economy. “Do we trust the president?” Gosar said. “No, we don’t trust him now.” Gosar said it was hard to see where the President was going with the economy, but he didn’t blame the president for the status of the economy. [Eloy Enterprise, 6/16/11]

Said the Stimulus Didn’t Create Jobs

In February 2011, on the two-year anniversary of the stimulus bill Gosar said, “Two years ago today we were made a lot of promises- if Congress passed over a trillion dollars in new spending we’d all have more jobs and more prosperity. We were promised ‘shovel ready’ infrastructure. That is not what happened.” [Rep. Gosar, press release, 2/17/11]

Criticized in Editorial for Laying Off Government Workers and Claiming it Would Spur Economy

An editorial criticized Gosar for saying the federal budget deficit would spur investment and turn the economy around because interest rates were already low. “There’s little doubt that the U.S. federal deficit needs to be reduced, but it is hardly self-evident that such a reduction should come right now.”

The editorial read “Laying off tens of thousands of government workers, as a $60 billion cut would do, simply pulls more buying power out of the economy and creates more uncertainty in corporate boardrooms about when to start borrowing again and how much.” [Editorial, Arizona Daily Sun, 3/8/11]

Backed HR 72 to Create Jobs; Accused Democrats of Over-Regulation

In 2011 floor remarks Gosar said the Democrats in Congress and the President would keep increasing regulations. He said “I don’t take the bureaucrats at their word that, like foxes guarding the henhouse, if you go back and tell them to guard again more carefully, that you are any more likely to have anything other than less chickens in the morning.”

He said he was backing House Resolution 72 because American companies grew when they were incentive and given the opportunity to create jobs. [Gosar Floor Remarks on H Res 72, 2/11/11]

Said Deregulation Would Help Banks

At a February 2011 town hall, Gosar said he was fighting for deregulation, claiming it would help small, community banks offer loans to customers. [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/2/11]

Said He was from a Poor District

In January 2011, Gosar said Arizona continued to face housing problems, “And being from a very poor community, from the district, we see homeowners on the very urge of -- or very brink of catastrophe.” [House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 1/26/11]

Education Issues

Claimed He Fought for Meaningful Education Reform

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In 2011, Gosar claimed that he successfully fought for meaningful education reform. Gosar touted the A-PLUS Act. He wrote, “This Act allows each state the option of receiving the federal funds already allocated to them in a block grant form, to achieve the goals that the state sets forth in a five year performance agreement approved by state officials.” [Op-ed, Rep. Gosar, 9/28/11]

Proposed Letting School Funding Bill Expire; Could Be a “Devastating Blow” to Students

In 2011, Gosar supported letting a federal program expire which would devastate school funding to Yavapai County schools. The Secure Rural Schools Act was set to expire and the GOP proposed scrapping it. The legislation provided funding for schools and roads and Yavapai County received $2.7 million a year. Schools would reportedly take a hit. “This would be a devastating blow to Yavapai County students,” Yavapai County Superintendent of Schools Tim Carter said. Gosar proposed throwing out the current legislation and tying funding to revenues from national forest land. He supported the National Forest County Revenue, Schools and Jobs Act of 2011. [Daily Courier, 9/18/11]

Proposed Letting School Funding Bill Expire; Could Be a “Devastating Blow” to Students

In 2011, Gosar supported letting a federal program expire which would devastate school funding to Yavapai County schools. The Secure Rural Schools Act was set to expire and the GOP proposed scrapping it. The legislation provided funding for schools and roads and Yavapai County received $2.7 million a year. Schools would reportedly take a hit. “This would be a devastating blow to Yavapai County students,” Yavapai County Superintendent of Schools Tim Carter said. Gosar proposed throwing out the current legislation and tying funding to revenues from national forest land. He supported the National Forest County Revenue, Schools and Jobs Act of 2011. [Daily Courier, 9/18/11]

Wanted to Take Money from No Child Left Behind and Use it to Pay Down National Debt

In 2011, Gosar spoke at Eloy’s Robson Ranch and said “No Child Left Behind” was a failure. He said if they could take half of the money from No Child Left Behind, and pay down the debt and take the other half and give it to the schools, there could be serious headway for change. He said half of the money from No Child Left Behind could put an additional $600 dollars per child in the hands of the schools. [Eloy Enterprise, 6/16/11]

Addressed Graduates from America Flagstaff, Stated Continued Education was an Invaluable Tool

In June 2011, Gosar addressed graduates from College-America Flagstaff, and expressed how inspired he was by the graduates. Gosar remarked, “At a time of uncertainty for our nation’s economy and our children’s future, it is so inspiring to be here today. Here before me, I see a group of diverse, vibrant people who have undertaken a vigorous effort to equip themselves with an invaluable tool: continued education.” [College America, Press Release, 6/15/11]

Voted to Cut Funding for College Students, the Homeless and Mentally Ill

In February 2011, Gosar returned to Arizona after he declared there would be no earmark money for a food-control program in Flagstaff. His vote to cut $61 billion from the federal budget also cut 60% of community grants for homeless shelters and food shelves. It left 20 mentally ill and elderly residents in

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danger of losing their public housing aid and threatened to eliminate the AmeriCorps program at Northern Arizona University.

Even financial aids for students at Northern Arizona University and the local public radio station were on the chopping block. [LA Times, 3/1/11]

Energy Issues

Criticized for Blaming Wildfire in Wallow on Environmentalists

A columnist criticized Gosar in 2011 for writing an op-ed that blamed environmentalists for the huge Wallow forest fire. The columnist wrote “In fact, that area is held out as a model of cooperation between environmentalists, government, and forest industries. Starting long before Gosar was in office, and with help from environmentalists, they developed plans to allow forest industries to take the most fire-prone materials, make a profit, minimize cost to government, and leave the forest healthy.” [Columnist, Tom Cantlon, Daily Courier, 7/19/11]

Gosar Wrote Letter Opposing Proposal to Withdraw Mining Claims from Grand Canyon

In 2011, Rep. Grijalva wrote that due, in part to Gosar the Grand Canyon was “under siege from mining claims.” In 2011, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar recommended withdrawing more than 1 million acres around the Canyon from mining claims for the next 20 years. Gosar wrote a May 16 letter to House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings, R-Wash., calling Salazar’s proposal “a serious national-security threat.” Grijalva said that he was betting Gosar would vote for an amendment that said that Interior couldn’t implement Salazar’s proposal. [Op-ed, Rep. Grijalva, Arizona Republic, 7/27/11]

Gosar and Quayle Voted Against Millions for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs

In 2011, Gosar and Quayle voted against an amendment that would have increased funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs by over $24 million by reducing funding for fossil energy research. The amendment failed 179-244. [H R 2354, Vote #544, 7/12/11]

Op-Ed: Thousands of Solar Jobs in Arizona Were Made Possible Through Loan Guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy

In 2011, in an opinion piece, Amanda Ormond, a clean-energy consultant and former director of the state Energy Office called on Gosar to save jobs generated by the solar industry. She argued that it was imperative that Gosar support loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy that help fund renewable energy sources, which was set to expire. Ormond reported that one of the largest solar-power plants in the world running near Gila Bend was set to generate enough energy to power 70,000 homes and employ hundreds of people. In 18 months alone in Arizona companies announced that they would invest more than $500 million and create 2,100 high-tech solar jobs. Ormond wrote “These jobs are made possible through loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy for renewable-energy projects.” [Op-ed, Amanda Ormond, Former Director of the State Energy Office, Arizona Republic, 7/5/11]

Oil Got Tax Breaks While Solar lost Loan Guarantee Program

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In 2011, in an opinion piece, Amanda Ormond, a clean-energy consultant and former director of the state Energy Office said when opponents of loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy for renewable-energy projects said solar should play on a level field with oil that was a false argument. She wrote “Recent congressional hearings have documented the huge subsidies that fossil fuels are set to receive in the next 10 years: at least $21 billion. The playing field is far from level.” [Op-ed, Amanda Ormond, Former Director of the State Energy Office, Arizona Republic, 7/5/11]

The Solar Industry in Arizona was in Jeopardy – Industry Employed 100,000 Nationwide

In 2011, the Arizona Republic reported that solar industry projects such as a massive solar plant in Gila Bend was in jeopardy. A U.S. Treasury grant program that helped solar companies stay alive during the economic downturn was set to expire in December. An Energy Department loan-guarantee program that provided help to Gila Bend, which will be one of the world’s largest solar plants and the Agua Caliente power plant in Yuma County was slated to end in October.

The solar industry grew 67 percent last year - faster than any other U.S. industry – and employed 100,000 people nationwide according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Analysts pointed out that the government subsidized oil, gas, coal and nuclear industries. [Arizona Republic, 6/26/11]

Participated in Congressional Hearing on Future of Navajo Generating Station

In 2011, Gosar was scheduled to participate in a congressional hearing to discuss the Navajo Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant. Defenders of the plan said it provided hundreds of jobs to American Indians. Conservationists argued the plan spewed tons of emissions that clouded the view at the Grand Canyon. The role of the plant was the topic of discussion as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considered whether to require such plants to further reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. [Associated Press, 5/20/11]

Said the Putting the Gulf Back to Work Act Would Lower Gas Prices

In 2011 Gosar advocated for H.R. 1229, the Putting the Gulf Back to Work Act. On the House floor, he said, “The people of my district are hurting. Rising gas prices are cutting deep into family budgets. Food prices are skyrocketing. Communities that are home to destination locations like the Grand Canyon are already bracing themselves for fewer summer visitors because families simply cannot afford to travel.”

He went on to say, “This bill not only would put thousands of Americans back to work, it would increase our production of oil here at home and lower the cost of gas. It is time we put our country back to work and use our resources here at home- instead of abroad. And it is time the government makes a serious commitment towards energy independence and an “all of the above” approach that America wants.” [Prescott E-News, 5/11/11]

Requested Hearing on Navajo Generating Station Regulations

In 2011, Gosar sent a joint letter to the Chairmen of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power and the Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, requesting a hearing regarding the Navajo Generating Station. Gosar said he was concerned about the future of the plant due to regulations.

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“My district faces extremely high unemployment, especially on tribal lands near the Navajo Generating Station. I have requested this hearing so that my colleagues can understand the significant impact the NGS has on our local economy,” says Rep. Gosar. “The plant and associated mine provides nearly 1,000 jobs in Northern Arizona, is critical to the livelihood of the Pinal County and Native American agricultural community, and is essential to supplying water to 80 percent of the state’s population. We must carefully examine regulations that could threaten the State of Arizona’s water and power supply.” [White Mountain Independent, 5/6/11]

Left Possibility Open for Mining Near Grand Canyon

At a February 2011 town hall, Gosar agreed to oppose uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, but said “never say never” to mining near it. [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/2/11]

Said EPA was Regulating the Navajo Generating Station Out of Business

In 2011 floor remarks Gosar said regulations were holding Arizona small businesses back. He gave the example of the Navajo Generating Station and said EPA regulations threatened over 500 jobs. He said “Take, for example, the Navajo Generating Station in my district. They have state-of-the-art technology that makes them one of the cleanest coal power plants in the country. Yet, the EPA says this technology is not good enough. Out-of-touch bureaucrats at the EPA are threatening over 500 high-paying jobs in my district, over 80 percent of which go to the Navajo Nation, where unemployment is approaching 60 percent.” [Gosar Floor Remarks on H Res 72, 2/11/11]

Environmental Issues

Framework for Gosar’s Resolution Copper Bill was Laid Over Six Years by Predecessors

In 2011, Gosar was poised to get Resolution Copper Co. land swap legislation through Congress, but critics said the groundwork for the bill was laid by his predecessors over the past six years. Gosar’s bill was poised to pass due to timing, a Republican majority and his position on the Natural Resources Committee. [Arizona Republic, 9/15/11]

Resolution Copper Bill Did Not Include Some Environmental Protections

In 2011, Gosar was poised to get Resolution Copper Co. land swap legislation through Congress, however, his bill did not include some provisions to protect the environment. The bill did not include a requirement that the project undergo two federal environmental-impact-statement reviews - one for the actual mine and one for the land exchange. Instead, it would require only one review to be done on the impact of the mine itself. [Arizona Republic, 9/15/11]

Gosar Said Everyone, From Lawmakers in Congress to Residents, Were Partly Responsible for the Wallow Fire

In 2011, Gosar assigned blame for the largest wild fires in Arizona history on residents and Congress. “The moment we all admit we’re part of the problem, we can move forward to a solution,” Gosar said.

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Gosar added that he believed tree thinning would help prevent the type of wild fires that burn a substantial amount of land like the Willow Fire. Gosar also said that the community cannot rely on Congress to come up with a solution and the counties should take a larger role in management of the issue. “Washington, D.C., doesn’t have a cornerstone on good ideas,” Gosar said. “In fact, last I checked, they didn’t have many.” [Arizona Republic, 8/11/11]

Touted Amendment to Put 1-Year Moratorium in Naming Endangered Species; Attacked Government Regulations

At a town hall to discuss the Wallow Fire, Gosar commended Rep. Pearce and said government regulations were hurting the U.S. He said government regulations put 20,000 farmers out of work in the San Joaquin Valley of California. “Washington will never change,” he said. “If you wait for legislation to correct these problems, it will never, never happen. You have to change things from the ground up.” He also touted his amendment to the budget bill to put a one-year moratorium on naming additional endangered species. “Twenty seven Republicans voted with the Democrats to remove that one line,” said Gosar and Pearce. [White Mountain Independent, 8/18/11]

Said Everyone, Including Residents Were Responsible for Wildfires

In 2011, Gosar said everyone, from lawmakers to residents in the Eager area were partially responsible for the rampant wildfires. He made the comments at a town hall meeting, blaming federal land management policies that prevented counties from clearing areas to mitigate the wildfire threat. He also advocated increased logging to thin out vulnerable forests. “The moment we all admit we’re part of the problem, we can move forward to a solution,” Gosar said. [Arizona Republic News, 8/11/11]

Gosar and Environmental Groups Clashed over Forest Policy in Light of Forest Fires

In 2011, Gosar advocated for common-sense solutions to forest health in light of rampant wildfires. Gosar co-sponsored legislation to waive many environmental regulations, which either block or slow logging projects. He also co-sponsored legislation, which would prevent courts from awarding plaintiff’s attorney’s fees that are successful in suing over an illegal forest project. Gosar supported the White Mountain Stewardship Project and the Four Forests Restoration Initiative. [Payson Roundup, 8/9/11]

Center for Biological Diversity Worker Refuted Gosar’s Accusation that Wildfires Caused By Environmentalists

In light of forest fires in Arizona, Gosar blamed environmentalists for the wildfires, however, Taylor McKinney of the Center for Biological Diversity disagreed. McKinney said, “Meanwhile, (State Sen. Russell) Pearce and Gosar are fixated on using fires to advance their anti-environmental policy agenda. They’re wrong, and they’re on the wrong track.” McKinney also refuted Gosar’s supposition that lawsuits from conservationist groups had led to the decline of the state’s timber industry. He pointed out that the last lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity was in 2000 and that the lawsuits prior to that had targeted old –growth logging which contributed to the catastrophic Wallow Fire by removing large fire resistant trees and leaving behind flammable underbrush. [Payson Roundup, 8/9/11]

Criticized by Arizona Republic for Opposing Flight Proposal that Could Hurt Grand Canyon

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In 2011, Gosar was criticized for co-sponsoring legislation to end a proposal that would have reduced aircraft noise at the Grand Canyon. The paper wrote, “you think the sweetest sound at the Grand Canyon is the buzz of aircraft motor, not nature, then Arizona Congressmen Paul Gosar and Trent Franks are on your side.” Gosar argued that allowing 65,000 air tours a year was too restrictive. The papers said the National Park Service was wrapping up negotiations on the deal when Gosar came in and tried to derail it. The paper said the Grand Canyon played a critical role in Arizona’s economy and should be protected. [Editorial, Arizona Republic, 7/29/11]

Co-Sponsored Bill that Would Waive Environmental Protection Laws

In 2011, Gosar co-sponsored the National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act, which would give the Department of Homeland Security the power to waive 36 environmental-protection laws while officials patrolled U.S. Borders.

Detractors of the bill said it would give the DHS too much power, giving them immunity to court challenges and possibly the power to waive all environmental laws. Supporters said the legislation loosened restrictions hampered the Border Patrol but Kim Thorsen an Interior Department law enforcement official, said “There is absolutely no restriction for Border Patrol to pursue anyone anywhere on federal lands.” [ABC News 15, 7/08/11; HR 1505]

Inaccurately Implied that Dam Output Decreased to Protect Humpback Chub

In June 2011, the Arizona Republic wrote that Gosar was correct in his assertion that the output of the Glen Canyon Dam’s power output had decreased, but he inaccurately implied that environmental regulations were put in place to protect the humpback chub. “The Glen Canyon Dam’s hydropower generation has decreased by almost one-third, resulting in an average cost of nearly $50 million per year, due to misguided environmental regulations that have failed to significantly protect the humpback chub,” Gosar said.

Gosar was correct in stating that output at the plant had decreased by one-third and as a result, revenue had decreased as well. “But Gosar inaccurately implied that the environmental regulations were put in place primarily or solely to protect the humpback chub. The regulations were designed to protect the ecosystem surrounding the Colorado River, which has been hurt by the construction and operation of the Glen Canyon Dam.” [Arizona Republic, 7/27/11]

Congressional Committee Approved Gosar’s Superior Land Exchange Bill

In 2011, the House Committee on Natural Resources approved Gosar’s land exchange bill, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011, between the federal government and Resolution Copper that would facilitate the company’s mining efforts just outside the town of Superior. According to the company, the copper mine project was expected to create over 2,600 direct and indirect jobs at the mine site.

The bill states that Resolution Copper would receive 2,422 acres of the Oak Flat federal land parcel in Pinal County. The federal government would receive 5,344 acres of land from eight various parcels around Arizona.   A provision in the bill required the government to consult with the Yavapai and Apache

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Indian tribes regarding a management plan for Apache Leap, but the exchange can go forward before consultations with Indian tribes begin. [Gold Canyon Today, 7/27/11]

Support 4-Forests Restoration Initiative to Avoid Wildfires by Turning Wood into Energy

In 2011, Gosar was a witness at an Arizona House committee hearing on wildfires, where he expressed support for the 4-Forests Restoration Initiative. The initiative was designed to provide an alliance between environmentalists, timber companies and local officials to turn trees into energy to avoid wildfires. The Payson Roundup reported that “Gosar’s support in Congress can play a vital role in thinning the bureaucratic thickets that now entangle the plan to reduce tree densities across much of northern Arizona.

The Payson Roundup newspaper advocated for the 4-Forests Restoration Initiative, “The hard-won agreement offers the best hope in a generation that we can restore our forests to a healthy, sustainable condition. We hope Rep. Gosar will focus on that opportunity, rather than return to the bitter legal logjams of the past and at the same time introduce appropriate legislation in Congress that restricts bureaucratic rulemaking.” [Editorial, Payson Roundup, 7/8/11]

Gosar Attacked “Radical Environmentalists” for Wildfires

In 2011, Gosar was a witness at an Arizona House committee hearing on wildfires, he used his testimony to criticize “radical environmentalists” for wildfires. He claimed that their lawsuits played a role in shutting down the timber industry, causing wildfires. The Payson Roundup reported “The Forest Service usually ended up paying the legal fees of its adversaries.” Gosar said he would introduce legislation prevent judges from awarding legal fees to groups that successfully sue to make the federal government enforce its own laws. [Editorial, Payson Roundup, 7/8/11]

Accused Environmentalists of Killing State’s Commercial Timber Industry

In 2011, Gosar testified at the first meeting of a House panel on forest health and said the state’s commercial timber industry needed to be resurrected to deal with thousands of acres of “badly overgrown” forests. Gosar said, “But bureaucratic red tape, preventing the private sector from participating in the stewardship of our public lands, combined with the excessive litigation initiated by some extreme environmental groups, resulted in the loss of Arizona’s timber industry and the jobs provided by the responsible management of our natural resources.” [The Bugle, 7/6/11]

Said He Pushed for Changes to Federal Law to Cap the Legal Fees that Environmental Groups can Collect from Suing the Government

In 2011, Gosar attended the first meeting of a House panel on forest health. He said he was pushing for changes to federal law to cap the legal fees that environmental groups can collect when they successfully sue the government for violating environmental regulations.

He also said, “The federal government is subjugating both states and communities and people instead of working with them.” [The Bugle, 7/6/11]

Blamed “Radical Environmentalists”; Criticized for Over-Simplifying

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In 2011, an editorial from the Arizona Daily Sun took Gosar to task on over-simplifying the wildfire problem by blaming “extreme environmentalists.” At a special meeting of a House panel on forest health convened where Gosar blamed “radical environmentalists” and called for an end to ted tape that would revive the wood products industry by making timber available for harvest again. The paper wrote “It’s important to set the record straight, and if Gosar won’t do it, we will.”

The solution the paper touted was a “multi-dimensional” wildfire approach that involved the Center for Biological Diversity and Sierra Club at the bargaining table. The paper also baked the Four Forests Restoration Initiative. [Editorial, Arizona Daily Sun, 7/7/11]

Said He was Monitoring Key Water Rights Settlement for Navajo Nation

In 2011, Gosar said he was monitoring what Sen. Jon Kyl was doing to help negotiate and shepherd key water rights settlements through Congress. It was reported that the price tag was roughly $800 million and the political climate threatened the deal. Gosar’s district included the Navajo Nation. [Green Field Reporter, 5/16/11]

Called for Commonsense Policies to Get Wildfires Under Control

In June 2011, the Arizona Republic reported on the Wallow Fire in eastern Arizona, Gosar blamed the wildfires on mismanagement of our forests. State and federal officials, working with conservation groups planned to thin 1 million acres of forest. In an interview Gosar, said that “we’ve mismanaged our forests” and called for a return to “commonsense” policies in which commercial logging could resume Any endangered species in the path of the fire, he said, “have been roasted.” [Arizona Republic, 6/5/11]

Writer Said Wildfires Were Caused in Part by Environmentalists; Wrote that Gosar Pushed Project to Thin Forest

In 2011, in an opinion piece, David Roberts with the White Mountain Independent discussed the harm that had been done to the environment from previous wildfires, and the fact some of the fires were preventable. He noted, “It is apparently OK for environmentalists to ignore, or worse, destroy the families of those involved in the timber industry in eastern Arizona, an area with 2.5 million acres of timber for wildlife, but it’s not okay for those loggers to take trees that might - might - have been needed for the Spotted Owl. The resulting choking of our forests with overgrowth, undergrowth and detritus led to the Rodeo-Chediski fire… The result of the foot-dragging is that a 2009 Request For Proposal, the first step in every government contract, was pushed through by Congressman Paul Gosar just last week, and only then because of his rapport with USFS chief Tom Tidwell.” [Editorial, White Mountain Independent, 6/13/11]

Expressed Frustration Over the Lack of Plan to Confront Easter Arizona Wildfires

In June 2011, when he addressed the Wallow Fire in eastern Arizona, Gosar stated “We knew this problem was coming, and we’re not moving fast enough . . . Where is the common sense? Why does it take a catastrophe of this magnitude to get us to this point?” According to The Arizona Republic, “A plan to thin about 1 million acres of national-forest land over 20 years has brought together government agencies, environmental groups, scientists and private industry. . . . Gosar and others are frustrated by the environmental reviews required by federal law before projects such as Four Forests can take place on public lands. He also fears lawsuits by environmental groups trying to stop forest thinning, legal actions he called inappropriate given what’s at stake.” [Arizona Republic, 6/12/11]

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Expressed Frustration Over the Lack of Plan to Confront Easter Arizona Wildfires

In June 2011, when he addressed the Wallow Fire in eastern Arizona, Gosar stated “We knew this problem was coming, and we’re not moving fast enough . . . Where is the common sense? Why does it take a catastrophe of this magnitude to get us to this point?” According to The Arizona Republic, “A plan to thin about 1 million acres of national-forest land over 20 years has brought together government agencies, environmental groups, scientists and private industry. . . . Gosar and others are frustrated by the environmental reviews required by federal law before projects such as Four Forests can take place on public lands. He also fears lawsuits by environmental groups trying to stop forest thinning, legal actions he called inappropriate given what’s at stake.” [Arizona Republic, 6/12/11]

Introduced Land Exchange Bill that Would Allow Copper Mining in Southeast Arizona; He Argued the Legislation Would Create Jobs

In 2011, Gosar introduced the 10th version of the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act, to introduce copper mining in southeastern Arizona. According to the Arizona Daily Star, “Gosar calls it a jobs bill, saying the land exchange would create more than 1,000 jobs and have an estimated annual economic impact of $800 million.” According to a report commissioned by Resolution Copper, “the total economic impact of the mine they hope to open after the exchange to be $46.4 billion. It says the mine would be active for 66 years.” Critics argued the plan will cause environmental harm to the land that Resolution Copper that is not offset by the land exchanged with the government, and the land acquired by Resolution Copper is important culturally to Native Americans. [Arizona Daily Star, 6/13/11]

Pinal County Supervisor Martyn Spoke to House Subcommittee in Support of Gosar’s Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act

In June 2011, in support of Representative Gosar’s Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011, Pinal County Supervisor Bryan Martyn spoke to House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. Martyn stated “This project alone will yield more than $8 billion in new revenue to the federal treasury and another $2 billion to state, county and local governments,” Martyn testified. “The average annual projected pay is slated to be approximately $70,000 per year for a county that has double digit unemployment and an average wage that is less than half of what Resolution Copper will provide its employees.” [San Tan Valley Today, 6/14/11]

Opposed Expansion of Clean Water Act

In 2011, Gosar signed on to a letter sent to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers to oppose expansions of the Clean Water Act.

Gosar said, “This is just another example of the Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to circumvent Congress and develop rules and regulations that far exceed the authority granted to the agency under existing public law,” said Gosar. “In addition, these rules and regulations are being developed without transparency and with little consideration for the negative impacts they may impose on our local economies.” [Rep. Gosar, press release, 4/19/11]

Said There was Only One Problem with One Well in Gulf of Mexico; Advocated for More Drilling

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In 2011, Gosar was asked about the bills he was backing to lower gas prices. He said we’ve had a moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico and we’ve restricted the wells, even though there was only one problem with one well. So the more production the more availability we have. This administration picks winners and losers, we have no position to lose coal or oil. We need an all of the above energy plan. [News Talk 790, KNST, 4/14/11]

Touted Votes in Committee to Increase Drilling off Coast

In 2011, Gosar House Natural Resources Committees vote in favor of three offshore energy bills to increase American production. Gosar touted his votes in committee for .R. 1229, H.R. 1230, and H.R. 1231, to increase offshore drilling.

“Rising gas prices are destroying local family budgets that are already stretched too thin,” said Gosar. “My constituents are being hit by rising gas prices twice, once at the pump and then again at the store where he cost of items such as milk, eggs, and bread are skyrocketing because of the underlying fuel costs. In addition, rising gas prices have a significant impact on family travel during the summer season.” [Rep. Tipton, press release, 4/14/11]

Said National Parks were Vital to Economy during National Park Week

Gosar touted National Park Week in April 2011. He encouraged everyone to discover a National Park. “National Parks are one our countries true natural treasures and serve as a vital aspect of the American economy,” Gosar said. [Prescott News, 4/16/11]

Voted to Cut Funding for Arizona National Parks

Gosar voted to for an amendment to cut the Land and Water Conservation Fund by 90%. The Obama administration ensured that money from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund was used to benefit Arizona national parks, said Kevin Dahl, Arizona program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association. [League of Conservation Voters, National Environmental Scorecard, 2/11; Arizona Republic, 11/5/09]

Voted to Cut $127 million from the National Park Service.

Gosar voted in April 2011 on a continuing budget resolution that cut $127 million from the National Park Service. [Arizona Daily Sun, 4/15/11]

Voted Against Regulation of Greenhouse Gases

In 2011, Gosar voted prohibit the new regulation of some greenhouse gases. [Arizona Daily Sun, 3/18/11]

Ethics Issues

Gosar’s Legislative Aide Worked at Lobbying Firm on Labor and Tribal Issues

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In June 2011, Gosar’s legislative aide, Kelly Ferguson, revealed that before working for Gosar, she had worked for a lobbying firm doing “anything and everything.”

She said she got “to know a little bit about a lot of things” which included labor and tribal affairs. After her stint at the firm, she thought it was time for a change and became Gosar’s aide. [The Hill, 6/8/11]

Urged Constituents to Hold Him Accountable

At a January 2011 town hall Gosar said “Hold us accountable,” and added “If you’re not at the table, you’re going to be served at the table.” [Daily Courier, 1/31/11]

Said All Bills Needed Sunset Clause

At a January 2011 town hall Gosar said on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform he would force bureaucrats to defend policies and said that all bills should have a sunset clause. [Daily Courier, 1/31/11]

First Responder Issues

Voted for Budget that Could Hurt Forest Fire Prevention Measures

In 2011, Gosar voted for the Republican budget that cuts the Forest Service’s budget by 12 percent and hurt fire prevention measures. The New Forest Supervisor Betty Mathews said the prescribed burning program was meant to bring the forest back to a more natural state after decades of fire suppression in the 20th century. However, the work was limited by federal appropriations, which could drop in the coming year. The budget bill approved by the House of Representatives, for example, cuts the Forest Service’s budget by 12 percent, Mathews said. Gosar voted in favor of the budget. [Daily Courier, 9/26/11]

Advocated for Bill to Integrate Dentists into Emergency Planning

Gosar spoke in favor of H.R. 570, the Dental Emergency Responder Act, saying the legislation would integrate much needed medical services during an emergency. He said “As a trained dentist, I know that dental students receive a great deal of general medical training during the course of their education.” [Gosar Congressional Records Remarks, 3/9/11]

Flooding Issues

Claimed Federal Funds Mismanaged in Rio de Flag Flood Project

At a 2011, tea party town hall, Gosar said he saw an example of mismanagement of federal funds in the Rio de Flag flood project. “One of the questions we’ve asked about is administrative costs,” Gosar said. ”I’ll give you a quick example. We’ve got the Rio de Flag flood project, this canal project. Flagstaff was given $3 million. Out of those $3 million, they got to use $1 million. The administrative costs for the government Corp of Engineers was 66 percent. They took $2 million.” [North Arizona News, 9/5/11]

Said He Had an Action Plan to Help Avoid Flooding in District in Summer

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Gosar was asked what he was doing to avoid flooding in his district in Arizona in the summer. He said, the first thing we did is we used the opportunity in committee to highlight the Shultz fire. Then we were able to get the head of the forest service to come out and help in Arizona. The first thing is to inform the hierarchy and our action plan…we’re also trying to get the community involved. We put forth the bill to make sure we got a waiver for the flood protection. Last but not least is looking creatively at redirecting water to help get this achieved. [The Mitch and Joe Show Podcast, Summary, 3/31/11]

Said His District Needed Federal Funding on Flooding and He was Bothering the Leadership to Come Up with a Process to Fund Projects

Gosar was asked what role the federal government had in helping out with the costs of flooding issues, the city of Flagstaff had asked for federal assistance for years. He said well there are no more earmarks. We have a moratorium on earmarks, but our water settlements, our infrastructure and our roads all are funded by earmarks, that’s the only process Congress knows. So we have to have some reform in regards to that because infrastructure is a part of commerce that the federal government has power over. So we’ve been bothering the leadership and the hierarchy to come up with a transparent process that allows us to do some of these projects. [The Mitch and Joe Show Podcast, Summary, 3/31/11]

Promised Materials, Machinery and Expertise to Help Avoid Flooding in Schultz

In 2011, Gosar flew over areas that were flooded due to the Schultz fire. The U.S. Forest Service representative was short on specifics as to how he would help mitigate the risk of flooding. Gosar pledged to help neighborhood associations with materials, machinery and expertise to avoid flooding. [Arizona Daily Sun, 3/29/11]

Criticized for Living Outside Flood Zone and Failing to Dedicate Money to Flood Relief

In an editorial in 2011the Arizona Daily Sun criticized Gosar and the U.S. Forest Service on flood relief assistance. The editorial said the downstream flood zone in Timberline and Doney Park needed a full partner in flood relief effort. The article also pointed out that flood relief could cost as much as $15 million and criticized Gosar for failing to aid in funding efforts and pointed out that he lived Doney Park outside the flood zone. [Editorial, Arizona Daily Sun, 3/30/11]

Shutdown Would Have Delayed Publication of a Computer Model Northern Arizona Groundwater Systems

In April 2011, it was reported that a shut-down would delay hold up the publication of a computer model detailing northern Arizona groundwater systems. The Prescott Daily Courier reported “The Northern Arizona Regional Groundwater Flow Model - the largest and most advanced of its kind in the state - will help local governments understand the impacts of their potential decisions on valuable water supplies.” [Prescott Daily Courier, 4/7/11]

Foreign Policy Issues – Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea

Said He Recognized Vital Relationship Between U.S. and Israel

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After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu spoke to Congress, Gosar said “I was privileged to attend a joint session of Congress as it received Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who gave an inspirational address. Like many of my colleagues, I recognize the vital relationship the United States has with Israel. As stated by the Prime Minister, Israel is the one country in that region we do not need to send troops to in order to protect—it protects itself, and it is the one country that has adopted and engaged in true democracy. I remain committed to Israel as a key U.S. ally.” [Prescott E-News, 5/24/11]

Gun Issues

Proposed Undoing Restrictions on Carrying Firearms on Land Owned by Army Corps of Engineers

In 2011, Gosar’s proposal to undo restrictions on carrying firearms on land owned by the Army Corps of Engineers passed in the House. Gosar said, “Currently, as a result of law passed in the 111th Congress, a person licensed by a state to carry a personal sidearm for personal defense can carry that weapon in a national park or refuge. Prior to 2009, our own federal government trampled the Second Amendment and prohibited citizens from protecting themselves in some of the most dangerous remote lands we have. The ability to carry a firearm in case of emergency is imperative. Later we learned that when Congress changed the law, the bill language omitted the Army Corps of Engineers, creating confusion and uncertainty.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 7/31/11]

Health Care Issues

Financed By Healthcare Industry and Backed Their Legislation

In 2011, the Arizona Sun reported on the USA Today story that highlighted the fact that Gosar was financed the health care industry and supported their bill. The legislation Gosar introduced mandated that insurance companies compete with each other, taking away their exemption from federal anti-trust laws. While doctors, dentists and other health professionals back the legislation, they also contributed $84,000 to his campaign. [Arizona Daily Sun, 9/20/11]

Toured Substance Abuse Clinic; Voted to Cut Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

In 2011, Gosar toured the West Yavapai Guidance Clinic, which provided substance abuse treatment to residents. In 2010 alone the agency served 7,310 people of all ages, the majority of whom qualified for health care services through Medicaid. [Prescott News, 3/15/11]

Voted to Take $96 Million Away from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Congresswoman Paul Gosar Several Weeks Ago: Voted to take $96 million away from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services. [HR 1, Vote #147 , 2/19/11; Inside Tucson Business, Op-ed, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, 2/25/11]

Introduced Legislation Prohibiting Insurance Companies from Price Setting

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In 2011, Gosar supported introduced H.R. 1150, The Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act of 2011 to repeal legislation which exempted insurance companies from federal anti-trust laws. The legislation prohibited class action lawsuits against insurance companies for violations of anti-trust law.

Gosar said, “Insurance companies should not be given special exemptions over any other industry- they too must learn to compete in the marketplace so that the patient has more affordable options and better access to care.” [Rep. Gosar, press release, 3/18/11; Arizona Daily Sun, 3/18/11]

Said Healthcare Reform was Wrong; Introduced Legislation End Anti-Competitive Practices of Insurance Companies

In 2011, Gosar said one year after the health care bill was passed he still firmly believe it was wrong for the country.

“As a Dentist, I firmly believe that this is wrong and that is exactly why I voted to repeal the bill. I believe that we must implement health care reform that is patient centered. That is why I introduced a bill that would end the anti-competitive practices of insurance companies and will also aid in tort reform. We can improve our health care system, but I believe we can do so without a bureaucrat dictating your personal health care decisions.” [Rep. Gosar, press release, 3/24/11; Dr. Gosar speaks on the one year anniversary of Obamacare, YouTube, 3/23/11]

Co-Sponsored Bill Limit Awards Patients Could Collect from Medical Providers

Gosar co-sponsored legislation to “limit patients’ rights to collect after successful lawsuits against medical providers, by setting time limits for lawsuits and limiting damages awarded.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/13/11]

Co-Sponsored Bill to Repeal Health Care Legislation

Gosar co-sponsored legislation to repeal health care reform. [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/13/11]

Used Triage on Children’s Minor Injuries to Hold Costs Down

Since Gosar turned down federal health care, he said he used his medical training to triage his children’s minor injuries and holds down his costs. [Washington Post, 2/14/11]

Touted Vote for Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act

Gosar said he was proud to vote in favor of The Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act to do away with the 1099 provision in the health care reform bill.

Gosar said, “I am proud that the House voted in favor of H.R. 4, to repeal the 1099 provisions forced into law by last year’s health care bill.” [Rep. Gosar, press release, 3/4/11]

Would Not Answer Questions About Gov. Brewer’s Removal of People from Medicaid

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At a February 2011 town hall, Gosar refused to directly answer questions about Gov. Brewer’s scheme to seek a waiver to remove 280,000 Arizonans from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Arizona’s version of Medicaid.

He said “We’ve mandated services without providing funding.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/2/11]

Called Veterans Medical System Wasteful

At a February 2011 town hall, Gosar said veterans were forced to drive past rural hospitals to get medical treatments in either Prescott or Phoenix. [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/2/11]

Criticized Insurers for Anti-Competitive Practices

At a February 2011 town hall, Gosar said insurance companies were anti-competitive, lacked choice and limited peoples abilities to take insurance across state lines. [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/2/11]

Said Flaw in Medicare Is You Are Forced to Sign-Up

At a February 2011 town hall, Gosar said a flaw in the system for seniors was that seniors were forced to sign up for Medicare. [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/2/11]

Said Obamacare Put Bureaucrats Between You And Your Health Care

At a February 2011 town hall, Gosar referred to health care reform as Obamacare saying “The fundamental flaw of Obamacare is that it puts a bureaucrat between you and your health care.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/2/11]

Called 2010 Healthcare Reform “Onerous”

In a 2011 op-ed, Gosar called healthcare reform passed in 2010 “onerous”:

“Tomorrow the House will vote to repeal the onerous health care law. This law represents one of the largest government takeovers of a major sector of the economy—health care. Make no mistake, reforms are needed. But the law passed last year, consisting of 2,200 pages that went unread by many members of Congress, creates far more problems than it tried to solve.” [The Hill, 1/18/11]

Supported Repealing Anti-Trust Exemption for Insurance Companies

In 2011, Gosar supported the repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act, which exempted the insurance industry from federal antitrust law: [New York Times, 6/03/87]

“I was one of the dentists that came to Capitol Hill and talked to lawmakers about the importance of repealing the McCarran-Ferguson Act. The House voted to repeal this Act last Congress on a 406-19 vote, but the Senate failed to take it up. As a Member of Congress, I am going to push to ensure that the Act is repealed so that insurance companies

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are forced to operate on a free-market based system and competition is allowed across state lines.” [The Hill, 1/18/11]

Said He Would Keep His Own Private Health Insurance Plan

In 2011, Gosar said that he keep his own private health insurance plan.

He also said he will not sign up his family for federal health insurance since he wants to dismantle health care legislation, adding that members of Congress should not vote for laws they don’t want for themselves, and vice versa. [Daily Courier, 1/06/11]

Homeland Security Issues

Voted for Patriot Act

Gosar voted to extend some provisions of the Patriot Act, allowing electronic surveillance (measure failed). [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/13/11]

Immigration and Border Issues

Criticized Obama on Illegal Immigration

In 2011, Gosar criticized the president on illegal immigration. In response to a question about Arizona SB-1070, Gosar said that President Obama’s executive order regarding illegal aliens is inappropriate. He was highly critical of the failed plan to allow weapons to be sold illegally in an attempt to get to Mexican drug cartels. He described the whole process as terribly planned and put into operation. The plan has done damage in both the U.S. and Mexico. [Arizona Journal, 8/29/11]

Visited Border and Said the Border was Porous

Gosar was asked about his tour of the Southern border with Senator McCain. He said he looked at border security and infrastructure. We also went to Douglas and Yuma and then hearing from the people on the ground…We’re being flooded. We can’t close the border to commerce…The problem is we are still a porous entry. [The Mitch and Joe Show Podcast, Summary, 3/31/11]

Said in Order for Comprehensive Immigration Reform to Occur the Border Needed to be Secured

When asked why Comprehensive Immigration Reform was a dirty word Gosar said the border needed to be secure in order for Comprehensive Immigration Reform to occur. What has to happen is a series of promises kept. [The Mitch and Joe Show Podcast, Summary, 3/31/11]

Disappointed Appeals Court Upheld Justice’s Challenge to Arizona’s Immigration Law

In April 2011, Gosar expressed his disappointment when the Appeals Court upheld the Department of Justice’s challenge of Arizona’s immigration law. He said “I am disappointed that rather than enforcing

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the laws on the books, the federal government is wasting time and resources suing the state of Arizona. The federal government is supposed to defend and protect the people of Arizona; rather, they are ignoring their duty to secure our border. Enough is enough- it is time for the Administration to be a leader and step up to the plate and defend the people of Arizona.” [Rep. Gosar, press release, 4/12/11]

Flip Flop: Accused the Administration of Decreasing Security at Border While Voting to Cut Border Security

FLIP: In March 2011, Gosar visited the border with Senator McCain and Congressmen Flake, Quayle and Schweikert. He said he “personally inspected several ports of entry into Arizona, including rural areas along the border and residential communities. One thing became very clear- the people of Arizona are far from being safe and secure on the border. More troubling is the recent decision by the Administration to unilaterally withdraw the National Guard troops from the border. Although the threat level is increasing, the Administration is decreasing our security efforts. This makes no sense. The personnel on the border are already stretched too thin - we cannot take away this vital resource from our brave men and women who serve and are vigilantly working to keep Arizona safe.” [Prescott eNews, 3/27/11]

FLOP: During the election, Gosar supported a plan to slash border security funds by sixty million dollars. During his time in office he has already voted to eliminate $243 million for border surveillance technology. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-S7afttdKw&playnext=1&videos=rRXq7d1uVeI, loaded 8/06/10; HR 1, Vote #147 , 2/19/11]

Said 14th Amendment Didn’t Allocate Citizenship Rights

In February 2011, Gosar claimed the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution did not allocate citizenship rights the children of illegal immigrants.

“If you have no jurisdiction in this country, then you are not an American,” he argued. [Gold Canyon Today, 2/15/11]

Argued 14th Amendment Doesn’t Apply to Children from Illegal’s

In February 2011, Gosar said the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution did not allocate citizenship to children of illegal immigrants.

“If you have no jurisdiction in this country, then you are not an American,” he argued. [Gold Canyon Today, 2/15/11]

Gosar Supported Slashing Border Funds

During the election, Gosar supported a plan to slash border security funds by sixty million dollars. During his time in office he has already voted to eliminate $243 million for border surveillance technology. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-S7afttdKw&playnext=1&videos=rRXq7d1uVeI, loaded 8/06/10; HR 1, Vote #147 , 2/19/11]

Israel

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Jobs

Said Arizona’s Natural Resources Could Create Jobs

In 2011, Gosar said jobs needed to be created and the federal government needed to be cut. “We’ve got forests; we’ve got mining; we’ve got copper; we’ve got coal; we’ve got water, and, if you think about it, Phoenix and Tucson are subservient to us,” Gosar said. He said jobs could be created through the Navajo Generating Station. “If we use our natural resources in a stewardship way, we create more jobs,” Gosar said. “In the state of Arizona, for every natural resource job you create, you get up to 19 service industry jobs.” [Easter Arizona Courier, 9/4/11]

Reaction to Obama’s Job Speech: Government Doesn’t Create Jobs

In 2011, Gosar reacted to President Obama’s job speech by asserting that government didn’t create jobs. “Real jobs start from the empowering the private sector, not the government,” he said.

He went on to say, “We are suffering from a massive debt from prior plans just like the President outlined this evening. This is just another failed stimulus plan; I call it ‘Son of Stimulus.’” [Editorial, White Mountain Independent, 9/13/11]

Accused Administration of Creating Job-Killing Regulations

In response to the President’s September 2011 jobs speech Gosar accused the administration of continuing to print job-killing regulations. Gosar advocated for “Expanding a copper mine in the southern part of his district (Superior), to create the largest copper mine in North America (and the bill appears close to approval in the House); Exempting small hydropower units from environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act; Reducing the authority of the National Labor Relations Board.” He also signed on to ideas such as “Tapping more domestic oil and natural gas; Increasing U.S. mining; Promoting farming, ranching and logging; Prohibiting taxes on gases responsible for climate change. [Arizona Daily Sun, 9/20/11]

Headline: Paul Gosar and house colleagues pass job creation bill

In 2011, Gosar voted for H.R. 2587, the Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act. The bill was designed to rein in executive agencies. [KVOA, 9/15/11]

Opposed Federal Laws to Ensure Laborers Were Paid Prevailing Wages on Federal Construction Projects

In 2011, Gosar opposed the Davis-Bacon Act, which set federal guidelines on wages to be paid on federally funded construction projects. The Arizona Daily Sun reported, “For a bricklayer working in Coconino County, for example, the going rate is $24.62 an hour.” Gosar said “... At a national unemployment rate of 9.3 percent, this is a jobs amendment. Davis-Bacon does not protect the federal government, nor the taxpayer. It only increases the cost to the taxpayer and the federal government by 22 percent.” He went on to say, “There are no studies that show that there is any difference in outcomes. As a contractor and working in contracts, we’re held to the same standards. This is a temporary measure meant

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to help all our small companies and business contractors. It’s also an investment into increasing the number of build-outs of our vital infrastructure projects.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 7/31/11]

Criticized for Not Getting Involved in Forest Initiative that Could be Shut Down and Cost 300 Jobs In 2011 Gosar met with the natural Resources Committee in his district to learn about the wind, water, coal, and timber resources in the district. The committee members said the U.S. Forest Service spent millions of dollars to rebuild a forestry industry and they were getting the rug jerked out from under them. The project to conserve the forest was being scaled back and would likely not be renewed. A similar project, the Four Forests Restoration Initiative (4FRI) also lost funding. A partner of Future Forest LLC said “Shutting down the Future Forest initiative here…is the economic equivalent of shutting an Air Force base in the Valley. It would cost at least 300 jobs directly, with little estimate of how many service jobs would follow.” Gosar indicated that he would call a hearing on the issue in Washington. [White Mountain Independent, 4/25/11]

Touted Legislation to Facilitate Land Exchange Between Resolution Copper and Federal Government as Job Creator

In 2011, Gosar introduced H.R. 1904, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011 to facilitate a land exchange between Resolution Copper and the federal government. Gosar’s office said a study commissioned when copper was priced around $1.30 per lb (the current price is over $4.00) showed that the agreement would create over 1,000 jobs and have an economic impact of over $800 million. In a statement from his office, Gosar said the federal government would gain over $8 billion dollars in revenues over the life of the project. [Gold Canyon Today, 5/31/11]

Former Minor Said Gosar’s Land Deal was More Environmentally Damaging with Less Benefit than Former Congressman’s Proposal

In 2011, Gosar introduced legislation similar to what former Congressman Renzi proposed to develop a copper mine near Superior. The Arizona Republic reported that in Gosar’s legislation “Resolution Copper would trade about 5,000 acres of private land to the government for Oak Flat, a 2,400-acre piece of Tonto National Forest that is thought to contain the world’s third-largest undeveloped source of copper ore.” There was opposition to the proposal. Roy Chavez, a former miner who previously served as Superior’s mayor and town manager, said the bill advanced by Gosar would be more environmentally damaging, with less benefit to the public, than Renzi’s failed legislation.[Arizona Republic, 6/2/11]

When Asked About Job Programs Gosar Said There Were Some Good Ones That Needed to be Looked at

In 2011, at a town hall Gosar was asked, “back in the day, we had programs that were effective…East side of town we had WPA or WPA model. And nobody was on unemployment. If you need a job, you’re saving the town in which you work and you earn money. And we’re talking about efficiency as far as what we do with the American dollar, the federal dollar. But these programs don’t exist anymore, that I know of. You know, what do we have to do to earn an honest dollar?

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Gosar said, “Well and there’s plenty of different ideas that are out there. You bring up some really good ones. CCC is another one. These are things we have to go back and start looking at.” [Think Progress, 5/21/11]

Focused on Postal Service Study that Could Shift Flagstaff Jobs

In 2011, Gosar said he was keeping an eye on a study that could shift Flagstaff post offices jobs. The study was focused on moving some Flagstaff postal service jobs to the Valley.

A spokesperson for Gosar, Stefani Zimmerman, said the congressman wants to see the results of this study and investigate what impact the Post Office’s findings would have on the people of Flagstaff and surrounding areas. [Arizona Daily Sun, 4/14/11]

Didn’t Believe $60 Billion in Cuts Would Result in Loss of Jobs

Gosar said he would sign onto another CR. “I’m not here to shut down the government, I’m here to reform the process.”

Gosar said he didn’t believe the chief economist at Moody’s Analytics estimate that the Republican plan to cut $60 billion would result in the loss of 700,000 new jobs. Gosar said he did not believe that. [Prescott Daily Courier, 3/14/11]

Land Issues

Touted Bill to Clear Up Jurisdictional Battle Over Arizona Projects that Kirkpatrick Previously Sponsored

In 2011, Gosar sponsored legislation that Kirkpatrick had previously sponsored to clear up the jurisdictional battle over control of the C.C. Cragin Dam and Reservoir Project in Coconino County. Gosar said his bill, H.R. 489 put the Forest Service in charge of land use on the project and gives the Bureau of Reclamation final say on Cragin operations. Problems arose when Payson got $10.6 million in federal stimulus funds for a water pipeline project connected to the reservoir, but the town has not been able to break ground. [Cronkite News, 10/3/11]

Defended Regulations Restricting Firearms, Explosives and Fireworks on Army Corps of Engineer Land

In 2011, Gosar attached an amendment to defund regulations that restricted firearms, explosives and fireworks on land operated by the Army Corps of Engineers.

The bill had bipartisan support and was attached to the Water and Energy Appropriations Act by voice vote. [The Hill, 7/14/11]

Resolution Land Mine Land Swap Bill Sent to House Floor

In 2011, Gosar sponsored, Resolution Land Mine Land Swap Bill, passed the House Natural Resources Committee, by a party line vote of 26-19. His bill paved the way for a new $6 billion dollar copper

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mine. The vote was the first time since 2005 that a Resolution land bill was introduced in the House. [Arizona Silver Belt, 7/20/11]

Supported Correcting Mapping Mistake Delineating Coconino National Forest

In 2011, Gosar supported legislation to correct a mapping mistake made in 1960 on the boundary lines delineating the Coconino National Forest and private land in Mountainaire. [Arizona Daily Sun, 3/18/11]

Labor and Working Family Issues

Opposed Paying Prevailing Wage Rates for Federal Projects

In 2011, Gosar supported legislation for the repeal of “Davis-Bacon” requirements that laborers and federal project employees were paid “prevailing wage” rates. [Arizona Daily Sun, 3/18/11]

Legal Issues

Supported Tort Reform

At a January 2011 town hall Gosar said he supported tort reform and a limit of 20 percent on attorney’s fees for monetary awards. [Daily Courier, 1/31/11]

Native American Issues

Gosar Supported Resolution Copper Exchange; Apache’s Worried About Water and Ancient Land

In 2011, Gosar introduced legislation to revived Resolution Copper Land Exchange Bill (H.R. 109), which was likely to pass the Senate. The San Carlos Apache Tribe spent the past six years speaking out in opposition to the land exchange because it involved Apache ancient lands. San Carlos Chairwoman Kathy Kitcheyan worried that the mine would have a negative effect on the water table below the surface. “In order to bypass objections to these impacts, we understand that Resolution Copper is pushing for the land exchange to be exempt from the National Environmental Policy Act. If this occurs, then the environmental impacts will not have to be assessed on the project.” [Arizona Silver Belt, 9/7/11]

Kirkpatrick Introduced Bill to Allow Land Swap with Resolution Copper Co.

In 2010, Kirkpatrick introduced a companion bill to S. 409 in Congress - H. R. 2509, which would have give, around 2,400 acres of public land in southeastern Arizona to Resolution Copper Co. in exchange for around 5,000 acres in several parcels around the state. Kirkpatrick said development and conservation were not mutually exclusive. “The Congresswoman believes there is a way to balance creating jobs in the region and respecting tribal land and protecting the environment, and she has worked hard throughout this process to find that balance. For example, it is important to note that the updated version of this legislation requires a full National Environmental Policy Act

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environmental impact statement and direct tribal consultation,” Kirkpatrick’s Chief of Staff Michael Frias said. [Indian Country Today, 3/17/10]

Gosar Failed to Keep Promise on Town Halls to Navajo Republicans

In 2011, the Navajo County Republican party accused Gosar of failing to keep his campaign promises to hold town halls. GOP County Chairman Karen McKean says that the party wants to see more of Gosar here, especially with promised Town Halls. She said that was a campaign promise he made, and she wanted that promise kept. [White Mountain Independent, 9/6/11]

Advocated for Funding for Dental Services for Native Americans

In 2011, Gosar proposed an amendment to the Interior Department appropriations bill to take $4.4 million from the Interior Department’s Solicitor General’s office and send it instead to dental programs in the Indian Health Service. On the amendment Gosar said “The United States Government took on long ago a number of treaty obligations to our Native people, and health care was among them. In particular, I cannot state strongly enough how imperative it is that the Indian tribes have this effort in the area of oral health fully funded,” he said. [Arizona Daily Sun, 7/31/11]

Co-Sponsored Legislation Designed to Protect Native Americans from Excessive Legal Fees Associated with Cobell Settlement

In 2011, Gosar, signed on as a co-sponsor to H.R. 887, which he said would protect the Native American class members in the Cobell settlement from improper legal fees and directed the Secretary of the Interior to submit a report on Indian land fractionation.

On the floor he said “The resolution of the litigation in Cobell v Salazar involved claims that ultimately amounted to a breach of trust by the government to Native Americans. The plaintiffs have been denied the use of money they were otherwise entitled to, according to the settlement. The petition for fees reports that ‘government officials have abused individual Indian trust beneficiaries’ for decades.”

“I therefore support this legislation, HR 887, that limits the fee award to $50 million. Congress has the ultimate power over Indian affairs. It also has the duty to protect Native American rights.” [White Mountain Independent, 4/3/11]

Went on to Say $50 Million Dollar Fee Award to Attorneys was Enough in Cobell Settlement

In 2011, Gosar said he was committed to protecting Native Americans from excessive legal fees on the House floor, “It is up to us, members of Congress, to make sure we exercise these supervisory obligations. Finally, there is what is referred to as the federal government’s ‘trust relationship’ between the federal government and the Native American tribes. This trust relationship obligates Congress and the federal government to protect the well-being of Native Americans, peoples who rendered their lands in return for this trust…We, the guardians in Congress, must now intervene to protect those under our care, especially where a fee dispute now creates a conflict of interest between the class members and their legal counsel.”

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He went on to say “Though the Cobell litigation was contentious and time consuming, no one can tell me, with a straight face, that a $50 million dollar fee award is not excellent compensation for one case. On behalf of the 21 federally recognized tribes in Arizona, over 250,000 strong.” [White Mountain Independent, 4/3/11]

Said Arizona Had Huge Unemployment Needs from Native Americans

At an Oversight and Government Reform Committee Gosar stated, “Gentleman coming from an area in Arizona that has got huge unemployment needs from Native Americans all the way to the private sector. [Hearing of the House, Oversight and Government Reform Committee, 2/10/11]

Criticized for Failing to Represent Needs of Communities-Native American Health

In February 2011, the Kayenta town manager expressed concern that Gosar was not representing the needs of communities. Those needs included a new jail for Kayenta Township and cuts to Indian Health Service programs for a new hospital. [LA Times, 3/1/11]

Co-Sponsored Legislation to Protect Native Americans from Excessive Legal Fess in Cobell Settlement

In March 2011, Gosar announced that he co-sponsored H.R. 887 to protect Native Americans in the Cobell settlement from large legal fees and direct the Secretary of the Interior to do a report on report on Indian land fractionation. [Rep. Gosar, press release, 3/11/11]

Military Issues

Picked to Serve on the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Arizona Honorary Committee

In 2011, Gosar was selected to serve on the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Arizona Honorary Committee. “I am honored to serve on this important committee,” said Gosar.  “Our men and women in uniform, along with their loving families, sacrifice so much to protect the liberties that our nation treasures. By providing military families with scholarships to send their children to school, we are ensuring that our future generation of leaders has access to the best educational opportunities. I applaud the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation for their tireless work and support of our military families.” [White Mountain Independent, 4/25/11]

In 2011, NPR reported “Members of Congress are back home for the spring recess, and some are getting an earful from their constituents. Paul Gosar represents Arizona’s sprawling 1st District. He was the only Republican representative from Arizona’s delegation to vote for the budget compromise.”

Gosar was criticized for voting for the 2011 continuing resolution. He defended he vote by saying that a government shutdown would have left the military without funding. Gosar said “You know, Tea Party folks are upset, but you have to get America back into understanding why you have a fiscal problem. You know, not all of us are on the same page, and so it’s a learning curve.” [NPR, 4/22/11]

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Said He Wished There Were More Cuts in CR, But it was Inappropriate to Put Troops Pay in Danger

In 2011, Gosar was asked if he would support the final continuing resolution. He said I wish there were more cuts. There is money sitting out there that needs to be pulled back in. But the military became a pawn in the budget battle. All of our military were exposed to having their pay cut. That’s the way DC works and it’s inappropriate. [News Talk 790, KNST, 4/14/11]

Uncomfortable with Administration Proposal to Cut Military Budget

When asked about Obama’s proposal to reduce military spending by about $400 billion by 2023 Gosar indicted that he was not comfortable with the cuts. He said “First right now you’ve got four theaters. It’s pretty kind of impossible to cut that budget when you have four theaters that you’re engaged in. I think it’s inappropriate to put our men and women in harm’s way, that are fighting all over the world.”

He went on to say “As it stands right now with all the theaters that are out there, I think it makes it very, very tough. The military can do its due diligence to try to find waste, fraud and abuse.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 4/15/11]

Voted for Continuing Budget Resolution With $38 Billion in Cuts; Voted for Cuts to Make Sure Military was Paid

In April 2011, Gosar voted for a continuing budget resolution cutting $38 billion. “The Environmental Protection Agency took a $1.6 billion cut. Spending for community health centers was reduced by $600 million, and the Community Development Block Grant program favored by mayors by $950 million more. The National Park Service was cut by $127 million.”

Gosar was asked why he voted for the continuing (budget) resolution. He said “First of all, any time anyone uses the military folks who are in harm’s way as pawns, it’s over. If they weren’t in harm’s way, there might be different outcomes. But they were used specifically as a pawn in that last discussion, and we can’t do that…I’m not willing to risk anything with our military right now who are in harm’s way in four theaters.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 4/15/11]

Said He was Troubled by Patriot Act

When asked about the Patriot Act, Gosar said he did not know which way he would vote. He said he was troubled by the Patriot Act. [The Mitch and Joe Show Podcast, Summary, 3/31/11]

Said there was a Way to Cut Military Spending

In March 2011, when asked whether he would cut military spending he said “I think there’s always a way when you look at the bureaucratic aspect, even the military generals will tell you the same thing…being able to cut and save and making some tough decisions, but maybe also rewarding them by instead of increasing that budget, keeping it budget neutral. Allow them to save and keep what they save.” [Newsmaker Sunday, FOX News, Part 1, 8:50, 3/6/11]

Mining Issues

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Touted Resolution to Create Thousands of Jobs through Copper Mining

In a 2011 press release, Gosar touted a resolution to allow copper mining near Superior. The company looking to mine was Resolution Copper Mining LLC. Gosar introduced a resolution that could potentially create 1,000 jobs and an additional 5,000 indirect jobs in Pinal County and surrounding areas. The bill was designed to exchange federal and non-federal land for mining. [Casa Grande Dispatch, 5/18/11]

Introduced Resolution to Allow Copper Mining

In 2011, Gosar introduced a resolution to exchange federal and non-federal land for mining purposes. Resolution Copper Mining LLC was considering mining in the area. Gosar touted that his resolution could potentially create 1,000 jobs and an additional 5,000 indirect jobs in Pinal County and surrounding areas.

Gosar introduced H.R.1904, the Southeast Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011 to “a land exchange east of Superior to pave the way for the new proposed $4 billion Resolution Copper mine.” Leaders of the San Carlos Apache Tribe were the main opponents against the new copper mine.

Former Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick introduced similar legislation and said she was curious to see how Gosar’s legislation addressed environmental concerns. One of the main differences between Gosar and Kirkpatrick’s bills is that his legislation required an environmental impact assessment. [Tri Valley Central, 5/18/11; Arizona Silver Belt, 5/18/11; The Hill, 5/13/11]

Obama Administration Announced Opposition to Gosar’s Resolution Copper Bill

In 2011, the Obama Administration announced opposition to the Gosar Resolution Cooper Bill over environmental concerns. According to the Arizona Silver Belt, “The principal concern is the Bill would require the U.S. Forest Service to prepare an environment review document under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) after the exchange is completed. Also of concern is the fact the Bill would immediately authorize mining exploration activities under an area that is sacred to the San Carlos Apache Tribe without a review or study.” [Arizona Silver Belt, 6/15/11]

Former Apache Chairman Supported Gosar’s Proposed 40-year Resolution Copper Mine

Harrison Talgo who served in the past on the San Carlos Apache Tribal Council testified before the House subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands and supported Gosar’s proposal for a land swap east of Superior for the new proposed 40-year Resolution Copper mine. Others raised environmental and cultural objections to the mine including Roger Featherstone, Director of the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition in Tucson and Shan Lewis, president of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona at Phoenix and Vice Chairman of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. [Arizona Silver Belt, 6/15/11]

Backed Mining Efforts in Northern Mohave County

Coalition co-chair Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson, R-Dist. 3 said Gosar backed efforts to allow mining in 1,000 acres of federal lands in Northern Arizona and Utah. U.S. Department of Interior

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officials were considering a proposal to prohibit new mining claims in the area. Johnson said gaining the support of Gosar during the most recent meeting was a big step for the coalition. [News-Herald, 4/30/11]

Advocated for Using Resources Such as Mining and Water to Get People Back to Work

Gosar was asked “What does Arizona need to put people back to work?” He said Arizona resources needed to be used “Well first of all, it needs to be able to get the federal government out of the way, having some common sense regulations. We need some regulations, but they need to be common sense not be dictated. For example we’ve got natural resources, mining, we have water, and yet the federal government has allowed us to utilize those appropriately to instill and to get people back to work.” [Meet Your Oversight Watchdogs: Rep. Paul Gosar, 4/1/11]

Said He Supported Southeast Arizona Land Exchange for Copper Drilling

In February 2011, Gosar visited the town of Superior. Residents asked him to help get approval from the federal government to allow Resolution Copper to drill in exchange for 5500 acres of wilderness and conservation land. The Southeast Arizona Land Exchange law needed Congressional approval.

Initial inspections of the mine showed it would be capable of producing 25 percent of expected future U.S. copper demand. [Gold Canyon Today, 2/15/11]

Said He Was Serious About Copper Mining in Superior

Gosar said expressed his commitment to the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange law and getting Resolution Copper drilling for copper in Superior.

“We need copper in everything that we do,” he argued. When a Superior resident questioned Gosar’s commitment to the project he said, “I am serious about what I do.” [Gold Canyon Today, 2/15/11]

Pledged Commitment to Get Congressional Approval for Copper Project

In February 2011, Gosar pledged his commitment to a long-delayed Resolution Copper project, which required an act of Congressional approval to get moving. “We need copper in everything that we do,” he said “I am serious about what I do.”

“You are dealing with a monster,” he declared, “so you have to get really good at this game.” [Gold Canyon Today, 2/15/11]

Miscellaneous

Staffer Resigned After Violent Twitter Posts

In 2011, a Gosar staffer resigned after posting “violent and off-color Twitter messages.”

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The staffer’s name was Blake Schritter, and had posted to his personal twitter account that he was ready “to open fire with a handgun to get some damn service,” and that he couldn’t believe how unprofessional liberal professors can be. I’m sitting here, cleaning my gun, thinking … this is a classroom!!!” [Cronkite News, 7/9/11]

Schritter’s Twitter Name “Drunkenbs”; Aware of Implications of Use of Social Media

In 2011, Roll Call discovered that Blake Schritter’s, a caseworker in Gosar’s Flagstaff office was tweeting violent messages under the name “drunkenbs.” As a graduate student in Arizona he tweeted “I can’t believe how unprofessional liberal professors can be. I’m sitting here, cleaning my gun, thinking...this is a classroom!!!” 

Schritter initially denied owning the account, however the account disappeared after Gosar’s office was asked to respond. The staffer was fired according to Gosar’s chief of staff. [Roll Call, 7/8/11]

Tucson Hero’s Who Helped Save Giffords Called on Gosar to Condemn Staffer’s Violent Twitter Posts

In 2011, in a letter to Gosar, Patricia Maisch, the woman credited with preventing Gabrielle Giffords’ would-be assassin from reloading his weapon in January, called on Gosar to condemn the twitter posts of his staffer who was forced to resign in July.

Maisch said “Your lack of comment about Mr. Schritter is incredibly disappointing especially considering you are a fellow Arizonan and member of the same body of Congress as Gabrielle Giffords.” [Column, Dan Nowicki, Arizona Republic, 7/17/11]

Commended Veterans for Service on Memorial Day

On Memorial Day in 2011, Gosar commended service members. “All too often we forget that freedom is not free. A huge price is paid with the lives of the brave men and women who have chosen to serve in our country’s armed services.  It is my hope that this Memorial Day you will look beyond the barbeques and department store sales to remember what this day is really set aside for.  I ask you to honor their sacrifice by reviewing your commitment to our country. Please remember too, the sacrifice of the wounded soldiers on this special day.  To all the brave men and women in all branches of the armed services, please know, I honor your service and sacrifice. You are not forgotten.  You are appreciated more than you know and are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. [Op-ed, Rep. Gosar, Prescott E-News, 5/27/11]

Gosar’s Wife Contacted Authorities Due to Bizarre Comments from a Man About Tuscon Massacre Suspect

In 2011, Gosar’s wife Maude Gosar contacted police after a man made bizarre comments to her about the Tucson massacre suspect Jared Loughner. [Arizona Republic, 5/27/11]

Received the National Write Your Congressman “Constituent Communication Award”

In 2011, Gosar was presented with the National Write Your Congressman “Constituent Communication Award.” 

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“I am honored to receive this important award,” said Gosar. “Whether it is at a town hall meeting, on the phone, via email, or out in the district, I always enjoy hearing from the people of Arizona’s First Congressional District. I want to encourage everyone to share their ideas with me on how we can find solutions to the problems that face our country. Together we will make a difference and ensure that our children have the same opportunities that we have had.” [Prescott E-News, 5/10/11]

Introduced Bill to Allow Work on Payson’s Blue Ridge Pipeline Project; Mirrored Bill Sponsored by Predecessor

In 2011, Gosar introduced a bill that closely resembled a bill sponsored in 2010 by Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, Gosar’s predecessor. The bill, H.R. 489 would designate the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as the lead agency in overseeing the $30 million Payson’s Blue Ridge pipeline project. Local officials pushed for the bill after officials from the Coconino National Forest denied or delayed access to the pipeline that ran from the Blue Ridge Reservoir to Washington Park. Gosar said, “This legislation is a common-sense solution to the bureaucratic wrangling that has occurred between the Department of Interior and Agriculture that compromises routine maintenance of critical water infrastructure.” [Payson Round Up, 5/17/11]

Had to Push Staffer’s Car to Gas Station

In June 2011, Gosar’s legislative correspondent, Michael Mansour II, revealed that while driving his boss to a Naval hospital he ran out of gas and Gosar was forced to help push the car to the closest gas station in the rain. [The Hill, 6/6/11]

Held First Tele-Town Hall in May 2011

In the beginning of May 2011, Gosar held his first tele-town hall. He issued a statement which read “I am so encouraged by the participation we received last night. When I am back in the district I make a point to hold in-person town halls and office hours, but when I’m in Washington I want to make sure the people of Arizona’s First District have the latest news and are able to talk directly to me about their concerns. I am looking forward to continuing the conversation whether it’s on the phone, in person or even via email. Keep the ideas coming and know that I will be visiting each part of the district soon.” [White Mountain Independent, 5/5/11]

Other Social Issues

Visited Women’s Shelter and Encouraged Expansion, But Lacked Ideas for Overflowing Shelter

In 2011, Gosar visited a women’s shelter to encourage expansion. Gosar suggested the Prescott Area Women’s Shelter look for houses under federal jurisdiction and get private funders to help with renovations. It was reported, “Maggie Garvey, a PAWS board member, asked if Gosar knew of any buildings in their area, but he did not.” Lori Deutsch, a volunteer said, “With winter right around the corner, it kills us that we don’t have enough beds.” Carmen Frederic, director of PAWS said, “We basically are full all the time and have a waiting list.” [Daily Courier, 8/23/11]

Gosar Has Not Made Homeless Assistance a Priority

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In 2011, Gosar voted for HR1, which would have provided $40 million less for homeless assistance grants. [Senate Appropriations, FY 2011 CR: Transportation, HUD Summary, accessed 8/25/11; HR 1, Vote #147, 2/19/11]

Gosar Voted to Terminate Program that Gave Homeless Veterans Rental Voucher

The Republican proposal would terminate the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program that gives homeless veterans rental vouchers. A recent report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development concluded that there were more than 135,000 homeless veterans - nearly half of whom were living on the street or in abandoned buildings. [Congressional Documents, 2/24/11; HR 1, Vote #147, 2/19/11]

Gosar Voted to Cut Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

In 2011, Gosar voted for HR1, which would have cut the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) $213 million or 30 percent. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reported, “LIHEAP provides funding to states, tribes, and territories to provide assistance to help eligible low-income families pay their heating and cooling bills.” [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 3/1/11; HR 1, Vote #147, 2/19/11]

Legislative Aide Worked at Lobbying Firm

In June 2011, Gosar’s legislative aide, Kelly Ferguson, revealed that before working for Gosar, she had worked for a lobbying firm doing “anything and everything.”

She said she got “to know a little bit about a lot of things” which included labor and tribal affairs. After her stint at the firm, she thought it was time for a change and became Gosar’s aide. [The Hill, 6/8/11]

Explained His Vote to Defund NPR

In March 2011, Gosar wrote an op-ed addressing his reasons for voting for cuts to National Public Radio (NPR). He wrote “on two separate occasions, I voted to defund NPR.” Gosar said he approached cuts by asking himself three questions “First, does the program serve a core governmental function such as defense, commerce, treaty obligations, or infrastructure? Second, is the program necessary? Third, can we afford it?” He said American could not afford NPR, it did not serve a core governmental function and it was not necessary for taxpayers to fund. [Op-ed, Rep. Gosar, Daily Courier, 4/14/11]

Voted to Defund National Public Radio

In March 2011, Gosar voted with 227 Republicans to end taxpayer funding for National Public Radio. House Democrats voted against the measure and the White House voiced opposition. Gosar’s spokesperson said public radio was not part of the core government functions such as defense, commerce and building infrastructure. The local public radio station KNAU received close to 15 percent of its budget from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, about $250,000. [Arizona Daily Sun, 3/18/11]

Political

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Cook Political Report Predicted Competitive Race Between Gosar and Kirkpatrick

In 2011, David Wasserman, House editor for the non-partisan Cook Political Report said there were signs that the race between Gosar and Kirkpatrick would be competitive. “A lot will depend on whether the (Navajo and Hopi Indians) are united in one district, and whether there are any other Republican areas, like Yavapai County, that end up in other districts,” Wasserman said. “If they’re reunited, that creates a little better district for Kirkpatrick.” Wasserman said. [Arizona Capitol Times, 9/23/11]

Draft Redistricting Map District Tilted Democratic After Redistricting

In 2011, Arizona Republicans complained that Gosar was in a swing district after draft redistricting maps showed that his district titled Democratic. The Arizona Republic reported “Gosar, who lives in Flagstaff, may find his re-election fight has gotten tougher in a redrawn rural district that will tilt more to Democrats.” [Arizona Republic, 10/5/11]

Accepted Blame for Fact Government was Dysfunctional

At a 2011, tea party town hall, Gosar said he accepted blame for the fact that the government was dysfunctional. “There’s some problems here,” Gosar said. “We can’t solve this problem until each and every one of us looks at us as the problem. We are all the problem. This isn’t a Democratic problem; not a Republican problem; not an independent problem. It’s an American problem.” [North Arizona News, 9/5/11]

During the Campaign Gosar Claimed He Would Rotate Visits to District

In October 2010, Gosar promised to be responsive to constituents. He would spend one weekend in the Casa Grande area, another in the White Mountain area, another in the tribal areas of northeastern Arizona, another in the Prescott area and another in the areas around Flagstaff. [Arizona Capitol Times, 10/29/10]

Touted Himself as One of Most Active and Accomplished Freshman in Congress

In 2011, Gosar touted himself as one of the most active and accomplished freshmen in Congress. [Eastern Arizona Courier, 9/4/11]

Internal Memo Accused Gosar’s Top Staff Members of Failing to Do Jobs

In 2011, Gosar dismissed criticism launched against his office by an internal memo that said , Gosar’s former communications director Stefani Zimmerman said chief of staff Rob Robinson, a retired dentist, and Legislative Director Tom Van Flein, an attorney, don’t take their jobs seriously. Both Robinson and Van Flein are from Alaska and have ties to former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who endorsed Gosar in 2010. [Arizona Republic, 9/15/11]

Faced Political Issus Such as Being Out Fundraised By Opponent and Having Staff Issues

In 2011, Gosar faced political issues when he was out-fundraised in the second quarter by his Democratic opponent, former Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick and he had trouble with his staff, including hiring a top aide with no congressional experience. The Arizona Republic reported, “Those incidents were troublesome enough

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that the National Republican Congressional Committee, which works to ensure that GOP members are re-elected, reportedly deployed advisers to meet with Gosar.” [Arizona Republic, 9/15/11]

Local Republicans Accused Gosar of Failing to Make Himself Available

In 2011, Gosar held a fundraiser despite a lack of support from Navajo County Republicans who rebuffed his request due to his lack of accessibility. The chairperson of the county GOP Committeemen Karen MacKean expressed disappointment in Gosar “I don’t care what Congressman’s staff says, he’s not addressing the people with the most important questions of the day. They want to know what this guy says to them face to face before they commit to supporting him in the 2012 election. I understand the Congressman is busy, but this is blatant, in your face, and I’m not happy about it.” [White Mountain Independent, 9/11/11]

Acknowledged He was “Part of the Problem” in Washington

In 2011, Gosar criticized Democrats and President Obama for unemployment and debt, although he said, “All of us have to realize we’re part of the problem.” [Payson Roundup, 8/12/11]

Not Everyone Agreed that Gosar was Effective; Got C- Performance from College Professor

In 2011, the Arizona Republic reported, “A year ago, U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., was a dentist whose only government experience was as vice-chair of the American Dental Association’s lobbying arm.” He issued a press release touting his accomplishments, but the paper reported, “Not everyone agrees.” Jacqueline Vaughn, a Northern Arizona University professor of politics and international affairs gave Gosar a C-. [Arizona Republic, 8/14/11]

Headline: Kirkpatrick seeks rematch with Gosar; differs on Medicare, taxes, deficits

In 2011, Gosar’s message of cutting the deficit and reducing taxes contrasted with Kirkpatrick’s focus on job creation and protecting education and Medicare. It was reported that Gosar’s appearances differed from Kirkpatrick’s due to Gosar’s focused on cutting the budget deficit, reducing taxes and getting rid of Senate Democrats and President Barack Obama. And Kirkpatrick’s pitch focused on job creation and protecting education and Medicare from proposed cuts. [Payson Round-Up, 8/19/11]

Republican State Senator Considered Running Against Gosar

In 2011, District 3 State Sen. Ron Gould considered running against Gosar if the Mohave County was moved into his district. Gould said, “it’s possible” he might challenge Gosar in a primary. “He voted to raise the debt ceiling,” Gould noted. [Daily News, 8/19/11]

August 2011: The Work We Told Our People Was Going to Get Done, We’ve Done

In 2011, Gosar said, “The work we told our people was going to get done, we’ve done.” He entered Congress as a dentist whose only government experience was as vice-chair of the American Dental Association’s lobbying arm. In the first six months of his tenure, more than a half-million acres of his district burned and the nation was brought to the brink of default. [Cronkite News, 8/8/11]

Barely Received Passing Grade on First Months in Office from Insiders

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In 2011, several political insiders gave Gosar a barley-passing grade for his first months in office. Gosar’s office issued a press release touting him as one of the most active freshman, yet Jacqueline Vaughn, a Northern Arizona University professor of politics gave Gosar a C minus. She said he had a limited agenda and few appearances, “If people on the street were asked, ‘What has Paul Gosar done for you lately?’ I don’t think people in northern Arizona would be able to answer that very well,” Vaughn. Andy Roth of the Club for Growth, like Vaughn, thought Gosar only merited a passing grade. [Cronkite News, 8/8/11]

Received 68% Score From Heritage Action for America Score Card

Gosar received 68% score from Heritage Action for America scorecard in August 2011 that encompassed 30 key votes and 5 co-sponsorships. [Heritage Action for America, accessed 8/29/11]

Was Featured in Two PSAs from National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)

In 2011, Gosar “struck political gold” when he was featured on two PSAs. He was featured repeatedly in two public service announcements (PSAs) about mental health and volunteerism, sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB).  The blogger noted that the publicity was free and beneficial in an election year. Joe Dana also asked KPNX-TV General Manager John Misner about the perception that Gosar could be getting generous air time in exchange for his support of current or future issues involving broadcasters. [Blog, Joe Dana, Arizona Republic, 8/3/11]

Headline: U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar Stunned by Rival’s Fundraising

In April, May and June in 2010 Ann Kirkpatrick shocked Gosar and his Republican allies by “dramatically out-fundraising him.” Kirkpatrick raised $221,289 for the three-month period while Gosar raised only $166,544.

“Kirkpatrick made it clear very early on that she was going to run, and I would have thought that was an imperative for Gosar to raise some money,” said Stuart Rothenberg, a national political analyst. He went on to state “Being outraised has to make national Republican strategists at least nervous. They want their guys to get out of the gate quickly on fundraising.” Rothenberg said Gosar should take the second-quarter results as a wake-up call “to get on the stick” to raise money. [Arizona Republic, 7/19/11]

Issued Statement Touting Jobs Copper Mining Could Create Through Legislation

In 2011, Gosar issued a statement touting legislation to allow a land swap for copper mining. Today I introduced a bill that will create thousands of jobs in Arizona. After months of working together with local community, the state, business, leaders in the community, tribal communities, conservation groups, and more, I have introduced HR 1904, the Southeastern Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011. This bill would open up the third largest undeveloped copper resources in the world and as a result it is estimated that this project will create over a thousand direct jobs and indirectly support over five thousand jobs. All of this would result into a yearly economic impact for the state of Arizona of over eight hundred million dollars and create much needed jobs for our local communities.” [Sonoran Alliance, 5/13/11]

Introduced Legislation to Allow Controversial Land Swap so Copper Company Could Mine

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In 2011, Gosar introduced legislation to develop the estimated six billion tons of copper ore below Superior. Resolution Copper intended to invest millions in researching and reviving the mine, which had the potential to create jobs. Gosar’s legislation required a controversial land swap in which Resolution Copper would give the federal government 5,500 acres of environmentally-sensitive land in exchange for 2,400 acres of Oak Flat Campground in Tonto National Forest. [AZFamily.com, 5/24/11]

Said Government was Dysfunctional

In 2011, when asked what surprised him most about Washington Gosar said “I knew government was somewhat dysfunctional, I just didn’t realize how dysfunctional it is.” [The Washington Post, 4/21/11]

Attended Event to Honor Sheriff Babeu

In April 2011 it was reported that Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu was to be honored as the “2011 National Sheriff of the Year.” Gosar was scheduled to attend the event. [Tri Valley Central, 4/18/11]

Attended Event to Honor Sheriff Babeu

In April 2011 it was reported that Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu was to be honored as the “2011 National Sheriff of the Year.” Gosar was scheduled to attend the event. [Tri Valley Central, 4/18/11]

Claimed to Make Dinner in House Office Building

In 2011, Gosar touted his practice of eating and sleeping in his office. He said at night he cooked in a crock pot “You can put some frozen chicken in with some bouillon, some vegetables, let it simmer all day, and you’re ready to rock ‘n roll.” He said for breakfast he ate frozen waffles, ate standing up and washed dishes in his office bathroom. [CBS Evening News, 1/22/11]

Kirkpatrick Announced Run Against Gosar Saying He Didn’t Represent 1st District Priorities

In March 2011, Kirkpatrick announced she was running for Congress again. She said Gosar was not responsive to the 1st Congressional District priorities.

“It’s clear to me, now that Paul Gosar has a record, that he is toeing the party line rather than serving the district,” she said. “The real key for me is the number of people who I’ve been hearing from in the district -- and this is Democrats, independents, Republicans and even folks who are actively involved in the ‘tea party’ -- that they feel he is deeply out-of-touch with the district.” [Arizona Republic, 3/29/11]

Republicans Accused Kirkpatrick of Being in Lock-Step with Obama and Pelosi

In March 2011, Kirkpatrick announced she planned to run against Gosar. She accused him of “toeing the party line rather than serving the district.”

The National Republican Congressional Committee accused Kirkpatrick of adhering too closely to the Democratic agenda. “Kirkpatrick needs to be reminded that she lost her seat after voting in lock step with Nancy Pelosi, despite claiming to be a moderate Democrat. Kirkpatrick’s votes for a trillion dollar government takeover of healthcare and an $800 billion failed stimulus clearly didn’t resonate with

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Arizona voters last fall and these same voters won’t forget about her loyalties to Nancy Pelosi in 2012.” [Prescott News, 3/30/11]

Wanted to Work with Senator Kyl on “Commonsense Reforms”

When Kyl announced his retirement in February 2011, Gosar released a statement saying, “I look forward to working closely with him over the next 22 months on policy that is important for the people of Arizona and the nation.”

He said Kyl was a “stalwart proponent of a smaller government and commonsense reforms.” [Official Press Release, Paul Gosar, 2/10/11]

Office Manager Previously Worked at National Republican Senatorial Committee

Gosar’s Washington office manager and scheduler previously worked at the National Republican Senatorial Committee. [TriValley Central, 2/18/11]

Headline: Gosar’s first order of business is ... Gosar

In February 2011, Gosar was already raising money. A fundraising letter said, “There is much we don’t know about the next elections; reapportionment has yet to take place; and two years is a lifetime in politics. What we do know, however, is this: Democrats are going to target my seat with everything they’ve got.”

He asked for between $25 and $1,000. The letter read, “Your early support will send a message to Nancy Pelosi ... that if they want to take this seat, they will be in for the fight of their lives.” [Daily Courier, 2/24/11]

Members Who Slept in Offices Received a Taxable Benefit

Gosar, who was reportedly sleeping in his House office in February 2011, received a taxable benefit for doing so. Since sleeping in the House office was not a condition of serving in Congress, members were dodging taxes on their lodging. [Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, 2/10/11]

Practice of Sleeping in Office Under Investigation

Gosar’s habit of sleeping in his House office came under investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) in February 2011. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington asked OCE to investigate whether they were violating House rules and tax law by not reporting lodging as a taxable fringe benefit. [Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, 2/10/11]

Sleeping in House Office Added Burden on Housekeeping Staff

In February 2011, a House housekeeping staffer revealed that members sleeping in their offices, like Gosar, make it more difficult for them to do their job. They made it more difficult for them to do construction because members complained of noise during construction. [Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, 2/10/11]

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Said He Didn’t Need Much Sleep and Was Comfortable in Own Office

In February 2011, it was reported that Gosar did not accept a free pillow or mattress; he said he used an air mattress in his office. “I sleep pretty solid, and I don’t generally sleep that much,” he said “I generally go to bed around 1 or 1:30 (a.m.) and get up around 5 or 5:30 a.m.” [HTR News, 2/27/11]

Said He Knew Staff Members Before He Knew Governor Palin

In March 2011, when asked whether he was close to Governor Palin Gosar said, “I knew these people way before I knew Governor Palin and I want to make sure that I’m perfectly clear. One of them is a dentist friend, my chief of staff is a dentist friend of mine…he was a dentist in Wasilla, President of the Chamber so he knew her when Sarah Palin wasn’t cool. [Newsmaker Sunday, FOX News, Part 3, 1:38, 3/6/11]

Tight Palin Ties

Gosar’s Palin backing helped him win an eight-candidate Republican primary. His legislative director is the former Palin family lawyer and his chief of staff is a retired dentist from Wasilla, Alaska, introduced Gosar to Palin. [Bloomberg Businessweek, 2/22/11]

Tight Knit with Dental Lobby

Gosar’s campaign was successful in part because he fundraised through dental lobbyists and was a member of the American Dental Association’s council on government affairs. [Bloomberg Businessweek, 2/22/11]

Said He Had to Fundraise to Keep His Job; Said Term Limits were at Voting Booth

In March 2011, Gosar was asked why he sent out a fundraising email forty days into his term He said the constant campaign was “insane, but that’s part of the process and you have to do it.” He said, “I believe term limits is at the voting booth.” [Newsmaker Sunday, FOX News, Part 1, 8:10, 3/6/11]

Naively Said Everything Can Be Fixed Over Cup of Coffee

At a February 2011 town hall, Gosar said “I still believe there isn’t anything that can’t be fixed over a cup of coffee.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/2/11]

“Please tell me a program that the government has been involved in that has really worked.”

At a February 2011 town hall, Gosar said most government programs were inefficient, “Please tell me a program that the government has been involved in that has really worked.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 2/2/11]

Pledged to Work with Both Parties to Find Solutions

In January 2011, Gosar encouraged bipartisan seating at the State of the Union Address saying, “The American people want their Members of Congress to put partisan politics aside and address the critical challenges facing our nation.”

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He went on to say, “This symbolic gesture will set the tone for the 112th Congress and show our constituents we are capable of respectfully debating the issues and working together to find solutions to the problems of the day.” [Official Press Release, Paul Gosar, 1/25/11]

In January 2011, at a press conference calling for bipartisanship Gosar stated that he would work with members across the aisle to pay down the debt and get the economy moving, fix a broken immigration system and develop a 21st century energy policy. [Press Conference, 1/25/11]

Said He Slept in Washington, D.C. Office

Paul Gosar took a CBS News survey and said he was sleeping in his Washington, D.C. office. [Marketwire. 1/27/11]

Complained He Did Not Have Enough Money to Serve District

At a January 2011 town hall Gosar said a 5 percent budget cut translated into a nearly $300,000 in cuts for his own office. He said the cut was making it challenging to serve his district. [Daily Courier, 1/31/11]

Senior Issues

Gosar: “The Things That Were Offered To Our Seniors Are Not Attainable”

A senior women said she paid into Social Security and Medicare and she earned those benefits and she wondered why Gosar was not taxing the rich. Gosar rephrased her question and said, “The things that were offered to our seniors are not attainable. Because they’re based on suppositions that number one each working class would be bigger than the next and that didn’t happen. Number two is we’re living longer those were never taken into fabrication into the equation. As well as it was never heralded is how much the investment return would come about.” [Rep. Gosar, town hall, part 5, 4/20/11]

Gosar: “I said it on the Campaign Trail and I’ll Say it Again there is a Way to Honor Our Promises to our Seniors”

Gosar said “I said it on the campaign trail and I’ll say it again there is a way to honor our promises to our seniors, but not putting it on the back of our future. There are opportunities and options to make a difference and that’s why I’m here.” [Rep. Gosar, town hall, part 3, 4/20/11]

Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid

Proclaimed Medicare was Fundamentally Flawed; Touted Vote for Republican Budget to End Medicare

Gosar wrote an op-ed and proclaimed “Medicare today is fundamentally flawed.” He accused the Obama Administration and health care reform for cuts. He went on to tout the passage of the Republican budget that he claimed “reformed” Medicare. He wrote, “I am proud to have been counted among those who voted for a solution. This spring, the House of Representatives passed a budget that reformed Medicare for the 21st century and will help continue the program.”

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He claimed “You may have heard some disinformation on what this new budget does, so I will set the record straight: It provides every Medicare beneficiary the choice of their own personalized healthcare plan, based on their wants and needs. The sick and low-income seniors who count on the program will have more subsidies in choosing their plan. And no beneficiary can be denied coverage under the plan. This plan does not apply to current beneficiaries older than 55. I strongly believe that everyone should have a choice when it comes to their health insurance.” [Op-ed, Paul Gosar, Daily Courier, 7/15/11]

Criticized for Failing to Admit that Republican Budget Plan Increased Health Costs for Seniors

A columnist criticized Gosar in 2011 for writing an op-ed defending the Republican plan to increase medical costs for seniors. “The Republican Medicare plan vastly increases the amount seniors will have to pay out of pocket over time, up to 70 percent. It also ends all projects in the current law to find ways to reduce the cost of medical care itself. If that’s what you think we should do, then just say so. Then we can openly engage in a public debate about whether that’s what we want to do. We can dig into the consequences, like the fact that cutting Medicare solves nothing for the nation. Seniors will still get sick. It will just be paid for out of impoverishing them, or they’ll go broke on health bills and end up on some form of healthcare for the poor, or they’ll show up at the emergency room. All cutting Medicare does is shift the problem elsewhere.” [Columnist, Tom Cantlon, Daily Courier, 7/19/11]

Falsely Claimed that the Mayo Clinic Would Not Take Medicare

A columnist criticized Gosar in 2011 for issuing a quote claiming that the Mayo Clinic “recently announced it will not take Medicare.” The columnist wrote “It’s an old story that the Mayo Clinic clarified over a year and a half ago. Out of about 4,000 physicians in the nationwide clinic network, there are five in one office in Glendale who do not accept Medicare payments. The rest of the Mayo Clinic network continues to accept Medicare.” [Columnist, Tom Cantlon, Daily Courier, 7/19/11]

Wrote That Even the Mayo Clinic in Arizona Announced it Would Not Take Medicare

In an op-ed Gosar accused the Obama Administration of cutting Medicare and claimed the Mayo Clinic did not take Medicare. “Former CBO Director Doug Eakin testified this week that Medicare right now ‘no longer guarantees access to care.’ Because of last year’s changes, more doctors won’t take Medicare. So access to Medicare is already being reduced. Even the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, which famously supported the government take-over of healthcare, recently announced it will not take Medicare because of the Medicare panel that will keep payments low.” [Op-ed, Paul Gosar, Daily Courier, 7/15/11]

Rep. Gosar shares his thoughts on Medicare/Medicaid

"U.S. House of Representatives Arizona District 1 Representative Paul Gosar held a town hall meeting in Florence on June 9, 2011. [...] In late May, Democrat Kathy Hochul upset a Republican candidate in a special election for a local New York seat considered to lean conservative. There has also been increasing national speculation as to the political efficacy of the Ryan plan. Since then, many Republicans have been on the road explaining the benefits of the Medicare and medicaid reform proposals." [Grand Canyon Today, 6/17/11]

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Columnist Took Issue with Gosar’s Claim that He was Protecting Medicare

In 2011, columnist Tom Cantlon took issue with Paul Gosar’s claim that he was protecting Medicare. He wrote, “House Republicans adopted a budget plan proposed by Congressman Paul Ryan, a big part of which is to save money on Medicare. It replaces the existing form of Medicare. Starting with those currently under 55, as they reach Medicare age, they will receive a voucher to help seniors buy private insurance. The value of that voucher would shrink over time relative to expected healthcare costs, so that, according to the Congressional Budget Office, eventually seniors would have to pay about 70 percent of the cost of their healthcare.”

He went on to write, “The problem with the approach Gosar is supporting is that the eye is on the wrong goal. This plan would save some program named Medicare, but the original goal was to ensure healthcare for seniors. It is of no help toward that goal and actually makes the situation worse.” [Column, Tom Cantlon, Daily Courier, 5/11/11]

Headline: “Medicare a Thorn for GOP”; Gosar Faced Tough Questions at Town Hall

In 2011, The Arizona Republic reported that Medicare was a “thorn for GOP.” The paper reported, “Republicans are the ones being confronted with disgruntled constituents, who are upset about the GOP plan to dramatically overhaul Medicare, a popular health-insurance program for senior citizens. In 2022, under a GOP plan crafted by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., seniors on Medicare would begin receiving a set amount of money to buy private health insurance that would replace the government’s Medicare program.” Rep. Gosar faced tough questions from his constituents at town halls in Arizona.

“The American people deserve to know the truth,” Gosar said. “Medicare is going broke fast. ... There is no quick fix to the problem Medicare is facing, but if we do nothing, then the program will not exist for anyone.” Opponents of the plan said it would gut the program and force future seniors on Medicare to pay about $6,000 more in annual medical costs. [Arizona Republic, 5/31/11]

Democrats Pointed to Victory in New York Special Election as Evidence that Medicare was Key Issue in 2012

In 2011, The Arizona Republic reported that Medicare was a “thorn for GOP.” The paper reported, “Democrats point to last week’s special election in upstate New York as evidence that their message is producing results. Democrat Kathy Hochul won an upset victory in a district that Republicans have held for four decades after criticizing GOP opponent Jane Corwin for endorsing the Medicare plan. ‘We served notice to the Republicans that we will fight them anywhere in America when it comes to defending and strengthening Medicare,’ said Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. ‘The American people will continue to hold House Republicans accountable for their plan to end Medicare from now until Election Day 2012.’” [Arizona Republic, 5/31/11]

Participated in Medicare Scare Tactics Press Conference

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In May 2011, Gosar participated in a press conference advocating for Democrats to stop the “Medicare Scare tactics being used against Members who are opening up the dialogue with their constituents and looking for solutions to preserve and protect this program.” [Rep. Gosar, press release, 5/11/11]

When Asked About Returning Medicare He Said “I Don’t Know Truly the Answer About Medicare”

Gosar was asked how to return Medicare. He said, “I don’t know the answer. I will tell you that a good friend of my Dads tried to return all of his Social Security and was refused…He was a prominent attorney out of…Wyoming. He tried to give it back and they would not take it. So I don’t know truly the answer about Medicare.” [Rep. Gosar, town hall, part 10, 2:03, 4/20/11]

One of Several Members Who Campaigned Against Medicare Cuts in 2010; Hypocritically Told Democrats Not to Attack Them on Cutting Medicare

In 2010, Gosar was one of several members of Congress who campaigned against Medicare cuts. Gosar was one of 42 members who signed a letter urging Democrats to stop using “Mediscare” tactics. “Others who campaigned against Medicare cuts during the 2010 campaign are Reps. Martha Roby (R-Ala.), Andy Harris (R-Md.), Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.), Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.), Sean Duffy (R-Wis.), and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.).” [Huffington Post, 5/11/11]

Traded Tips on Keeping Peace at Town Halls, Didn’t Bring Up Medicare

In 2011, Gosar said he worked to keep the peace at his town halls. He asked generic questions such as “Did your own personal health care (concerns) get heard?” He admitted to trading tips on managing town halls “That’s one thing about the freshmen lawmakers, we do talk,” Gosar said. “We spend some time (on) ‘What happened to you, did you have a town hall, how’d it go, what was the major issue of the day, how did you respond?” Gosar didn’t even bring Medicare up by name at his town hall. [Associated Press, 5/21/11]

Voiced Support for the Ryan Budget Plan as Way to Make Medicare Solvent

In June 2011, Gosar defended the Ryan Budget plan and said Medicare/Medicaid were unsustainable at a town hall meeting. He also criticized the Democrats for taking $500 billion dollars out of Medicaid in the Health care bill. He stated, “When they tell you that we’re trying to take away Medicare, we’re not, we’re just trying to make it solvent” he said. [San Tan Valley Today, 6/14/11]

Said Social Security and Medicare Were Unsustainable; Wanted to Put Decision-Making Power in Hands of People

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In 2011, Gosar spoke at Eloy’s Robson Ranch and said Social Security was unsustainable, “Most of us are living a decade beyond that now,” Gosar said. The Eloy Enterprise reported “For Gosar, Social Security is only half of the problem. Medicaid and Medicare make up the second half of the healthcare equation.” Gosar said “For every dollar we put into Medicaid and Medicare…we’re taking three dollars out. That’s a problem and the country is growing.”

Gosar said the government was taking all of the decision-making power out of the hands of the people. “Even if you wanted to give me cash for some of these problems, you can’t do it,” Gosar explained. [Eloy Enterprise, 6/16/11]

Said He Wanted to Make “Modest Changes to Social Security and Medicare

In 2011, Gosar spoke at Eloy’s Robson Ranch and he wanted to make “modest changes” to Social Security and Medicare. “The congressman is for Premium Support, where everybody gets to pick their plan and make their appropriate changes. It’s the changes that Gosar said the government has taken out of the people’s hands.” [Eloy Enterprise, 6/16/11]

Headline: “‘Hands off my Medicare,’ Protesters Tell Gosar”

In 2011 the Daily Courier reported that in response to Gosar’s vote for the Republican budget people protested outside of his office saying “hands off my Medicare.” The Daily Courier reported “Prescott-area workers and senior citizens protest in front of U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar’s Prescott office Wednesday. Gosar recently voted in favor of the House Republican budget that would privatize Medicare and Medicaid.” [Daily Courier, 4/30/11]

Headline: “‘Hands off my Medicare,’ protesters tell Gosar”

Headline: “‘Hands off my Medicare,’ protesters tell Gosar” [Daily Courier, 4/30/11]

At Town Hall Seniors Called Gosar’s Vote to Turn Medicare into Voucher System Scary

Gosar was criticized in a town hall for vote for the 2012 Republican budget. NPR reported “People at the town hall were much less sympathetic to Gosar’s vote in favor of the House budget bill that would significantly transform Medicare. It’s a risky vote in a state like Arizona, where retirees known as snowbirds flock to the desert sun and vote in high numbers.”

NPR interviewed two seniors about the plan to revamp Medicare. Retiree Susan Cosentino said “I’m horrified by the plan to turn Medicare into a voucher system. I think it’ll just send the seniors into poverty.” Anne Leap, who worked with retirees said “Seniors at the lower end are so frightened by all this, and seniors at the upper end, they’re just - many of them are just outraged. It’s a scary time for us.”

At the town hall Gosar said “Kicking the can doesn’t work anymore. There is a way that we should be able to hold our promise to our seniors and not put it on the back of our future generations. That’s where we need to go.” [NPR, 4/22/11]

Said Paul Ryan Budget Took Honest Look at Deficit; Said States Know Best on Medicaid and Medicare

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In 2011, Gosar was asked about the Republican Paul Ryan budget. He said Paul Ryan takes an honest look and I have great respect for him. States know best and on Medicaid and Medicare there needs to be flexibility. [News Talk 790, KNST, 4/14/11]

Would Not State Position on Raising Social Security Age

In April 2011, Gosar would not say whether he wanted to raise the Social Security (eligibility) age. When asked he said “we’re looking at all the issues. We’re looking at it from all perspectives and looking at everything, trying to make sure that we’re looking at this comprehensively.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 4/15/11]

Defended Vote for Republican Ryan Budget, Saying He Voted to Improve and Strengthen Medicare and Medicaid

In April 2011, Gosar voted in a favor of the Republican Ryan Budget blueprint. He was initially undecided on privatizing Medicare and cutting taxes for the highest-income Americans, however he said “Today, I voted to open up the discussion with my district and supported baseline spending cuts for next year’s budget. I supported two budgets that make strong recommendations for spending cuts and ways to improve and strengthen programs like Medicare and Medicaid.”

Gosar touted the cuts in federal employees, about 5 percent of the Coconino County workforce according to federal labor data.

The Arizona Sun previously described the House Republican budget as a plan “that would preserve tax cuts for the wealthy but cut federal spending by trillions of dollars over the next decade, including major trims to spending for Medicare and Medicaid.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 4/15/11; Arizona Daily Sun, 4/16/11]

Said Sacrifices Needed to Be Made on Entitlements

On March 18, 2011, Gosar issued a statement on his vote for the continuing resolution saying “We need to have an honest conversation about entitlement reform. I believe in the strength of our nation, and I believe that we can improve these programs while keeping the promises made to our seniors and not placing the burden on the backs of our youth.”

“However, if we are serious about getting our fiscal house in order, then all parties must come to the table and be willing to make sacrifices for the greater good of our nation. I know we can do this. We must do this. Together, we have no other choice than to get our nation back on a path to economic prosperity.” [Rep. Gosar, press release, 3/18/11]

DCCC Attacked Gosar for Cutting Social Security and Medicare

In March 2011, the DCCC released an ad campaign attacking Gosar wanting to cut Security and Medicare. The ad read, “Cutting retirement benefits but protecting big oil? Paul Gosar and his leaders want to CUT Social Security and Medicare benefits rather than cutting big tax breaks for big oil.” Calls said “Did you know that Representative Paul Gosar is part of a majority of the Republicans in Washington pushing to cut seniors’ benefits in Social Security and Medicare? If we don’t act now,

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106,289 seniors here in Arizona could have their benefits cut in the middle of a recession.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/22/11]

Gosar’s Spokesman Said He Never Supported Cuts to Social Security

In March 2011, Gosar’s spokesman defended him against a DCCC attack that he wanted to cut Social Security and Medicare. “Congressman Gosar has never supported cuts to Social Security. He’s always said we have to keep our promise to seniors,” said Gosar spokeswoman Stefani Zimmerman. “At same time, we have to find solutions to improve the program for our younger generation. He wants all ideas to be on the table, and he wants to take them back to the district and listen to the people he represents and formulate the best plan of action.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/22/11]

Arizona Daily Sun Reported Gosar Supported Cutting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security

In 2011, it was reported that Gosar supported cutting “entitlements,” including Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, although he offered no specifics.

Gosar opposed cuts that would affect retirees in the near-term. His spokesman said he “believes it’s very important that those who are currently vested and are near retiring get what they were promised.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 3/18/11]

Said Raising Age for Social Security was Part of Solution

Gosar was asked if he was considering raising the age for Social Security. He said, “It is a part.” [Newsmaker Sunday, FOX News, Part 1, 2:12, 3/6/11]

Stem Cells

Tax Issues

Touted Republican Plan to Address Tax System “There are Better Minds then me. I’m just a Dentist”

Gosar was asked why GE didn’t pay any taxes. He said, “First of all, we can all agree that our tax system…is broken. It is broken the way it is and one of the things that was addressed in Paul Ryan’s plan is actually looking at the tax structure. I don’t care if you believe in fair, flat, consumption tax we’ve… got to have some solutions. There are better minds then me. I’m just a dentist. But you know we have to get people together to look and remedy that tax system.” [Rep. Gosar, town hall, part 4, 7:16, 4/20/11]

Supported Republican Paul Ryan’s Budget

In April 2011, in a CNN interview Gosar said he would support the Republican Paul Ryan budget. [The Situation Room, CNN, 4/13/11; Media Bistro, 4/13/11]

Felt Corporate Income Taxes Were too High

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When asked “Do you support cutting taxes for some of the highest income brackets? Do you support raising them?” Gosar said he felt corporate income taxes were too high and tax loopholes should be closed. [Arizona Daily Sun, 4/15/11]

Said He Favored Overhauling Tax System When Asked About Bush-Era Tax Cuts

When asked whether he supported the Bush-era tax cuts for individuals making more than $200,000 Gosar said the tax system needed to be overhauled. “I’m on record saying that everyone can agree that our tax system is broken and we need to redo our whole tax program. As of last year we had 51 percent of families across the country paying taxes and 49 percent of families taking money or not paying any taxes. And so we’re at a tipping point and I think everybody will agree that we need to review and look at an look at our opportunity for a tax overhaul.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 4/15/11]

Supported Prohibiting Some Local Taxes on Cell Phone Providers

In 2011, Gosar supported legislation to prohibit some local taxes on cell phone service providers. [Arizona

Daily Sun, 3/18/11]

Opposed Tax Increase in FY2012 Budget

In February 2011, Gosar said the Obama Administration’s tax hikes would hurt job creation, families and small businesses.

Gosar said Obama was irresponsible on the deficit and “We need to start the discussion of fixing our broken entitlement programs and ending the practice of unfunded mandates.” [Op-ed, Rep. Gosar, The Hill, 2/16/11]

Said Idea of Giving Wealthy People Break on Capital Gains Tax had Potential

In March 2011, FOX News commentator suggested that people that opted out of Social Security should get break on capital gains taxes. When asked if he thought this was a good idea Gosar said “I think there is a lot of opportunity. I think that that’s a great idea to start that discussion.” [Newsmaker Sunday, FOX News, Part 1, 3:49, 3/6/11]

Favored Reducing Capital Gains Tax

At a January 2011 town hall Gosar lowering the capital gains tax would help the economy. [Daily Courier, 1/31/11]

Tea Party

Headline: New Arizona Congressman may have a Palin Problem

In 2011, the Anchorage Daily News reported, “Republican Arizona congressman Paul Gosar’s decision to hire a pair of staffers closely linked to Sarah Palin has led to resignations and turmoil in his office, writes Politico.” [Anchorage Daily News, 8/4/11]

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Welcomed Tea Party Label

In 2011, Gosar touted his tea party label, Gosar, who was endorsed by Sarah Palin in 2010, would welcome the tea-party label again. “There’s nothing wrong with it. I love it. I’m tea party, and I think that’s cool,” Gosar said. [Arizona Republic, 8/14/11]

Lost Tea Party Label Due to Debt Ceiling Vote

In 2011, Club for Growth’s Andy Roth said Gosar could not keep his tea party label after voting to raise the debt ceiling. He called the vote “a disqualifier.” The Cronkite News reported, “Keeping that support could be key for Gosar, who faces a tough challenge as Kirkpatrick seeks to get her old job back.” [Cronkite News, 8/8/11]

Headline: New Arizona congressman may have a Palin problem

In 2011, the Anchorage Daily News reported “Republican Arizona congressman Paul Gosar’s decision to hire a pair of staffers closely linked to Sarah Palin has led to resignations and turmoil in his office, writes Politico.” [Anchorage Daily News, 8/4/11]

Gosar’s Office Experienced Turmoil and Turnover

In 2011, the Prescott News reported that Gosar’s office experienced “turnover and turmoil.” Gosar defended himself by saying, “I take enormous pride in having one of the hardest working staffs on the Hill, and our legislative record reflects that. I am not a Washington insider, and neither are the people who work alongside me. We came to Congress to make changes, not to engage in more business as usual.” [Prescott E-News, 8/6/11]

Gosar was Plagued by Staffing Turmoil Emanating from Decision to Hire Staffers with Palin Ties and No Congressional Experience

In 2011, staffing problems at the highest level of Gosar’s office threw his operation into disarray. “Gosar has serious congressional staff issues…It’s a total cluster,” said one Arizona Republican familiar with the operation. E-mails written by former staffers of Gosar’s office implicated the chief of staff Rob Robinson and legislative director Tom Van Flein as the heart of the problem.

Gosar’s decision to hire the pair after he was elected raised doubt from the start. Both men had no congressional experience and both had close ties to Sarah Palin, who boosted Gosar’s campaign with an endorsement. [Politico, 8/3/11]

Gosar’s Former Communications Director Accused his Legislative Director of Looking Out for Palin’s Interests Rather Than Constituents

In 2011, Gosar’s former communications director, Stefani Zimmerman, accused legislative director Tom Van Flein of being disengaged and looking out for Sarah Palin’s interests, rather than the interests of Arizona. Zimmerman described Van Flein as disengaged and preoccupied with Sarah Palin’s. [Politico, 8/3/11]

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Gosar’s Former Communications Director Accused his Legislative Director of Working on Palin Speeches on Office Time

In 2011, Gosar’s former communications director, Stefani Zimmerman, accused legislative director Tom Van Flein of spending office time on Palin and other clients. She wrote that he “relays information the staff discusses with each other to other people like Sarah Palin” and “writes op-eds and speeches without permission, all from Sarah Palin’s point of view,” wrote Zimmerman.

Zimmerman said Van Flein “asks questions that would benefit Sarah, not Paul,” and “advises Paul from a tea party perspective, not Arizona 1st’s perspective,” in meetings. Van Flein, like Palin, “goes rogue…takes meetings, advises Paul, etc., without telling anyone, including Rob,” wrote Zimmerman. “[Tom] is never at his desk, doesn’t do anything for the office, is very disrespectful of every other staffer in the office, is late for work, is gone all day, and leaves early,” wrote Zimmerman. [Politico, 8/3/11]

Gosar’s Former Communications Director Wrote that Staff Leadership Did Not Do Their Jobs

In 2011, Gosar’s former communications director, Stefani Zimmerman, wrote an email to Gosar’s general consultant and complained about his chief of staff Rob Robinson.

She wrote that he “doesn’t take anything seriously, sleeps in the office, won’t sit down and have a budget meeting with the appropriate staff, wont’ sit down and discuss the communications budget with the appropriate staff, does not give the staff guidance in meetings.” She questioned the effectiveness of both Robinson and Van Flein

She went on to criticize Gosar and his chief of staff of considering buying a car together and she wrote that Robinson, “won’t say anything when Paul needs to focus, goes everywhere with Paul but doesn’t loop other staffers in, even though a meeting/contact would be best suited for legislative staff.” [Politico, 8/3/11]

Allegedly Approached by NRCC Chairman Because His Top Aides Were Not Doing Their Jobs

In 2011, The Yellow Sheet Report, an Arizona-based political website, reported that National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions approached Gosar directly, out of concern that “the congressman’s top aides were not doing their jobs.” Gosar’s office faced serious congressional staff issues. In 2011 alone he lost his communications director, Stefani Zimmerman, Tiffany Dinneen, the office’s scheduler and Rachel Aja, a district staffer in Casa Grande. [Politico, 8/3/11]

Gosar’s Fundraising Problems May Be Result of Staff Turmoil and Poor Leadership

In 2011, Gosar’s office faced serious congressional staff issues and the most tangible evidence of the turmoil was Gosar’s paltry bank account. The National Republican Congressional Committee

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and other GOP consultants who worked on House races believed Gosar’s slow start were a result of staff disorganization and dissension.

Gosar only raised $169,112 over three months, which followed a dismal $91,012 first-quarter haul. As of June 30, 2011, Gosar had just $138, 392 on hand and $34,121 in debt. A fundraiser for Gosar expressed concern when Dave Cook, cattleman from Globe said he would not contribute because Gosar’s Chief of Staff never responded to him about a concern. [Politico, 8/3/11]

Gosar Hires Multiple Staff With Palin

Shortly before being sworn in, Gosar named retired dentist Rob Robinson as his chief of staff. Robinson left his son in charge of his Wasilla, Alaska-based dental practice to move to Arizona in 2009 and become Gosar’s campaign manager, treasurer and chief adviser. Gosar told Roll Call that Robinson introduced him to Palin.

In addition, Gosar hired Palin family attorney Thomas Van Flein to be his legislative director and deputy chief of staff. Van Flein’s Alaska law firm, Clapp, Peterson, Van Flein, Tiemessen & Thorsness, helped Palin and her family navigate the Troopergate scandal when she was governor. Palin paid Van Flein a hefty retainer over the course of 2010, with the most recent payment of $10,000 coming on Oct. 28, according to her Federal Election Commission filings. [Roll Call, 1/03/11]

Transportation Issues

Dodged Question About Potential Transportation Cuts

A member of the Pinal County Supervisors spoke with Gosar about potential transportation cuts and advocated for Gosar to oppose cuts. Gosar said he had people around him who could help him understand the issue. [YouTube, PinalCountyAzGov, Summary, 32:52, Uploaded 8/29/11]

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