This Week With Gosar

Weekly Newsletter

July 19, 2026

Gosar Votes to Protect the Privacy of Firearm Purchases

This week, I voted in favor of H.R. 1181, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act. The purpose of this bill is straightforward: financial institutions should not be allowed to assign firearm and ammunition purchases unique merchant category codes that distinguish them from ordinary consumer transactions. Doing so creates an easy avenue for the government to monitor the lawful purchases of law-abiding gun owners and undermines every American's right to privacy.

Designating firearm purchases as a separate category effectively creates the framework for a gun owner registry that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) could exploit through warrantless surveillance. Courts have long recognized that government actions which "chill" the exercise of a constitutional right are themselves constitutionally suspect. A de facto registry of firearm and ammunition purchases would also burden the Second Amendment by discouraging Americans from exercising their lawful right to keep and bear arms.

Democrats are quick to argue that the federal government has no business monitoring Americans' private decisions when it comes to abortion, political activity, or personal relationships. Yet when the Second Amendment is involved-a right explicitly protected by the Constitution-they suddenly embrace government surveillance. Law-abiding gun owners are too often treated with suspicion, not because they have broken the law, but because someone fears they might.

As a constitutional conservative, I know that gun owners are among the most responsible citizens in America. They understand the serious legal responsibilities that come with firearm ownership and recognize that even a single mistake can carry severe criminal penalties. H.R. 1181 protects these law-abiding Americans by preventing federal bureaucrats from using financial records to compile lists of innocent gun owners and ammunition purchasers. It is a commonsense measure that defends both the Second Amendment and the fundamental right to privacy.

Let Arizona Keep its Own Time

This week, I voted against legislation that would permanently impose Daylight Saving Time nationwide.While many Americans are tired of changing their clocks twice a year, I believe this decision is best left to the states-not Washington bureaucrats.

With the exception of the Navajo Nation, Arizona has wisely remained on standard time for decades because it makes sense for our desert climate. What works for Arizona may not work for New York or Florida, and Congress shouldn't force a one-size-fits-all solution on every state. As with so many issues, the people closest to the issue are best equipped to decide what works for their communities.

My vote here aligns with my broader philosophy: Congress should focus on its core constitutional responsibilities-border security, fiscal discipline, national defense, and oversight-rather than federalizing issues that states are capable of deciding themselves.

If you're interested in learning more about the impact of a permanent daylight savings time in each state, I encourage you to read this informative article.

President Trump Declassifies Election Security Intelligence
In a nationally televised prime-time speech, President Trump announced the declassification of intelligence documents detailing vulnerabilities in America's election infrastructure. According to the administration, the records describe cyber threats targeting voter registration databases and election systems, alleged Chinese efforts to acquire U.S. voter data and influence elections, evidence of suspected voter fraud investigations that were not fully pursued, and a Department of Homeland Security review identifying non-citizens registered on voter rolls. Every American should be shocked and concerned that China has engaged in an influence campaign aimed at shaping American elections. I commend President Trump for declassifying and releasing the reports that prove China obtained sensitive American voter information to exploit the voter data it acquired. This is yet another obvious reason why the United States Senate must pass the SAVE Act, legislation requiring proof of citizenship and photo identification to vote, so there can be no more cheating on elections. Is there any question why every Democrat in Congress opposes the SAVE Act?

Holding Reckless Government Research Accountable
This week, I sent a letter to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya calling for the permanent closure of Montana's Rocky Mountain Laboratories. After repeated attempts by foreign spies to smuggle deadly pathogens into the facility - on top of charges that Dr. Fauci repeatedly covered up dangerous and cruel animal research - it is time to close this den of iniquity for good.

There is no conceivable reason for our government and its health experts to engage in "gain of function" research. What is gain-of-function research? It is a type of biomedical research in which a virus, bacterium, or other pathogen is deliberately modified to give it new or enhanced characteristics. In plain English, scientists alter naturally occurring pathogens to make them more transmissible, more virulent, better able to infect new species, or more capable of evading the immune system.

Proponents argue that this research can help scientists better understand dangerous pathogens and prepare vaccines or treatments before future outbreaks occur. Critics, however, warn that creating more dangerous viruses carries enormous risks if those pathogens are accidentally released or fall into the wrong hands. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored just how devastating such an event could be.

Biological warfare is illegal under international law because of the catastrophic harm these agents can inflict. While gain-of-function research is currently legal under federal law and subject to regulation, it raises serious questions about whether the potential benefits outweigh the potentially catastrophic consequences. After the lessons of COVID-19, Congress should carefully consider whether this type of research should continue at all.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear to many, including myself, that experimenting with modified pathogens, diseases, and viruses is not in our country's safety interests. If anything, creating a deadly superweapon just to see how it might affect living organisms defies basic moral codes. It is this kind of hubris that novels like Frankenstein warn us about: engineering deadly things kills people.

If you would like to read my letter, click here.

Border Security Works

President Trump's America First border policies continue to deliver results. This week, the President announced that June marked 14 consecutive months of zero illegal alien releases at the southern border, noting that "Our previously wide-open borders have been transformed into the most secure borders in the history of our country, with zero illegal aliens being admitted to the United States in the past 14 months. That is zero. Nobody thought it was possible. We had the worst border in the history of our country, and now we have the best." At the same time, CBP seized significantly more fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and other deadly narcotics before they reached American communities. This proves what we've known all along: when our laws are enforced and our border is secured, the American people are safer.

Federal Law Enforcement Officers Make Arizona Safer
Speaking of border security, federal law enforcement officers were busy this month in Arizona. On July 6^th, the U.S. Attorney for Arizona reported that 325 people were charged with immigration-related crimes, including: 101 instances of illegal reentries, 96 illegal entries, and 26 cases of trafficking people into the country. I applaud the Department of Justice for their swift and vigorous defense of America's sovereignty, and I applaud our immigration officers for arresting 325 people within a week for deportable offenses.

On Monday, U.S. Marshals acted on an anonymous tip to rescue an at-risk child reportedly seen around several men in a Phoenix home. The child, who was reported missing in March of this year, was quickly rescued while reportedly walking outside of the home. U.S. Marshals then arrested two illegal aliens on immigration charges before being turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

And on Tuesday, an attempted cop killer was shot after stabbing a Border Patrol agent and another victim at the Blythe Station in Yuma. Thanks to the swift actions of fellow agents, the suspect was stopped, and the injured agent is expected to recover. These stories, while tragic and terrible, highlight the important work our federal law enforcement performs every day to keep Arizonans safe. I commend every single law enforcement officer who puts their safety on the line to arrest and deport every violent criminal.

One Year Later: RECA Expansion Helps Downwinders
Two weeks ago, I highlighted the historic wins secured for Arizonans by the passage of President Trump's Working Families Tax Cut Act from last year. And while more money in the pockets of hard-working Arizonans is an accomplishment I am proud to have supported; I wanted to highlight the reauthorization and expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) in this week's newsletter.

RECA was originally passed by Congress in 1990 to provide damages and compensation to those affected by radiation exposure, nuclear testing, and uranium mining. The thought process behind RECA was simple: if the federal government's action harms you or your family, you should have a statutory right to remedy this injury. Originally, RECA's authorization only covered Nye County and Lincoln County in Nevada, Southern Utah, and Coconino County, Navajo County, and Yavapai County in Arizona until 2024.

Strangely enough, neither Clark County nor Mohave County were originally covered by RECA. Despite being two of the most irradiated counties during the atomic testing at the Nevada Test Site, Congress did not provide a remedy for citizens of these counties. This oversight in writing RECA frustrated me greatly as a freshman Congressman, which is why I have spent well over a decade fighting to give Mohave County residents a fair deal. While Arizona Democrats talked about bringing justice to Arizona residents, none of them voted in favor of this life-changing provision. All of them claim to put "Arizonans first," while turning their backs on the residents of Mohave County. As the saying goes: the Democrats are "all hat and no cattle" when it comes to fighting for their constituents.

If you or someone you know has developed cancers related to possible radiation exposure, I urge you to visit the Department of Justice's webpage detailing qualifying conditions. Downwinders affected by nuclear testing may be entitled to a lump-sum payment of $100,000 for nuclear testing related to the Nevada Test Site. The Department of Justice also allows surviving family members to bring compensation claims for qualifying conditions. Don't wait any longer to receive the justice you deserve. President Trump's extension of RECA claims is open until December 31^st, 2027.

Casework Corner: Helping Arizonans Cut Through the Red Tape

Helping constituents navigate the federal bureaucracy is one of the most important services my office provides. Recently, Kat A. from El Mirage, spent six months trying to recover more than $3,100 in Social Security Part B premium overpayments, but despite repeated calls and visits, she received no resolution. After contacting my office, my staff worked directly with the Social Security Administration, and within just three weeks she received a check for the full amount owed along with an additional $625 in other overpayments that had been improperly withheld.

If you are experiencing problems with a federal agency, my office is here to help. Please don't hesitate to contact my district office at 623-707-0530. While we cannot guarantee a particular outcome, we are committed to ensuring your concerns receive the attention they deserve.

Arizona: One of the Hottest Growing Markets
In a recent study released this week by SmartAsset, seven Arizona cities ranked among the top 50 "Boomtowns" in America. To qualify as a boomtown, your city must have experienced year-over-year growth in: economic output, housing units, and the labor force size. I am proud to say that three of these cities are located in my district.

This study confirms what I have been saying for years: people do not want to raise families in failed states like California, Oregon, or Washington. People want to move to up-and-coming states like Arizona where they can enjoy economic freedom, governance based on common sense, and affordable housing. Arizona is the land of opportunity not because we have a rapidly growing population; we have a rapidly growing population because we do not believe that big government nor extensive regulation leads to economic opportunity. If anything, these two policies choke the ability for small businesses to innovate while rewarding large corporations who can afford costly certifications. I welcome everyone fleeing failed Democrat states to Arizona. I just hope they don't bring those failed policies which drove them from their homes to Arizona; as we say in Arizona, "Don't California My Arizona!"

Tweet of the Week:

Photo of the Week:

Patrick Palas from Ash Fork, Arizona shares this great picture of the antelope that roam around Juniper Ranch in Ash Fork. Great photo, thanks for sharing!

Do you want the chance for your photograph to be featured as our "Photo of the Week?" If so, send your best shots along with a brief description to [email protected]. Remember to include your name and where you live.

Gosar in the News and Other Must-Read Stories:

Breitbart: Exclusive - Rep. Paul Gosar Requests HHS and NIH Close Down Fauci's Rocky Mountain Lab

Cronkite News: House votes to end clock changes, put entire country on daylight saving time year-round

Fox News: Trump releases declassified election intelligence, says it reveals 'shocking vulnerabilities'

AZ Family: Suspect shot and killed after Yuma Border Patrol agent stabbed, officials say

KJZZ: The Colorado River's biggest reservoirs are in 'uncharted territory' after new record low

⚠ Warning!! The Gosar Weekly Newsletter is meant for discerning readers with above-average intelligence. We link to interesting stories. We get stories a couple different ways: Google alerts, a third-party aggregator and sometimes readers send stuff. We don't vouch for every publication or every author. If we link to a story, it is because of that story. The views expressed in any of the publications do not represent any promotion, endorsement or reflection of Congressman Gosar's views. While we try our best, we cannot guarantee every news organization spouting hatred, animosity or divisiveness will be filtered from appearing in the Gosar Weekly Newsletter. We will endeavor to prevent that from happening by never linking to Fake News organizations including CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, Rolling Stone, the Arizona Republic, the Arizona Mirror, Media Matters or the New Republic.