U.S. House of Representatives

Did Ben Arredondo Deserve Prison Time?

Former state Representative Ben Arredondo ended up receiving no prison time for his charges related to his ticket-bribery exchange and scholarship scam.Instead, Arredondo -- a 65-year-old Republican-turned-Democrat who served on the Tempe City Council for 16 years before making it into the state Hou ... More >>

Arizona's Top Ten News Stories of 2012

All in all, 2012 hasn't been that bad of a year. Some good stuff transpired, and some of it happened because New Times' scribes made it happen. Usually to some very deserving recipients. The great H.L. Mencken said it long ago, and it still holds true today: "Journalism is to politician as dog is t ... More >>

Ken Bennett Says 342,936 Ballots Left, 215K from Maricopa County

Like the Beatles once crooned, "It's getting better all the time...." Both Maricopa County and the Arizona Secretary of State's Office updated their elections results this afternoon, and the number of remaining ballots is declining at a steady pace. SOS Ken Bennett reported that statewide 342,936 ... More >>

Top Ten Arizona Political Ads of 2012 (So Far)

I don't think anyone will bemoan the end of the 2012 election cycle, except perhaps the TV execs and political consultants who're making a killing off the political ads bombarding us through the boob tube. Still, quite a few are memorable, and there is nothing more American than reducing your oppo ... More >>

Jeff Flake, U.S. Senate Candidate, Says He's Opposed to Budget Earmarks, But Looked the Other Way When it was Politically Convenient

Congressman Jeff Flake, who is running for U.S. Senate against former U.S. Surgeon General Rich Carmona, says he doesn't like earmarks, which some call "pork barrel spending." He certainly has earned a reputation for fighting against federal funding for specific projects attached to unrelated bil ... More >>

Ben Arredondo Scheduled to Plead Guilty in Bribery Case

A change-of-plea hearing has been scheduled for tomorrow in the bribery case involving state Representative Ben Arredondo, meaning he's scheduled to plead guilty.Arredondo was indicted in May on charges of bribery, fraud, attempted extortion, and making false statements for allegedly getting the tic ... More >>

Trent Franks Successfully Wastes Everyone's Time Again as His D.C. Abortion Bill Fails

The House of Representatives slapped down another one of Congressman Trent Franks' anti-abortion bills yesterday, and Franks has now successfully wasted more than one hour and 38 minutes of Congress' time this year alone.Franks' proposed ban on abortions past 20 weeks in Washington D.C.was short by ... More >>

Rusty Assault Rifles Found in Madera Canyon Not Part of Fast and Furious, ATF Confirms

See also: Fast and Furious Connection Not Ruled Out in Found Assault Rifles, Says Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada The ATF sent two agents to Santa Cruz County yesterday after the sheriff there said he hadn't  "discounted the possibility" that rusty rifles found in the desert were tied t ... More >>

Fast and Furious Connection Not Ruled Out in Found Assault Rifles, Says Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada

See also: Arizona Sheriffs Call for Independent Investigation of "Fast and Furious" Gunwalking Scandal and House Republicans Call For Special Counsel to Determine Whether AG Eric Holder Lied During "Fast and Furious" Testimony Even a few rusty guns found in the desert are enough to raise questi ... More >>

SB 1070 Quiz: "Spot the Immigrant," Courtesy of Congressman Luis Gutierrez

Let's all play Sand Land's new favorite game... Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez is freaking cool. A passionate pro-immigrant advocate and enemy of nativist goobers everywhere, the guy also has a sense of humor, as evidenced by his appearance on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this ... More >>

Ben Arredondo Pleads Not Guilty; Judge Not Convinced of Need to Seal Evidence

State Representative Ben Arredondo pleaded not guilty (as expected) yesterday to charges of bribery, fraud, attempted extortion and making false statements.A motion to keep evidence in the case secret -- which revealed "other investigations," which are "both closed and ongoing" -- was denied.It's li ... More >>

Ben Arredondo Case: Will More Politicos Join Him With the Title of "Defendant"?

A filing submitted in federal court Wednesday in the bribery, fraud, attempted extortion and false statements case of state Representative Ben Arredondo explains that the feds don't want a bunch of information to be publicly disclosed in the case because of "other investigations," which are "both cl ... More >>

Ben Arredondo Isn't the Only One the Feds Are Looking at

If you're doing shady stuff at the City of Tempe or the Arizona Legislature, go buy a shredder, or book a ticket to Morocco or something.A filing submitted in federal court yesterday in the bribery, fraud, attempted extortion and false statements case of state Representative Ben Arredondo explains t ... More >>

Arizona Medical Marijuana Act's 25-Mile Ban on Growing Pot Challenged in Lawsuit; Another Suit Seeks Different Rule Change

A new lawsuit over Arizona's Medical Marijuana Act targets the provision that bans patients and caregivers from growing pot within 25 miles of an open dispensary.Bill Hayes, a marijuana activist and qualified patient who lives in Surprise, argues in a federal complaint filed yesterday that the provi ... More >>

GOP Abortion Bullies: "Abortion Is the Leading Cause of Death In the Black Community"

​According to Texas Congressman Lamar Smith, "abortion is the leading cause of death in the black community" -- a claim he makes in a memo to House Republicans urging them to vote for a bill introduced by fagala-phobic Congressman Trent Franks that would make it illegal for a woman to end a pregna ... More >>

Sheriff Paul Babeu: "It's Time For a New Sheriff in Washington." Announces He'll Run For Congress

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu: proud member of the "build the dang fence" club.​It seemed like only a matter of time, but Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu announced this morning that he'll run for Congress in Arizona's Fourth Congressional District."The American people are sounding a giant 911 ca ... More >>

Should the U.S. Government Subsidize Accordion Festivals?

​A group of accordion fanatics in Texas aren't happy with Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake.This coming weekend is the International Accordion Festival in San Antonio, Texas. The Festival is subsidized by the National Endowment of the Arts, an independent agency of the federal government pegged with ... More >>

Congressman Jeff Flake and His Crusade Against Mimes and Accordions Pisses Off Polka Fans

www.roflrazzi.com​This weekend is the 11th annual International Accordion Festival in San Antonio, Texas. It's a three-day gathering of accordions, polka music, and, of course, beer.But if you ask Gwen Rivera, director of the International Accordion Festival, it's more than just a gathering ... More >>

PETA Not Pleased With State Capitol's Response to Rat Invasion

www.wildcarebayarea.com This is what's going on at the State Capitol -- and PETA's pissed. ​The Arizona Legislature's not in session, but the State Capitol is still swarming with rats. Not the usual elected rats, but actual rodents that are apparently "invading" the building.According to th ... More >>

Barack Obama Using DREAM Act to Raise Campaign Dollars; Activists Upset By Exploitation of Issue

United We DreamObama's solicitation​A national coalition of DREAM Act student activists is furious over Barack Obama's latest fundraising letter soliciting re-election funds based on his "support" of the DREAM Act. United We Dream is circulating a petition calling on Obama to stop using the D ... More >>

DREAM Act Reintroduced as Democrats Continue Kabuki Courtship of Latinos

Cleveland.comDREAM On.​Illinois Senator Richard Durbin will re-introduce the DREAM Act later this morning. Durbin's move is the second step in the Democratic Party's kabuki courtship of Latino voters ahead of the 2012 elections, which began with Barack Obama's bogus immigration speech yesterday. ... More >>

Kirk Adams Stepping Down as State House Speaker on Thursday; Run for Congress Likely

  ​Arizona House Speaker Kirk Adams (left) will step down from his post on Thursday as a likely step toward running for Representative Jeff Flake's seat in Congress. Flake's planning a run for U.S. Senator Jon Kyl's soon-to-be-vacant seat, and Adams has been among the possible candi ... More >>

Twenty-Two Sniveling Senators Ask Double-Talking Barack Obama To Stop Deporting Undocumented Youth. Change Unlikely.

Prerna Lal received deportation notice as Obama insists his administration isn't deporting talented young folk.​Twenty-two United States Senators sent a letter to President Barack Obama late last week asking him to stop deporting undocumented youth who might be eligible for the federal DREAM Act, ... More >>

Congressman Trent Franks Won't Run for Senate. God Apparently Changed His Mind

Congressman Trent Franks is a no-go for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jon Kyl.​God, apparently, is a little indecisive.Despite having indicated earlier in the week that he would announce his plans to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jon Kyl on Saturday, Congressman Trent ... More >>

Congressman Trent Franks Won't Run for Senate. God Apparently Changes Mind

Congressman Trent Franks is a no-go for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jon Kyl.​God, apparently, is a little indecisive.Despite having indicated earlier in the week that he would announce his plans to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jon Kyl on Saturday, Congressman Trent ... More >>

Why a Russell Pearce Run for Congress Would Be a Good Thing

Senator Jon Kyl Calling it a Career (Shhh...Nobody Tell J.D. Hayworth)

Jon Kyl's calling it quits.​U.S. Senator Jon Kyl is expected to announce his retirement from the Senate at a news conference scheduled for 10 a.m. today, according to multiple news outlets, and speculation as to who will replace him is already running rampant.The obvious choice is Congressman Jeff ... More >>

President Barack Obama: "Gabby Opened Her Eyes for the First Time"

"Gabby opened her eyes," President Barack Obama told the world Wednesday night.​At a memorial service held for those killed and wounded in Saturday's shooting rampage in Tucson, President Barack Obama offered the most encouraging update yet about the condition of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords s ... More >>

Russell Pearce and Other Illegal-Immigration Populists Rely on Misleading, Right-Wing Reports to Scapegoat Immigrants and to Terrify Penny-Pinched Americans

Tater Tot: Ben Quayle's Smart. He Can Spell Potato. But He Wouldn't Be a GOP Congressional Nominee Without the Name Daddy Dan Made Infamous

David Lujan's New Excuse for Missing the Big SB 1070 Vote

Lujan, at a Dem function on April 13, the day he missed the vote on SB 1070Compared to the verbal fisticuffs former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and Arizona schools Superintendent Tom Horne laid on each other in their recent Horizon debate over the GOP primary nod for Arizona Att ... More >>

John McCain Hires New Campaign Manager After Last Week's Shake-Up

James King​Senator John McCain's re-election campaign announced today that it has found a replacement for former campaign manager Shiree Verdone and it's opted to go with a familiar face.Mark Buse, "The Maverick's" former Senate chief of staff, and one-time intern when McCain was in the House of R ... More >>

J.D. Hayworth Pledges to Do "Everything in His Power" to Repeal Health Care Bill; When Did J.D. Hayworth Get Power?

www.msnbcmedia.msn.comFormer Congressman J.D. Hayworth (left)​Former Congressman J.D. Hayworth is speaking out against the controversial health care reform bill that passed the U.S. House Sunday night and he's using a bunch of shoulda, coulda, woulda's to blast John McCain, his opponent in the GOP ... More >>

Shutter Island: Stuck in the Asylum With Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio

Arizona House Approves Bill Allowing Residents to Own Guns Without Registration With Feds

www.motivatedphotos.com​ So far this session, the Arizona Legislature has considered or partially approved legislation that would allow people to build their own guns and ammo, allow university faculty to bring guns into the classroom, and allow anyone with a gun to conceal his or her ... More >>

Who Will Fill John Shadegg's Congressional Seat? Not Dean Martin

John Shadegg using a seven-month-old baby as a prop on the floor of the House of Representatives​With Congressman John Shadegg throwing in the towel and announcing he would be retiring from Congress yesterday, there is no shortage of talk about who his potential replacement might be.One of t ... More >>

Felecia Rotellini's Gloves Are Off Now That David Lujan is Running for Attorney General

Felecia Rotellini​Representative David Lujan made it official today and announced that he would be running for attorney general in 2010. Lujan has had an exploratory committee up and running for close to a year, so this is far from a shocker but another candidate for AG and fellow Democrat, former ... More >>

Senator Robert Byrd Surpasses Arizona's Carl Hayden as Longest Serving Federal Legislator

www.azfop5.com Former Maricopa County Sheriff and Long-time Arizona Congressman Carl Hayden​The old boys club just got a little older.Today, West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd surpassed former Arizona Congressman Carl Hayden as the longest serving congressman in history.Hayden served the sta ... More >>

Nutty John Shadegg Apologizes to New York Mayor Over Kidnapping Comments

www.slatecard.com Congressman John Shadegg​It certainly didn't take long for Arizona Congressman John Shadegg to eat his words after the fallout from his latest rant on the floor of the House of Representatives.As we reported yesterday, Shadegg stood in front of Congress Monday night and wa ... More >>

Deschene Announces He's Eyeing Run for Secretary of State

www.indnslist.org Representative Chris Deschene​Window Rock Democrat Chris Deschene announced Wednesday that he will file paperwork to form an exploratory committee for a possible run for secretary of state. Secretary of State is Arizona's second highest post and is currently hel ... More >>

Congressman John Shadegg Uses Baby as Prop on House of Representatives Floor

www.necn.com John Shadegg and Maddie​During a healthcare debate in the U.S. House of Representatives last week, Arizona Congressman John Shadegg called in an expert to try and dissuade legislators from voting for the controversial healthcare bill that just narrowly passed in the house. Wh ... More >>

Janet Napolitano's Last State-of-the-State Address: Did the Governor Cry?

Big girls don't cry, as the song goes. But Janet Napolitano came close on Monday during what was surely her last state-of-the-state speech as governor. On the verge of leaving for the wilds of Washington D.C. as Barack Obama's Homeland Security secretary (assuming she's appoi ... More >>

Barrett Marson Bids Adieu as House Speaker's Spokesman and Capitol Blogger

Barrett Marson, spokesman for outgoing Arizona House Speaker Jim Weiers, says in an e-mailed farewell that he'll look back fondly on his four years dealing with the "jackals" in the media, some of whom he may have even enjoyed getting to know. Friends and acquaintances of Marson's know he's ... More >>

Postmodern John McCain: the presidential candidate some Arizonans know — and loathe

Nickel-Bag Joe Arpaio Strikes Again!

Is John McCain a War Hero?

The senator's five years as a prisoner of war have been widely viewed as heroic. But as he prepares a White House bid, a small group of detractors is determined to expose him as a wartime traitor

Legacy or Sham?

The Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution has been established in Mo Udall's name. Would he even like it?

Deja Wow: Red, White and Snooze