On Wednesday, I enjoyed meeting with Wickenburg Mayor Bratcher.
Later on, I had the opportunity to sit down with Yavapai County Supervisors Brooks Compton and Chris Kuknyo.
Being out and about in the district is so much better than being in DC. |
I also visited Freeport-McMoRan's copper mine in Bagdad, AZ.
By expanding American mineral extraction, we decrease our reliance on foreign adversaries, bolster national security, and spur economic growth. |
As a member of the House Freedom Caucus Board, I joined in urging Speaker Johnson to consider the HFC Reconciliation plan.
Our plan will allow Congress to quickly deliver the resources the Trump Admin needs without having to cut deals with Democrats.
Click on the image below to see more. |
Last year, I proudly supported the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act.
This bill authorized funds to be used for firefighter training, equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, and general emergency response needs. |
As the 119th Congress kicks off, I'm honored to continue working alongside my Chief of Staff, Greg Smith, and Deputy Chief of Staff, Gaither Martin.
Their experience and expertise places us in a great position to advance principled and effective policies for AZ-02. |
I, alongside the House Freedom Caucus, believe in the rationale for a two-step reconciliation process.
This allows us to immediately give President Trump and Tom Homan funding to protect American citizens.
A single package risks weakened policies and roadblocks due to our slim majority.
Click on the image below to see more. |
I'm excited about the appointments of Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
They aren't afraid to challenge the failed policies of the establishment, and I believe they will bring much-needed reform to Washington.
Huge thanks to Jineane Ford for having me on.
Click on the image below to see more. |
- Introduced Bill to Designate Pleasant Valley Retreat Center in Young, Arizona: Congressman Crane reintroduced legislation to enable Gila County, Arizona to operate a veterans’ center on 232 acres in Young, Arizona. As you may know, the center is the first of its kind in northern Arizona, providing resources and support to primarily rural veterans and their families. In many parts of the Western United States, the federal government retains vast amounts of land, limiting states’ ability to maintain, conserve, recreate, and responsibly produce on the lands within their own borders. The transfer of ownership to Gila County would protect and maintain the rich history of the property, while providing family housing, meeting and activity spaces, resource rooms, Veteran Ceremonial Grounds, and outdoor recreation. By introducing this legislation, the Congressman pushes for this crucial resource for rural veterans in northern Arizona who selflessly served our nation.
- Introduced the Energy Opportunities for All Act: Congressman Crane reintroduced the Energy Opportunities for All Act, which would nullify the Biden Administration’s overreaching actions that ban American citizens from lawfully exercising the rights over their lands and resources. As you may know, in June of 2023, the Biden Administration issued a Public Land Order banning approximately 336,404.42 acres of federal mineral estate surrounding the Chaco Canyon National Historical Park for 20 years. This effectively prevents all private landowners and Navajo allottees from mineral leasing land in this area. Last Congress, the House Committee on Natural Resources voted to advance the bill in a bipartisan fashion. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren testified before the committee in support of the bill before committee passage. By introducing this legislation, the Congressman seeks to end the harmful mineral leasing ban that will have significant negative economic impacts on both Navajo Nation and the American taxpayer by severely limiting tribal revenue, economic development, self-sufficiency, and American energy production.
- Cosponsored Bill Ending Sue and Settle: Congressman Crane joined Rep. Cloud (R-TX) in reintroducing legislation that limits the ability of federal agencies to enter into settlement agreements and consent decrees that create new regulations, otherwise known as “Sue and Settle”. As you may know, the Sue and Settle model circumvents Congress’s power by allowing powerful interest groups to use the courts system as a pawn in developing environmental law without Congress. It works as follows: An interest group sues a friendly administrative agency, claiming the agency has violated the law. Rather than seek dismissal of a likely meritless claim, the agency settles, because the settlement agreement is a way to avoid court setting limits on doing what the plaintiffs request, to exceed its authority, and to impose new rules—without going through the normal order of deliberative processes. Often in these settlements, the agency agrees to do something it likely doesn’t have authority to do or may be prohibited from doing under existing legislation. And it makes these policy commitments outside the transparent process of notice and comment rulemaking demanded by the Administrative Procedure Act.. By signing on, the Congressman ends these corrupt tactics, often employed by the Biden Administration.
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Crane tackles questions on immigration, assassination and Ukraine Payson Roundup
Key Excerpts: - The plight of legal, would-be immigrants, the toll of support for overseas wars and a baffling assassination attempt: Rep. Eli Crane tackled these topics and more during a tele-town hall last week.
- A member of the Freedom Caucus and supporter of President Donald Trump, Crane is a former Navy Seal and businessman, a fiscal hawk and critic of U.S. support for Ukraine.
- The questions during the extended session were respectful, thoughtful and sometimes challenging.
- That includes the topic of controlling illegal immigration at the border, an issue that played a leading role in Donald Trump’s election victory.
- Crane was a fierce critic of the previous administration’s border policy and a big supporter of shutting down the border.
- One voter said, “We all agree illegal immigration is a bad thing. But it seems that legal immigration is almost impossible to get done. I have a friend trying for two years to get a woman from Ukraine over here. All he does is run into roadblocks. They shot her down and never gave her a good reason.”
- Crane replied, “I won’t argue that our immigration system doesn’t need some overhauling. But the thing I’m most concerned about is securing our border. When I look at the threats in the country, at the terrorist cells, the weapons, the 100,000 Americans dying to fentanyl, South American gangs … that’s my primary focus when it comes to anything border related. Immigration included.”
- “We used to have a saying in the Seal team: 'Crawl, walk, run.' Don’t get focused on walking until you can crawl. We have failed to protect the American people. Now we have an executive order making the border a national emergency, and can flood the National Guard down to flood the border. Tom Hollman has started his deportations and ICE is starting with most serious criminals and safety threats,” Crane said.
- “That’s my priority. You have to crawl before you can walk. We’re going to put our priorities on border security first and foremost. I’m not saying we can’t do a better job fast-tracking legal immigration. But 15 to 20 million have come in the last four years; many are security risks. Many just want a better life. We expect people to come here the legal way. So, however many millions of people right now trying to go through the process legally, and for some of them it takes eight to 10 years.”
- Another voter asked whether the U.S. should be spending money to support Ukraine or Israel when thousands of U.S. military veterans are homeless.
- Crane is one of the staunchest deficit hawks in Congress. He has voted against continuing resolutions to keep the government running that don’t include program cuts. He even voted against President Trump’s suggestion Congress waive the limit on the debt ceiling for the next two years.
- “If you look at my voting record, I never voted one time for funding of the Ukraine war. As someone who has lost a lot of friends overseas and one of the few in congress who knows what that’s like, I also understand the amount of debt and how out of control of our spending is up here – that’s why I’m part of the Freedom Caucus, dedicated to reducing spending and reducing the national debt. It’s one reason I was one of the first three congressmen to endorse President Trump on the day he announced he was running again; he had an amazing record of keeping us out of wars. I still have many friends running around who are part of the Seal teams overseas. I want to make sure our military is strong. But I haven’t voted for any of the funding for any of these never-ending wars that it seems like we continually get ourselves in.”
- Crane also got a question about the investigation into the assassination attempt on President Trump. The shooter was on the roof of a building right next to where the Secret Service had stationed a protective sniper team. The questioner suggested that couldn’t have happened without some kind of conspiracy. Crane, himself a former sniper, wasn’t so sure.
- “The assassination attempt is something I spent a lot of time on. At the very least, at the very least, the Secret Service 100% failed the President and failed the country in not securing that site. Many of our oversight efforts are often obstructed, especially if we are not in power and we don’t have our individuals running these agencies like the Secret Service. The President just appointed a new Secret Service head; he was the one on stage with the President.”
- Crane said numerous security threats remain, including terrorist groups.
- “I’m doing everything I can to bang the drum. Make sure the President understands the vulnerabilities, but also to put his agents in the limelight. Many of us are concerned by the job they are doing. Hopefully as we get new leadership, we won’t see any more threats to the President. As far as getting to the bottom of some of the things that happened, I do know there will continue to be investigations up here.”
Congress acts to speed up forest thinning Payson Roundup
Key Excerpts: - Congress last week quickly passed a sweeping bill to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires by streamlining the review process for forest thinning and restoration projects.
- Arizona District 2 Rep. Eli Crane was a co-sponsor of the Fix Our Forests Act, which drew support from 64 Democrats and all the Republicans in the House.
- “I proudly supported the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, which would proactively bolster forest health. This is a massive win for AZ-02 as we approach fire season,” Crane said.
- The action could have major effects in Arizona, with a strong partnership between a struggling timber industry, the Forest Service and local government as well as the 4-Forests Restoration Initiative.
- The bill came in the wake of the wildfires in California. Estimates suggest the fires killed at least 24 people and destroyed an estimated 18,000 structures. Estimates of the damage from various sources have ranged from $30 billion to $250 billion.
- Many local government, insurance and industry groups hailed the effort to speed up forest restoration and management changes.
- “Enacting this legislation will help protect our communities and address forest health needs by fostering collaboration between federal agencies, local communities and tribal nations, authorizing common sense environmental streamlining authorities, providing targeted litigation reform, expanding good neighbor authorities, and investing in data sharing, research and technology," said a statement from a coalition of farm, water, logging and local government groups.
- “We strongly support this legislation that would increase the nation’s resiliency to catastrophic wildfires, improve land use planning and forest management and better protect communities in wildfire prone regions," said a coalition of insurance companies.
- A version of the Fix Our Forests Act passed the House last year but died in the Senate.
- The underlying goal of the legislation is to boost efforts like the 4-Forests Restoration Initiative, which has worked to dramatically reduce tree densities across millions of acres of Northern Arizona Forests.
Crane Introduces Bill Allowing Navajo Energy Development Cactus Politics
Key Excerpts: - Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) has introduced legislation reversing a Biden Administration ban on mineral leasing land in Chaco Canyon, allowing the Navajo Nation to invest in energy development.
- The bill, which Rep. Crane named the “Energy Opportunities for All” Act, arose from a June 2023 Public Land Order implemented by the Biden Administration.
- The order banned the use of over 300,000 acres of federal land, a ten-mile radius in Chaco Canyon, for oil and gas production for 20 years, much to the Navajo Nation’s discontent.
- While other tribes and environmental activists praised the move, the Navajo Nation attempted to compromise by asking for half of the land for development.
- “The Navajo Nation attempted to compromise by proposing a 5-mile buffer as opposed to the 10-mile,” said Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley in June 2023, “The Biden Administration has undermined the position of the Navajo Nation with today’s action and impacted the livelihood of thousands of Navajo allotment owners and their families.”
- As Rep. Crane noted in his press release, Biden’s Secretary of the Interior, Debra Haaland, complained that the first Trump Administration failed to consult with Native Americans.
- Yet, in her capacity as Interior Secretary under Biden, she helped impose the Public Land Order without respecting the sovereignty of the Navajo Nation in the area.
- Thus, Crane worked with Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren to draft the Energy Opportunities for All Act, which would repeal the Public Land Order.
- In a statement, the Arizona Congressman said, “Secretary Haaland and President Biden engaged in selective sovereignty driven by extremists with no concern for Navajo interests or the energy needs of all Americans.”
- As a result, Crane was “proud to reintroduce the bill that would invalidate the Biden admin’s meddlesome ban. Together with the Trump Administration, I’m confident we will be able to advance tribal interests, unleashing energy sovereignty and prosperity.”
- Similarly, President Nygren added, “I appreciate Rep. Eli Crane for introducing this piece of legislation. The Navajo Nation continues to be an energy-producing tribal Nation. I support the Navajo people having a say in how their land and minerals are developed. In this case, the Navajo allottees have an important right to have their voices heard.”
- The Energy Opportunities for All Act is not Crane’s first collaboration with the Navajo Nation, having introduced a bill in June that would improve the provision of and authorization to lease clean water not only to them but to the Hopi Tribe and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe in northeastern Arizona.
Eli Crane Blasts 'Unelected Bureaucrats' Targeting Veterans' Gun Rights Breitbart
Key Excerpts: - On Thursday, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) blasted “unelected bureaucrats” who have targeted the rights of military veterans who use a fiduciary to help with their finances.
- Crane was part of a hearing which he described as being “about whether or not unelected bureaucrats can strip away Second Amendment, God-given rights from our veterans if they need help managing their assets.”
- Veterans’ gun rights have been under threat for decades, first for those seeking mental help for the struggles they faced post-deployment and then, for allowing a third party to help them manage finances.
- On July 25, 2019, Breitbart News pointed out that U.S. Reps. Phil Roe (R-TN) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) introduced legislation prohibiting the Veterans Administration from interfering with a veteran’s Second Amendment rights because that vet needs help managing finances.
- Now, Rep. Crane is pushing H.R. 496 to block the attack on veterans’ gun rights once and for all.
- Crane, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, noted that Democrats who support the status quo on bureaucrats being able to strip away gun rights often claim they do so in order to help reduce suicide among veterans, particularly combat veterans.
- But Crane rejected this line of thinking, saying, “When it comes to suicide, a lot of these individuals, a lot of veterans….who are struggling with PTSD and have some of these issues, one of [their] biggest issues is fear and trauma because [they] thought [they] might lose [their] life in battle against other people with guns.”
- He suggested that taking away their guns now only serves to increase the feeling of defenselessness, thereby increasing feelings of fear and fueling the very suicides which Democrats claim they are trying to stop.
Mike Johnson, other legislators join Liberty students at Peaceful Transition of Power event in D.C. Liberty University
Key Excerpts: - Nearly 200 Liberty University students, alumni, and faculty heard from some of our nation’s leaders in Washington, D.C., at a Celebration of the 47th Peaceful Transition of Power event on Jan. 22.
- The event was organized by Liberty’s Office of Business Relations, led by former U.S. Rep. and Liberty Vice President of Business Relations Dr. Dave Brat, who served as moderator.
- The four-hour celebration featured several representatives and legislators, including a keynote speech from Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
- Other speakers included Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), and Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations Michael McCaul.
- Speakers weighed in on multiple key issues facing America, including how Christians and conservatives should approach inflation, illegal immigration, international unrest, national security, and other hot-topic issues during the 2024 presidential election.
- Brat said the main objective of the event was to expose students to our country’s national political leadership so they may learn firsthand the incredible challenges America faces moving forward.
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Need assistance with a federal agency? Here's what some constituents from AZ-02 had to say about the recent assistance they received from our office:
Passport: Dear Congressman Eli Crane,
Many thanks for your help!
After sending a request to you about my daughter ------'s passport processing delay, her passport was issued a week later.
I appreciate very much for your quick help to one of your constituents.
Best regards, AZ-02 Resident
Lori,
I don't know what you did but wow! I just got my passport back in only 12 days even though they said 3 to 5 weeks for a renewal. So whatever you did I cannot thank you enough. After dealing with the state department for four years you got an answer for me in a couple of weeks for both of the things I needed. Bless you and I hope others can benefit from what you can do. AZ-02 Resident
Social Security: Just wanna take the opportunity to thank you again for helping me with my disability. I believe the knowledge of Disability knowing that the congressman was looking out made a huge difference and speed things along. I enjoyed participating in the Phone live meeting last night [...] Thank you again God bless AZ-02 Resident
I am writing to let you know that SSA is in the process of processing a refund of the overpaid premiums. The agent informed me that once they determine how much, if any refund is due for part B, they will send a refund directly to my account. Thank you, so much, for your support. After nearly two years, I honestly believed this issue would never be resolved. It’s difficult to find words to express my appreciation. Sincerely, DS
I just wanted to thank you again for coming to our rescue. You sure knew what you were doing and I am extremely grateful!
Visas: I wanted to thank you so much for all your help on ------'s visa. I found out the other day that her visa was approved. If weren't for the help of your office I’m sure I would be still waiting. Again, thank you. -Ed P.
Veterans Affairs: Just a note of appreciation to you for your assistance with the VA Aid and Assistance Benefit for my dad. He has been approved for the benefit and has received the first monthly disbursement. Know that you made a huge difference in his life and he (and I) can now rest easier that he has a safe environment, food stability, a roof over his head and is receiving quality care. Our deepest thanks, -Valerie B.
I received the packet of 75 pages of my Dad's USN records. Wow!!! When you say you can help, you mean it. My sister is beside herself with glee and shock that I received them so fast. I told her Rep. Cranes' crew is the best. Sincerely, -Thomas W.
Mr. Timm, I recently reached out to your office for help with a financial matter, regarding a medical bill. Thanks to you and your office, the matter has been successfully resolved in my favor. No public servant have ever helped the way that you have. I have no words to express my extreme gratitude! Gratefully, -Arnold A.
I can't express how grateful I am for your assistance in this. The timing was perfect, you saved a vet from being homeless. Thank you. AZ-02 Resident
Other Assistance: Julie, thanks for checking in on our progress. The gas line is installed and the gas meters should be in place this week. Thanks again for your assistance, I can't imagine where we would be without your help. Bruce M.
Julie, I don't know what you did but THANK YOU! I received my refund Saturday, July 1, 2023. Now I can officially close my father's estate from 2019. I really appreciate everything you did to make this happen. -Jane M. Thank you so much for all of your help with our 2020 refund. I am so relieved it’s over. I would still be waiting if not for your assistance. -Suzanne S.
Dear Congressman Crane, I sincerely thank you and your office for the actions taken in response to my June request for assistance with the ATF; I received approval of the Form 4 application today. Without your assistance I would have undoubtedly been waiting still. -Ed H.
My Treasury account was unlocked this morning As mentioned in Subject, it's unlocked a few months earlier Thanks to you and your office. God Bless you and all your work for Arizona and the USA. I'M a USAF 20 year vet. Live at the Wickenburg Ranch community. If you are in the area stop by for a Hello. AZ-02 Resident
Hi Julie! I think the problem may be solved. I got a call from the head mail carrier in Flagstaff. She was able to open the mailboxes, told me that the keys for all my future neighbors were labeled and ready to distribute (as they moved in), and that mail delivery should begin on Friday. I so appreciate your help. If there's a problem I'll contact you, but if you don't hear from me, you can assume that the matter is resolved. I have never contacted a congressman's office before, but this has been a great experience. You were so helpful. Have a wonderful holiday! -Jennifer P.
If you are in need of assistance in dealing with a federal agency or are having a similar issue, please don't hesitate to reach out to my office to request help. |
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