David Schweikert is serving his fifth term in the United States Congress. He holds a seat on the Ways and Means Committee, and serves as the Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security. Prior to his service on the Ways and Means Committee, David served on the House Committee on Financial Services.
David also sits on the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, Co-Chairs the Valley Fever Task force with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and is the Republican Co-Chair of both the Blockchain Caucus, the Tunisia Caucus and the Caucus on Access to Capital and Credit.
For nearly a decade Washington bureaucrats have falsely concluded that the border is secure and made excuses for failing to complete the border fence. In reality, the fence remains unbuilt and the Department of Homeland Security only has operational control of 56 percent of our border.
The continued flow of illegal border entries, drug smuggling, and the influx of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) is proof that our border is not secure. In 2019, the United States saw a wave of illegal immigration by UACs and minors accompanied by adults claiming to be their parents (family units) along the southwest border. Thousands of UACs and family units illegally enter the U.S. each year, overwhelming Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and endangering themselves and their children. Recent numbers far exceed the record numbers of 2014, when the Administration claimed we faced a “crisis.”
Finally, we are continuing to see foreign nationals with terrorist ties crossing the border. Physical barriers are already a common tool used along our Southern border. The border wall system has allowed CBP to safely and effectively do their jobs and has prevented drug trafficking and human smuggling. Strengthening our Southern border will always be a top priority for me, as it is necessary to make sure Arizona communities are safe and our nation is secure.
Government overspending is creating a huge burden of debt that threatens the economic well-being of our children. Our national debt now exceeds a record-breaking $30 trillion, saddling every adult and child in America with liabilities of over $67,000.
Arizona families, and households all across the nation, understand the need for budgetary restraint as do households all across the nation. One of my top priorities is to protect citizens from unnecessary and wasteful government spending and force Washington to live within its means. Asking Americans to accept increases in the debt limit instead of removing the hundreds of billions of dollars of redundant, unnecessary waste among government agencies is irresponsible.
I believe the government’s bad habits can be turned around with intelligent discretionary-spending reforms. The Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office have both identified billions of dollars of waste that could be eliminated to make programs and services more efficient and deliver tax dollars where they are truly needed. I continue to support such reforms to rein in Washington’s spending problem.
You can find a copy of one of my recent floor presentation on the budget here.
Congress has no greater responsibility than providing for America’s national defense. Whether it is the growing asymmetrical threat from radical Islamic terrorism, an emboldened Russia, or a potentially nuclear Iran, America faces dynamic and evolving threats and must have the military capabilities to respond to these threats.
I am proud that Arizona is a leader in the military and defense community. Arizona’s service members and National Guard members have routinely distinguished themselves and served bravely in Iraq, Afghanistan, and anywhere else they are called to serve. Nearly all service branches are represented in Arizona. Luke Air Force Base and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base are two of the nation’s premier military installations in the country, hosting the next generation F-35s and the dependable A-10s, respectively. Fort Huachuca is home to the Army’s Intelligence Center and leader in the field of cyber and network security. Moreover, Yuma hosts both Marine Corps Air Station and the Army’s Yuma Proving Grounds. Finally, the Naval Observatory in Flagstaff observes and catalogues our celestial sky.
As your representative in Washington, I have worked to ensure our service members are properly trained and equipped to effectively execute and accomplish any mission we call on them to carry out. I have voted to pass pay raises for military families, to ensure while they are working to protect the security of our country, they can support themselves and their families financially.
I also believe there is no greater power that Congress has than the ability to declare war. The power to declare war rests exclusively with Congress, not the Executive branch. I am a firm believer that we must obey our Constitutional duty when deciding to send our servicemen and women to battle, and Congress must vote to do so. I have voted in favor of War Powers resolutions that cut off U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition currently engaged in Yemen, and have also voted in favor of similar amendments regarding military engagements around the world. I am proud that I have been consistent in this Constitutional duty when voting.
I thank all of our service members, both active and retired, for their tireless effort to protect our country. While serving as your Representative I will always support our Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Airmen, and their families.
Education is critical to the success and economic security of future generations. By providing a solid educational foundation from the start, we can ensure that our children have the tools necessary to keep the United States competitive in the global economy.
I strongly believe in the importance of STEM education as we move towards a more technology and data-driven economy. Ensuring all grade levels have access and experience in science, technology, engineering, and math is paramount to building up the next generation of Americans to face the difficulties and challenges ahead.
On September 18, 2014 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) unilaterally implemented new departure procedures at Sky Harbor International Airport, without consulting the communities that would be impacted. As a result, Valley residents who previously had no aviation noise exposure have seen a drastic decline in their quality of life. These changes have exposed our communities to unacceptable levels of aircraft noise, disrupting homes, businesses, and neighborhoods.
In response, I worked to pass an amendment that will prevent the FAA from moving forward with plans to redesign the regional airspace while the serious issues resulting from the new flight paths remain unresolved in the Phoenix area. Further, working with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, we were successful in including language that would require the FAA to reevaluate these flight paths and have community input on the future of Arizona’s airspace. Please be assured that I will continue to fight for our local community
Arizona’s financial sector plays a critical role in growing the economy and bringing jobs to our state. Entrepreneurs know that Arizona is one of the best places in the country to start a business, and as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Entrepreneurship Caucus, it is one of my highest priorities to help foster a hyper-efficient economy in our state.
For too long, the elites in Washington have forced a top-down bureaucratic regulatory regime onto the backs of American entrepreneurs. This creates a corrupted system that protects favored incumbents and props up easier to manipulate institutions. However, with the advent of modern peer-to-peer technology, we have an opportunity to return to America’s entrepreneurial roots.
I have authored a bill that has been introduced the past three session of Congress to change how the government defines “accredited investors”. The current definition only takes wealth into account, allowing those with enough money to participate in special investment opportunities nationwide. The Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act would change the definition to also include professional sophistication as an alternative metric to attain accredited investor status. This legislation passed the House of Representatives the past two sessions of Congress with overwhelming broad bipartisan support.
The financial services sector also has the unique opportunity to embrace technological advancements to make the industry more efficient. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Blockchain Caucus, I believe that blockchain will revolutionize how modern financial ownership is proven, and I am committeed to efforts that will help educate the industry on the importance of fintech to economic growth.
It is important that the United States’ strong global leadership and democratic values and human rights is maintained and projected. Whether it is standing with our European and NATO allies together to face the various global challenges we encounter, or expanding economic opportunity in the Western Hemisphere, African or Indo-Pacific regions, the United States is and continues to be a solid and reliable partner for our friends and allies around the world.
Israel is one of the United States’ strongest allies – and continued American support for Israel is paramount. The U.S. – Israeli partnership endures not only because of our shared values of democracy and human rights – the only country in Middle East that shares those values – but our strong economic and defense ties as well. I continue to be a strong advocate for Israel.
Russia continues to be a bad actor on the global stage, and their unprovoked war against Ukraine is horrendous and inexcusable. I stand with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their fight to defend their freedom. In addition to Russia’s attacks against Ukraine, under President Putin’s leadership, Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine – and invaded eastern Ukraine in 2014, went to war with Georgia in 2008 and has supported Syria’s dictator Bashar al-Assad in that country’s civil war. Congress rightly continues to impose strict sanctions on the Russian government and individual actors who abuse democratic values.
The people of Iran continue to suffer under the theological authoritarian regime that rules that country. Iran cannot be allowed weapons of mass destruction, with its continued commitment to the destruction of Israel, long commonplace chants of “death to America”, and the funding of proxy-militias that sow chaos and bloodshed throughout the region and beyond. It is imperative the United States continue to support strict sanctions on the Iranian regime and not return to the flawed “nuclear deal” agreement as long as the regime continues to be bad actors, while supporting the Iranian peoples’ desire to live in a free and transparent democracy.
China has taken advantage of the international system for far too long, including blocking any international investigations about the origins of COVID-19. There was hope, after China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the early 2000s that gradually China would introduce market reforms to its economy, and there would be a ripple effect on the opening of the social and government spheres. Instead, we’ve seen the communist regime crack down even harder on human rights, steal intellectual property from American companies, and force its regional vision against local opposition for Hong Kong, Taiwan and the South China Sea. China is and will be a major strategic competitor to the United States in the coming decades, and it is imperative the United States and its allies continue to confront this challenge head on.
The Affordable Care Act has confused an already complex and wasteful healthcare system. Americans need more choices and a competitive insurance marketplace, not mandates. We all want a system where people are treated fairly and given the support they need to remain healthy. We want those who become ill to receive the best care possible and care that is affordable.
In 2016, Arizona had eight health insurers offering plans on the Obamacare exchanges. By the end of the year, four insurers had entirely exited the market, leaving many uninsured or unable to afford coverage altogether. The fact is Obamacare devastated Arizona’s insurance market instead of allowing for increased competition, innovation, and access.
Imposing mandates on individuals and businesses while taxing procedures, payment plans to doctors, and everyday medical devices is not a recipe for improved healthcare access, affordability or quality. Improving healthcare for every American starts by improving access to information so consumers can truly understand and compare the cost of care.
We in Congress must do everything we can to help working families and individuals obtain better access to affordable health insurance. The Affordable Care Act confused an already complex and wasteful health care system. I believe every American should have full control of their health care, not bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. It is my goal to improve care for every American by expanding access to information so consumers can truly understand and compare the cost of care, while fostering a system that makes the price of health care transparent and supports competition to control costs. The resources below highlight a few of my concerns with the Affordable Care Act and the current state of the health insurance market:
– Kaiser Family Foundation | 2017 Premium Changes and Insurer Participation in the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplaces
…the largest increases in the unsubsidized second-lowest silver plan were Phoenix, AZ (up 145% from $207 to $507 per month for a 40-year-old non-smoker), Birmingham, AL (up 71% from $288 to $492) and Oklahoma City, OK (up 67% from $295 to $493).
– USA TODAY | Obamacare Hurts My Small Business
My firm, which has fewer than 20 employees, recently received our renewal package for next year’s health insurance plan. It read: “Your current coverage is no longer being offered, but we’ve provided you with a great alternative” — an estimated 48% increase in premiums. That translates into approximately $1,676 in added costs per year for every individual covered on our plan ($6,704 for a family of four). That’s approximately $44,000 in added annual costs that could otherwise be used to hire a college graduate.
What I’m Fighting For:
Health care is personal, but it’s easy for decision makers in Washington, D.C. to forget that, even during the best-intentioned discussions. I am eager to continue working with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to make it easier for Arizonans to receive the care they need and deserve. That is why I’m fighting to lower out-of-pocket costs and premiums, increase the adoption of innovative technology, support critical medical research, improve cost transparency, and move towards more value-based care that prioritizes outcomes over volume.
As the lead Republican of the House Telehealth Caucus, I am proud to fight for policies that promote the adoption of telehealth that meets the needs of patients and providers. My colleagues and I passed my legislation during the COVID-19 pandemic to expand access to telehealth services, and now we are continuing to work to make those policies permanent going forward. Telehealth has proven to be valuable regardless of where one lives and should continue to play a role in our health care ecosystem. Our system depends on constant innovation that equips medical professionals and their patents with the tools they need to heal, I will fight for them.
I am also committed to protecting those with pre-existing conditions. An individual should never be denied coverage or be unable to afford their health care because of their condition(s). I remain steadfast in my support for guaranteed issue and pre-existing coverage protections. This includes advocating for other innovative solutions such as high-risk pools and plan portability.
The Future of Care:
In this past year, we have seen the incredible achievements made in medical research and innovation.. The work being done by the scientific community has the potential to dramatically change the lives of patients and their families, and there has never been a time with more cause for optimism. I work every day in Washington D.C. to share these stories of great opportunity.
We must continue fighting for policies that help develop the next mRNA vaccine, cancer treatment, chronic disease management tool, medication adherence technology, remote patient monitoring, and other innovative resources to create a healthier society. Our very own state is becoming a worldwide leader in medical innovation, and we must ensure that our policies protect that innovation. Technology disruptions in health care will help us proactively manage our health, improve care delivery, and rein in out-of-control healthcare expenses in our country. Our demographics demand we get creative in how we deliver care – I am committed to being part of the solution.
As a member of the Ways and Means Committee Health Subcommittee, I am fighting for reforms that improve affordability and provide flexibility, not ones that impose mandates. I support putting our health care back on a sustainable path that will serve us today and for generations to come.
What I’m Reading:
How COVID-19 Technology May Help Fight Cancer in the Near Future
Beyond COVID, The Future Of MRNA Is Bright
Telehealth:
Medicare and Telehealth: Coverage and Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Options for the Future
Medication Adherence:
Cost of Prescription Drug-Related Morbidity and Mortality.
Technology:
Google Strikes Deal With Hospital Chain to Develop Healthcare Algorithms
Study To See If Apple Watch & iPhone Can Predict Illnesses Like COVID-19
Forbes Insights – AI And Healthcare: A Giant Opportunity
This AI Could Help Wipe Out Colon Cancer
Kaiser Family Foundation – How do health expenditures vary across the population?
Staying true to the principles of our founding documents has long been a priority of mine. Our founding fathers wrote the Second Amendment to protect our citizens’ right to own firearms. Overly aggressive gun control laws tend to penalize lawful gun owners and law-abiding citizens, not the criminals set on using those guns with ill intention.
As Arizonans, we understand the fundamental right for a citizen to be able to protect themselves and their loved ones. It is for this reason that I was a prime sponsor for the Concealed Carry Law while serving as an Arizona state legislator. I continue advocating for these policies on the national level.
I also believe there is bipartisan support for technology upgrades and improved training that will bring our background check system into the 21st century to ensure that those who should not have access to a firearm are prevented from purchasing one. On March 23rd, 2018, President Trump signed into law the Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus, which included the Fix NICS Act. The Fix NICS Act, requires federal agencies to certify twice a year they are uploading criminal records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and instructs the Department of Justice and the Appropriations Committees to take action if federal agencies are failing to comply. We must ensure that both federal and state authorities are properly and accurately reporting criminals to NICS so that we prevent crime and protect lives.
Since I was first elected to Congress, my mission has always been to help Arizona families. I believe through stopping wasteful government spending and bringing forward measures that help create good-paying jobs and shrink our debt, we can build a healthier economy and secure the economic future of America’s children. I was proud to help write the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, legislation that was signed into law in 2017. This legislation was one of our country’s most sweeping overhauls of the federal tax code in over three decades.
Each year after passage of the bill we have consistently seen great news for the economy. Prior to the pandemic, our monthly jobs reports were showing record-low unemployment, thousands of jobs created, and increased wages across the spectrum, particularly for minority groups and women. It is imperative for us to be promoting pro-growth policies like tax cuts to help drive economic growth, as well as ensure that our tax code works for our nation’s families, and keeps the United States economy competitive.
As a proud member of the Ways and Means Committee, I am committed to ensuring Arizona has access to free and fair trade, while also ensuring the United States’ trading relationships are kept a high priority. Expanding access to emerging markets is crucial for creating opportunities for U.S. manufacturers, farmers and service providers to sell more American-made goods and services around the world.
I am a strong supporter of free trade, and as a border state, Arizonans understand the importance of strong trade partnerships with its neighbors.
In 2020 alone, Arizona exported $8.9 billion worth of goods to Canada and Mexico, and there are more than 228,000 jobs being supported by trade in Arizona. The updated United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which has now entered into force, will grow our economy and further strengthen our relationship with neighbors Mexico and Canada. Increased trade with our neighbors will better serve Arizona businesses, manufacturers, farmers, and other industries leading to incredible economic growth and freer markets.
The United States should continue to negotiate strong trade agreements with partner countries like the United Kingdom, Japan, the European Union. Reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO) is a top priority of mine. It is important that the United States remain an active and committed member of the WTO, while working with our allies to ensure the WTO system is more efficient and transparent.
I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee to further strengthen the United States’ trading relationships.
I have lived most of my life alongside tribal communities here in Arizona. Arizona’s history is intertwined with those of Arizona’s tribes, and in our state we are fortunate to live side-by-side with 22 federally recognized tribal nations. I cochaired the Indian Affairs Committee years ago while serving as the Majority Whip in the Arizona state legislature, where I learned of the many issues tribes face on a daily basis. Issues between federal and tribal jurisdictions are complex, and Congress must work to fix any discretions. We must make sure our tribes are provided the funding and resources they both need and deserve.
I will continue to work on behalf of the tribal communities here in our state of Arizona, to ensure they receive the opportunities of resources, development prospects, and other funding that have been both promised to them, and continue to use my voice on their behalf.
In 2013, Congressman David Schweikert and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy teamed up to co-found the Congressional Valley Fever Task Force, bringing much needed awareness to the disease of coccidioidomycosis. The disease, more commonly known as Valley Fever, is prominent in Maricopa county as well as the rest of Arizona and southern California.
The goal of the Valley Fever Task Force is to share information with stakeholders in the medical and scientific fields to foster new advancements in prevention and treatment as well as work with community organizations to help educate individuals on the disease. As Congressman Schweikert stated, “This task force is a much needed step toward raising awareness for this terrible disease and someday soon finding a cure. Valley Fever has silently affected entire communities in the southwest including our family, friends, and even beloved pets. I am hopeful that this working group will bring awareness, reduce the risk of misdiagnoses, and bring about a cure within the decade.”
In the 113th Congress, Congressman Schweikert successfully led the effort to have coccidioides spp., the pathogens that cause Valley Fever, listed as qualifying pathogens under the GAIN Act of 2011. This effort granted Valley Fever the title of “orphan disease” with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning any treatments or future cures will be given priority and fast tracked through the often arduous FDA drug approval process.
What is Valley Fever?
Valley Fever is caused by the fungal spore coccidioides spp. endemic to arid and semi-arid geographical areas. Because these spores are carried by soil, any disruption to the ground creates a heightened risk of infection. While some individuals breathe in the spore with no repercussions, others fall ill from Valley Fever. Those affected most by Valley Fever are immunosuppressed patients; elderly individuals; pregnant females; and minority populations of African, Filipino, and Native American descent. Of the more than 150,000 individuals infected annually, roughly 50,000 warrant medical attention. Of those, nearly 600 cases have the infection spread from their lungs to other parts of their body. Ultimately, about 160 cases result in death. Reported cases of Valley Fever in the southwestern states of Arizona, California, Texas and New Mexico have skyrocketed in recent years; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics show that reported cases of Valley Fever have risen nine-fold since 1998. Arizona alone accounts for about 65% of all reported cases that occur in the United States.
Today, patients diagnosed with Valley Fever are prescribed an antifungal therapy that has a 30%-60% failure rate. The current recommendation of the Infectious Disease Society of America is to continue treatment for life. There is no cure.
Valley Fever severely affects many who work outdoors, farmers, and those in the construction industry. Every branch of the United States’ military has bases in the endemic regions, putting our military men and women at risk.
Thank you to all the men and women who have so honorably served this nation.
Arizona is home to one of the largest populations of veterans in the country. In recent years, our veteran community has been shaken due to poor management by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Regrettably, our Phoenix VA was ground-zero for many of the wait-time manipulations that prevented our veterans and families from receive the care they deserve. When our troops return from duty, I am committed to ensuring that they and their families have better access to healthcare, job assistance, and rehabilitation opportunities in the communities where they live.
Providing veterans with the resources needed to live independent and productive lives is a priority for me, especially for those returning from war, who have made great personal sacrifices. It is vitally important that services, including mental health resources, be available to support our veterans and their families.
I continue to push for increased accountability within the VA and will continue to do everything in my power to ensure our veterans receive the care they earned in a timely manner.
You can hear more about my thoughts here on how our country can extend support to our veterans through phone and web resources.
We must always honor our veterans for their service and sacrifice to our great nation. If you would like to memorialize a veteran, you can use this link.