The Republicans in the Arizona House Congressional Delegation had four chances over the last week that they had a sense of decency toward the American People.
Yet when faced with the chance to vote to protect same-sex marriage, a woman’s right to choose, a woman’s right to privately travel for medical care, and instituting a nationwide alert for potential active shooters, the four Arizona Republican House members (Debbie Lesko, Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, and David Schweikert) all snubbed Grand Canyon State Citizens and voted to deny people the right to love, choose, privacy, and be safe.
Reaction to the Arizona House Republicans not taking the side of the majority of the people in the Grand Canyon state was met with swift condemnation by the Arizona Democratic Party and some of the candidates running against them.
On the Arizona Republican Vote against Women’s Choice and Privacy
Arizona Democratic Party Spokesperson Aida Ross wrote:
“After decades of pushing to overturn Roe v. Wade and to ban abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest, it’s no surprise that today, Arizona Republicans voted against legislation to protect reproductive freedom. Reps. Biggs, Gosar, Lesko, and Schweikert once again proved they do not represent the overwhelming majority of Arizonans who want access to safe, legal abortion.The stakes in November could not be higher: While Democrats are working to protect Arizonans’ rights and freedoms, Republicans want states to strip women of their rights and make it a crime to seek access to health care.”
Congressional District One candidate Adam Metzendorf stated:
“Reproductive rights are human rights. This is an issue about individual liberty and healthcare autonomy. I will always support access to safe and legal abortion for individuals seeking to make decisions about their own healthcare. It is imperative that we codify the tenets of Roe v. Wade to stave off a long-term erosion of Constitutional rights.”
Congressional District Five candidate Javier Ramos relayed:
“The Hypocrisy of certain Republican members of congress never ceases. Republicans argued that Roe v. Wade is a state issue but yet behind closed doors they are secretly planning to have a national ban on reproductive freedom if Republicans are in the majority. Arizonans need to stand up to Republican hypocrisy and stand up to the Republican’s efforts to deny basic human rights. We as Arizonans need to support pro-reproductive right candidates.”
On the Arizona Republican vote against codifying Same-Sex Marriage.
Ms. Ross wrote:
“After a conservative Supreme Court opinion paved the way for Republican lawmakers to make abortion illegal, conservative justices signaled that same-sex marriage could be targeted next. It’s appalling that yesterday, all four Arizona House Republicans voted against legislation to protect marriage equality — making it clear that extremist Republicans are following through on that target. While Democrats have once again voted to protect Arizonans’ rights, many Republicans are actively trying to make it possible to take away our freedoms – whether that’s the freedom to marry the person you love or the freedom to make your own health care decisions.”
Mr. Metzendorf posted:
(2/2)
Fringe hate rhetoric and dictating who a person can and can’t love or marry has no place in government. To anyone afraid you will lose this right, just know I will never be silent and will always be in your corner— Adam Metzendorf (@adammetzendorf) July 20, 2022
Mr. Ramos offered:
“Protecting same-sex marriage is favored by 71% of Americans, so naturally Andy Biggs joined other GOP Reps in opposing it. And how do you think a Republican turned “independent” would vote on the issue when he caucuses with the Republicans. As your representative, I will stand with the LGBTQ community and the American majority.:
On the Arizona Republican Vote Against Instituting an Active Shooter Alert:
Congressional District One Jevin Hodge stated:
“It shouldn’t surprise anyone that David Schweikert voted against another common-sense, bi-partisan solution. He’s part of the problem in Washington – corrupt politicians like David Schweikert represent everything wrong with the system. Instead of watching out for your safety, he’s focused on lining his own pockets. When I’m in Washington, Arizona families can trust I’ll be fighting for them.”
Mr. Metzendorf commented:
“I support an alert system that keeps the public safer from mass shootings. Unfortunately, that is the world we live in now, but it does not have to be that way. When it comes to common sense gun laws there are three main pieces of legislation I’ll work to pass immediately. They are: Universal background checks, assault weapons ban, and safe gun storage laws. Most Arizonans believe in these common-sense measures that will save lives while still protecting people’s rights.”
Mr. Ramos relayed:
“The House with bi-partisan support passed the Active Shooter alert system. Needless to say, Biggs voted against the Active Shooter alert system just like he voted against the American Rescue Plan; the For the People Act; the American Dream and Promise Act; the Equality Act; the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; Build Back Better Act and of course Women’s Health Protection Act. Frankly, it does not matter how Biggs voted because he is not part of the national policy discussion and has become irrelevant.”
November 8, 2022, is in 111 days.
Voters need to remember which candidates were on their side and which ones thumbed their nose at them.
Ms. Lesko, Mr. Biggs, Mr. Gosar, and Mr. Schweikert have continuously demonstrated with both their recent and earlier votes that they belong to the later group.
Vote them out on November 8, 2022.
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