Debbie Lesko: GOP representative wants Biden to stop 'war' on US energy
The Arizona Republic asked Rep. Debbie Lesko, a series of questions ranging from policy issues such as water rights and the war in Ukraine to district needs.
Lesko, R-Ariz., is running unopposed for her third full U.S. House term in the Nov. 8 general election.
Below are her written responses:
Arizona is facing massive cuts in its water rights from the Colorado River after decades of drought. What, if anything, should Congress do to manage this issue for the state?
Due to the importance of water availability in Arizona, I recently led a Congressional delegation letter to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior asking the Department of the Interior to help expedite water negotiations between the Colorado River Basin States, delineate the authority they believe the Department of the Interior has in case the states don't reach an agreement on their own, encourage California to take their fair share of water cuts, and update Congress on water negotiations with Mexico. I led this letter after I organized a bipartisan Congressional briefing from the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the Central Arizona Project.
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What are two things you most want Congress to do to impact immigration or border security in the U.S.?
I have introduced legislation to help secure our southern border. The legislation will reinstate in law the Remain in Mexico policy that requires illegal immigrants to stay in Mexico or another safe non-U.S. country until their request for asylum can be heard in court. When President Trump instituted this policy, illegal immigration naturally decreased because illegal immigrants knew they couldn't automatically enter the United States by claiming asylum. The legislation also increases the standard for claiming asylum so that only legitimate asylum claims will be heard in court. If Republicans win back the majority, I will push for the passage of my legislation that includes these two major provisions that will better secure our border.
What is your district’s biggest unmet need? What would you do to address it?
Reducing the cost of living for my constituents is my number one priority. I have already introduced legislation and called on the Biden Administration to stop its “war" against American-produced oil and gas, unleash American energy and reduce his excessive government spending that leads to higher costs.
After the Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion rights, what, if anything, should Congress do on this issue?
After the Supreme Court’s decision, the decision on when abortions can be performed is left up to the people through their elected representatives, which can be at the state and/or federal level. U.S. House Democrats passed extreme legislation, without my support, that allows abortion up until the last second of birth nationwide, overriding state laws. Thankfully, that legislation has not passed the U.S. Senate. Republicans, like myself, have pushed for legislation that, at the bare minimum, will protect the lives of babies born alive from unsuccessful abortions. Unfortunately, (House) Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi and Congressional Democrats have blocked that legislation.
What can Congress do now to help Arizona’s economy and Arizonans struggling economically?
Lowering the cost of living for my constituents is my number one priority. In order to do this, President (Joe) Biden and Congressional Democrats need to stop the out-of-control government spending and unleash American energy, which will increase the energy supply and, in turn, lower the cost of gasoline, electricity and all the products that rely on gasoline and electricity to deliver and produce.
Are you in favor of continued U.S. support of Ukraine in its war with Russia? Why or why not?
I have supported funding and limited military equipment transfers to Ukraine so they can defend themselves against Russia. However, I voted against what I believe was the excessive additional $40 billion in aid passed in May.
The FBI raided former President Donald Trump’s residence after he repeatedly failed to turn over hundreds of pages of government documents, including top-secret information. What should happen as a result of this?
The FBI’s raid on a former U.S. President is unprecedented. I have called on the Department of Justice to release more information on why they felt it was necessary. Since an FBI lawyer was found guilty of illegally changing documents to convince a judge that they could spy on Trump in the past, and since this raid happened three months before an election, I remain skeptical about the true reason for the raid.
What policy issue OR what personally distinguishes you most from your opponent?
I have a track record of proposing and supporting common sense, needed legislation and helping my constituents. Fortunately, I do not have an opponent on the ballot this year.
The Phoenix area has been a hot spot for inflation in the U.S. and Arizonans have felt the effects of rapidly rising prices for more than a year. What specific steps by Congress do you think would be most effective in bringing down inflation?
Lowering the cost of living for my constituents is my number one priority. In order to do this, President Biden and Congressional Democrats need to stop the out-of-control government spending and unleash American energy, which will increase the energy supply and, in turn, lower the cost of gasoline, electricity and all the products that rely on gasoline and electricity to deliver and produce.
Tara Kavaler is a politics reporter at The Arizona Republic. She can be reached by email at tara.kavaler@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @kavalertara.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rep. Debbie Lesko on Arizona water rights, abortion, district needs
