Officer Michael Fanone Condemns Speaker Johnson’s Characterization of January 6 Rioters as “People Who Were Just There”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, former D.C. Police Officer and Courage for America Councilmember Michael Fanone, who was severely injured defending the Capitol on January 6th, condemned Speaker Mike Johnson’s characterization of January 6th rioters as “people who were just there and happened to be walking through the building.” Click here to watch the TV clip.

“This B.S. needs to stop. Though politically inconvenient for the likes of Speaker Johnson, the thousands of people who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6th were violent rioters who assaulted hundreds of police officers and tried to harm and kill our elected leaders. If the lies that led to the January 6th insurrection do not stop, history will repeat itself,” said Officer Michael Fanone. “This is the Speaker of the House who has a duty to support and defend the Constitution. He should know better.”

Officer Fanone’s January 6 Body Cam Footage:

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About Courage for America

Courage for America is a campaign advised by a council of proud Americans speaking out against an extreme MAGA agenda that puts money and power over the rights and freedoms of the American people. The campaign is amplifying the voices of Americans in communities across the country — veterans, educators, faith leaders, and more — to demand the People’s House works for the people. courageforamerica.org

Roundup: Officer Michael Fanone, House Members Highlight Severity of January 6 at Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, pro-democracy Members of Congress and former D.C. police officer Michael Fanone, who was severely injured while defending the Capitol on January 6th, highlighted the importance of remembering the severity of the attack on the U.S. Capitol at the House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. At the hearing, extreme Republicans attempted to avert attention from the events of January 6th and minimize the detrimental impact the insurrection had on our democracy and society.

Below is a roundup including transcripts of noteworthy moments from the hearing

Ranking Member of the Select Subcommittee, Rep. Stacey Paskett

Rep. Plaskett: At the end of the day, the purpose of this hearing is to minimize what happened on January 6th, and the lawful prosecution of individuals who were engaged in that practice. The Chairman wants us to believe that people are being persecuted for their political conduct rather than their criminal behavior. So basically, he’s trying to tell us that everyone who’s been indicted and prosecuted for January 6th, did not engage in criminal conduct? That’s the logic of what of he’s saying and it’s… we’ve just come so low in this House. It’s just frightening to me.

To view a video clip of this moment, click HERE

To view Officer Fanone’s body camera footage shown during Rep. Plaskett’s opening remarks, click HERE


Officer Fanone: Within the context of this particular investigation… one of the reasons why I believe that the FBI would have sought voluntary compliance as opposed to applying for a warrant is the sheer magnitude of the event. You had literally 1000s of people who participated again on the attack on the Capitol on January 6, and then in an abundance of caution, and really the responsibility of the FBI and those other investigating agencies is to ensure that that violence does not occur again at our inauguration, which was only about two weeks after that. And so, I think it wholly appropriate, as you just said, it’s completely within our capabilities as law enforcement agencies to seek voluntary compliance from these institutions to investigate criminal acts or potential criminal acts.

Rep. Plaskett: Thank you. So there was an imminent threat on the American people, on the homeland, that being individuals who said they were going to come back and finish the job that they had started on January 6, to try and stop the emplacement of Joe Biden as President of the United States.

To view a video clip of this moment, click HERE

Rep. Colin Allred 

Rep. Allred: “I was on the House floor on January 6th. We haven’t had a chance to talk, but I know you have kids. I have… —my wife was at home with our son Jordan, he wasn’t yet two…— she was seven months pregnant. And thanks to your bravery, the bravery of your colleagues, of true patriots who defended this Capitol. I believe I got to meet my son Cameron.”

To view a video clip of this moment, click HERE

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Rep. Wasserman Schultz: Officer Fanone, what’s your response to those who say that no police officers were killed by the events on January 6th, 2021?

Officer Fanone: Well, my thoughts on Officer Brian Sicknick, obviously, Brian Sicknick’s cause of death was ruled unrelated to the Capitol riot. That being said, I think that good, decent people would understand that if it were not for his participation in the defense of this Capitol on January 6th against a violent mob, Brian Sicknick would be here with us today. I understand, I think better than most, the post traumatic stress that accompanied my participation in defending the Capitol on January 6th and then enduring the mischaracterization or lies about what I experienced that day from people in positions of power, many of whom were here at the Capitol themselves. I understand what brought many officers to taking their own lives and I certainly attribute their actions to their participation in defense of the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.

Rep. Wasserman Schultz: Thank you. Mr. Chairman and my Republican colleagues. Once again, I ask that you stop trivializing the violent assault the entire world saw that day both to our democracy and to our law enforcement. And please do not cavalierly discard financial information as a law enforcement tool to prevent the next January 6th. 

To view a video clip of this moment, click HERE

Rep. Gerry Connolly 

Rep. Connolly: The Republican Conference Chair, Elise Stefanik, recently said people who are being imprisoned for crimes committed during January 6 are “hostages.” Do you agree, yes or no,— that the people who have been arrested, tried, convicted, sentenced and are serving those sentences are in fact “hostages”?

Mr. Knight: I have not studied that. My initial inclination is no. And if I can elaborate, I have not read all the transcripts of all the convictions, but I will assume…—

Rep. Connolly: Thank you. I just find it interesting that you can opine about amendments to the Constitution and infringements and warrants, but you haven’t really looked at the issue of whether people who committed crimes on January 6 are hostages or not. Thank you for that moral equivocation. Officer Fanone, maybe you don’t want to equivocate. What do you think? I mean, I’m listening to my colleagues. I’m listening to this testimony, and apparently you got it wrong. On January 6, there were peaceful citizens simply protesting on behalf of their First, Second, and Fourth amendment rights, carrying Bibles, who had just assembled peacefully to express themselves here in the Capitol. Isn’t that what you encountered on January 6?

Officer Fanone: That couldn’t be further from the truth. I mean, my encounter was brutal. It was violent. It involved a number of individuals restraining me, beating me, at least one individual while I was being restrained, beaten, subjecting me to electroshock from a taser device on my neck. All the while, resulting in injuries I sustained as a traumatic brain injury as well as a heart attack.

To view a video clip of this moment, click HERE

Rep. Sylvia Garcia

Rep. Garcia: Within hours, the Capitol was overrun by domestic terrorists sent there by President Trump. I don’t mean terrorists in some academic or legal or political science definition. I mean, I was terrified. My staff with me was terrified. And many of my colleagues around me, both Democrat and Republican because this is not a partisan issue, were also terrified. Now some of my colleagues have already forgotten the violence and terror that we all experienced together. And we’ve heard some of the comments, they think they should be called hostages. They think they should be treated as patriots. Well, they were terrorists, plain and simple in my books.


Rep. Garcia: As you reflect now do you see the connection? Do you see what really was happening that day? It was not just the violence of the mob, but it was the attack on everything that we stand for as a country?

Officer Fanone: Yes, ma’am. That’s my assessment.

Rep. Garcia: Thank you. Many members have publicly spoken about and recorded memories of their experiences. And we know that many, many members of Congress have struggled with trauma from that day.

To view a video clip of this moment, click HERE

Rep. Stephen Lynch

Rep. Lynch: Officer Fanone, as a former Metropolitan Police officer,could you please tell us how the promulgation of false narratives like, “this is just a tourist visit” or “simple vandalism,” how that distorted description affects your ability to do your job?

Officer Fanone: Thank you for the question. Well, essentially the distortions, mischaracterizations, and lies about January 6th resulted in, or at least partially played a role in me leaving my job as a Metropolitan police officer. They have inspired fellow Americans to threaten me, threaten members of my family simply because of the statements that I’ve made about my experience both on January 6th 2021 and in the aftermath.

To view a video clip of this moment, click HERE

Rep. Linda Sánchez

Rep. Sánchez: Officer Fanone in your experience. Is it appropriate for law enforcement to use all lawfully available tools in the investigation of somebody who’s threatening the family of members of public officials or journalists?

Officer Fanone: Yes, ma’am. It’s not only appropriate, it’s law enforcement’s responsibility to do so.

Rep. Sánchez: Would it be a dereliction of duty if you didn’t use every lawfully available tool to you to try to prevent a crime from happening or to solve a crime that has already happened?

Officer Fanone: Yes, ma’am. I believe so.

To view a video clip of this moment, click HERE

Rep. John Garamendi

Rep. Garamendi: Unfortunately, what’s happened here in this hearing is that we’ve taken the January 6th issue, the insurrection, the violence, the harm that came to officer Fanone and others and morphed it into a larger question of our civil liberties. That’s unfortunate. But here we are using this hearing to somehow degrade the violence and the insurrection itself and the ultimate effort to destroy our democracy.

To view a video clip of this moment, click HERE

Rep. Dan Goldman

The fact of the matter is, we are once again here on a completely sham rationale. There was no First Amendment or Fourth Amendment violation around January 6th. This is simply another effort to whitewash what happened on January 6th.

To view a video clip of this moment, click HERE

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About Courage for America

Courage For America is a campaign advised by a council of proud Americans speaking out against an extreme MAGA agenda that puts money and power over the rights and freedoms of the American people. The campaign is amplifying the voices of Americans in communities across the country — veterans, educators, faith leaders, and more — to demand the People’s House works for the people. courageforamerica.org

Courage for America Condemns Rep. Good for Cosponsoring Gaetz’ Resolution Downplaying Trump’s Role in Deadly Insurrection

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, MAGA extremist Rep. Matt Gaetz introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives in a deliberate attempt to minimize former President Donald Trump’s involvement in the deadly insurrection that occurred on January 6, 2021. Dozens of Republicans in Congress, including Rep. Bob Good (VA-05), have cosponsored the resolution—once again showing that the U.S. House is controlled by the most extreme and out-of-touch members of the Republican caucus.

“MAGA Republicans like Congressmen Gaetz and Good are relentlessly trying to rewrite history by minimizing the insurrection and downplaying the role Donald Trump played in inciting it,” said Courage for America spokesperson Albert Fujii in response. “From defending the criminals that left five people dead and over 140 officers injured, to continuing to spread baseless conspiracy theories about the attack, it’s clear these extremists would rather fan the flames of political violence than defend the Constitution they were sworn to protect. Rep. Good must answer to his constituents for this betrayal.”

“This resolution is a slap in the face to those of us who almost lost everything defending the Capitol on January 6th, including protecting some of the very Members of Congress who are now attempting to rewrite history to exonerate former President Trump,” said Officer Michael Fanone, a former D.C. police officer who was seriously injured while defending the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. 

Rep. Good’s record speaks for itself:

  • Good voted to overturn the election results in 2020.
  • Good also voted against establishing the bipartisan January 6th investigative committees.

Text of the Resolution:

“Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that former President Donald J. Trump did not engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or give aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that former President Donald J. Trump did not “engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or give aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.’”

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Courage for America Condemns Rep. Stefanik for Cosponsoring Gaetz’ Resolution Downplaying Trump’s Role in Deadly Insurrection

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, MAGA extremist Rep. Matt Gaetz introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives in a deliberate attempt to minimize former President Donald Trump’s involvement in the deadly insurrection that occurred on January 6, 2021. Dozens of Republicans in Congress, including Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (NY-21) have cosponsored the resolution—once again showing that the U.S. House is controlled by the most extreme and out-of-touch members of the Republican caucus.

“MAGA Republicans like Stefanik and Gaetz are relentlessly trying to rewrite history by minimizing the insurrection and downplaying the role Donald Trump played in inciting it,” said Courage for America spokesperson Albert Fujii in response. “From defending the criminals that left five people dead and over 140 officers injured, to continuing to spread baseless conspiracy theories about the attack, it’s clear these extremists would rather fan the flames of political violence than defend the Constitution they were sworn to protect. Stefanik must answer to her constituents for this betrayal.”

“This resolution is a slap in the face to those of us who almost lost everything defending the Capitol on January 6th, including protecting some of the very Members of Congress who are now attempting to rewrite history to exonerate former President Trump,” said Officer Michael Fanone, a former D.C. police officer who was seriously injured while defending the Capitol on January 6th, 2021.

Rep. Stefanik’s record speaks for itself:

  • Stefanik voted to overturn the election results in 2020.
  • Stefanik voted against establishing the bipartisan January 6th investigative committees.
  • Stefanik signed onto a ridiculous legal effort led by now-Speaker Mike Johnson, which supported a Texas lawsuit that sought to invalidate millions of votes and overturn the election results from four key swing states that President Joe Biden won.
  • Stefanik—without evidence—supports election audits in states like Arizona.
  • Stefanik called the prosecutions of former President Donald Trump, which are based on witness testimony and mountains of damning evidence, a “sham” and “a dark day for our country.”

Text of the Resolution:

“Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that former President Donald J. Trump did not engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or give aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that former President Donald J. Trump did not “engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or give aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.’”

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Officer Michael Fanone Slams Matt Gaetz’ Resolution Minimizing Trump’s Jan. 6 Involvement

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, former D.C. Police Officer and Courage for America Councilmember Michael Fanone released the following statement responding to Rep. Matt Gaetz’ introduction of a resolution attempting to minimize former President Trump’s involvement on January 6, 2021. Officer Fanone was severely injured while defending the Capitol on January 6th, 2021.

“This resolution is a slap in the face to those of us who almost lost everything defending the Capitol on January 6th, including protecting some of the very Members of Congress who are now attempting to rewrite history to exonerate former President Trump. But no piece of paper signed by a group of spineless extremists will ever change the facts about that dark day: the insurrection was violent, it was deadly and it will happen again if we do not expunge the MAGA ideology that stoked the flames of insurrection in the first place. Rep. Matt Gaetz and every supporter of this resolution must be held accountable for their lies and un-American efforts to undermine our democracy.”

TEXT OF RESOLUTION:

“Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that former President Donald J. Trump did not engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or give aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that former President Donald J. Trump did not “engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or give aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.’”

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ICYMI: Michael Fanone says Matt Gaetz’s efforts to clear Trump of committing insurrection are part of his ‘endless ass-kissing campaign’

“Fanone said he was certain that electoral-related violence would return, saying it ‘never stopped after January 6th.’”

BUSINESS INSIDER, Madison Hall, February 2, 2024 

As Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz continues to circulate a drafted resolution saying former President Donald Trump didn’t “engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or give aid or comfort to the enemies thereof,” retired DC Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone isn’t surprised. …

In late January, the Daily Mail reported Gaetz’s office had begun sending emails of the resolution to members of the House who’ve endorsed Trump’s reelection campaign. It noted that 27 Republican members had already signed on as co-sponsors.

A week later, on Wednesday, The New Republic reported that Gaetz had stepped up his co-sponsor recruitment effort, handing out physical copies of the resolution at the Capitol to various members. Gaetz has yet to file the resolution, but Politico reported that same day it would likely be coming soon. …

“I don’t know how circulating a letter signed by a bunch of Republicans has any bearing on reality or would be seen as some type of contradictory evidence as to what we all saw unfold on January 6th and what we’ve all learned from Republicans…”

Fanone said he was certain that electoral-related violence would return, saying it “never stopped after January 6th.” …

Read the full article here.

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Officer Michael Fanone Slams Mike Johnson on 100th Day as Speaker

“I defended the Capitol on January 6th and know that unless leaders like Mike Johnson reject the anti-democracy extremism that sparked the insurrection, history could repeat itself.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, former D.C. Police Officer and Courage for America Councilmember Michael Fanone released the following statement on the 100th day of Mike Johnson’s Speakership.

“Instead of standing up for our democracy, Mike Johnson spent his first 100 days as Speaker trying to make it harder for Americans to vote and defending insurrectionists like Elise Stefanik. Speaker Johnson is yet another example of failed leadership – he has failed to condemn those who called January 6th rioters ‘hostages’, has failed to accept the outcome of the 2020 election, and has failed to commit to certifying the 2024 election results. I defended the Capitol on January 6th and know that unless leaders like Mike Johnson reject the anti-democracy extremism that sparked the insurrection, history could repeat itself.”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

  • Johnson continues to deny the legitimacy of the 2020 election, telling Face the Nation in January 2024 that “the Constitution was clearly violated in the 2020 election,” despite repeated court rulings that the elections were conducted appropriately.
  • Johnson defended House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik after she referred to January 6th insurrection defendants as “hostages” and refused to commit to voting to certify the 2024 election results.
  • In November 2023, Johnson announced that he would release tens of thousands of hours of security footage from the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Before releasing the footage, Johnson said that his staff needed to “blur some of the faces” of the insurrectionists because “we don’t want them to be retaliated against and to be charged by the DOJ [Department of Justice] and to have other, you know, concerns and problems.”

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Officer Michael Fanone Statement on Potential Stefanik Censure

Michael Fanone speaks in front of the U.S. Capitol.

“Rep. Elise Stefanik is an insurrectionist who should be held accountable for her efforts to undermine our democracy.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, former D.C. Police Officer and Courage for America Councilmember Michael Fanone released the following statement after Rep. Dan Goldman announced he would file a formal censure of Rep. Elise Stefanik. Officer Fanone was severely injured while defending the Capitol against insurrectionists on January 6th, 2021.

“Rep. Elise Stefanik is an insurrectionist who should be held accountable for her efforts to undermine our democracy, from voting to overturn the 2020 election results to having the audacity to call those who attacked our Capitol ‘hostages.’ She is a national disgrace – to our democracy and all those who risked everything to defend it.”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

  • Rep. Stefanik voted to overturn the election results in 2020 and describes herself as “ultra MAGA.”
  • Rep. Stefanik signed onto “an amicus brief in a Texas lawsuit to invalidate millions of votes and the election results from four key swing states that went for President-elect Joe Biden.” 
  • Rep. Stefanik repeatedly supported claims that the 2020 election was illegitimate to bolster her role in House leadership.
  • Rep. Stefanik voted against establishing the January 6th investigative committees.
  • According to End Citizens United and the Let America Vote Action Fund, Rep. Stefanik voted against all “of the major anti-corruption and voting rights legislation” in the 117th Congress.

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Officer Michael Fanone Statement on Third Anniversary of January 6th Insurrection

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On the eve of the third anniversary of the January 6, 2021 insurrection, Courage for America Council Member and former Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone released the following statement:

“Three years ago, I witnessed first-hand the MAGA-fueled assault on the heart of our democracy, a violent attack that was shameful, deplorable and completely un-American. The indifference and lies I’ve witnessed since 2021 are a national disgrace,” said Officer Michael Fanone, Courage for America council member and former D.C. Police officer injured in the Jan. 6 insurrection. “We will always have our disagreements. That’s democracy. But we cannot allow it to also be violent. We must come together as Americans over the next year and ensure the next presidential election is peacefully certified on January 6, 2025. We cannot wait. We cannot fail.”

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Courage for America Applauds House Expulsion of Rep. George Santos from Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Courage for America applauded the House’s vote to expel Rep. George Santos (NY-03) from Congress following the recent House Ethics Committee findingsClick here to learn more about Courage for America’s campaign to expel Rep. Santos.

“George Santos’ long overdue expulsion from Congress is a victory for our democracy and reinforces the continuous need to hold elected officials accountable for deceiving their constituents and the American people,” said José Morales Jr., Courage for America Spokesperson. “Instead of holding Santos accountable for his actions, House Republicans spent months relentlessly pushing their extreme MAGA agenda of drastic cuts to programs like SNAP and WIC, attacking access to Social Security, and pushing for national abortion restrictions. Now more than ever, Congress must prioritize people over politics and continue to hold our elected officials accountable, because the fight for our democracy is far from over.”

“George Santos was and has always been unfit for public office, so I commend the House for standing up for democracy and rightfully removing him from office,” said Danielle Hindieh, NY-03 Resident and Courage for America Council Member. “The people of NY-03 deserve a representative who will uphold the dignity of the office by embodying the values of our community, not a self-serving political opportunist who is willing to sell out hardworking Long Islanders every chance he gets.”

Courage for America’s Campaign to Expel Representative George Santos:

  • November 16, 2023: Press conference in NY-03 responding to the House Ethics Committee report, featuring Make the Road Action, New York Communities, Working Families Party, 1199SEIU, Empire State Voices, Long Island Progressive Coalition, Bend the Arc Jewish Action, Courage for America and MoveOn. (Photos)
  • February 7, 2023: Courage for America and Concerned Citizens of NY-03 bussed 50 of George Santos’ NY-03 constituents to D.C. to demonstrate the urgency of holding Rep. George Santos accountable for deceiving voters and lying about nearly every aspect of his life. Constituents delivered a sign-on petition to key GOP offices, including Rep. Santos, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Rep. Elise Stefanik and Rep. Michael Guest. (Photos)
  • January 7, 2023: Courage for America hosted a protest outside of Rep. Santos’ new district office in Queens.
  • December 29, 2022: Courage for America hosted a press conference outside of Nassau County Courthouse, urging former Speaker McCarthy to launch an investigation into Congressman Santos.

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ICYMI: Courage for America Hosts “Back Off Our Benefits: Food Drive;” Collected 100+ Donations for Black Men United Food Bank

Local residents collected food donations amidst threats to food assistance programs like SNAP and WIC

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Courage for America hosted a “Back Off Our Benefits: Food Drive” to collect food for the residents of NE-02 as threats to food assistance programs endanger food security ahead of the holiday season. 141 cans and 59 additional food and toiletry products were donated during the food drive hosted at Bärchen Beer Garden.

“SNAP benefits, WIC benefits, I really want Congress to continue to support and even enhance these programs because we have a lot of working class families that are struggling,” said Roger Garcia, Douglas County Commissioner. “These programs are essential to make sure that we as a greater society are taking care of our families that need that moment of assistance. Congress, let’s support SNAP and WIC programs.”

“Food insecurity is far too common among communities like Omaha where many families rely on programs like SNAP to put food on the table, especially during the holiday season,” said José Morales Jr., spokesperson for Courage for America. “The residents of NE-02 showed up yesterday, donating over 100 cans and other necessities to ensure their neighbors are cared for this holiday season. But the reality is, they should not have to do this alone. The Omaha community deserves a Congressman who will look out for them. That’s why Courage for America and all who showed up yesterday are calling on Representative Bacon to back off our benefits and stop threatening food assistance programs.”

EVENT PHOTOS HERE

(All images free for use with credit to Courage for America)

(Cans and other donated products at Bärchen Beer Garden)

(Constituent of NE-02 attends “Back Off Our Benefits: Food Drive”)

(Conversation during the “Back Off Our Benefits: Food Drive”)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: 

  • 27,596 (9.8%) NE-02 households rely on SNAP benefits for nutrition assistance.
  • In September 2023, Rep. Bacon voted for the House Republicans’ continuing resolution that would have:
    • Taken away food assistance from moms, kids, and seniors.
    • Raised the cost of housing, home heating, food, and health care.
    • Cut access to Social Security.
  • In April 2023, Rep. Bacon voted for the Default on America Act (Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023) which would have led to 275,000 people losing benefits in an average month, and 19,000 seeing reduced monthly benefits.

To speak with a Courage for America spokesperson, contact [email protected] 

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ICYMI: Courage for America, Honest Arizona, Arizona Students’ Association Host “Back Off Our Benefits: Food Drive”; Collected 100+ Donations for Vista del Camino Food Bank

Local residents collected food donations amidst threats to food assistance programs like SNAP and WIC

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Courage for America, Honest Arizona and the Arizona Students’ Association hosted a “Back Off Our Benefits: Food Drive” to collect food for the residents of AZ-01 as threats to food assistance programs endanger food security ahead of the holiday season. 104 cans and food donations were donated during the food drive hosted at Hula’s Modern Tiki.

“The holiday season is here, and families are going to need help from their friends, their community, but most of all, their elected leaders,” said Andrea Moreno, Executive Director of Honest Arizona. “Congressman Schweikert voted to cut nutrition assistance, something so many low-income Arizonans rely on to buy food, especially now. He needs to stop voting against his constituents in need.”

“Food insecurity is far too common among communities like Scottsdale where many families rely on programs like SNAP to put food on the table, especially during the holiday season,” said José Morales Jr., spokesperson for Courage for America. “The residents of AZ-01 showed up yesterday, donating over 100 cans and other necessities to ensure their neighbors are cared for this holiday season. But the reality is, they should not have to do this alone. The Scottsdale community deserves a Congressman who will look out for them. That’s why Courage for America and all who showed up yesterday are calling on Representative Schweikert to back off our benefits and stop threatening food assistance programs.”

EVENT PHOTOS HERE

(All images free for use with credit to Courage for America)


(Cans and other donated products at Hula’s Modern Tiki) 


(Constituents of AZ-01 attending “Back Off Our Benefits: Food Drive”)


(AZ-01 constituents participate in the food drive)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

  • 42,128 (14.7%) AZ-01 households rely on SNAP benefits for nutrition assistance.
  • In September 2023, Rep. Schweikert voted for the Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill which would cut $32 billion in SNAP funding and cut the Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC) by $800 million.
  • In April 2023, Rep. Schweikert voted for the Default on America Act (Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023), which would have led to 275,000 people losing SNAP benefits in an average month, and 19,000 seeing reduced monthly benefits.

 

To speak with a Courage for America spokesperson, contact [email protected] 

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