3-23-18 Briefs

Senate Approves $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill, Sending To Trump2,232 page omnibus bill sent to Trump.In a vote just after midnight Friday, the Senate voted to pass a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill, averting a government shutdown while paving the way for the next funding fight ahead of the midterm elections. The House had approved its version Thursday in a bipartisan tally of 256-167. The Senate passed its bill 65-32. House Passes $1.3 Trillion Spending Deal, to Mixed Reviews from Republicans

Freedom-Caucus-Letter-To Trump: Omnibus-Outright-Rejects-Promises-Made-To Voters/ …The House Freedom Caucus sent a letter to the White House on Thursday, urging President Donald Trump to reject the Republican leadership’s $1.3 trillion, 2,232-page omnibus spending bill, arguing that it “outright rejects” the promises conservatives made to the voters.

Major Changes to Small Claims Court Procedures Proposed. There is a pending petition before the Arizona Supreme Court to change small claims cases in Arizona. If adopted, every case would be set for a hearing and defendants would not be required to file an answer. Even more significantly, a plaintiff would no longer be allowed to file a motion for a default judgment. Instead, every plaintiff would be required to appear in court for every case, without knowing whether the defendant was going to contest the lawsuit. Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Gerald Williams (R-North Valley) and Justice of the Peace Adam Waters (R-Pima County) have filed comments against the proposed procedural changes. After a pilot program, the Arizona Supreme Court will decide whether to issue a set of court rules for small claims cases that includes these proposed changes. http://www.azcourts.gov/Rules-Forum/aft/838

American Post Gazette hit the nail on the head with yesterday’s release on ‘Flakey Jeff’ that reflects what a whole lot of Arizona Republicans are saying. It reads: “Almost-not-a-US Senator Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) probably couldn’t get elected committeeman in his own neighborhood precinct, yet he’s considering running for President of the United States in 2020. Flake was scared out of the race for his re-election this year because, well, nobody in Arizona wants him to be their Senator anymore. He refuses to resign; he’s still hanging on to the office in a desperate attempt at relevancy, wasting everyone’s time and energy just so he has a soapbox to speak from. And speak he does, even when he’s not being asked for his opinion. Prior to his announcement last year that he won’t run for re-election (because he knew he couldn’t win), Flake would speak relatively infrequently. Now, you can’t shut him up. He’s running around all over Washington DC -- and New Hampshire – like a rabid dog looking for something to bite. Every chance he gets, or takes, he feels it's his personal responsibility to save us from Donald Trump. And he does it with such self-righteousness and arrogance, sometimes speaking in soft, controlled tones in a pathetic attempt to add gravitas to his silliness. His over exaggerated opinion of himself as savior of the Republican Party would be funny if it wasn’t so very sad (well, okay, it's still funny). Flake used to stand for something; now he falls for everything the Trump-haters, especially John McCain, throw at us. And now he’s seriously thinking about running for POTUS? Against Trump? The Trumpster destroyed 17 legitimate Republican candidates in 2015-16, then won the White House against "the most intelligent woman in the world." One can only wonder – and laugh – at how Trump would eviscerate Flakey Jeff.

CALL TO ACTION: AZ Citizens Defense League (AzCDL) is calling for voters to oppose Governor Doug Ducey’s proposed legislation regulation gun control in Arizona. Click here to send your emailYour legislators need to hear from you, letting them know that you are paying attention and expecting them to support your rights. Send your email today!

LD13 Vice Chair Matt King needs volunteers to help with a voter registration booth scheduled between 11:30 am-3 pm., Sun., March 25 at the “Tuthill Precinct Founder’s Day Picnic scheduled in Founders Park, 4025 N Founders Circle. Contact King by 7 pm., Friday evening. Respond to ld13republicans@gmail.com

MUST See: God Bless Trump & The USA - Make America Great Again Song - Dana Kamaide

The Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officer Association will meet at 7 pm, Tues., March 27 at the home of Mark Del Maestro, 11814 N 56th Drive Glendale, AZ 85304 to review the Declaration of Sovereignty, discuss being a Republic, not a democracy, and how to fight the continue push for the National Popular Vote. Doors open at 6:30pm for socializing.

Arizona-Rep: We Might-Need-To Build-A Wall-Between California-Arizona Martha McSally, in what was likely a tongue in cheek moment, proposed building a wall around California to protect the state of Arizona from their neighbor’s disastrous policies.

Infuriated-Father-Points-Ludacris-Nature-National-Walkout-Video …“When do 12-year-olds make decisions?” he continued. “You’re an adult, you’re the school, you’re supposed to teach my child. You don’t influence my child in any which way. Democrat, liberal, Republican, whatever it is. I want it out of the school system.”

The Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo, presented by Shikar-Safari Club International, will be held from 9am-5 pm, Sat, March 24, and 9 am-4 pm, Sun, March 25, at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. The free event offers loads of activities, presentations and exhibits for everyone from novices to seasoned outdoor recreationists. ATMs will be on-site.To get to the Expo, take I-17 to Carefree Highway, turn west, and watch for the signs. www.azgfd.gov/expo

The Arizona Project will meet at 6:30 pm., Mon., March 26 at 3375 E Shea Blvd in Phoenix with Federal whistle blower Phil Haney. Haney, author of "See Something, Say Nothing",is a frequent guest on Hannity and other FOX Newes programs. He is on the program for this weekends Western Consesrvative Conference in Phoenix. Contact: Chairman Ron Ludders602.677.1496

The LD9 Republican Leadership Initiative Training session will be held between 5-7 pm., Thurs., April 5 at 1740 E Fort Lowell Road in Tucson. View Map Contact:Erik Schoenecker/ AZGOP Regional Field Director

Maricopa County Field Organizer Levi Sommerville is asking for volunteers to man phone banks between 9 am and noon and from 1-4 pm., Sat., March 24 in the West Valley GOPoffice, 10050 W Bell Road in Sun City in behalf of candidate Debbie Lesko . Lesko is in a Special Election to replace former Congressman Trent Franks, who recently resigned his position.The GOP will furnished lunch between noon and 1 pm. Phone banking and canvassing are occurring daily. Contact Levi.Sommerville@azgop.org or 779-475-3311

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CALL TO ACTION

Action Alert!Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), Per a recent article in the Capitol Times, it's not all rainbows and unicorns with Governor Ducey's gun grabbing proposals. The article reveals that Democrats are unhappy that the Governor's proposals don't go far enough. They want you disarmed and they want it right now. Many Republicans are on our side but the Governor's office is putting tremendous pressure on them to support the Governor's proposals. As this was being written, we learned that the Governor is holding back on the introduction of any legislation until next week. A big factor in that decision may be because of all the millionaire funded and professionally managed anti-rights rallies scheduled for this Saturday, with one of them occurring at the Arizona Capitol. We cannot let an emotion-based protest determine the outcome of a policy debate. With the over 17,000 emails you have sent, we have the attention of the Legislature. That's our strength. It's time for another round. We have updated the letter to your legislators. Warm up your keyboards and click on the link below to send a new email to your legislators. Keep the pressure on! We have a chance to stop this train wreck from happening. Click here to send your email

NOTES FROM READERS

Opinions expressed by readers are not necessarily those of the Briefs. Commentary running over 400 words is subject to editing

CORRECTION: LD25 PC/SC Itasca Small - Thank you for your excellent rendering of my "Rebuttal!" 3-22-18-briefs In trying to shave words, I made a mistake in my confusing turn-of-phrase regarding the Motion that shutdown the farce of deliberating and voting the bylaw amendments. My wording made it unclear, so you had to guess at what I meant. I didn't move "against" the Motion. I should have written it as:

I revived Jim Dutton's improperly rejected Motion to Table All Further Action on Bylaws Amendments. Jim had intervened in my point of order argument against the out of order electronic balloting and its timing, to move to table, and Gage shut him down. This was an out of order decision by Gage because the motion was against the original question on the Floor and correct parliamentary procedure would have been to deal with the motion immediately, because it overrode the point of order against the voting methods. This would have required the motion being deliberated and called for a vote. If it had then carried, the out of order B,C&D electronic balloting would have been null and void, and all further action on the amendments would have been tabled at that point—dead! I apologize for the confusion!

John “Scott” Powelson former PC LD13: The state of Arizona, hat in hand, begging the Supreme Court of the USA to allow them to deny drivers license to the DACA recipients? The Supreme Court refused to hear the case. Is this really bad news for Arizona? supreme-court-wont-upend-arizona-licenses-for-daca-recipients Just another case, in my opinion, of the lack of understanding, by our Arizona elected officials, of the document they each have sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution of the USA. Article III Section 2 paragraph 2 of the US Constitution starts like this. “In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be a Party, the Supreme Court seal have original Jurisdiction.” (emphasis added.) The lower courts, according to this, have no jurisdiction to hear any case where the State of Arizona, or any state, is a party. The proper action for the Arizona AG should have been to simply point out the lower courts lack of jurisdiction and enforce Arizona law until the Supreme Court case is at hand. I think it is about time for the AG’s office, and County Councils, to either read the Constitution of the USA or hire an expert to study the foundational document they have sworn an oath to uphold and defend against enemies both foreign and domestic.

Myrna Lieberman, founder Mobilization of Conservatives: Yavapai County Republican Women holds a Kangaroo Court - When I relocated from the progressive state of New Jersey to the great state of Arizona, I never realized that “Yavapai County Republican Women” (YCRW) seems to think they live in Australia (not to insult the Australians) because I just experienced my first kangaroo court. I became a duly elected secretary for the Executive Board of YCRW 2018-2019 on November 27, 2017, was installed as an officer on January 22, 2018, and fired on February 22, 2018 which is an amazingly short tenure. I was figuratively tarred, feathered and run out on a rail. The people who wanted my removal were everything: Investigators, judge and jury.

 The goal was to derail me from ever getting a seat on the Executive Board starting from the Nomination Committee until the time I was removed. The Nomination Chair did not arrange to have one meeting to interview all the candidates and review our applications. I was the only candidate at my meeting. All the candidates ran unopposed. On Election night, to my surprise the President announced from the podium that I had a challenger and that my challenger was the Chair of the Nomination Committee! The chair never announced my challenger’s intention and seemingly did not possess the technical skills needed to be Secretary not having email, texting or possession of a cell phone.

The most egregious was not informing me fully of the no less than 20 unsubstantiated allegations and denying me due process. The Board never presented me an opportunity to discuss any concerns. Their decision was either I resign or be threatened with an investigation. I was never informed of all the charges, and not given time to prepare for my defense nor even told the date of the investigation. I was denied copies of recordings and minutes. As the duly elected Secretary I was responsible for records and to keep a current inventory of club property. All records were to be given to the successors upon vacating the office. I was accused of denigration when I asked to see the inventory as the records were never received. One of allegations told to me is that being a member of the Executive Board and a State Committeemen, my Facebook posts “denigrated” Republican candidate for Senate (AZ) Martha McSally. (Editor’s Note: Lieberman’s commentary runs far beyond Briefs 400 word limit. See full story Yavapai County Republican Women Holds A Kangaroo Court

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CANDIDATE’S CORNER

CANDIDATE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Candidates Are Welcome to e-mail their announcements and a photo to Briefs at repcomm@cox.net or frostytaylor@cox.net for posting so readers can learn who the candidates are. Editor’s Note:Please keep announcement at 400 words. Longer announcements subject to editing to conform. Briefs does not endorse candidates, nor do we post endorsement statements. ft.

Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court candidate Jeff Fine. I currently serve as the Maricopa County Justice Court Administrator with over two decades of increasingly responsible leadership experience in the courts. I have also served as a judge, law enforcement officer, corrections officer and member of our armed forces. I am a father and husband and have lived in the Valley for nearly five decades. As a court administrator, my role is similar to the Clerk of the Court in many ways including key functions of the Clerk’s Office such as responsibility for court recordkeeping and fiduciary systems. Throughout my career I have consistently dedicated myself to the task of promoting efficiency, effectiveness, accessibility, fairness, accountability, transparency and professionalism in the courts and my experience in this area is demonstrated. As a husband, father, military veteran and public servant, I know the importance of family, service, common sense and conservative values. I look forward to meeting with fellow Republicans from around Maricopa County to introduce myself and further discuss my qualifications. Should you have any questions or wish to help with my campaign, please feel free to contact me at jeff.fine.az@gmail.com or (623)302-2929. Thank you for your time and consideration.

CANDIDATE COMMENTARY

Editor’s Note: Please keep opinion pieces to 400 words. If extended, they will be subject to editing. Opinions expressed below are not necessarily those of the Briefs. Briefs does not endorse candidates. – ft

US Senate candidate Dr. Kelli Ward lambasted Rep. Martha McSally yesterday for her support of the 2,232-page, $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill that passed the House on Thursday. "If you were looking for a clear distinction between me and my opponent, now you have it. Today, Rep. Martha McSally said that she was 'proud' to have voted in favor of the $1.3 trillion-dollar spending bill that was written behind closed doors and presented to the American people at the eleventh hour. This spending bill lacks necessary funding for a new southern border wall as well as increases deficit spending while continuing to fund Planned Parenthood, Obamacare, and sanctuary cities.
McSally was the lone vote in Arizona's Republican Congressional delegation to vote in favor of the spending bill, joining with other establishment Republicans -- and liberal Democrats like Rep. Kyrsten Sinema -- to shove this bill down the throats of fiscal conservatives in the House. McSally's support for this spending bill, which fails to begin constructing a new border wall along our southern border, falls right in line with her votes to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants. Arizonans are fed up with this brand of fake conservatism."

Chandler City Counci candidate Rene Lopez: The City of Chandler’s 2018 election season is heating up! This year, I have attended over 50 events on behalf of the City, including the Chandler International Film Festival, the Chandler Symphony Orchestra, the Chandler Ostrich Festival, various Chinese New Year events, including numerous ground-breaking and ribbon-cutting ceremonies. In addition, the campaign is progressing nicely as word has spread about my recent website launch, and I continue to be on-track with obtaining the required amount of nomination petition signatures. For the latest updates, photos, and videos from the campaign trail, please be sure to follow me on my Facebook and Twitter pages as well. The campaign is off to a strong start in 2018, and I am excited to have my team to continue Chandler’s track record of success!

CD1 candidate Wendy Rogers: The Congress did it again. Tom O'Halleran did it again.
They sold us out. The $1.3 trillion Omnibus bill just passed the house after 2 days of cramming it through. Thousands of pages. No time to read it. Tom O'Halleran and a bunch of Establishment Republicans voted with him.
What was in it? Nothing good.

Sanctuary cities? Funded.

Planned Parenthood? Funded.

Gun control (Fix NICS)? Passed.

A massive increase in our national debt. Funded.

What wasn't in it? None of the things the people voted for.

The Obamacare repeal. Missing.

Funding for the border wall. Missing.

Spending cuts. Missing.

I am tired of it, Friend. I really am. That is why I am running for Congress in Arizona’s 1^st Congressional District. We need to Drain the Swamp of these people who are undermining our fiscal security and national security at the same time.
Do you know why I think the Democrats and Establishment Republicans have teamed up to pass this bill? Because they want to hand the Congress over to the Democrats in 2018 so they can impeach and challenge the President without having to take ownership. Republican squishes would rather Nancy Pelosi lead the charge against President Trump. That is what is going on. That way the weak-kneed Republican establishment can stay in office while blaming Nancy Pelosi for all of the problems.
Nobody wants to stop this but a few brave souls like me and conservatives in the House. When elected, I will stop it. I don't care. I have been up against the grain my whole life.One of the first female pilots in the United States Air Force? Check. Entrepreneur running my own business? Check. Homeschool mom who took the education of her kids into her own hands? Check. One of the first people to endorse President Trump in Arizona during the primary? Check.
I need to raise $100,000 by the end of the month. chip in The Swamp will be coming through my reports in 9 days. Our campaign needs to show strength. Let's drain the Swamp and finally get done what the people want for once!

Supt of Public Instruction candidate Frank Riggs: Congress has passed a $1.3 trillion (so-called "omnibus") spending bill to fund the federal government though September. It makes a mockery of the Trump campaign's promise to "dismantle" the U.S. Department of Education. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos had sought to cut the Education Department's budget by $3.6 billion (a very modest 5%) while spending more than $1 billion to promote parental school choice through charter schools, magnet schools and private school scholarships. Instead, Congress - on a bipartisan basis - is increasing the Department's funding by $3.9 billion, with no funding for the school choice initiatives Secretary DeVos proposed.

This is a perfect example of the federal government's insidious involvement in K-12 education and how difficult it is to return the funding, control and decision-making for K-12 education to the state and local level where it belongs. I'm the only candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction with an actual legislative record of working to reduce the federal government's involvement in and influence over K-12 education. As a U.S. Congressman and member of the House of Representatives' Appropriations Committee, I helped craft legislation dramatically reducing federal funding for K-12 education (and other federal programs) in an attempt to downsize and eventually eliminate the U.S. Dept. of Education. Then President Bill Clinton vetoed those bills leading to shutdowns of the federal government: federal_government_shutdowns_of_1995
Unfortunately, the Republican majority in Congress was unable to override Clinton's vetoes, but we did force him to agree to four consecutive balanced budgets. As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, I helped pass legislation through the House consolidating the 30+ federal education programs into a single block grant to the states with the stipulation that 95 cents of every dollar had to be spent in the classroom (Dollars to the Classroom Act). I was the author and sponsor of the HELP Scholarships bill (Helping Empower Low-Income Parents), converting the largest federal education program for K-12 education (Title 1) into scholarships for the neediest families. And I co-sponsored legislation to prohibit spending federal education funds on national testing long before anyone had heard of Common Core and AZ Merit, the state standardized test that is aligned with Common Core.

I'm very familiar with the ways of Congress, the U.S. Department of Education, and federal education programs, and am uniquely qualified to work with the Trump Administration and U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to make good on the promise of maximizing state responsibility for the education of our schoolchildren. The last four years have shown that the job of Superintendent of Public Instruction is not one for a novice. I offer the people of Arizona real leadership based on my deep experience and proven record, not hollow, simplistic rhetoric. www.riggsforaz.com

US Senate candidate Dr Kelli Ward: I need your help...I apologize for being so blunt, but my decision to run for Arizona's open U.S. Senate seat has made me the number one target of Mitch McConnell and the D.C. Establishment. At first, the Establishment tried to ignore our campaign. But after we forced Sanctuary Senator Jeff Flaketo withdraw from the race, their anger began to bubble over. Defeating Flake was a huge victory for conservatives and the America First movement — and a blow to the DC Establishment. As much as I had hoped that McConnell would call a ceasefire and help me defeat the Democrats, it's clear he has other plans...Instead of rallying behind our campaign, which has united conservatives, the Establishment immediately went into a flurry to find an anti-Trump, pro-amnesty Republican to replace Flake in this primary battle. Within hours of Flake's announcement, McConnell's SuperPAC released this defiant statement about our campaign: "Kelli Ward will not be the Republican nominee for this Senate seat in 2018." McConnell has thrown his weight behind my opponent Martha "McAmnesty" McSally and her campaign to defeat me. McConnell and the D.C. Establishment won't lift a finger to help me win this election... which is why I need your continued support. McConnell knows that I won't put up with his failed leadership the way Flake has for years.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MARCH 24

Pima County Republicans First Vice Chairman Ana Hendersonis organizing the candidate forum scheduled from 2-4 pm., Sat., March 24 in the Mountain Oyster Club, 6400 E ElDorado Circle in Tucson. Limited seating. Tickets $7l50 each, or $15 per couple. Available at http://www.pimagop.org Contact Henderson at 520-321-1492.

March 26

The Western Pinal CountyChapter of AZRA will meet at 6:30 pm., Mon., March 26 at408 N. Sacaton Street, Suite II, Casa Grande, AZ. Doors open at 6 pm. Casa Grande City Councilman Dick Powell is the scheduled speaker. Contact: AZRA Chapter President Nancy Hawkins at nancydist3@gmail.com

March 27

Congressman Paul Gosar is hosting a Town Hall in Payson at 4:30 pm., Tues., March 27 at the Payson High School Auditorium, 301 W MoLane Road. Contact: 480-882-2697.

The Payson Tea Party meets at 6 pm., March 27 (each Tuesday) at Tiny's Restaurant in Payson. That organization also welcomes candidate speakers. Contact Darlene Younker at 858-395-1850.

Paul and Susan Gilbert, along with co-hostsMaricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, Secretary of State Michele Reagan, Speaker J.D. Mesnard, are hosting a gathering in support of Arizona Corporation Commissioncandidate Rodney Glassman, at Gilbert’s Paradise Valley home on Tues., March 27. RSVP@rodneyglassman.com by March 24.

MARCH 29

Dr. Sebastian Gorka, Washington CD insider, will address “Making America Safe Again” gatherings for US Senate candidate Dr Kelli Ward at 7 pm., March 29 at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas, 6333 N Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. A VIP reception will be held between 5:30 – 7 pm. Tickets available at Dr-Sebastian-Gorka Transportation from Pima County is available at Transportation From Pima County Doors for the main event open at 6 pm.

Phoenix City Councilman Jim Waring invites the community to join him in a meeting with City of Phoenix Aviation Director Jim Bennett for a update on the Aviation Department, the lawsuit the City won against the FAA, and take questions, at 6 pm., Thurs., March 29 in the Paradise Valley Community Center - 17402 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ (Map) If unable to join them, watch the latest episode of "On The Issues" with Jim Bennett here.

A Fund Raiser Reception for LD20 House candidate Shawna Bolick is scheduled between 5:30- 7 pm., Thurs., March 29 at Antique Gatherings, 3601 E Indian School Road in Phoenix. Registration required. RSVP to Bolick at 602-842-1912, or info@BolickforArizona.com

College Republicans United and the Young Americans for Liberty are hosting Dick Heller at 6 pm., Thurs., March 29 at the ASU Tempe Campus , 976 South Forest Mall , COOR-170, Tempe, AZ 85287. Tickets at asu-students-for-the-2nd-amendment-tickets

MARCH 30

Dr. Sebastian Gorka, national recognized speaker and terrorism expert,will appear in behalf of US Senator candidate Dr Kelli Ward at a VIP reception between 7-8 am, followed by Gorka’s speech at 8 am in the Cottonwood Room of the Prescott Resort & Conference Center, 1500 AZ Hwy 69, Prescott, AZ 86301. Doors open to Gorka’s speech at 7 am. Tickets atGorka-Prescott

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SEEING RED AZ

· AZ-Teachers-Shamefully-Shut-Down-Schools

· Jeff-Flake-Morphs-Into-Full-Blown-LunaticTrump Hatred Has Rendered Limited, Egotist Flake Incapable Of Rational Thought As He Dangles Threat Of Presidential Impeachment

· Supremes-Give-AZ-Supremely-Foolish-Silent-Treatment

AMERICAN FREEDOM BY BARBARA

· Rep-Meadows-Statement: Omnibus-Nowhere Close To What Republicans Promised To Fight For

· Letter-To-POTUS-From-House-Freedom Caucus Asking Rejection Of Omnibus Bill.

· The-145-Republicans-Who-Yes-On-Omnibus

· 90-Republican-Congressman-Who-Voted

· TX-Senator-Ted-Cruz-To-Vote-Against Omnibus Spending Bill

· Senator-Rand-Paul-Wading-Thru-Reading

· Pelosi-Press-Release-On-Omnibus-Bill: Don’t Want Anyone To Know What’s In Bill

· RNSC-John-Bolton-Excellent-Choice-For National Security Advisor

· Border-Security-Falls-Short-Funds-Only 30 Miles Of Build The Fence

· President-Trump-Announces-John Bolton AMB As National Security Advisor