Border Security Record

The Hill and the Phoenix New Times reported that Amish Shah is a staunch advocate for border security who has called securing the border a top priority and repeatedly voted with Republicans to expand border funding. The Hill, the Phoenix New Times, and the Arizona State Legislature reported that in 2023, Amish Shah voted for the state budget, which included more than $200 million for border security, specialized law enforcement operations, drug task forces, and local police grants.

According to the Arizona State Legislature, Amish Shah was the only Democrat in 2022 to vote with Republicans on HB 2253, which cracked down on fentanyl. Phoenix New Times reported that on the 2022 fentanyl vote Shah cited his work as an active emergency physician and claimed that nine grams could translate to roughly 4,500 lethal overdoses. In 2020, Amish Shah was one of only four Democrats to vote with Republicans on HCR 2011, a resolution commending border patrol agents.

Also in 2020, Amish Shah voted for HB 2415, which increased funding for the border by $1.1 million. Amish Shah also voted in support of HB 2591, which allowed the department of emergency and military affairs to use up to $250,000 from the border security fund each fiscal year to administer the section. According to the Arizona State Legislature and LegiScan, HB 2591 passed the House by a vote of 41 to 18 with 1 not voting, with 10 Democrats voting for the bill while 18 voted against it. LegiScan lists the bill as sponsored by Republican Rep. Travis Grantham and reports that it later passed the Senate 18 to 10, with its final action on April 25, 2022 recorded as Chapter 183.