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A Step Towards Peace
Today, we celebrate the release of the 20 Israeli hostages who, for the past two years, were held captive by Hamas. Like many, I have waited with a heavy heart, but today we rejoice.
Thanks to the efforts of the Administration, families have been reunited, and a historic step toward peace in the Middle East has been taken.
My Offices Remain Open
During the government shutdown, my staff and I continue to work on behalf of the people of Arizona’s First Congressional District. Both my Washington, D.C. and district offices remain open and ready to assist with casework, agency inquiries, and constituent services.
This year, we have helped constituents recover thousands of dollars from federal agencies and resolve issues involving Social Security, Medicare, VA Benefits, Passport Services, the IRS and many more. If you need assistance or have questions about how the shutdown may affect your pending claim, application, or your upcoming visit to Washington, D.C., please contact one of my offices or visit Schweikert.house.gov for more information.
Scottsdale Office (480) 946-2411
Washington DC Office (202) 225-2190
Medicare Open Enrollment Begins Tomorrow
Open Enrollment for Medicare begins October 15 and runs through December 7. This is your annual opportunity to review and make changes to your current Medicare plan, whether you're looking to switch plans, add prescription coverage, or explore new options that better meet your needs.
Unfortunately, this period also attracts bad actors looking to take advantage of seniors. Please stay vigilant and avoid sharing personal information with unknown sources.
To compare plans, speak with a Medicare representative, or learn how to protect yourself from Medicare fraud, visit Medicare.gov.
Heavy Rain and Mosquitoes
I hope you and your loved ones stayed safe during the recent storm. While Arizona doesn’t often get heavy rain, this year we've actually been in the National Hurricane Center’s tropical cyclone forecast cone twice as often as Florida.
Along with the rain, you may have noticed an increase in mosquitoes. It's important to take steps to limit breeding sites around your home. You can help keep our community sting free by draining any standing water. That includes:
- Throwing out old tires
- Drilling holes in the bottom of recycling bins
- Emptying and turning over buckets, barrels, and lids
- Clearing debris from roof gutters
- Changing pet water and bird baths often
- Maricopa County’s Vector Control Program focuses on controlling mosquitoes that can carry disease. It is not a general pest service. If you see mosquito activity or standing water that looks like a breeding site, you can call (602) 506-6616 to report it.
- Remember these four simple steps to Fight the Bite – Repel, Remove, Repair, and Remind! To learn more of what you can do to fight the bite go HERE.
What's Changing On Your 2026 Tax Return
The IRS announced inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions for tax year 2026, including higher standard deductions and expanded income brackets. These changes will lower the tax burden for millions of Americans by keeping pace with rising costs and preserving the value of family income. H.R.1 made many of these updates possible, ensuring that taxpayers see real savings and greater fairness built into the tax code.
Here are some of the highlights:
- The standard deduction will rise to $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. For single filers and married individuals filing separately it will increase to $16,100. For heads of household it will go to $24,150.
- A new $6,000 deduction will be available for taxpayers age 65 or older. This is in addition to the usual senior deduction under existing law.
These adjustments will help offset “bracket creep” by aligning tax brackets and thresholds with inflation under the new law. These changes will affect how much of your income is taxed and how much you keep. I encourage you to review your withholding and tax planning for 2026 now.
If you want help understanding how these updates will impact your tax situation, my office is here to assist.
Congressional App Challenge
The 2025 Congressional App Challenge is underway, with submissions due October 30th!
The Congressional App Challenge is a competition aimed at encouraging middle and high school students to learn how to code by creating their own applications. The Challenge is intended to highlight the value of computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education.
This competition is open to all students residing in Arizona’s First Congressional District who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of coding experience. We strongly encourage students of all skill levels to participate, enabling them to learn how to create their own apps. Students can register online and submit their apps by October 30th.
To learn more about the competition or to submit an app HERE.
What I'm Reading and Why it Matters
Page, AZ Optimizes Traffic Flow with AI in Extreme Desert Conditions
Page, Arizona recently upgraded two key intersections using AI and Internet of Things tech to better manage traffic under extreme desert conditions. The system detects vehicles and pedestrians in real time and adjusts signal timing to ease congestion and improve safety.
This matters because heat, dust, glare, and shadows all make detection hard, and traditional systems struggle in harsh environments.
If this kind of system works in Page, we should explore bringing it to all areas of the state to reduce delays, make roads safer, and help visitors and residents move more smoothly. |