Meeting with Ty White. 

Last week, I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with an outstanding educator from our district, Ty White from Willcox. He won the 2024 National AFA Thompson Mallett Aerospace STEM Teacher of the Year Award, adding onto an already stellar resume that includes being the 2021 Cochise County Rural Teacher of the Year, the 2022 National Rural Teacher of the Year, the 2023 Arizona Teacher of the year, and the 2023 runner-up AFA National Teacher of the Year.  Ty is an incredible individual who has helped the lives of countless young Arizonans. Thank you for all that you do and keep inspiring our next generation of leaders and innovators! 

H.R. 7100 Unanimously Passed House. 

My bill, the Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act (H.R. 7100), unanimously passed the House of Representatives last week. This legislation supports families of fallen veterans by moving the Office of Survivors Assistance to be among the direct advisors to the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), ensuring these families have a direct line to the top of the VA for the help and resources they deserve. Behind every member of the Armed Forces is their family and loved ones, who each have their own role to serve. Proud to have my legislation pass the House to ensure surviving military spouses and families receive the benefits they need.  

Testifying on Chiricahua National Park Act. 

I was proud to testify on my bill, the Chiricahua National Park Act (H.R. 1479). This bipartisan, bicameral bill would designate Chiricahua National Monument as Arizona’s fourth national park, promoting conservation efforts, protecting the stunning rock formations, and creating jobs by boosting tourism in Cochise County. The Chiricahuas are known as the “Wonderland of Rocks” and feature stunning rock formations, vistas, and offer dozens of miles of hiking trails. Seeing them in person will leave you speechless. I am proud to put forward this legislation and will continue to work to push it towards the finish line. 

Funding the Government. 

I voted to fund the government and ensure the security of our federal elections. Secure elections are the cornerstone of our representative democracy, we have absolute certainty in their integrity and security. At the same time, we must keep the government open. While this bill was not perfect, it accomplished both these objectives. A shutdown is bad policy that disrupts the function of federal agencies, like the VA, and would harm our federal employees, including members of the Armed Forces and Border Patrol agents. While I am frustrated the bill did not pass, I will continue to work with anyone – on either side of the aisle – to keep the government open and secure our elections. I look forward to supporting more legislation on this coming up this week. 

THUD Hearing. 

Last week, during a hearing in the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations subcommittee, I had the opportunity to question Inspector General Soskin from the Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General about a critical issue facing Arizona: large-scale, organized theft in the trucking and freight rail industries. This problem has escalated to the point where theft-related claims are now the second largest category of insurance claims for the freight rail industry. This poses a significant threat to the supply chain, particularly in a state like Arizona that heavily relies on these industries. We must address this issue and find real solutions, as Arizonans are suffering. I was proud to advocate on their behalf. 

I also asked Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of the Inspector General about the lack of affordable housing in the U.S., particularly in Arizona. This supply shortage is unprecedented, and I believe that HUD should partner with the private sector to address this issue. We discussed my legislation, the SUPER Demonstration Act (H.R. 9195), which proposes a pilot program through HUD that would streamline the construction of affordable housing through targeted investments and the elimination of certain regulatory requirements. Addressing this challenge is crucial for the well-being of our communities.

Securing our Federals Lands along the Border. 

I introduced my latest border legislation, the Federal Lands Amplified Security for the Homeland (FLASH) Act (H.R. 9678) to enhance public safety on federal lands, protect our communities, and address hazardous trash piles along the southern border. This bill aims to bolster border security by constructing navigable roads, allowing states to place temporary barriers on federal lands, directing federal managers to reduce hazardous trash piles, and prohibiting the use of taxpayer dollars to house inadmissible migrants on federal lands. I was joined by several colleagues in this effort.

In the news. 

AZ House subcommittee considers bill to redesignate Chiricahua National Monument a national park 
KJZZ 
On Wednesday, the Arizona House Subcommittee on Federal Lands heard testimony from Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani in support of a bill that would turn Chiricahua National Monument into Arizona's fourth national park. 
 
We’ve been patient; now it’s time to pass the Farm Bill 
Eastern Arizona Courier 
Arizona’s agricultural industry contributes $23.3 billion to our state’s economy each year. The success of this industry is attributable to the innovation of our farmers and ranchers, but also to the uniqueness of our climate: temperatures where crops can grow year-round and public lands where cattle can forage freely. The Farm Bill, a legislative package that needs to be reauthorized every five years, provides critical support for farmers and ranchers in the West. When our agricultural economy is stable, families across Arizona, and America, benefit. We all depend on agriculture’s success, so it is critical that Congress act now. 
 
Members Work to Support Gold Star Families, Restore Lake Tahoe, Improve Public Lands Access and More 
House Committee on Natural Resources
H.R. 1479, the Chiricahua National Park Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), will redesignate Chiricahua National Monument as Chiricahua National Park, making it the country’s 64th national park and the fourth national park located in Arizona. 
 
Opinion: Tackling Arizona’s affordable housing crisis 
Inside Tucson Business
I still remember when my parents bought their first house — the same one they live in today. It wasn’t until I was in my 20s and the summer after graduating from the University of Arizona. 

Profiles of the American Dream. 

Harlan Bradford Sr. was 17-year-old kid from a small town in Missouri when he began his Army career in 1948 as part of a segregated unit. He was pushing 50 and had done tours of duty in Germany, France, Ethiopia, Korea, Vietnam and Italy when he retired 30 years later as a Sergeant Major stationed in Fort Huachuca. 

But Harlan was far from done serving his country and giving back to his community. 
He took off his uniform and took up a new cause in Sierra Vista as a founding member of the Southwest Association of Buffalo Soldiers. Harlan became a driving force in the association’s mission to preserve a key part of our nation’s military history and ensure that future generations were aware of the contributions of African Americans soldiers. 

A main focus for Harlan was the effort to save the Fort’s Black Officer’s Club, one of the most significant examples of a World War II-era military service club for African American officers. 

Harlan was 94 when he passed away on Sept. 16. We honor his life and legacy as someone who exemplified the American Dream. 

Legislative Update. 

This past week, I had the pleasure of cosponsoring and introducing the following bills and resolutions: 

H.R. 9678 the FLASH Act, which would strengthen border security, protect communities, reduce hazardous trash piles along the border, and prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used to house inadmissible migrants on federal lands. 

H.R. 9745 Lifesaving Gear for Police Act of 2024, to ensure that law enforcement agencies across the nation regain access to critical equipment under the Department of Defense 1033 Program necessary for search and rescue operations, emergency and natural disaster response efforts, and active shooter situations. 

H.R. 9625 JUDGES ACT, to authorize additional district judges for the district courts and convert temporary judgeships. 

H.R. 5641 Pay our Troops Act, to ensure members of the military are paid in the event of a government shutdown. 

H.R. 9561 - Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act, to ensure U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agents and Officers are paid in the event of a government shutdown.

H.R. 1235 Federal Firefighter Pay Equity Act, to modify certain pay calculations that are used to determine retirement and annuity benefits for federal firefighters. 

H.R. 7891, Kids Online Safety Act, to protect the safety of children on the internet. 

Veteran Servant Leader. 

I am proud to present the Veteran Servant Leader Award to an #AZ06 veteran who continues to serve our country even after their military service. These individuals not only answered the call of duty but go above and beyond to support their neighbors and community out of love for their country. 

If you know a veteran who deserves this recognition, please submit your nomination via our website at https://ciscomani.house.gov/veteran-servant-leader or in person at our Tucson or Sierra Vista offices. Nominations must include a completed submission form, a signed release form, and a photo. If you are nominating another veteran, our team will contact them for proof of military service. 

Share Your Story. 

Our district encompasses so many incredible people and stories that I want to share both with my colleagues in Washington and through the platforms I have as a Member of Congress, such as speaking on the House floor. Please visit my website and share your story with me and my team. I look forward to hearing from you!    

As always, my office and I are here to assist you. If you would like to share a comment or tell us your story, please don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to serving you!

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