Visiting a Head Start Program in Eloy.

Last week, I visited the Pinal Gila Community Child Services Inc. (PGCCS) in Eloy to reiterate my ironclad support for Head Start programs and opposition to any cuts in funding that would reduce access to these vital programs. With 22 Head Start programs across 500 locations in Arizona, these programs are critical to the well-being of our families and students.

As a dad of six, I have seen firsthand how early childhood development programs, like Head Start, help children build a strong foundation for their lives. I want to make sure that more children have the opportunity to attend these programs. As Arizona’s sole appropriator, I will continue to advocate for full funding these vital programs. In FY25, I secured a $25 million increase in funding for Head Start in the House Appropriations Committee Labor Health and Human Services Bill, and I will continue to champion that effort as the Appropriations Committee crafts its FY26 budget.

This is the third Head Start facility I have visited in my time in Congress, and I look forward to visiting more! In December 2023, I visited the Head Start program in Tucson and in August 2024, I visited the Head Start program in Casa Grande. In September 2024, I had the privilege of attending the Head Start on the Hill rally to hear directly from educators and senior Head Start officials about the need to protect and expand this critical program.

You can learn more about my efforts for Head Start here!

Protecting Prosperity.

A pro-growth, low-tax environment is critical to support our small businesses, prevent the largest tax hike in American history, and continue driving our economy forward. Over the weekend, I joined Americans for Prosperity (AFP) to talk directly with my constituents in Marana about the importance of extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). These tax cuts have allowed families in Arizona to keep more of their hard-earned money. I appreciate AFP’s efforts to build a strong grassroots coalition to extend these tax cuts, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to make that happen!

Conducting Oversight Over the DHS.

As Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which is responsible for funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), I attended a series of oversight hearings related to the budget proposals for the DHS and several of its components.

I questioned Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner Pete Flores about the need to protect law enforcement officers hard-earned retirement benefits to ensure they have a smooth and successful transition into retirement once their time in service ends.

Additionally, I questioned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons about the resources needed to accomplish the administration’s deportation goals and the challenges ICE is facing to deport individuals with final orders of removal who are in custody. Earlier in the week, I visited an ICE detention facility in Eloy to better understand immigration and deportation proceedings and talk with agents on the ground about how I can continue to use my position in Congress to support their critical mission.

Questioned Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy about Aviation Safety.

As part of my work on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), I questioned Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy about the DOT’s proposed budget. I specifically questioned Secretary Duffy about how the proposed budget would help prevent tragic aviation incidents – like the one that happened at the Marana Regional Airport in February of this year – from happening again. Ensuring that small, regional airports are safe is critical to rural communities in my district, and across the U.S.

Questioning VA Secretary Doug Collins on Veteran Mental Health Services.

Representing nearly 80,000 veterans who call our district home is not a responsibility I take lightly. Caring for those who served will always be a top priority for me. As part of my work on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I had the opportunity to question VA Secretary Doug Collins about the need to safeguard suicide prevention programs and praise recent efforts by the VA to support families of veterans, even after their loved one passed away.

I urged the Secretary to provide greater clarity about the status of Arizona’s Be Connected program. Created in 2017, the Be Connected program finds way for the VA to better partner with local, community stakeholders to prevent veteran suicide by providing resources, care, career navigation advice, financial assistance, and more. This program has been nationally recognized for its exceptional public-private collaboration to address the complicated issue that is veteran suicide. In January 2025, I sent a letter to the VA advocating for the continued support of this critical program.

I also praised the Secretary for his efforts to support the surviving families of veterans. Recently, the VA announced it would move the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) back within the Office of the VA Secretary, which is exactly my bill, the Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act (H.R. 1228), did. This bill recently passed the House of Representatives with unanimous support, and I am glad to see the VA take this proactive step to take care for the families of America’s heroes.

Announcement with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

Arizona – not the federal government – knows how to manage its land and water the best!

It was great to join Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin in a signing ceremony granting primary permitting jurisdiction to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). This move allows Arizona to protect underground sources of drinking water while bolstering energy projects that will benefit our economy!

In the News.

Congressman Ciscomani pushes for aviation safety in D.C. hearing
KVOA
“Republican Congressman Juan Ciscomani raised concerns about aviation safety during a recent budget request hearing with the Secretary of Transportation.”

Headed for service academies
Green Valley News Sun
“Over the weekend, U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani honored 20 young men and women headed to military academies, including two from Sahuarita. Jose Chafin is off to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. He is graduating this month from Walden Grove High School. Conner Swigert is home educated and has been appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.”

EPA transfers carbon injection well oversight to Arizona amid growing safety concerns
Tucson Sentinel
“At a press conference in Washington, D.C., EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin was joined by Arizona GOP Congressmen Andy Biggs, Juan Ciscomani and Paul Gosar Thursday morning to make the announcement. All three applauded the decision, thanking the Trump administration for allowing Arizona to permit the wells.”

Profiles of the American Dream.

We shine our American Dream spotlight this week on Tony Penn of the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.

Tony has been at the helm of this global community organization for 15 eventful years, leading a staff of 65 to help support more than 400,000 children, families and older adults annually. Their work has been transformational.

With 10,000 donors, 4,500 volunteers and 300 business partners, Tony and his team have led the charge on boosting educational success, financial wellness, healthy living and housing stability.

Tony announced his retirement last year and last month he was named “outstanding community leader” by our friends at the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce at their 2025 Annual Meeting and Awards Breakfast.

“Leadership,” Tony told the crowd of nearly 400 at the event, “is not about titles, it’s not about accolades, it’s about listening, it’s about learning, it’s about taking action for the greater good. It takes a partnership, it takes a shared value to make the very best environment for economic development.”

Congratulations, Tony. We wish you well.

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 your Member of Congress, such as speaking on the House floor. You can 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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