SAVE America Act & DHS Funding.

There are a number of important votes coming up this week on the House floor. I will be voting YES on the SAVE America Act which will strengthen the integrity of our voting process by ensuring states implement policies to obtain proof of citizenship for every individual who registers to vote, require voters to show a photo ID when they cast a ballot, and direct states to regularly check for noncitizens and those who are ineligible on voter rolls.

Furthermore, the funding deadline for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is this Friday, February 13. Funding DHS is essential to keeping our communities safe and our nation secure. DHS has a vast mission that touches nearly every American—supporting Customs and Border Protection officers on the front lines, ensuring travelers can move safely through our airports with TSA, protecting the nation’s cyber networks through CISA, and responding to disasters and helping communities rebuild through FEMA. These are core government responsibilities, entrusted to us to support, that cannot be put at risk.

As Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I take seriously my duty to provide strong oversight while ensuring DHS has the resources it needs to carry out its mission effectively and responsibly. Delivering certainty and stability for these critical operations is key to national security and public safety. I have never been in favor of a government shutdown – full or partial as it only hurts everyday working Americans. And I urge my colleagues in the House and our Senators to pass this critical funding.

I am proud to be supporting the above pieces of legislation. Be on the lookout on my website and social media for legislative updates from me in the coming days.

You can read the text of the SAVE America Act HERE.

Advocating for Veterans in AZ-06.

Many veterans lack access to flexible, non-traditional education pathways that lead to in-demand, high-earning careers. For these reasons, I was proud to introduce the VETS Opportunity Act (H.R. 1458) which expands GI Bill eligibility for accredited certificate programs and correcting inequities, empowering veterans to tailor their education to their career goals while helping fill workforce shortages in.

Last Monday, the House passed this legislation to modernize the GI bill, expand access to educational opportunities and ensure the fair treatment of student veterans, National Guardsmen and Reservists. The VETS Opportunity Act of 2025 now awaits passage in the Senate.

This bill is the fourth veterans-focused bill of mine to pass the House in the 119th Congress, and the fifth piece of legislation I’ve introduced to advance through the chamber. I am proud of this legislation and how it will serve our veterans.

You can read my press release on this legislation HERE.

You can watch my remarks on the bill HERE.

Supporting Medicaid Buy-in for Working Adults 65 and Over.

Last week, I welcomed the passage of legislation I introduced, which removes certain limitations for disabled, working individuals who want to take part in the Medicaid buy-in program. The Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act (H.R. 1598), passed on the House floor on February 3, 2026, and was signed into law by the President. It was included within the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.

This legislation cuts through red tape to allow working adults with disabilities over the age of 65 to continue to work and receive Medicaid coverage and benefits if they choose.

I’m proud to have introduced and voted to pass this legislation. It will positively impact a number of individuals in AZ-06 by making Medicaid more accessible to those who need it.

You can read my statement on the bill below.

Prioritizing Water Conservation.

Water is our most precious resource, and I am proud to join Senators John Hickenlooper and Jerry Moran, and Representative Brittany Pettersen, in reintroducing the bipartisan and bicameral Water Project Navigators Act. This legislation would support states, tribes, and rural communities in accessing the resources they need for projects that enhance water efficiency, reduce consumption, and strengthen ecosystem resilience, by creating grant navigators to guide applicants through the federal water conservation grant process.

The Water Project Navigators Act would be vital for the preservation of water resources here in southeastern Arizona, which is why I am proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing it.

You can read my statement on this legislation below.

Celebrating New U.S. Citizens.

This past Friday, I had the privilege of speaking at a naturalization ceremony in Tucson. I joined a full courtroom to congratulate 40 new citizens from 13 different countries! These new U.S. citizens are the embodiment of the American dream: they have gone through the long process to become a United States citizen and can now build the life they desire.

As an immigrant, I understand the difficulties and challenges of the journey towards citizenship, as well as know firsthand the opportunities and joy of becoming a citizen of this great nation. I came to this country as a child, and while it wasn’t always easy, my parents taught me that with hard work and faith, this is a country where anything is possible. I will never forget the moment I became a U.S. citizen. And now, years later, I have the honor of being the first naturalized citizen from Mexico to represent Arizona in the United States Congress.

America truly is the Land of Opportunity – a country made great because of men and women like those I met on Friday. I am always honored to speak at naturalization ceremonies because citizenship is always something to be celebrated. To these 40 men and women who are now U.S. citizens – may God bless you in all you do, and congratulations!

Meeting with Nigerian First Lady Remi Tinubu.

I had the honor of joining Representative Riley Moore to meet with Nigeria’s First Lady Remi Tinubu in Washington, D.C last Wednesday. During the meeting, Rep. Moore and I had the opportunity to discuss with the First Lady the current state of Nigeria following my oversight trip with other House Appropriations Committee colleagues and the continued persecution of Christians happening there.

I will continue to stand with the Christians in Nigeria who are being killed by radical groups throughout the country. On my visit to Nigeria in December, we saw firsthand the turmoil caused by extremist terrorist organizations. My thoughts and prayers are with the innocent Nigerian civilians being targeted, and I am grateful for the opportunity to meet with First Lady Tinubu to voice my continued support for the government of Nigeria to do more in their fight against this persecution.

In the News.

Ciscomani’s Medicaid buy-in bill signed into law
The Ripon Advance
“A bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) to allow disabled individuals who are working to buy into Medicaid became law on Feb. 3 as part of a larger appropriations package enacted by the president. ‘House passage of the final funding package included key Medicaid legislation,’ Rep. Ciscomani said. ‘This is a major step forward for working adults with disabilities who simply want the freedom to keep working without losing the care they rely on.’ The U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 3 passed the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act, H.R. 1598, which the congressman sponsored in February 2025 with cosponsor U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, H.R. 7148, which President Donald Trump signed into law the same day.”

Mining, wildfire, land bills up for House markup
E&E News by POLITICO
“The House Natural Resources Committee will debate and vote on a roster of bills this week that is likely to generate some partisan sparring. H.R. 755, the ‘Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025,’ from Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), would make sure the Department of Energy’s list of critical minerals confirms with the U.S. Geological Survey’s catalog. One of the bill’s main goals has been to elevate copper. That’s why even though it has bipartisan support, many Democrats and environmentalists have complained about wanting to accelerate and give funding to projects that can stand on their own.”

Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act passes House committee
Daily Dispatch
“The Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act, co-sponsored by Bynum (OR-05) and Representatives Eli Crane (AZ-02), Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), passed through committee without opposition. The bipartisan legislation focuses on reducing risks from unauthorized drones flying through restricted airspace during active wildfires. When drones enter those restricted zones, firefighting aircraft are often forced to land to avoid collisions, causing delays in containment efforts.”

AZ-06: Get Involved.

Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District.

The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students in Arizona’s Sixth District. The winning artwork of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will include the winning artwork from all participating districts from around the country. The winning artwork is also featured on House.gov's Congressional Art Competition page.

The deadline for submissions for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition is Thursday, April 16, 2026.

For more details, click HERE.

Constituent Services: Fly an Official U.S. Flag Over the U.S. Capitol.

Did you know that you can contact my office and request to fly an official United States flag over the U.S. Capitol? A flag can be flown over the Capitol for any occasion and on a specific date at your request, and then it will be sent to your home for you to keep.

If you are interested in using this service, please use the following link on my website or contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-2542 for further information.

Profiles of the American Dream.

Desi Raulston has loved Star Wars since the movie premiered in 1977. She was in eighth grade at the time and the impact of the classic good-versus-evil story has endured nearly 50 years.

As the principal of Copper View Elementary School in Sahuarita, Desi launched the Jedi Academy a few years ago as a way to better connect with students and teach them about the importance of citizenship and leadership.

The academy was named after the movie’s guardians of justice and kids who made it through received a certificate and a plastic lightsaber.

Desi’s story is another great example of the local kid who made good. The 61-year-old Tucson native is the daughter of a copper miner who graduated from Sahuarita High School in 1982 and worked in the mines herself before starting at the University of Arizona at 27.

"I always tease my teachers and my students that I used to dig dirt for a living and now I dig into their minds," Desi recently told the Green Valley News.

She taught language arts and served as an assistant principal at Sahuarita Middle School before becoming principal at Sopori Elementary School I 2007. Within two years, she transformed a failing school into Sahuarita’s first A+ School of Excellence.

Desi’s been the principal of Copper View since the school opened in 2012. But just like the Star Wars franchise, every story must come to an end. After 30 years with Sahuarita Unified School District, Desi is retiring at the end of this school year.

Her dedication and creativity will certainly be missed. We wish her 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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