House Appropriations Oversight Hearing: Department of Homeland Security.

On Wednesday, February 11, my colleagues and I on the House Appropriations Committee held an oversight hearing to discuss the negative impacts a DHS shutdown would have. As the Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, I had the opportunity to speak on my concern over a DHS shutdown, while advocating for Congress’ constitutional responsibility to keep the government fully funded and open.

The hearing also included several key witnesses from affected agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Transportation Security Administration, the United States Secret Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Among witnesses, we heard from TSA Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill on how a shutdown affects our transportation. You can watch her remarks HERE.

Additionally, CISA Acting Director Madhu Gottumukkala spoke on how a shutdown greatly impacts our natin's cybersecurity efforts. You can watch his remarks HERE.

We also heard from FEMA Associate Administrator Gregg Phillips, who shared how emergency response and disaster relief initiatives are hindered by a government shutdown. You can watch his remarks HERE.

You can WATCH my remarks from the hearing HERE.

PASSED COMMITTEE: Critical Minerals & Chiricahua National Park.

One of my goals as your Representative is to fight for proper conservation and management of resources in our district. Recently, I introduced two pieces of legislation that do just that.

The Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 (H.R. 755) will increase the efficiency of resource development by streamlining the recognition of critical minerals. The Chiricahua National Park Act (H.R. 6380) will designate Chiricahua National Monument as a National Park to further preserve this unique area of public land while also bolstering tourism.

Both bills passed the House Natural Resources Committee last Wednesday afternoon, February 11. The next step is for them to be scheduled for debate on the House floor. I urge my colleagues in the House to vote YES on these bills once they go to the floor for passage.

As always, my constituents are my highest priority. I will continue to introduce and support legislation that will directly benefit those who call AZ-06 home.

You can read my press release on these two bills HERE.

Protecting Our State’s Most Precious Resource - Water.

Proud to be joined by my colleagues Representatives Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), David Schweikert (AZ-01), Eli Crane (AZ-02), and Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08) in sending a letter to the Department of Interior (DOI) Secretary Doug Burgum last week. We are urging the Department to help secure the water Arizona needs to support its growing microchip manufacturing, aerospace and critical mineral industries.

In the letter, we called for the withdrawal of a controversial proposal that would impose “drastic reductions” on Arizona’s Colorado River water supplies and undermine the economic gains that the Trump administration itself has made a top priority.

I look forward to working with Secretary Burgum to preserve Arizona’s water future.

You can read my press release on the letter HERE.

Spreading Love to AZ-06 Veterans.

Our veterans deserve care and appreciation from their communities, which is why I am proud of the Valentines for Veterans program my office carried out this year. After asking elementary, middle, and high school students from across AZ-06 to write Valentines for veterans in our district, my office received more than 750 cards!

Members of my team took time last week to deliver these Valentines to SAVAHCS, Fisher House, and more. The response from our community on this was incredible, and I am so proud of these students’ efforts to make our veterans feel loved and appreciated. It was truly wonderful to see so many young people show up to express gratitude to those who have served our nation.

Important Information for Tax Season.

As we are in the midst of tax season, our office wants to give you update you on valuable information that can help in your filing!

Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, 91% of Americans are finding it easier than ever to file their taxes.

This legislation streamlines tax filing, with the largest tax refunds in history being project for this season and 210 million hours saved in total on tax preparation. These tax cuts will result in a reduction of $13 billion in compliance costs, and an increase of over $10,000 in annual take-home pay for working families.

Under the Working Families Tax Cuts, standard deduction levels have been permanently extended. These new levels are $15,750 for single or married filing separately filers, $31,500 for married couples filing jointly, and $23,625 for head of household filers.

Finally, it is now easier for small businesses and workers to file taxes. The Working Families Tax Cuts remove unnecessary IRS paperwork and simplify reporting requirements, including increasing the income reporting threshold to $2,000 before small businesses must send certain tax forms.

Additionally, we’ve heard from many of you, our constituents, regarding issues obtaining your 1099-R form from the Office of Personnel Management. Annuitants who have an email on file with OPM may have received their 1099-Rs electronically.

To access your 1099-R Form online, please visit: https://www.servicesonline.opm.gov/. A new access tool can help you get your current year 1099-R tax form, no login required.

You may also contact OPM Retirement Services online or call 1-888-767-6738 (TTY: 711).

As always, please contact my office for assistance with a federal agency.

Supporting ALS Research Funding.

ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that attacks muscle control and progressively limits the ability to move, walk, speak and even potentially breathe. It is devasting to those who have it and their loved ones.

Continued medical research into ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is critical. I was honored to support that necessary research effort with my recent vote for the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, (H.R. 7148). This legislation secures a $45 million increase in research funding for ALS.

Hundreds of Arizonans and thousands of Americans suffer from ALS. According to the ALS Association, someone is diagnosed with the disease, and someone passes away from it every 90 minutes. Research will help us achieve the important goal of making ALS a livable disease until it can be cured.

In the News.

Arizona House Republicans Urge Interior to Reconsider Draft Colorado River Proposal 
Sierra Vista Herald 
"U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani and five other Republican members of Arizona’s U.S. House delegation have sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum raising concerns about a draft federal proposal outlining post-2026 operations for the Colorado River. In the Feb. 11 letter, the lawmakers ask the Department of the Interior to withdraw and revise the Bureau of Reclamation’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for post-2026 Colorado River operations. The draft was released Jan. 16. The members argue that, as written, the proposal would significantly reduce Arizona’s Colorado River allocation. The press release describing the letter states the draft 'would all but sever nearly six million Arizonans served by the Central Arizona Project from Colorado River supplies they have relied upon for more than four decades.'"

Panel approves mineral, grazing and national park bills 
POLITICO Pro 
"The nation's critical minerals would land on a new kind of list under legislation approved by the House Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday. The committee approved by voice vote an amended version of H.R. 755, the "Critical Mineral Consistency Act," from Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), designed to align the U.S. Geological Survey's list of critical minerals with a separate list maintained by the Department of Energy. During the Biden administration, the USGS critical mineral list did not include copper, but DOE's list did. Last November, the USGS added copper to its roster. A critical mineral designation by the USGS makes the industry eligible for benefits including federal grants and streamlined permitting."

Arizonans in Congress make latest push to create Chiricahua National Park 
Arizona Daily Star 
"Chiricahua National Monument is up for a promotion once again, thanks to a bipartisan push from Arizona’s congressional delegation. The roughly 12,000-acre monument in Southeastern Arizona would be upgraded to a national park under a bill from Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. The two Democrats sponsored the “Chiricahua National Park Act” in the Senate late last month as companion legislation for an identical measure that was introduced by Tucson Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani on Dec. 3 and advanced by the House Committee on Natural Resources on Wednesday. 'Chiricahua is one of Arizona’s true gems — a place with incredible natural beauty, rich cultural history and deep meaning for the communities surrounding it,' Ciscomani said. 'Upgrading the monument to a national park will strengthen its national profile, support local jobs, and bring even more visitors to Cochise County and the surrounding region.'"

Current Military Members and Veterans – Apply for a Free National Parks Pass.

Did you know that current military members, veterans and members of Gold Star Families are eligible for a free annual pass to our National Parks? In gratitude to you or your family member’s service, please take advantage of this opportunity! You can learn more about the free pass HERE.

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.

Since day one of being in office, I have been a champion of veterans. In the 119th Congress alone, I have introduced and led four veterans-focused bills that have passed the House. AZ-06 is home to nearly 80,000 veterans, and supporting each and every one is a high priority for me.

As part of my effort to give back to our veterans here in southeastern Arizona, I have hosted three Veteran Servant Leader Award events. These events honor veterans who have continued to serve their communities after their time spent serving our nation. My office and I have been able to award dozens of veterans through these three events, and we are looking forward to our fourth which will be held this April.

If you know an AZ-06 veteran who is dedicated to giving back to their community and embodies the values of duty, service, and commitment that are at the core of our military, we invite you to nominate them for our fourth Veteran Servant Leader Awards! Nominations will be accepted through Friday, April 17.

You can nominate a veteran HERE.

AZ-06 Highlights: Did You Know?

One of my greatest privileges in representing AZ-06 in Congress is highlighting and honoring the accomplishments of individuals and groups throughout the district.

This week, I want to give a shoutout to the Eastern Arizona College women’s basketball team on being ranked #1 in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) polls! Way to go Gila Monsters!

This team has worked hard to earn this impressive achievement, and I am extremely proud of each of them. This is an accomplishment to be celebrated. Here’s to a successful season and many more wins in the future!

Profiles of the American Dream.

Chad Kasmar rode dirt bikes in the desert as a kid. He became a motorcycle cop for the Tucson Police Department as a young man. And at age 44 he was tapped to serve as the top law enforcement officer in his hometown.

Now, after four years as chief of police in Arizona’s second largest city, the University of Arizona grad has decided to hang up his uniform.

"My time serving this community changed me," Chief Kasmar wrote earlier this month in a heartfelt retirement message to the department’s officers and staff. "It made me more patient, taught me humility, and helped me be more aware of both human fragility and human strength. It also reminded me that the call to serve, in uniform or not, is the collective obligation of genuinely good people choosing to take a stand in the hardest times…without regard to the strains and stains of partisanship."

Chief Kasmar himself embodied that thoughtful approach to his chosen profession. In countless decisions large and small, he earned the trust and respect of our community while working tirelessly to make it a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Law enforcement can be a challenging line of work. Chief Kasmar showed us how to do it.

A few years ago, a U.S. marshal was shot and killed in Tucson while serving a search warrant. Incidents like that hit hard. They don’t just impact the spouses and children of the fallen officer, but everyone who wears a law enforcement uniform. Chief Kasmar, Tucson’s deputy chief at the time, noted that in a news story about the shooting but sought to extract an important lesson from it.

"The next time you’re out, and you see one of your law enforcement officers out in this community, that work in the community, make sure you take an opportunity to thank them for what they do," he said.

Thank you, Chief Kasmar. We’re grateful you answered the call to serve.

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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