TUCSON: Celebrated the Opening of Teen Challenge’s New Facility.

Teen Challenge impacts the lives of youth all across America. Prior to the HUD roundtable on Friday, I was honored to attend and speak at the ribbon cutting of Teen Challenge Arizona’s newest facility here in Tucson last week alongside HUD Secretary Scott Turner.

While speaking, I had the privilege of presenting a Congressional Record to Reverend Snow Peabody, who has been a leader in Teen Challenge Arizona for 55 years. Him and his late wife, Ladelle dedicated countless years together to the organization before Ladelle went home to be with the Lord last year. The opening of this great facility is just the beginning of the next chapter in Teen Challenge’s ministry, and I am inspired by the encouragement of all Teen Challenge leadership and staff as they continue to serve and lead in our community.

Congratulations to Reverend Snow Peabody and all those who have made this new facility possible! Thank you for all you do.

Supporting Veteran Access to Homeownership.

I am proud to be co-leading the VA Home Loan Affordability Act (H.R. 8532) alongside Rep. Derrick Van Orden to support veterans’ ability to own a home. With both Rep. Van Orden and I serving on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, we continue to work to introduce legislation that directly supports our veterans.

This legislation aims to remove barriers in the Veteran Administration Home Loan Program, making it easier for veterans to access their earned benefits.

The bill would modernize the system currently in place by reducing the time that is required to become a certified VA appraiser, capping closing costs and limiting seller concessions, and directing the VA to update its minimum property requirements and appraisal process to ensure streamlined access for veterans.

You can read more about the VA Home Loan Affordability Act HERE and read my statement below.

PASSED: 2026 Farm Bill.

The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) passed the House on Thursday of last week. Commonly referred to as the Farm Bill, this legislation authorizes USDA programs through 2031, with a focus on bolstered crop insurance, expanded rural broadband, and strengthened agricultural supply chains.

I am proud to have supported this bill and urge my colleagues in the Senate to vote YES. This bill is central to Arizona’s identity, with three of our Five C’s being cattle, citrus, and cotton.

Arizona’s agriculture industry is integral to our state’s overall economic growth and stability. This bill will strengthen and support our farmers, and ultimately strengthen the state of Arizona.

You can read more about the Farm Bill HERE.

MAY: Military Appreciation Month.

Congress designated May as Military Appreciation Month in 1999, and since then it has served as a special time to recognize veterans and active service members. Military Appreciation Month is meant to honor and recognize the contributions, sacrifices, and faithful service of the members of our nation’s armed forces.

The month of May includes Memorial Day, to remember the sacrifice of those who lost their lives in service to our country, as well as several other military events including Military Spouse Appreciation Day and Armed Forces Day.

To all veterans and active service members of our armed forces, thank you for your selfless commitment to our country. To the families who have experienced the profound loss of a service member, your loved one’s sacrifice is honored, remembered, and never forgotten. And to all military spouses and families, thank you for your dedication to defending this great nation and for the countless sacrifices you have made.

Read more about Military Appreciation Month HERE.

USDA: Support for Rural Communities.

If you looking to grow your business, improve local infrastructure, or find housing solutions in your community, the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers a wide range of programs that are specifically designed to help rural communities thrive.

USDA Rural Development (RD) is hosting a free webinar to break down the essentials of these programs. Whether you’re a small business owner, public body, federally recognized tribe, a non-profit leader, or a curious resident, this webinar will provide the information you need to access federal resources.

The presentation will go over several USDA programs, including: 

• Business Programs
• Water & Environmental Programs
• Community Facilities Programs
• Single Family Housing Programs 

The webinar, titled Navigating USDA Rural Development Programs will be held on Thursday, May 14th at 1:00 PM EST and again on Monday, May 18th at 9:00 AM EST. For more information and to register, click HERE.

AZ-06 Highlights: Did You Know?

The University of Arizona’s Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium celebrated its 50th Anniversary and the opening of their newest exhibit, Mysteries of the Cosmos on April 28.

My office attended the Anniversary celebration and presented a Congressional Record recognizing Flandrau’s history and achievements.

From the moment the Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium opened its doors in 1975, it has provided visitors with immersive educational experiences. Through the use of tools including interactive displays, digital features, laser light shows, large-scale models, and science lectures, the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium has made studying the stars accessible to the public.

The newest exhibit, Mysteries of the Cosmos: Life in the Universe, is an exciting milestone that will further strengthen the Science Center and Planetarium’s ability to bring the wonder of the stars down to Tucson.

Congratulations to Flandrau leadership and staff on 50 years!

AZ-06: Get Involved. 

Our office is proud to provide a list of services to our district’s students as a way to help them get involved. These include an annual Congressional Art Competition and Congressional App Challenge, Valentines for Veterans, Military Service Academy Nominations, and internship opportunities in our Tucson district office.

See below for additional information and deadlines. You can also read more about some of these services on my website HERE.

In the News.

House Unanimously Passes Bill To Prioritize Veteran Survivors 
Conservative Brief 
"The U.S. House of Representatives came together in a rare show of unity this week and unanimously passed a measure to resurrect an office that advocates for the survivors of U.S. military veterans. By a vote of 424-0, the House passed H.R. 1228, known as the 'Prioritizing Veterans' Survivors Act,' a strong bipartisan measure to restore the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) to its original role under the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The measure ensures that the office once more serves as the principal adviser on policies that affect military families and the survivors of loved ones lost in military service. The passage of the bill reverses a 2021 action that sidelined advocacy for veterans' survivors, according to reports. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), amends Title 38, United States Code, 'to clarify the organization of the Office of Survivors Assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs,' according to GovTrack. The measure now heads to the Senate for consideration."

House passes farm bill 
Tri-State Livestock News 
"The House today passed the farm bill (H.R. 7567) as amended. The vote was 224 to 200. The bill reauthorizes programs that were not included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The House adopted an amendment sponsored by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., that removes a provision that offered liability protection to Monsanto and other chemical companies by restricting state labeling laws, and one sponsored by Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., that makes hot rotisserie chicken eligible for purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits...The bill also includes an amendment, led by Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and cosponsored by Reps. Eli Crane, Andy Biggs, and Juan Ciscomani, all R-Ariz., revising USDA standards for confirming livestock depredations by Mexican wolves, reported R-CALF USA."

HUD Secretary visits Tucson, says cutting regs should lower home costs
KGUN 9 
"Being able to find and afford a place to live is a real challenge for a lot of people right now. KGUN9 had a chance to talk to the Cabinet Secretary who oversees the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development about that issue; and he sees reducing regulations as the key to getting people into a home. HUD Secretary Scott Turner spoke with a group of local business leaders gathered at the invitation of Congressman Juan Ciscomani. Turner says regulations pump up the cost of new home construction but President Trump has signed executive orders to eliminate some of them. 'Some of the green energy mandates during the Biden administration added between $21,000 and $30,000 to every single family project. And so when you rescind those and you take those down, that makes it cheaper or easier for builders to build and for buyers to buy. And so the supply goes up, the cost comes down, and so people in America can become homeowners.' Secretary Turner says he expects builders to continue to build to high efficiency standards even with fewer formal requirements. Congressman Ciscomani says lowering housing costs is more than a Federal responsibility."

Profiles of the American Dream.

A testament to the power of tradition, creativity and joy.

That’s how Rabbi Samuel Cohon of Oro Valley’s Congregation Beit Simcha described the full and amazing life of his father, Rabbi and Cantor Baruch Cohon.

Baruch celebrated his 100th birthday at the congregation last month in a room packed with family, friends and well-wishers. There was lots of food, lots of singing and lots of love for a man who has made the most of the past century.

"He’s lived quite a life," his son said.

Baruch was born in Chicago on April 28, 1926. Calvin Coolidge was president, America was about to mark 150 years of independence and the Ford Model T was the most popular car in the country.

Baruch joined the Navy after graduating from high school in 1943, serving his country in the Pacific on a wooden minesweeper and operating underwater sound detection equipment to locate enemy submarines.

After the war, Baruch’s ship was purchased by John Wayne and converted into his personal yacht. As fate would have it, Baruch also found his way to Hollywood. In the 1950s and 1960s, he worked as a producer, writer and editor on several television shows.

But it was through his deep and abiding faith that allowed Baruch to have his greatest impact. He served as a rabbi and cantor in several California congregations, and as lecturer and discussion leader for the University of Judaism, Hebrew Union College and the Jewish Centers of Los Angeles. Music was a big part of his life. He composed and record songs, worked as a musical editor and wrote scholarly articles and books on Jewish liturgical music.

Baruch is the Hebrew word for blessed. The name is fitting. Baruch Cohon has indeed lived a blessed life.

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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