By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Rep. Juan Ciscomani returned to southern Arizona after weeks in Washington, D.C., and spoke with 13 News about issues ranging from affordability concerns to the war in Iran.
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Ciscomani presented an award to local nonprofit, Lori’s House, for their work supporting survivors of violent crimes and answered questions about where he stands on national issues impacting southern Arizona.
With regards to affordability concerns, the congressman says he sees and understands issues with affordability first-hand.
“As a dad of six, a family of eight basically, we see that as well. We want to make sure that we do all the work that we can from congress to be able to tackle that,” Ciscomani said.
Ciscomani said more work needs to be done in Congress to help southern Arizonans save money. He pointed to backing the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” last year, which he says can help provide relief for many.
“The bill that we passed last year lets people keep more of their money. When you talk about not taxing tips, not taxing overtime, social security for our seniors as well, all these things are very important,” Ciscomani said.
Rising costs involve the United States’ war in Iran and the conflict surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. The Trump administration and Iran are still continuing discussions to possibly put a permanent end to the war.
“I’m optimistic that we’re going to get to a point where both sides will be able to agree. The mission is clear on this one, of not allowing Iran to have nuclear weapons and the capability of that,” Ciscomani said.
Ciscomani also added that the U.S. wants to ensure the Strait of Hormuz stays open so commerce can continue flowing through the waterway.
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“The mission is clear, we have to look out for American interests in this matter, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” Ciscomani said.
He also talked about the $1.776 billion fund that the Trump administration set aside for victims of government weaponization, which could include rioters who stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Ciscomani has concerns about the fund, regarding the funds’ limits, who is eligible and how the process to distribute funds will work.
As the only Arizona lawmaker in a Congress appropriations committee, Ciscomani said he understands the responsibility he has before making any decisions about the anti-weaponization fund.
“There’s a lot of questions I have on this. As an appropriator, as someone that gets a direct say on funding this before it even goes to the rest of my colleagues, so we have a lot of questions that still have to be answered on it,” Ciscomani said.
Getting his questions answered on the anti-weaponization fund remains one of Ciscomani’s top priorities when he returns to the nation’s capital next week.
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