by Matthew Holloway | Nov 8, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Policy experts are pushing back on Democratic attack ads against Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06) and other Republicans, saying the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s (OBBB) Medicaid reforms target fraud and waste—not vulnerable populations.
The ads, funded by the dark-money group Unrig Our Economy, are linked to the George Soros-backed Sixteen Thirty Fund via Arabella Advisors, according to Influence Watch. They feature individuals with disabilities like cerebral palsy, autism, and Down syndrome, accusing legislators, including Ciscomani, of supporting “cuts to Medicaid to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.” The ads target GOP Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Thomas Kean Jr. (R-NJ), in addition to Ciscomani, and insinuate that the subjects would lose benefits under the Trump-backed OBBB.
A report from the Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC), titled “The Truth Behind the Medicaid Cuts Myth,” counters that Medicaid spending is projected to grow by nearly $189 billion over the next decade, an increase of more than 30% of the current allocation, without reducing benefits for low-income children, individuals with disabilities, or working recipients.
“The reforms in the OBBB do not target low-income children, individuals with a disability, or those who can work and choose to do so,” EPIC stated in the report.
“As usual, all the Democrats have is lies. Representative Juan Ciscomani voted to protect care for Arizona’s most vulnerable, and no amount of spin can change the facts,” National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Spokesperson Ben Petersen said in a statement.
The OBBB introduces work requirements for able-bodied adults, enhanced eligibility verification to cut improper payments (which surged to 21.7% in FY 2020 post-COVID, per CMS data but have since declined to 5.09% in FY 2024), and exemptions for parents of children under 14, disabled veterans, the blind or physically disabled, those with mental or developmental issues, clinically addicted individuals, and those with severe medical conditions.
EPIC and other analysts point to state 1115 demonstrations that have included work and employment elements; evaluations of such waivers show mixed employment impacts and mixed effects on utilization, varying by state and program design.
In Arizona, Ciscomani’s district faces heightened scrutiny amid a state budget shortfall. Arizona budget analysts and JLBC staff warn of material budget pressure heading into FY2026–27; JLBC’s state-impact memos estimate a $363 million reduction in Arizona total-fund Medicaid spending stemming from federal reconciliation provisions, according to the Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
EPIC is advocating “smart waivers” to prioritize the disabled and families. For Arizona’s fiscal details, see JLBC’s full report.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Ethan Faverino | Oct 24, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
A group of 13 House Republicans, including Arizona’s Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), have issued a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), commending his leadership during the ongoing government shutdown and calling for immediate action to pass a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to reopen the government.
The lawmakers, led by Reps. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA) emphasized the urgent need to end the government shutdown, which is causing harm to American families, military personnel, federal law enforcement, border agents, and public servants who support veterans and seniors nationwide.
“Every day the shutdown continues to hurt the very people we were elected to serve,” the letter states. “Keeping the government closed helps no one and undermines the safety and stability of our country.”
The group opposes using the government funding debate to address healthcare issues, arguing that such tactics prolong the shutdown and distract from the immediate priority of restoring government operations.
The lawmakers stressed that Congress must focus on passing a CR to fund the government, as the House did on September 19, despite the Senate Democrats’ repeated rejection of the measure 11 times as of Monday, October 20th.
Once the government is reopened, the lawmakers urged Speaker Johnson to prioritize the expiration of the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits.
“We stand firmly behind you as you lead our Conference toward ending the government shutdown,” the lawmakers wrote. “Once the government is reopened, we are ready to work with you to advance healthcare solutions that protect families and lower costs.”
The letter shows the alignment with President Trump’s commitment to preserving healthcare access while addressing the affordability crisis caused by “short-sighted Democratic policymaking.”
“Let us be clear,” the lawmakers wrote. “Significant reforms are needed to make these credits more fiscally responsible and ensure they are going to the Americans who need them most. Our Conference and President Trump have been clear that we will not take healthcare away from families who depend on it. This is our opportunity to demonstrate that commitment through action.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Oct 21, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06) announced last week that his re-election campaign has entered the final quarter of 2025 with a daunting $2.3 million cash on hand, signaling strong momentum as he seeks a third term.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from Arizonans who believe in our mission to deliver results, not rhetoric,” said Congressman Ciscomani. “With more than $2.3 million cash on hand, it sends a clear message: Southern Arizona is fired up to keep this seat red and focused on commonsense solutions. While others are busy playing politics, we’re building momentum, delivering wins, and earning the trust of the people we serve.”
The campaign’s financial strength follows a strong third quarter, with Ciscomani raising over $600,000 in Q3 alone.
To date, the campaign has raised nearly $3 million for the 2026 cycle, significantly surpassing its 2024 cycle performance when Ciscomani had $1.8 million cash on hand and $2.25 million raised at a similar point.
The growing campaign funds show deep and expanding support for Ciscomani across Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, which spans portions of five different counties.
Ciscomani has won back-to-back victories in the highly competitive district. In 2022, he flipped the seat by a narrow 1.4% margin (5,232 votes), and in 2024, he expanded his lead, securing re-election by 2.5% (over 10,800 votes).
Ciscomani serves on the House Appropriations and Veterans’ Affairs Committees and was named the most effective member of Arizona’s congressional delegation in the 118th Congress earlier this year by the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking.
His commitment to addressing key issues—such as economic opportunity, veterans’ services, and border security— has solidified his reputation as a pragmatic leader delivering for Southern Arizona.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Oct 7, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Six Arizona GOP House members—Reps. Andy Biggs, Juan Ciscomani, Eli Crane, Paul Gosar, Abe Hamadeh, and David Schweikert—urged Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego in a letter to “do the right thing” by backing H.R. 5371, a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government.
In the letter, the congressmen told Sens. Kelly and Gallego, “Every single one of us voted for this seven-week, clean continuing resolution when it passed the U.S. House of Representatives on September 19th. This same kind of resolution, with no partisan extraneous policy riders, has garnered bipartisan support routinely in the past.” They also stated that the funding levels called for are precisely those that both Kelly and Gallego have supported in the past.
The congressmen explained, “Our goal in passing this bill was quite simple: keep the government open and functioning for all those who depend on it for a paycheck, and the critical services that our federal government provides. Our state is home to ten military installations, over 34,000 federal civilian employees, approximately 20,000 active-duty service members, over 450,000 veterans, and countless additional federal entities.
“Senate Democrats, yourselves included, are making unrelated policy demands that have nothing to do with government funding. It is far past time to stop holding Arizonans hostage and to put the American people first. Our constituents demand that you stop playing political games with their livelihoods.”
Ciscomani wrote via X, “Arizona’s House Republicans are united — and we’re calling on Arizona’s Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego to stop playing politics and prioritize Arizonans.”
In a statement on Monday, Rep. Crane added, “Last month, the House of Representatives passed a funding extension to prevent a government shutdown. Unfortunately, Senators Kelly and Gallego have repeatedly voted against this approach. A prolonged shutdown harms Arizonans, with many federal employees furloughed or working without pay. I urge our senators to back this sensible measure and help end the government shutdown.”
Hamadeh’s office also offered a statement in support via X writing, “Congressman Hamadeh is proud to stand with his Arizona Congressional Republican colleagues in demanding that Kelly and Gallego start putting Arizonans’ interests over Chuck Schumer’s.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Oct 4, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Republican Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06), Andy Biggs (R-AZ05), and Eli Crane (R-AZ02) have publicly vowed to forego their paychecks until the government shutdown, imposed by Senate Democrats, has been resolved. In contrast, Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego told NBC News he can’t afford to miss one, saying, “I’m not wealthy, and I have three kids… So it’s not feasible, not gonna happen.”
In a post to X accompanying a letter to Congressional Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Szpindor, Ciscomani wrote Tuesday, “If our troops, border agents, and air traffic controllers aren’t paid in a shutdown, Congress shouldn’t get paid either. I’ll withhold my pay. Period. But it should never come to this – Washington, specifically Senate Democrats, must do its job and keep the government open.”
Rep. Eli Crane’s office issued a statement, saying, “As many of you are aware, the federal government officially entered a shutdown yesterday. While the House of Representatives passed a funding extension through November 21, 2025, the measure still requires 60 votes in the U.S. Senate before heading to the President’s desk.
“Unfortunately, only two Democrats and one Independent currently support this effort, meaning the government will remain shut down until five more Democrats vote in favor of the bill.
“In the meantime, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) has requested that his pay be withheld for the duration of the shutdown. He believes it is inappropriate to receive a salary while many Americans are furloughed or facing delayed paychecks.”
In a post to X, Biggs, amidst a campaign for Arizona Governor, also shared a letter to Szpindor, similarly asking that his pay be withheld, writing, “Members of Congress are no more important than American citizens. I’m asking for my pay to be withheld until the Democrats come to their senses and reopen the federal government. Many congressional Republicans made the same request. Our Democrat colleagues can’t say the same.”
According to NBC News, when asked about the vows from other members of Congress, Gallego responded, “I’m not wealthy, and I have three kids. I would basically be missing, you know, mortgage payments, rent payments, child support… So it’s not feasible, not gonna happen.”
Crane, alongside Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), has cosponsored a constitutional amendment designed to prohibit any congressional lawmakers from receiving any payment during future government shutdowns and would even prevent them from claiming back pay.
In a post to X, Norman was direct writing, “No back pay either!!” He also stated, “During shutdowns, federal workers are told to ‘do more with less.’ Meanwhile, Congress still cashes paychecks. That’s wrong.“
Rep. Ciscomani blasted Gallego’s response in a statement, saying, “Senator Gallego should be ashamed of himself. We represent thousands of federal government employees – men and women in our Armed Forces, the Border Patrol, air traffic controllers, and many, many others. They, too, have mortgage payments, rent payments, and child support. This shutdown isn’t ‘feasible’ for them, either. Senator Gallego’s response to this shutdown is an embarrassment. It’s selfish. He should be leading by example, not thinking of himself.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
