THATCHER — U.S. Rep Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., was the featured speaker at the Graham County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Luncheon Monday, and he said the fentanyl crisis is getting worse by the day.
“We have to tackle the immigration system in a lot of different facets, and a lot of priority ways as well, but we have to start with this (fentanyl) because this one is literally killing our youth and tearing up families,” he told Gila Valley Central.
Ciscomani recently led a Congressional delegation — including Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy — to see the Arizona-Mexico border firsthand and speak with Border Patrol agents.
Ciscomani told the Lincoln Day Luncheon crowd that he believes the fentanyl crisis is a non-partisan issue; and he’s pushing to increase technology used by Border agents, increase the number of agents at the border and close the gaps in the security systems.
He also reminded the crowd that everyone needs “to understand the difference between trade and commerce, and the bad people trying to do bad things.”
Ciscomani touched on Arizona’s water crisis and the issues facing Graham County farmers over Gila Water rights and access. He called it “the most complex issue in the state,” and that he would fight against allocation cuts. He also said he will be taking part in an upcoming caucus addressing the diminishing Colorado River.
Ciscomani, a freshman in Congress, sits on both the Appropriations and Veterans Affairs committees. He said that gives the district “a seat at the table” when it comes to discretionary spending on infrastructure and water.
Following the luncheon, Ciscomani was joined by Graham County Supervisor John Howard and Thatcher Vice Mayor Jenny Howard on a tour of Freeport McMoRan’s Safford mining operation.
Ciscomani represents Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, which includes all of Greenlee County; and parts of Graham, Pima, Pinal, and Cochise counties.
