Ciscomani Stands Up For Ranchers, Provides an Update on his work in Congress in Graham County
April 22, 2025
‘Government bureaucracy cannot stand between ranchers and their way of life’
Safford, AZ - U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani told Graham County ranchers that they should receive full compensation for cattle killed by Mexican gray wolves.
"Ranchers in Arizona and other western states face an intolerable situation," said Ciscomani. "Their livelihood is directly threatened by an animal that the federal government has reintroduced into our communities. Yet when a wolf kills their cattle, they can't get full compensation. This just isn't right.”
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Ciscomani told ranchers he's a co-sponsor of the Wolf and Livestock Fairness (WOLF) Act (H.R. 2227) to fully reimburse ranchers for any livestock killed or harmed by endangered Mexican gray wolves. Currently, ranchers are compensated for 75 percent of the value of livestock killed by gray wolves. This bill increases compensation for ranchers to 100 percent of the value of cattle loss and compensates them for decreased herd sizes.
“Government bureaucracy cannot stand between ranchers and their way of life,” said Ciscomani.
The Congressman's meeting with ranchers in Safford was part of a day spent in Graham County. He also provided a congressional update to elected officials, students, business leaders, educators, and community members at Eastern Arizona College. Here is some of the legislation he has introduced and cosponsored to support students, veterans, and workers across Arizona’s 6th District:
- The Secure our Rural Schools Act (H.R. 1383) which provides funding to rural counties and schools that are impacted by federal land management, particularly those with large areas of federally owned, tax-exempt forests.
- The Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act (H.R. 1458), would expand veterans’ access to educational opportunities in high-demand skill and vocation programs, whether in-person or partially online.
- The Creating Opportunities for New Skills Training at Rural and Underserved Colleges and Trade Schools (CONSTRUCTS) Act (H.R. 1055) would create a grant program to fund and develop residential construction education and certification programs at community colleges, junior colleges, and trade schools
“I am committed to making sure that rural communities, which are often overlooked by the federal government, have a seat at the table,” said Ciscomani. “I spent the day in Graham County, where I met with ranchers to talk about my efforts to strengthen water security, the problem posed by Mexican gray wolves, and my support of a bipartisan bill to provide full reimbursement to ranchers when livestock are killed or harmed by these wolves. Afterwards, I had an engaging meeting with local leaders and community members where I provided an update on my work in Congress and reiterated my ironclad support of Pell Grants, protecting Medicaid, and next steps in reconciliation process. As I always say, you never have to wonder what people in rural Arizona think, and today's dialogue equips me to better deliver for all of my constituents.”
Read coverage from the Gila Valley Central here.