Ciscomani Celebrates Strong Bipartisan House Passage of Bill to Support Tucson’s Udall Foundation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) today celebrated the House passage of his bipartisan legislation to support the Tucson-based Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation. The bill passed today by a vote of 350-58. The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2882) would reauthorize the foundation, named after Arizona’s former U.S. Congressmen Mo and Stewart Udall, until 2028. A companion bill, led by U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), passed unanimously in the Senate in April. 

“For over three decades, the Udall Foundation has been an important avenue to continue the work of Mo and Stewart Udall, addressing our most pressing concerns surrounding the environment and our natural resources,” said Ciscomani. “I am pleased to see our legislation to reauthorize the foundation pass the House and cannot think of a better way to honor the legacy of the Udall brothers than to ensure their work is continued by a new generation of scholars.”

“Representative Ciscomani has worked tirelessly on H.R. 2882, which would reauthorize the Udall Foundation,” said House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04). “This will provide scholarships and internships to educate and equip Native American students, which in turn will educate and lift the next generation for the betterment of Indian country. I want to thank Representative Ciscomani for his work in passing this bill and look forward to seeing it move through the legislative process.” 

“The Udall Foundation is immensely grateful for the bipartisan House support of H.R. 2882, led by our sponsor Representative Ciscomani and original co-sponsor Representative Stansbury,” said Dr. David Brown, Executive Director for the Udall Foundation. “We will continue providing our Nation with nonpartisan environmental collaboration and conflict resolution services and education programs in the areas of environmental public policy, Tribal public policy, and Native health care.”

“I am so thrilled that this legislation has passed the house unanimously,” Rep. Stansbury said. “As a former Udall Foundation Fellow, I am excited to see new generations of scholars continue Mo and Stewart Udall’s passions for protecting the environment and our natural resources. It is an honor to be a part of such a great legacy.”

Before the bill’s passage this evening, Congressman Ciscomani took to the House floor to speak on his support for the legislation. You can view his floor remarks here.You can find more information on the Udall Foundation and the Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act here.