Ciscomani, Chairman Bost Attend Veteran-Focused Events in AZ06

October 23, 2024

ARIZONA 6th - U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) and House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (IL-12) attended several veterans-focused events in Arizona’s 6th Congressional district, which is home to over 70,000 veterans. 

The events included hosting a quarterly meeting with Ciscomani’s Veterans Advisory Council, touring Northstar Neurology’s facilities, attending the Cochise County Veteran StandDown Resource Fair, discussing Cochise College’s Military and Veteran Serving Program, and attending the Fort Huachuca Quarterly Installation Retirement Ceremony.

“As the Representative to over 70,000 veterans that call Arizona’s 6th district home, it is my duty and honor to advocate on their behalf and ensure their needs are prioritized by the federal government,” said Ciscomani. “I am grateful to Chairman Bost for his leadership and taking the time to talk directly with veterans in my district. I will continue to push for legislation, funding, and other efforts that provide comprehensive healthcare, mental health support, educational opportunities, and employment resources to our veterans to empower them to transition successfully into civilian life.”

“As Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I was honored to visit with my friend and colleague Rep. Juan Ciscomani in Arizona’s sixth congressional district last week to meet with his veteran community,” said Chairman Bost. “We visited with veterans from all walks of life, including veterans from the Cochise community, and veterans’ survivors to see firsthand how Arizona is leading the way to get veterans and their family’s access to the economic opportunities, education, and outside-the-box mental health support and resources they have earned. House Republicans will continue pushing to cut through the red tape and open more doors for veterans and transitioning active-duty servicemembers across the country. It goes without saying that veterans in southeastern Arizona have no better advocate than my friend, Rep. Ciscomani, fighting for them every day in DC on the issues that matter most to them.”

Veterans Advisory Council

Ciscomani, Bost hosted a quarterly meeting with Ciscomani’s Veteran Advisory Council, which is chaired by Maj. Gen. Don Shepperd (Ret.) and is comprised of veterans from the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and U.S. Navy. The council has identified specific areas of focus, which include which include veterans’ transition into civilian life, access to housing, mental health and suicide prevention, and workforce and education opportunities.

Tour of Northstar Neurology

Ciscomani and Bost toured Northstar Neurology, a treatment facility in Tucson founded in 2017 that provides critical help to veterans suffering with a traumatic brain injury or PTSD.

Cochise County Veteran StandDown Resource Fair 

Ciscomani, Bost, and Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) attended the Cochise County Veteran StandDown Resource Fair to speak directly with veterans about the most pressing issues they face and share resources Ciscomani’s office can offer to veterans. 

Cochise College Military & Veteran Serving Program

Ciscomani, Bost visited Cochise College to discuss their Military and Veteran Serving Program and strong partnership with Fort Huachuca to assist active-duty members and veterans and the two new Baccalaureate programs.

Fort Huachuca Quarterly Installation Retirement Ceremony

Ciscomani, Bost attended Fort Huachuca Quarterly Installation Retirement Ceremony to celebrate military retirees. 

Background:

In his freshman term in office, Congressman Ciscomani, who is a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, has introduced ten pieces of veterans-focused legislation. These include: 

The VET-TEC Authorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 1669) which extends a popular program that covers costs for veterans seeking job training in high-tech industries. 
- This bill passed the House of Representatives in bipartisan fashion.   
The VETS Opportunity Act (H.R. 7896), to expand veterans’ access to educational opportunities for in-demand skilled trade and vocational programs.

The VET MEDS Act (H.R. 5470) to extend the VA’s authority to allow certain healthcare providers to conduct exams across state lines.   
The Veterans’ Appeals Backlog Improvement Act (H.R. 1378) to reduce wait times for veterans seeking disability claims and ensure they are processed faster.  
The Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act (H.R. 7100) to move the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) back within the Office of the VA Secretary. This move ensures that OSA has direct access to the Secretary to fix policy and program-wide problems.
- This bill passed the House of Representatives in bipartisan fashion. 
The Rural Veterans’ Benefit Improvement Act (H.R. 8881) to ensure veterans have permanent, cross-state access to certified healthcare providers for disability claim exams.  
The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 8371), which will be the flagship veterans’ package for the 118th Congress. It includes a number of bipartisan and bicameral proposals to reform and improve the delivery of healthcare, benefits, and services at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans, their families, and their survivors. This includes your effort to reauthorize the VET-TEC program.   
The Expanding Access for Online Veterans Student Act (H.R. 5702), which increased housing stipends for student veterans attending classes online.   
The Veteran Exam Expansion Act (H.R. 5938), which expands the pool of providers eligible to cross state lines when conducting disability exams for veterans.  
The Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act (H.R. 9399) to improve healthcare coordination and management for veterans who receive services through Medicare and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).

Through casework, the Congressman’s team has returned over $5 million to constituents, including $1.9 million to the veterans of Arizona’s 6th Congressional District. This is money and benefits that were owed to constituents but were stuck in the bureaucracy of a federal agency.

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Issues: Veterans