Ciscomani Ranked Most Effective Lawmaker from Arizona in the 118th Congress

March 31, 2025

“I was sent to Congress by my constituents to deliver common sense, lasting results for the people of Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, and that is exactly what I’m doing.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani was one of the most effective members of the House of Representatives during his first term in the 118th Congress, according to new report by the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL).

The two-term congressman from Tucson was the most effective member of Arizona’s Congressional delegation, the 15th most effective lawmaker in the House, and ranked third amongst Freshman Representatives "Exceeding Expectations".

“It’s about getting the job done,” said Ciscomani, who serves on the House Appropriations and House Veterans’ Affairs committees. “I was sent to Congress by my constituents to deliver common sense, lasting results for the people of Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, and that is exactly what I’m doing. Being recognized as one of the most effective lawmakers in the House during my freshman term is an honor and a reflection of that mission.”

The Center for Effective Lawmaking is a joint partnership between the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy in the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University. In announcing the report on March 27, Vanderbilt noted that the most effective lawmakers “were able to find ways to get their initiatives passed into law despite deep political disruptions in 2023 and 2024, and despite widespread public perception of gridlock in the nation’s Capitol.”

Ciscomani credited a “don’t take no for an answer” approach as the key to his ability to advance policy proposals that work for the residents of southeastern Arizona.

"Whether it’s pushing legislation to secure the border, support our veterans, safeguard Arizona’s water, or protecting our seniors, I don’t take no for an answer,” he continued. “I am proud of what my office and I were able to accomplish for our constituents in my first term, and I am keeping my foot on the pedal to do even more for our district in my second term.”

CEL ranks every member of Congress based on 15 metrics, including how far their bill made it in the legislative process and how substantive the bill is.

According to CEL, Ciscomani introduced 24 pieces of substantive legislation. Moreover, six of Ciscomani’s bills passed the House of Representative and two bills were signed into law. He was most effective on issues related to defense, the budget, energy, public safety, and border security.

Background:

Ciscomani’s legislation that passed the House of Representatives in the 118th Congress:
- 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.
- The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 8371), which was 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 legislation was signed into law on January 2, 2025 
- The Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act (H.R. 5585) which imposes federal penalties on individuals who engage in high-speed car chases with law enforcement officers within 100 miles of the border.  
- The Critical Mineral Consistency Act (H.R. 8446) which would ensure parity between Critical Materials, as defined by the Department of Energy (DOE), and Critical Minerals, as defined by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The effort also would eliminate the confusion between the two definitions and give the same benefits to both Critical Materials and Critical Minerals, furthering the United States’ mission to end reliance on foreign adversaries for critical minerals and materials.  
- 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.  
- The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 2882) to reauthorize the Tucson-based Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation, named after Arizona’s former U.S. Congressmen Mo and Stewart Udall, until 2028. 
  - This legislation was signed into law on March 23, 2024
In addition, Ciscomani was recognized as the most bipartisan member from Arizona in the House by the nonpartisan Lugar Center.

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