Congressional Candidate JoAnna Mendoza Calls Out Juan Ciscomani’s Deciding Vote for the Big Billionaire Bill, Saying “He’s Not Fighting for Us”

At a press event in Oro Valley highlighting her candidacy for the battleground Arizona Congressional District (CD) Six seat, Navy and Marine Veteran JoAnna Mendoza called out Juan Ciscomani for his deciding vote on Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans Reverse Robin Hood “Big Billionaire Bill” which is the biggest wealth transfer from the Grand Canyon state and nation’s working and middle class to the country’s wealthiest who did not need the help.

In her opening remarks, Mendoza highlighted her background of:

“Being born and raised in Pinal County and as a farm worker, family, and our family often struggled to make its be, and it weren’t for government assistance programs like snack and Medicaid, which year and Arizona, we call AHCCCS, I might have not grown up healthy enough to serve like country for over 20 years in the United States Navy and Marine Corp.”

She then attacked current Arizona CD Six incumbent Juan Ciscomani for his deciding vote to “gut” these programs in Donald Trump’s “Big Billionaire Bill,” saying:

“As we already know, some of these programs are under attack and the people who rely on them are under attack. Our politicians in Washington, politicians like Juan Ciscomani who stand by their vote to gut these programs. Whether you rely on them or not, everyone is feeling the squeeze. Working families in Southern Arizona are doing math at the kitchen table and it’s not adding up. You stretch your paycheck. You worry about health care. You wonder how to keep food on the table with the price of everything keeps climbing. And you’re not alone? It doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican or have no party affiliation at all. It gets us all the same. Energy prices are through the roof. Housing is out of reach. And food and gas prices remain high. These are not just blanket statements or talking points. This is real life. Personally, I’ve had a 400 energy bill last month, and I know a lot of you feel the same way and have experienced that as well. Those prices. That’s real life. That’s the choice between groceries and the light switch. For so many people across the district last month, the person who calls himself our congressman Juan Ciscomani cast the deciding vote for what I call the Big Billionaire Bill. A bill that showers permanent tax breaks on the wealthy and rips out the floor from underneath working families here at home, your families…”

“So, what exactly did it (The Big Billionaire Bill) do? 27,000 jobs will be lost in energy and manufacturing. Families will pay an extra $490 a year on energy bills. 365,000 Arizonans will lose their health insurance. And guess what? Those healthcare premiums. They’re going to go up for everyone. And of course, our rural hospitals are at risk of closing.”

Asking those attended if they thought Juan Ciscomani was fighting for them, they replied in a resounding “NO.”

Mendoza continued on the theme, commenting:

“He showed us who he’s fighting for. And it’s not us because he is not one of us. He has shown that he’s really good at writing letters of concern to GOP leadership, asking them to protect the programs that we rely on like Medicaid and the jobs that help our veterans transition from military life to civilian life. And guess what? All those letters meant nothing because what did he do? He voted for the bill. The Big Billionaire Bill that does not benefit anyone of us. And he continues to prove that that’s what he cares about. Pleasing his party and pleasing billionaires. Not us. Not the constituents he was elected to serve. And so, I’m here today to say…enough. Enough is enough. Cisocmani either needs to lead, follow, or get that out of the way. And if he’s not going to lead, then I’m ready to step in and ensure that the people of this district become the number one priority because that’s what every election should be focused on. Ensuring that we all have a good quality of life that we can provide for our families. That we can have a little money in savings to maybe take that nice family vacation and have dignity in retirement In our senior and elder years. So, as you know, I’m running for congress. I am running for the seats because I am sick and tired of politicians and their empty promises and their letter writing. They’re they’re very good at being concerned and writing letters. I’m sick of all of it and I know that Arizonans are, too. So, that’s why we are here today.”

After comments from two constituents, single mother Kat Stratford and senior counselor Jenalyn Lazana who warned how Ciscomani’s vote for the Big Billionaire Bill will both make ends harder to meet for most District families and threaten retirement security, Mendoza made concluding remarks, offering:

“It’s really important that people continue to pay attention to what is happening, and if you don’t have time because you are working two to three jobs to try to pay for rent and put food on the table, we got you. We will continue to update you. We will continue to share in these horrible things and also track what you’re spending at the grocery store and at the gas pump, because everyone’s going to start feeling the squeeze if they have already. With that, the last thing I’d like to share is that look working families like yours, like mine being. These aren’t just talking points. They’re not statistics. These are real people with real issues and real challenges, And we need to acknowledge that and unfortunately, this Administration is not doing that. So, to close what I would like to say, and this is directly for Juan Ciscomani is that you need to answer for the votes that you have taken. You want to debate. Let’s do it. Anytime, anywhere. Let’s see what he has to say in his answers to the people of this district…”