| A retired Army Colonel announced he is resigning from Juan Ciscomani’s Veterans Advisory Council, citing Ciscomani’s strong support for Elon Musk’s DOGE cuts that hurt Arizona veterans.
Because of Ciscomani, nearly 80,000 veterans living AZ-06 face longer wait times and may even need to travel out of state to get the health care they have earned.
In a new op-ed, the veteran writes he “directly” urged Ciscomani to take action against cuts to veterans’ health care, but Ciscomani did “nothing.”
ICYMI: At last week’s debate, Marine veteran JoAnna Mendoza called Ciscomani out for saying he was “thrilled” to work with DOGE, which cut hundreds of positions at Arizona’s VA hospitals. After Ciscomani responded with lies, fact checkers stood by Mendoza:
DCCC Spokesperson Lindsay Reilly:
“Juan Ciscomani sold Arizona veterans out to billionaire Elon Musk, who’s now funding his campaign. Ciscomani is a disgrace, and voters will hold him accountable this November.”
See for yourself…Â
Arizona Daily Star: Local opinion: Why I resigned from Congressman Ciscomani’s Veterans Advisory Council
- I have resigned from Congressman Ciscomani’s Veterans Advisory Council.
- I did not make that decision lightly or because of a disagreement over political party or policy. I made it because I no longer have confidence in his leadership and willingness to exercise the independent judgment and congressional oversight his office — and his oath to the Constitution — require.
- Last year, during a Veterans Advisory Council meeting, Congressman Ciscomani and council members discussed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)-driven reductions in the federal workforce. We expressed concern about the apparent lack of strategic planning and the consequences the potential reductions could have for veterans.
- I told the congressman directly that through Congress’ silence and inaction, and specifically his silence and inaction – that Congress had become complicit and had abdicated their oversight responsibility.
- He said nothing.
- [Ciscomani] and his colleagues appear to be too scared to challenge the administration. Their deliberate decision not to conduct any oversight of the administration is having negative consequences to our veterans, as well as the VA workforce.
- Remaining on Congressman Ciscomani’s Veterans Advisory Council would imply that I continue to have confidence in his leadership. I do not, and remaining would therefore compromise my own integrity.
- During my military career, I was held accountable for my actions (and inactions), expected to speak uncomfortable truths, uphold standards, accept responsibility, and honor my oath regardless of who occupied positions of authority.
- I expect the same from those elected to Congress.
- The oath he took is to the Constitution. When honoring that oath becomes politically difficult, that is precisely when it matters most.
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