¶ Overview
Ciscomani voted four times to protect Trump’s tariffs, including in April when he was the deciding vote to protect the tariffs from being repealed by Congress, dooming Arizonans who relied on him to a trade war and rising prices. Tariffs were contributing to higher food prices, hurting Tucson businesses, and were devastating to farmers.
Ciscomani defended the tariffs, claiming people needed to trust Trump with economic decisions, but later admitted that tariffs in the long-term would be “very detrimental to Arizona.”
¶ Ciscomani: “People Need To Trust Trump With These Decisions”
¶ Ciscomani Said People Needed to “trust” Trump More and That He Trusted Trump’s Judgement on Tariffs
Ciscomani: “People Need To Trust Trump With These Decisions Just As They Trusted Him With Their Vote In November.” According to Green Valley News, "Q: Are there any decisions President Trump has made that you’re uncomfortable with? A: Ciscomani granted that Trump’s ‘style’ isn’t for everybody, and doesn’t mesh with his own. But people need to trust Trump with these decisions just as they trusted him with their vote in November, and let it play out. He added there is tremendous support for Trump's actions and how fast they are playing out." [Green Valley News, 2/21/25]
Ciscomani Claimed He Trusted Donald Trump’s Judgement When It Came To Tariffs. According to the Arizona Republic, "Ciscomani didn’t directly take a position on the across-the-board tariff that Trump ran on, saying, ‘nothing is final’ yet. ‘Right now, before he comes into office, he’s looking at all his options,’ Ciscomani said. ‘I trust his judgment on this, and again, he’s proven it.’ He said Trump’s more aggressive approach is needed, pointing to China’s protectionist economic policies that have helped them become a massive manufacturing power, and Mexico’s relationships with China and ‘socialist, Communist countries in Latin America.’ ‘That’s when you realize the need for the president to step in and level the playing field, and negotiate something that makes sense for Americans,’ he said. ‘All these things threaten the prosperous relationship we can have with Mexico: If they continue to get so close to countries that don’t have the United States’ best interest in mind.’" [Arizona Republic, 1/14/25]
- Ciscomani Said He Was Not Concerned About Trump’s Tariffs. According to KGUN 9 Tucson, "Ciscomani tells me he's not concerned about President Trump putting tariffs on goods coming from places like Mexico—a widely-used talking point during the campaign last year. Ciscomani says he believes, like during his first term, Trump will use the threat of tariffs as a bargaining chip.” [KGUN 9, 1/20/25]
¶ Ciscomani Later Admitted Americans Would Ultimately Pay for The Price of Trump’s Tariffs and The Tariffs Would Hurt Arizona in The Long-Term
Ciscomani On Tariffs: “Our Importers End Up Eating The Cost Of That And Eventually It Gets Passed On To The Consumer.” According to an interview of Juan Ciscomani on Wake Up Live, "CISCOMANI: So our importers were saying that they were trying to communicate with some of the big retailers in the U.S. saying, hey, when the tariffs were kicking in, we're going to be delayed a little bit, it’s going to be a little more expensive. But they were like doesn’t matter, you have a contract, you got to meet it by this date. That's it. So then our importers end up eating the cost of that and eventually it gets passed on to the consumer.” [Wake Up Live, 4/30/25] (video)
Ciscomani Admitted That Long-Term Tariffs Would Be “Very Detrimental To Arizona.” According to an interview of Juan Ciscomani on Wake Up Live, "So now, having said all this, the president is using every tool he has to, you know, put tariffs from the more, import the trade relationship and in a more fair and balanced way with countries that have been taking advantage of the U.S., that that that's happening. Again, I am concerned of those being long-term because long-term would be very detrimental to Arizona.” [Wake Up Live, 4/30/25] (video)
¶ Ciscomani Then Went Back to Defending Trump’s Tariffs
Ciscomani Defended Trump’s Tariff Strategy And Claimed There Was An “Adjustment Period In All This On How We Get To The Goal You Want To Get To.” According to an economic roundtable hosted by Juan Ciscomani via the Arizona Central, “QUESTION: But as these trade deals get dealt with, it's great. I would love to see that. I'd love to see the tariffs, you know, countries paying us to sell. But there's just this, I would say almost a ignorance on a portion of what the steel tariffs are doing to manufacturing. CISCOMANI: I see this as and I think that there's some valid points there. There's an adjustment period in all this on how we get to the goal you want to get to. And when you've had, you know, four decades of these new trade deals that just haven’t, we haven't been the biggest beneficiaries of. The president's strategy was to put everything on hold. Right. It wasn't like let's fix one and once we fix that we move on to the next one. He came in as a shock factor of saying enough with the way we've been treated, that's you know, we stop it and then we work on them one by one. That's the strategy. And it's working by seeing a lot of these countries coming to new agreements, including Mexico. There was just an extension of the grace period that we offer them one more time 90 days. So I think that's a good sign that we are coming to an agreement. They are the largest trading partner, both for Arizona and for the U.S.. So it's in both sides best interest to come to an agreement there. And I think that once we do and from what I hear, the conversations and negotiations between Sheinbaum and President Trump have been, you know, making progress. Otherwise, he would just slap the highest tariff on, moved on and said call me when you're ready to talk. And the fact that he didn’t do that, I think it's a good sign.” [Juan Ciscomani Economic Roundtable via Arizona Central, 8/14/25] (video)
¶ Ciscomani Has Repeatedly Voted to Protect Trump’s Tariffs
¶ September 2025: Ciscomani Voted Again to Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Ciscomani Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through March 2026. In September 2025, Ciscomani voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the resolution [that] would allow for the tolling (the pausing of counting) of days for resolutions of inquiry from Sept. 30, 2025 through March 31, 2026. It also would provide that each day during the period from April 9, 2025, through March 31, 2026. would not constitute a calendar day for the purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act with respect to a joint resolution to terminate President Donald Trump's April 2, 2025 executive order declaring a national emergency regarding tariffs on imported goods. The resolution also would provide that during the period for March 11, 2025 through March 31, 2026, would not constitute a calendar day for purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act with respect to a joint resolution terminating a national emergency executive order declared by President Trump on Feb. 1, 2025. Such an executive order concerned tariffs on many Canadian and Mexican imports and Chinese goods. The resolution also would provide that the provisions of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act would not apply through March 31, 2026 to a joint resolution terminating the national emergency.” The vote was on the rule. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 213 to 211. [House Vote 268, 9/16/25; Congressional Quarterly, 9/16/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 707; Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
- Support Was Won From GOP Holdouts Through A Promise Of A Vote Later In The Week To Shorten The Block To End In January Rather Than March. According to Politico, “GOP leaders flipped several of the Republican holdouts with a promise to add language shortening the block on tariff disapproval votes to a forthcoming measure set for approval later in the week, per two Republicans with direct knowledge of the agreement. The expiration date on the block will be reset from March 31 to the end of January, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Tuesday. It’s likely the Supreme Court will have ruled on a challenge to Trump’s tariff-declaring powers by then.” [Politico, 9/16/25]
- September 2025: House Republicans Voted In Favor Of A Measure That Effectively Blocked Challenges To Trump’s Tariffs Through March 2026, With The Intent Of Changing The Length Of Time To January 2026. According to Politico, "House Republicans voted in near lockstep Tuesday to again cede congressional power over tariffs to President Donald Trump. A measure that effectively blocks challenges to Trump’s sweeping global tariff declarations through March 2026 was adopted on a 213-211 vote. The vote was gaveled down only after GOP whips had a drawn-out struggle on the floor with a band of Republicans who initially opposed the legislation before flipping to yes. The vote was held open for more than a half-hour as they worked to bring the members back on board. GOP leaders flipped several of the Republican holdouts with a promise to add language shortening the block on tariff disapproval votes to a forthcoming measure set for approval later in the week, per two Republicans with direct knowledge of the agreement. The expiration date on the block will be reset from March 31 to the end of January, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Tuesday. It’s likely the Supreme Court will have ruled on a challenge to Trump’s tariff-declaring powers by then." [Politico, 9/16/25]
¶ April 2025: Ciscomani Cast the Deciding Vote to Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Ciscomani Cast The Deciding Vote For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Ciscomani voted for, “adoption of the rule (H Res 313) that would provide for floor consideration of the Senate amendment to the fiscal 2025 budget resolution (H Con Res 14). The rule would provide up to one hour of debate on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the measure. It also would block the expedited consideration of joint resolutions terminating President Donald Trump’s tariff actions under the April 2 executive order by providing that each day during the period from April 9, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2025, will not constitute a calendar day under the federal law pertaining to terminating national emergencies.” The vote was on the rule. The underlying legislation was the FY 2025 budget resolution. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 216 to 215. [House Vote 94, 4/9/25; Congressional Quarterly, 4/9/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 313;Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
- Speaker Johnson Backed The Move, Claiming Trump Has “Executive Authority” And That The Tariffs Are “In The Interest Of The American People.” According to ABC News, “House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended the move, telling reporters, ‘I've made it very clear I think the president has executive authority. It's an appropriate level of authority to deal with the unfair trade practices. That's part of the role of the president is to negotiate with other countries.’ Johnson said Trump told him Tuesday night that ‘there are almost 70 countries that are [in] some stage in negotiation of more fair-trade agreement agreements with the United States. I think that is in the interest of the American people. I think that is an ‘America First’ policy that will be effective, and so we have to give them the space to do it.’” [ABC News, 4/9/25]
- The Vote Was The Second Use Of The Procedural Tactic To Block Votes On The Tariffs, The First Use Of It Being In March 2025. According to ABC News, “House Democrats, led by Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., moved to force a vote on Tuesday on terminating the national emergency authority and blocking Trump's sweeping tariffs. Now, that vote is unlikely to occur. This is the second time Johnson has moved to stop the legislative calendar to prevent votes on Trump's authority on tariffs. Under House rules, these votes would typically come up within 15 calendar days but now will not if the ‘rule’ passes during the vote series Wednesday afternoon.” [ABC News, 4/9/25]
¶ If One “Aye” Vote Had Switched To a “No” on House Vote 94 the Measure Would Have Failed Instead of Passing
The Measure Considered In House Vote 94 Passed By A Vote Of 216 “Ayes” To 215 “Nos,” Which Meant If One Aye Vote Had Switched To A No Vote The Measure Would Have Failed.
[House Vote 94, 4/9/25; Congressional Quarterly, 4/9/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 313;Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
¶ April 2025: Ciscomani Voted to Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Ciscomani Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Ciscomani voted for, “motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 313) that would providing for floor consideration of the Senate amendment to the fiscal 2025 budget resolution (H Con Res 14). The rule would provide up to one hour of debate on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the measure. It also would block the expedited consideration of joint resolutions terminating President Donald Trump’s tariff actions under the April 2 executive order by providing that each day during the period from April 9, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2025, will not constitute a calendar day under the federal law pertaining to terminating national emergencies.” The vote was on the previous question. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 217 to 212. [House Vote 93, 4/9/25; Congressional Quarterly, 4/9/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 313]
¶ March 2025: Ciscomani Voted to Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Ciscomani Voted To Disapprove An IRS Rule That Established Reporting Requirements For Digital Asset Proceeds And To Effectively Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs. In March 2025, Ciscomani voted for, “the bill that would provide for Congressional disapproval of, and nullify, a December 2024 IRS rule related to gross proceeds reporting by brokers involved in digital asset sales. The rule imposed reporting requirements, beginning in 2027, on non-custodial barkers who participate in the decentralized digital asset market. It also required brokers to file information returns and provide payee statements reporting gross proceeds from certain digital asset sales and transactions.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 292 to 132. [House Vote 71, 3/11/25; Congressional Quarterly, 3/11/25; Congressional Actions, H.J. Res. 25]
- The Bill Effectively Blocked The House From Voting To Reverse Trump’s Tariffs On Mexico, Canada, And China For The Next Year. According to the New York Times, “Republican leaders on Tuesday slipped language into a procedural measure that would prevent any resolution to end the tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China from receiving a vote this year. It passed on party lines as part of a resolution that cleared the way for a vote later Tuesday on a government spending bill needed to prevent a shutdown at the end of the week.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
- The Bill Nullified A Law That Would Allow The House And Senate To End A Disaster Declared By The President. According to the New York Times, “In this case, Republican leaders did so using a particularly unusual contortion: They essentially declared the rest of the year one long day, nullifying a law that allows the House and Senate to jointly put an end to a disaster declared by the president.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
- The National Emergencies Act Required Consideration Of Resolutions Ending A Presidentially Declared Emergency Within Fifteen Calendar Days But Republican Leadership Included A Measure In The Bill Declaring The Rest Of The Year Did Not Constitute A Calendar Day. According to the New York Times, “The national emergency law lays out a fast-track process for Congress to consider a resolution ending a presidential emergency, requiring committee consideration within 15 calendar days after one is introduced and a floor vote within three days after that. But the language House Republicans inserted in their measure on Tuesday declared that, ‘Each day for the remainder of the 119th Congress shall not constitute a calendar day’ for the purposes of the emergency that Mr. Trump declared on Feb. 1.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
¶ Trump’s Tariffs Threatened Arizona Agriculture
HEADLINE: "‘Tidal Wave Of Problems’: With Harvest Here, Trump’s Trade War Pushes Some US Farmers To The Brink" [CNN, 9/20/25]
One Arizona Farmer Said The Tariffs Could “Break” His Farm Because It Relied On Exporting Product To China, Who Stopped Buying From U.S. Producers Because Of The Tariffs. According to ABC 15 Arizona, "Shannon Schulz has been farming in the Harquahala Valley for decades. ‘There's no better way to raise a family than on the farm,’ Schulz said. Schulz is unique in the Valley, as he not only harvests his alfalfa but also is part of the export process overseas. His main customers are countries in the Middle East, and China. ‘Usually, this warehouse is full of hay. It’s not right now because business is just slow,’ Schulz said. Business is slow because Chinese dairy farms have all but stopped buying U.S. alfalfa to feed their cattle after the country imposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports. China makes up about half of Arizona's alfalfa export market. ‘With the current tariffs in place, which is in total about 66% from China to us, it puts our product out of the marketplace,’ Schulz said. […] Losing about half of his business overnight has not been easy. ‘It could break us,’ Schulz said. ‘It could break a lot of farmers.’" [ABC 15 Arizona, 4/18/25]
- HEADLINE: “'It Could Break Us': Valley Farmer Says Chinese Tariffs Have Crushed The Alfalfa Export Market” [ABC 15 Arizona, 4/18/25]
A Fourth Generation Cotton Farmer Said The Tariffs Could Be “Devastating” For Cotton Farmers Because The Price Was Already Not In A Good Position. According to AZ Big Media, "Cassy England is a fourth generation farmer at Sierra Farming, where they grow cotton. The ranch is among about 200 others who grow the crop in Arizona, according to the Arizona Farm Bureau. ‘Our cotton is mainly exported, and the price is already not in a good position. If that gets any worse, that could be devastating for all of us,’ England said, noting farming is not just about producing food and goods but preserving a way of life. ‘It’s a lot scarier to see the changes that are happening. … We all stay positive, but it’s definitely going to be challenging.’" [AZ Big Media, 3/7/25]
- HEADLINE: “Tariffs War Threatens Higher Costs For Arizona Farmers” [AZ Big Media, 3/7/25]
Arizona Producers Could See A Decrease In Their Export Sales, Which Would Decrease The Amount Of Profits Arizona Farmers Were Bringing In. According to the Arizona Republic, "Yuma's leafy green industry, dairy farms in Maricopa County, cotton gins in central Arizona and nut farms in the southeast corner of the state could see a decrease in their export sales. Even if Arizona doesn't export a product targeted by tariffs from Mexico, Canada or China, prices could drop for growers, explained James Boyle, vice president of the United Dairyman of Arizona and owner of Casa Grande Dairy Co. ‘It lowers the price paid to the dairy farmers because the companies that are used to selling cheese into Mexico can't, so cheese backs up in the U.S., which drives the price down,’ he said." [Arizona Republic, 3/6/25]
- HEADLINE: “Trump's Tariffs Could Put Arizona Farmers In The Crosshairs Of A Trade War” [Arizona Republic, 3/6/25]
¶ Tucson Residents and Businesses Felt the Effects of Trump’s Trade War
HEADLINE: "Small Business Owners Hit Hardest By Tariffs" [13 News, 8/19/25]
HEADLINE: "Tariffs On Canada, Mexico And China Paper Products Could Impact Tucson Businesses" [ABC 9 (KGUN), 3/4/25]
Tucson Rug Company Said They Were Delaying Planned Building Improvements And Filling And Open Staff Position Because Of The Tariffs. According to 13 News, "Massarat told 13 News that because of the tariffs, Asian Trade has put off building improvements and hiring more staff. ‘I had plans for new lighting and new flooring, as well as new signage out on our storefront, and at this moment, we’ve decided to put all of that on hold,’ Massarat said. ‘Recently, we lost a staff member to a move, and typically, we would run to place an ad and get somebody in their place, but at this time, I’m just standing by.’ 13 News also asked Masserat what would make her comfortable enough to make those showroom improvements and hire that employee. She said it’s hard to say, but she feels confident they’ll be able to get to that point eventually." [13 News, 4/9/25]
HEADLINE: "Southern Arizona Produce Industry Feeling Impacts Of Tariff Threats" [News 4 Tucson, 3/10/25]
HEADLINE: "Staying Cool In Tucson Heat May Be Getting More Expensive" [13 News, 4/11/25]
Tucson Appliance Said It Would Not Be Able To Absorb The Increased Cost Of Products And Parts Expected From Trump’s Tariffs. According to ABC 9 (KGUN), "Tucson Appliance has been a fixture midtown for nearly 35 years. The family-owned business has survived the great recession and the COVID pandemic. Now, Tucson Appliance, 4229 E. Speedway Blvd., is preparing for the across-the-board tariffs and the impact those tariffs will likely have on the appliance industry. Corbin Edwards is a third-generation owner of Tucson Appliance in midtown. When asked how soon he expects to see tariff-related price increases, he told me, ‘We expect to see it now.’ He says appliance manufacturers in countries like China, Canada, Turkey and Mexico have already notified them this week to expect price increases because of the sweeping tariffs on foreign products and parts. ‘We don't know the exact model numbers or percentage of how much they're going to go up. They predict nearly up to 6% per model,’ Edwards said. As a locally owned small business, Edwards tells me that's not a cost they can absorb." [ABC 9 (KGUN), 4/4/25]