Ciscomani Applauds Executive Order Addressing Mexican Gray Wolf Issue, Reaffirms Support for Ranchers in Arizona’s 6th District

September 4, 2026 Press Release 'For years, ranchers across rural Arizona have dealt with the consequences of a federal wolf reintroduction program without adequate relief.' Tucson, AZ - Representative Juan Ciscomani welcomed President Trump’s executive order directing the Department of the Interior to review the status of gray wolves and Mexican gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act a decisive first step toward delisting the Mexican gray wolf and giving Arizona and other southwestern states a greater role in managing these populations. Arizona ranchers have long raised concerns about the threat these predators pose to their livestock and livelihoods, and this action represents a major step toward giving them the tools and certainty they need. "For years, ranchers across rural Arizona have dealt with the consequences of a federal wolf reintroduction program without adequate relief," said Ciscomani. "Their livelihoods are directly threatened by an animal the federal government put back into their communities, and it's long past time this policy got a serious, honest review. Government bureaucracy cannot stand between ranchers and their way of life. That's why I co-sponsored the WOLF Act to ensure ranchers are fully compensated for livestock killed or harmed by these wolves, and it's why I'll keep fighting for the ranching families who have carried this burden for far too long. I want to thank President Trump, Secretary Burgum, and Secretary Rollins for their leadership on this issue and for standing with our ranchers." If the wolf is ultimately removed from the list of endangered species, state wildlife officials will take the lead role in managing the species. Ranchers and other stakeholders called the executive order a step in the right direction. "As a public lands rancher who’s lived with Mexican gray wolves for years, I’ve watched the real costs pile up—lost calves, stressed herds, and compensation that never quite covers the damage. Delisting this apex predator is the first step toward local, common-sense management that lets cattle operations produce high-quality food for the American people instead of going bankrupt trying to sustain a government program. Directing the Department of Interior to take action is the first step," said Arizona rancher Dalton Dobson. "Arizona ranch families have lived with the Mexican gray wolf program for more than 25 years. They’ve lost calves, cows, and income while doing everything asked of them to protect an experimental population. We thank President Trump and his Administration for recognizing the detrimental impact that the Mexican gray wolf has on our cattle ranchers and our rural communities. This is a step in the right direction and something that Arizona Farm Bureau has long been advocating for," said Arizona Farm Bureau President John Boelts. Arizona Cattle Growers Association Executive Director Suzanne Menges says Greenlee County ranchers are reporting an increase in Mexican gray wolves killing not just calves or weakened livestock, but mature cattle as well. The loss of mature cattle extends beyond the individual animal, as the loss of a breeding cow also excludes a rancher from years of potential calves and income. "The 28-year history of the Mexican Gray Wolf is one which has decimated the cow herds in the areas where the federal government has chosen to place the wolves. For too long, our state has watched the suffering of eastern Arizona ranchers and their livestock with little-to-no recourse or care from government. This changes today, with this executive order. Protecting endangered species should not mean the destruction of both cattle herds and the lives of ranching families. With regard to this issue, for nearly three decades, federal government has abided by the will of those who would prefer cattle ranching does not exist. As a rancher and eastern Arizona resident, I’m excited to see a shift in this pattern, and I’m hopeful this could mean a brighter future for cattle ranching. Congressman Ciscomani’s attention to this issue has been supportive, constant, and tireless. As a sponsor of the WOLF Act, he addressed the egregious failure to make ranchers whole. The majority of this was signed into law under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. I’m grateful for his strong voice in support of cattle producers and beyond grateful for this Executive Order. It’s a great day for western ranchers," said Ben Menges of Menges Ranch in Safford. Ciscomani has long engaged with this issue, working with local farmers and ranchers on the ground in Arizona’s 6th District. In congress he fought to ensure the inclusion of lines for cattle ranchers who have suffered cattle losses as the result of the federally-protected Mexican gray wolf. Time and again, he has highlighted the importance of keeping Arizona agriculturalists in business, fighting to get 100% compensation on their losses and an increase of 50% for livestock compensation. As a co-sponsor of the Wolf and Livestock Fairness (WOLF) Act (H.R. 2227) Ciscomani successfully advocated for the inclusion of this landmark legislation in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act which delivered full reimbursement for ranchers for any livestock that is killed or harmed by endangered Mexican gray wolves. ###