Jonathan Nez Slams Crane on Endless War, OBBBA Vote after Federal Debt Surpasses 40 Trillion

FLAGSTAFF, AZ — Last week, the nation’s debt surpassed $40 trillion, largely as a direct result of President Trump's endless wars and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, both of which Rep. Eli Crane voted for.

Gutting healthcare while giving massive tax breaks to billionaires not only hurts Arizona families, it explodes our national debt. 

“Congressman Eli Crane voted to recklessly jam this legislation through Congress at the expense of hard-working Arizonans. It’s not hard to see why: He himself is a millionaire who lives in a gated community and stands to benefit from the deep tax cuts,” said Nez. “As usual, working families will be hurt by these tax breaks for millionaires because we bear the cost of a bill that slashes funding for SNAP and Medicaid. Congressman Crane clearly isn’t concerned about our nation’s growing debt because he’s more focused on appeasing his billionaire donors in Washington.”

The cost of the war in Iran is also climbing, with a price tag of over $37.5 billion. These costs will be added to the national debt at a time when American consumers are feeling the sting of high prices.

The largest tax cuts from this bill will be provided to the billionaire class, and there is only one known billionaire that lives in AZ-02. For the remaining 800,000+ residents in the district, the tax breaks will hardly apply.

Meanwhile, rising federal debt puts upward pressure on interest rates and makes it harder for the government, businesses, and households to borrow. Mortgages become more expensive, and businesses and consumers pay more to borrow money.

Importantly, more debt means more of the federal budget goes toward interest rather than priorities. Money spent paying off federal debt can't be spent on infrastructure, national defense, health programs, child programs, or other priorities.

Congressman Crane in the past has labeled himself as a fiscally responsible politician. In his emails, he rails about the need for Congress to pass “fiscally responsible budgets.” Yet Crane voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act despite its projected impact on federal deficits.

The legislation will now add trillions of dollars to the nation’s debt, leaving taxpayers to shoulder the growing cost of Washington’s borrowing.

SEE ALSO:

• NPR News: The U.S. debt tops a record-shattering $40 trillion. Yes, with a T (8/19/26)

• NBC News: ‘Mom, are we OK?’ Children worry their families can’t afford food after Trump’s SNAP cuts (8/19/26)

• Tucson Sentinel: Small Tucson hospital closes; 99 staff laid off (7/31/26)