Senator Mark Kelly, a Navy combat veteran representing Arizona, spent a recent day in the southern region of the state, engaging with both the business community and veterans to discuss the impact of the Trump administration's policies. The senator's tour began in Nogales with visits to major distribution and manufacturing players in the area, the C&V Warehouse and the Valencia International Warehouse. There, the recent tariffs, including a hefty 25 percent on goods from Mexico, were a central topic, as Kelly listened to the concerns of workers and business leaders.
Local businesses, essential to Nogales' role as a key hub for cross-border trade, are feeling the strain of the new economic landscape. Discussions reveal that these tariffs are inflating costs, jeopardizing jobs, and disrupting supply chains. According to an announcement from Senator Kelly's office, "One business owner said he is considering shutting down entirely due to the constant changes, putting more than 45 employees at risk of losing their jobs." The tariffs affect not only produce but also imported packaging materials, with the additional costs likely to be passed on to consumers.
The latter part of the day was spent with veterans at a VFW Post in Tucson, where Kelly heard firsthand the challenges faced by those who have served, particularly in light of the recent federal layoffs and prospective cuts at the VA. Veterans expressed concerns over their ability to access healthcare and the potential elimination of critical services. "Henry, a veteran who regularly visits his local VA, shared that he’s already seen reduced hours, limited access to medical records, and fewer staff available to help—warning that essential positions are being eliminated," as noted by Senator Kelly's office. Another veteran named Chuck spoke to the heightened risk to older veterans as services, including transportation for medical appointments, are scaled back.
Kelly assured those he met that he would push back against the administration's policies and continue to advocate for the protection of jobs and veteran services. His office highlighted recent actions taken by the senator, such as introducing the Protect Veteran Jobs Act and demanding accountability from the administration regarding the layoffs of veterans and VA staff. Kelly is also actively working to shield Arizona's trading economy from the negative impacts of these tariff decisions.
