In the wake of the passage this week of a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, a former Arizona congressman has some strong words for for his ex-colleagues in the U.S. House.

Matt Salmon believes Washington is more dysfunctional than ever.

Salmon, one of the GOP’s most respected names in Arizona, decided not to run again last year. And he doesn’t regret that decision one bit, especially in light of recent events.

“This atrocity that was passed by the House is a dereliction of duty," Salmon said.

He’s talking about this week’s omnibus spending bill to keep the government funded through September.

And as for the House finally mustering enough votes to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, he doesn’t agree with that either.

“The guy that replaced me, Andy Biggs, I think voted the right way — he voted against it. There is still way too much red tape and too much government. I don’t believe we’re in the free market. I think the free market works in healthcare just like it works in everything else," he said.  

Salmon, who represented the East Valley in Congress for five terms during two different stints, chose not to run again last year.

He now serves as ASU’s vice president for Governmental Affairs but isn’t ruling out a return to politics one day.