Press Releases
Luján Statement on House Passage of Legislation to Create Nearly 1 Million New Paid Apprenticeship Opportunities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the House passage of the National Apprenticeship Act to expand access to Registered Apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships and create nearly 1 million new apprenticeship opportunities over the next five years: "The COVID-19 pandemic has upended local economies, leaving thousands of New Mexicans out of a job through no fault of their own. This important … Continue Reading
November 20, 2020
NM Delegation Announces Albuquerque is Finalist to Host U.S. Space Command and Urges Air Force to Utilize New Mexico’s Unique Space Assets for New Headquarters
WASHINGTON-Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that the Department of the Air Force is naming Albuquerque as a finalist for the location of the new U.S. Space Command headquarters. The delegation continued their advocacy for New Mexico's growing space economy. Space Command was reestablished as the 11th combatant command in August 2019 and … Continue Reading
November 17, 2020
Luján Leads Effort to Protect Tribes From Scams During COVID-19 Pandemic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) helped lead the House passage of the Fraud and Scams Reduction Act, which includes bipartisan legislation that he introduced to identify scams targeting Tribes and Tribal members. The Fraud and Scams Reduction Act addresses scams preying on seniors, military service members, and Tribal members that have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Video of Luján's floor speech is available here. According to the … Continue Reading
November 13, 2020
NM Delegation Announces Over $15.5 Million in DHS Grants to Expand COVID-19 Treatment, Medical Supplies
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.)and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded over $15.5 million in COVID-19 emergency response reimbursements to the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). The grants provide over $10.7 million in federal cost-share reimbursements for the NMDOH to purchase and distribute Personal … Continue Reading
November 11, 2020
Luján Statement Honoring America’s Veterans
Nambé, N.M. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement marking Veterans Day: "From the Navajo Code Talkers and soldiers who endured the Bataan Death March in World War II to our Korean War Veterans, Vietnam Veterans, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, New Mexicans have always answered the call to serve. They have put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and keep our country safe. "A grateful nation honors their service and … Continue Reading
November 10, 2020
Luján Condemns GOP Attack on Health Care as U.S. Breaks Daily Records for COVID-19 Cases
Washington, D.C. - As the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Republicans' lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act, U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement condemning their attempts to take away health care from millions of Americans during a global pandemic: "It's unconscionable that Republicans - with the full support of the White House - are continuing their relentless attacks on Americans' health care in the middle of a pandemic … Continue Reading
November 02, 2020
NM Delegation Applauds Nearly $8.5 million in CARES Act Grant Funding for HIV/AIDS Treatment and Services
WASHINGTON-Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.), announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded nearly $8.5 million to the University of New Mexico and the New Mexico Department of Health for grants through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. The grants are part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security … Continue Reading
November 02, 2020
NM Delegation Hails Nearly $2.4 Million to Increase Mental Health Services for Students Across the State
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.)applauded nearly $2.4 million in federal funding awarded to the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) to expand the number of licensed mental health providers in public schools. NMPED will use the $2,387,208 grant to hire over 400 School-Based Mental Health providers over the course of the five-year … Continue Reading
October 29, 2020
NM Delegation Announces 2.5 GHZ Awards to 15 Tribes Across New Mexico to Connect Rural Homes, Schools, Hospitals, and Businesses with Broadband Internet
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced 15 Tribes and Pueblos across New Mexico will receive spectrum licenses through the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Rural Tribal Priority Window to help connect communities and close the digital divide. The licenses are granted through the FCC's first-of-its-kind Rural Tribal … Continue Reading
October 27, 2020
Luján Statement on Confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court as Americans Cast Their Ballots
Nambé, N.M. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the Senate's confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. "As Americans continue to fall ill and die from COVID-19, Mitch McConnell brought the Senate back into session, not to pass legislation to save lives or to strengthen our economy but to ram through President Trump's Supreme Court nominee. Senate Republicans' actions have cast a shadow over Justice … Continue Reading
October 22, 2020
NM Delegation Applauds $1.6 Million in USDA Grants for Agricultural Training and Support for Military Veterans, Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) applauded $1.6 million in grants to three organizations that will support New Mexico military veterans and beginning farmers and ranchers with agricultural training, sustainability education and support to begin successful careers in agriculture. Not Forgotten Outreach will use a $749,826 award for outreach … Continue Reading
October 21, 2020
NM Delegation Hails Over $20 Million in Funding to Connect Over 1400 Rural Homes, Farms and Businesses with Broadband Internet Across Seven Counties
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), along withU.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) applauded over $20 million in rural broadband grants to four New Mexico telecommunications utilities that will connect over 1400 rural households in Sierra, Lea, Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, Otero and Cibola counties with high-speed broadband internet. The New Mexico delegation supported SWCT and Sierra Electric … Continue Reading
October 16, 2020
Luján, Haaland Introduce Legislation to Establish the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness
Nambé, N.M. - Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, and Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) introduced legislation to establish the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness (CDLO) within the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) in January. The CLDO is a caldera located within the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument that has cultural … Continue Reading
October 14, 2020
Luján Statement on Passing of Former Navajo Nation President Thomas Atcitty
Nambé, N.M. - Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, issued the following statement on the passing of former Navajo Nation President and New Mexico State Representative Thomas Atcitty: "The Honorable Thomas Atcitty was a true statesman with a decorated career in public service, and his impact on the Navajo Nation and New Mexico will be felt for generations. As Navajo Nation President and New Mexico State Representative, he worked tirelessly to … Continue Reading
October 13, 2020
NM Delegation Calls on USDA to Provide Oversight of New Mexico Farm Service Agency’s Treatment of Farmers and Ranchers
SANTA FE - Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.), called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide robust oversight of the New Mexico Farm Service Agency's (NM FSA) management of the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) program. In a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, the members of New Mexico's … Continue Reading
October 13, 2020
NM Delegation Hails $1.5 Million CARES Grant to Connect Rural Communities to Broadband to Support Education and Economic Recovery During COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) hailed a $1.5 million award from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to the New Mexico Department of Information Technology (DoIT) to finance broadband connections in rural areas. The grant comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act that the delegation voted to pass in … Continue Reading
October 09, 2020
NM Delegation Hails Over $2.6 Million to Boost Online Education and Career Training for Public High School Students
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) applauded over $2.6 million in federal funding awarded to the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) to help provide online career and technical education (CTE) opportunities for high school students. In New Mexico, more than two-thirds of all students take a CTE course in high school, with roughly 20 … Continue Reading
October 06, 2020
NM Delegation Hails Nearly $6 Million to Increase High School Student Access to and Success in Higher Education
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) applauded nearly $6 million in grant funding to the New Mexico Higher Education Department and Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell (ENMU-R) to fund partnerships between universities and middle and high schools to increase the college readiness and success for low-income students. The funding is the … Continue Reading
October 06, 2020
Udall, Heinrich, Luján Request Public Information Meeting On Disposal Of Tritium Waste At Los Alamos
WASHINGTON (Oct. 6, 2020) - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) have sent a letter to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Manager for the Los Alamos Field Office, Michael J. Weis, requesting that the agency keep local communities and Pueblos fully informed on NNSA's plan to release radioactive tritium at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The lawmakers are calling on the NNSA to schedule an open … Continue Reading
October 02, 2020
NM Delegation Reintroduces Care Corps Demonstration Act
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) reintroduced the Care Corps Demonstration Act to build and strengthen America's caregiving workforce and help meet the growing demand for caregivers working with seniors and people living with disabilities. The lawmakers previously introduced the bill in the 114th Congress with then-U.S. Representative, now New … Continue Reading