State of New Mexico
Recent News About State of New Mexico
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On August 17th, 2023, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich, Jon Tester, and Patty Murray led a letter urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to involve Tribal consultations and engage rural communities in discussions before finalizing its policy on disposing of prescription opioids at home.
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On Aug. 4, 2023, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández announced $1,524,625 in federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Santa Fe Recovery Center, Inc. According to a press release, this funding aims to address the opioid epidemic and substance abuse issues in local communities.
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U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced the Protecting Farmers from Drought Act on Aug. 15, a bipartisan bill that offers an extra year of federal safeguards to farmers in drought-affected areas, preserving crop insurance while awaiting improved water conditions. This legislation ensures farmers in distressed communities, including New Mexico and Kansas, can maintain crop insurance coverage without compromise, according to a press release.
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U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) welcomed the U.S. Department of Justice allocation of more than $5 million in federal funding on Aug. 15 secured by the lawmakers. This funding aims to bolster law enforcement agencies, legal processes, survivor assistance, community well-being and anti-violence initiatives within New Mexico, according to a press release.
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U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) expressed support for President Joe Biden’s FY24 supplemental funding request on August 11th, 2023, highlighting its significant allocation towards enhancing the well-being and security of New Mexicans. The request encompasses measures to bolster border security, streamline immigration procedures, counter the distribution of illicit fentanyl, sustain wildland firefighter pay, and allocate additional resources to humanitarian and defense support for Ukraine according to a press release.
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New Mexico Department of Tourism Secretary Jen Paul Schroer has been designated to head the Aging and Long-Term Services Department, succeeding Katrina Hotrum-Lopez, who retired in July, according to a press release. Lancing Adams, the existing development director, will take on the role of acting tourism secretary during this transition.
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U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Edward Markey (D-MA) jointly corresponded with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Aug. 8, advocating for the enforcement of the Commission's existing regulations concerning consent for receiving telemarketing calls (robocalls).
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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) penned a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs on Aug. 4, urging the extension of the enrollment period deadline for veterans applying for retroactive benefits under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act. This initiative aims to provide greater access to benefits for veterans, according to a press release.
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On July 28th, 2023, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández and Clovis Mayor Mike Morris, issued a statement in response to the U.S. Air Force's decision to relocate seven MC-130J aircraft.
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The state of New Mexico announced that Gina DeBlassie will step in as the acting secretary with the retirement of Secretary of Aging and Long-Term Services (ALTSD), Katrina Hotrum-Lopez, who departs after more than 20 years in public service. DeBlassie has been a health policy advisor for the governor, according to a press release.
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Last week's passage the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that provides $886.3 billion for New Mexico is great news for the state, Democrat U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján said in a statement.
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On July 26, 2023, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced the Fire Department Repayment Act, aiming to amend the fire department repayment system and provide just and timely compensation for the services rendered by local departments. This legislation, which seeks to alleviate the firefighter shortage, was previously reintroduced in the House by U.S. Representative Josh Harder (D-Calif.) earlier this year according to a press release.
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New Mexico farmers know a thing about weather-related disasters but their advice is seldom sought, Democrat U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján said in a news release issued last week
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U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and John Thune (R-S.D.), who serve as co-chairs of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Working Group, announced the commencement of a 30-day period for the public to submit comments to the USF Working Group in a press release on July 27. The deadline for submitting comments is set for Aug. 25, providing stakeholders and the public with an opportunity to provide their input to the Working Group on relevant matters pertaining to the Universal Service Fund according to a press release.
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Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Co-Founder and co-chair of the Electrification Caucus, announced his support for the U.S. Department of Energy's guidance on the implementation of the Home Energy Rebate Programs for State and Territorial Energy Offices, according to a press release on July 27. These programs were secured by Heinrich in the Inflation Reduction Act and were based on his Zero-Emission Homes Act according to a press release.
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The Forest Service has released its report on the origin of the Cerro Pelado fire in New Mexico's Santa Fe National Forest in April 2022. The cause of the fire that burned 46,000 acres was a prescribed burn, according to the report.
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Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), along with Reps. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Tom Cole (R-OK) have reintroduced the Indian Programs Advance Appropriations Act (IPAAA), which aims to provide advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service (IHS), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), to fund critical public services for Tribal Nations.
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U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Peter Welch (D-VT) on July 24 introduced the Ensuring Fee-Free Benefits Transactions Act to permanently protect retailers from fees and costs beyond the normal costs of business that could make it harder for them to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
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On July 20, during a U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued a press release to applaud the Senate Appropriations Committee's approval of the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill, and the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill.
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U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) collaborated with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chairwoman of the Committee on Rules and Administration, to introduce the Freedom to Vote Act this week.