State Senator Jay Block of New Mexico has criticized the recent special session, claiming it was used by Democrats to expand executive vaccine authority and increase abortion funding. Block expressed his opposition on the social media platform X.
"The Senate has concluded the Not-So-Special Session," said Jay C Block, New Mexico State Senator from 12th District (R). "Instead of considering Republican efforts to address our state's most pressing issues, Democrats expanded the Governor's power to mandate vaccinations and forced taxpayers to fund even more abortions. I debated hard against the state deciding what recommendations to use for vaccines for New Mexicans. Planned Parenthood made out like a bandit again with Democrats providing millions more of your tax dollars for abortions."
According to Block, the special session represented a missed opportunity to address what he considers pressing statewide concerns. He argued that Democrats prioritized expanding the governor's authority on vaccines and allocating more public funds to abortion providers. In contrast, he advocated for parental information, transparency, and fiscal restraint. Block also promised that Republicans would "continue to FIGHT" for voter-desired outcomes and reiterated his campaign pledge against taxpayer-funded abortions. His remarks aimed to galvanize conservatives in anticipation of future legislative battles.
New Mexico law strongly protects access to abortion. In 2021, state lawmakers repealed a dormant 1969 criminal ban with Senate Bill 10 (SB 10), removing pre-Roe penalties from statute. In 2023, the Legislature passed House Bill 7 (HB 7), known as the Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Act, which preempts local governments from restricting access and prohibits discrimination against patients seeking care. These measures ensure that funding debates in Santa Fe occur within a legal framework where abortion remains lawful statewide and shielded from local restrictions.
Under New Mexico’s constitutional framework, only the governor can call a special session by proclamation and set its agenda; lawmakers are limited to those subjects unless expanded by the governor. Special sessions typically focus on specific issues such as budget adjustments or targeted policy changes and are separate from the regular sessions that occur in alternating years. Procedural details, calendars, and enrolled legislation from recent sessions are available on the New Mexico Legislature’s official website.
Jay Block is a Republican state senator from New Mexico who emphasizes parental rights, public safety, and limited government. A former communications professional and longtime conservative activist, Block has been active on issues ranging from education transparency to fiscal responsibility. He has cultivated a following on social platforms by live-posting floor debates and committee updates while frequently highlighting constituent services.
