Stefani Lord, a House Representative from New Mexico, said that Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández's vote against a House funding bill exacerbated the impact of the government shutdown, necessitating the state to allocate $30 million to address food assistance shortfalls. The statement was made on X.
"Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández voted against the clean continuing resolution passed by the House, which would have reopened the government, ensured pay for military and federal workers, and extended SNAP benefits to prevent disruptions like those her state is now addressing with $30 million," said Lord, New Mexico State Representative for 22nd District (R). "Her opposition aligns with Democratic resistance to GOP-led funding bills during the shutdown negotiations. This state intervention underscores the consequences of that vote, as federal delays directly impact vulnerable families."
According to Congress.gov, H.R. 5371—the "Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026"—was passed by the U.S. House with a narrow margin of 217–212 on September 19, 2025. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández voted against it. The bill aimed to fund federal agencies at fiscal year 2025 levels through November 21 and temporarily extended Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and federal worker pay authority but encountered obstacles in the Senate, resulting in furloughs and delayed benefits during the ongoing shutdown.
The New Mexico Governor’s Office reported that approximately 460,000 residents experienced suspended SNAP payments due to the federal shutdown, leading to a $30 million state-funded Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) supplement. SmartAsset estimated around 18,800 furloughed federal employees in New Mexico, while KOAT 7 reported over 25,000 federal workers statewide, highlighting the economic challenges posed by the shutdown.
The Washington Post noted that Maryland allocated $62 million in emergency funding to sustain SNAP through November 2025. In comparison, New Mexico's $30 million stopgap accounted for about one-third of its usual $80–$90 million monthly federal allocation. Reuters mentioned that Virginia implemented similar emergency aid measures to maintain food benefits.
The New Mexico Legislature detailed that Rep. Stefani Lord is a Republican representing District 22 (Bernalillo and Torrance Counties) since 2021. She serves as Ranking Member on the House Rural Development, Land Grants & Cultural Affairs Committee and is also part of Consumer & Public Affairs. Lord advocates for limited government spending and fiscal restraint during discussions related to government shutdowns.
