New Mexico stands to lose at least $177 million in economic output under the Trump Administration’s plan to transfer national park units to state control, according to a new report that has prompted sharp criticism from the state’s senior senator. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, […]
Congress & Federal Gov.
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Sen. Luján introduces $30 billion bill to address infrastructure crisis at New Mexico’s national labs
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján introduced legislation last week that could bring billions in infrastructure improvements to New Mexico’s two national laboratories, which employ more than 33,000 workers and contribute over $8 billion annually to the state’s economy. The Restore and Modernize Our National Labs Act of 2025 would authorize $30 billion in federal funding […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Good Trouble Lives On: New Mexico communities join national civil rights protests
This report is supported by NM Political Report, a nonprofit newsroom working to increase New Mexicans’ engagement in politics and public policy. Reported by: Kevin Hendricks Photos by: Roberto Rosales This report is original reporting by a New Mexico-based independent journalist with support NMreports.org and its readers and sponsors. Communities across New Mexico took part […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Heinrich introduces bill to protect DACA recipients’ data amid Trump administration information sharing
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich is leading a new push to protect the personal information of “Dreamers” in New Mexico and across the country, introducing legislation that would prevent the Trump administration from using their immigration applications against them as federal agencies increasingly share data for deportation efforts. Heinrich’s Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act would prohibit the […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Senate votes to cut $1.1 billion in public broadcasting funding, threatening emergency services for rural New Mexico
This report is supported by NM Political Report, a nonprofit newsroom working to increase New Mexicans’ engagement in politics and public policy. Reported by: Kevin Hendricks This report is original reporting by a New Mexico-based independent journalist with support NMreports.org and its readers and sponsors. New Mexico’s rural and tribal communities could lose a critical […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Sen. Heinrich’s HALT Fentanyl Act signed into law, boosting law enforcement powers
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) announced Wednesday that his Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act has been signed into law. The bill permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. Heinrich, the bill’s lead Democratic sponsor, introduced the HALT Fentanyl Act in January with U.S. Senators Bill […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Good Trouble Lives On: New Mexico communities to join national civil rights protests
Communities across New Mexico will participate in nationwide “Good Trouble Lives On” protests Thursday, joining what organizers call a moral reckoning on the fifth anniversary of civil rights leader John Lewis’s death. The statewide participation continues New Mexico’s active engagement in 2025 protest movements, with events planned in at least 11 communities including Santa Fe, […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Heinrich secures $12.5 million for New Mexico in Senate Appropriations bill
The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved legislation that would deliver more than $12.5 million in federal funding to New Mexico, including $7.73 million in direct project funding secured by Sen. Martin Heinrich. The Democratic senator announced the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration appropriations bill following bipartisan committee […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Rio Rancho
Hundreds of Rio Rancho students hit by federal funding delay
Rio Rancho Public Schools leaders are seeking ways to absorb the loss of about $780,000 in federal aid due to a pause in payments. RRPS Spokesperson Wyndham Kemsley said the amount is less than what’s being withheld from other districts around the state, but the loss of any federal funding is cause for concern. Kemsley […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico
Luján secures $6.9 Million in federal funding for New Mexico communities
U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has passed legislation that would deliver over $6.9 million in federal investments to New Mexico communities, marking a significant win for the state’s rural development and public safety initiatives. The funding, secured through the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug […]