As the head of the Democratic Women’s Caucus in Congress, New Mexico Representative Teresa Leger Fernández has already taken the lead to reform the historically predatory work environment many women feel working on Capitol Hill. Now, she is getting some bi-partisan help from her counterpart in the Republican caucus, Congresswoman Kat Cammack, a Republican of […]
Congress & Federal Gov.
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Heinrich, Senate Dem leaders secure decision making funding for Trump’s $1B ballroom “unlikely”
An effort by New Mexico’s Senior U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich and a handful of other Senate Democrats have made it significantly harder for Republicans to include their proposed $1 billion appropriation for President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom in an upcoming budget reconciliation bil, according to a Sunday press release from Heinrich’s office. This story […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
NMDOJ agrees to stop enforcement of HB9 in response to USDOJ lawsuit against New Mexico anti-ICE laws
A lawsuit by Federal officials to block New Mexico’s new law forcing the closure of ICE detention centers scored its first victory Wednesday afternoon when New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a stipulated motion agreeing to stop pursuing enforcement of the law against the sprawling Otero County Detention Center while the federal suit continues. […]
Posted inNM.news
Luján meets with northern New Mexico communities to organize against uranium drilling in Chama watershed
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján led a community conversation in Canjilon recently to discuss a proposal for uranium drilling and mineral development by Gamma Resources Ltd., a Canadian-based company. During the meeting, Luján listened to the concerns of community members, ranchers, farmers, acequia members, Tribal leaders and Land Grant Members regarding the impacts the proposal […]
Posted inEnvironment, Conservation & Climate
New legislation seeks permanent protection for Caja del Rio plateau
All five members of New Mexico’s federal delegation to Congress are joining forces to protect the Caja del Rio outside Santa Fe. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, D-N.M., introduced the Caja del Rio Protection Act on May 8 to permanently safeguard the culturally and ecologically significant Caja del Rio plateau, according […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Can Sen. Martin Heinrich revive electrification under Trump?
Albuquerque — Martin Heinrich spent Friday morning gathered around a conference table in Downtown Albuquerque’s WESST economic development center to hear firsthand from New Mexicans how rising costs were making it harder for everyone from students to small business owners get by. From his post as the ranking member, or top Democrat, on the U.S. […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Opinion: Applauding Heinrich for bi-partisan permitting reform work
My friend and colleague Rep. Meredith Dixon (D-Bernalillo) recently penned an opinion piece urging support for the federal SPEED Act. I applaud her and join her. The SPEED Act is permitting reform legislation with real potential to un-cuff a myriad of environmental projects across New Mexico, including in my district right here in Albuquerque. Equally […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
Feds. sue New Mexico, Albuquerque to block anti-ICE laws
Albuquerque — The U.S. Department of Justice late Friday sued the state and City of Albuquerque to pause enforcement of local legislation the federal government says would impede federal immigration enforcement in the state. Federal officials asked a federal judge for an injunction prohibiting the state from enforcing House Bill 9, the “Immigrant Safety Ordinance” […]
Posted inAlbuquerque
From green chile to film sets: New Mexicans describe the crushing weight of tariffs and war-driven costs
New Mexico families are spending hundreds — or thousands — of dollars more each year on gas, groceries and basic necessities, and U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich heard directly from those feeling it hardest Thursday at an Albuquerque roundtable. Heinrich gathered small business owners, food bank leaders, and workers at the Women’s Economic Self-Sufficiency Team (WESST) […]
Posted inOpinion & Analysis
Opinion: SPEED Act Would be a Left/Right Win
By Paul J. Gessing — Federal legislation known as the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED Act) would make needed improvements to America’s antiquated federal permitting system for energy projects. While Sen. Heinrich and the Rio Grande Foundation may not agree on exactly what types of projects need to be improved, we all agree […]