U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat, has invited U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz to visit the Upper Pecos watershed following reports that the federal government has reversed a former moratorium on new mining operations. Heinrich sent a letter to Schultz highlighting the importance of the watershed to tribes and other communities in […]
Congress & Federal Gov.
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New Mexico lawmakers warn of cuts to federal programs at Albuquerque town hall
U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) held a town hall meeting in Albuquerque on Tuesday to express concerns about proposed Republican legislation that they say would drastically cut critical federal programs. The lawmakers warned that Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and SNAP benefits for New Mexicans are at risk. An […]
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Affordable Clean Car Coalition forms in response to U.S. Senate vote
Governors of states that have implemented clean vehicle programs, such as New Mexico’s Advanced Clean Cars rule, are banding together following a U.S. Senate vote this week. The Senate voted 51-44 this week to overturn a waiver that allowed the State of California to set air pollution standards for vehicles that are stricter than the […]
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New Mexico Republican party praises ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’
While all three of New Mexico’s representatives, all Democrats, voted against President Donald Trump’s domestic policy megabill, dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” local Republicans were showing support for the reform package that “puts Americans first.” U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury, Teresa Leger Fernández, Gabe Vasquez and every other House Democrat voted against the bill. Stansbury voted […]
Posted inColumnists, Congress & Federal Gov., New Mexico Statewide News, Opinion
If you must hold committee hearings at 1 am, what’s wrong with your bill?
This week, the administration’s budget-and-more bill passed the House by a single vote. After the Memorial Day recess, it will be heard by the Senate via the budget reconciliation process, meaning it can pass with a simple majority. It’s no secret that the federal budget process is broken. Case in point: this budget bill, with […]
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Stansbury votes ‘hell no’ on House GOP’s Big, Beautiful Bill
U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) didn’t just vote against the domestic policy megabill dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill” by President Donald Trump. She voted “hell no.” The bill passed the House narrowly with a 215-214 vote early Thursday. In a statement released after the vote, Stansbury condemned the bill as a “shameful package” that will […]
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Heinrich Calls for end to blockade of food, aid to Gaza
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) has joined Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) in introducing a resolution urging the Trump Administration to employ all diplomatic means to end the blockade of food and humanitarian aid to Gaza. The resolution expresses significant concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including the risk of widespread starvation among children. […]
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Stansbury, Haaland criticize proposed Medicaid cuts in New Mexico
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) and former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland have recently voiced strong opposition to proposed Medicaid cuts, raising concerns about the potential impact on residents’ healthcare in New Mexico. Congressional Budget Office estimates indicate that the House Republican reconciliation bill would eliminate health coverage for at least 8.6 million individuals and reduce […]
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Senator Heinrich demands answers on land transfer to Army in southern New Mexico
By Kevin Hendricks Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is pressing the Department of Defense for answers regarding the recent transfer of more than 100,000 acres of public land in three New Mexico counties to the U.S. Army. In April, over 109,651 acres of federal land along […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., National News, Syndicated
Congress grills RFK Jr. on budget cuts, measles vaccine
By Lauren Weber, Rachel Roubein — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended his messaging on vaccines amid a growing measles outbreak, the firing of thousands of federal health workers, and major cuts to the health agencies he oversees as he faced lawmakers Wednesday on Capitol Hill. The secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services […]