Democrats in the News

March 3-9, 2025

Luján, Heinrich Join Colleagues in Urging USDA to Reinstate Hispanic-Serving Institution Fellowship Program (Office of Senator Ben Ray Lujan)

March 7 - “USDA’s partnership with HSIs and Hispanic Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) plays a vital role in establishing a collaborative relationship and creating a nationwide network of educators working with USDA to help grow the next generation of the American agricultural workforce,” wrote the Senators.

NM AG Torres discusses strategy against feds at Arizona town hall (NM Source)

March 6 - “What I hear from the president and Elon Musk and others is a language that is stripped of any humanity,” New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said of how the two men speak about federal employees. “We don’t ask them if they are Republican or Democrat. We don’t demean what they do.”

Heinrich: “Trump and Musk’s Public Lands Firings a Disaster” (Office of Senator Martin Heinrich)

Marcj 6 - “President Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE illegal firings have targeted our Park Rangers, Refuge Managers, Forest Rangers, and BLM land managers,” said Heinrich.

Democrat Proclaims Viral Sign Was an 'SOS to the World' (LA Times)

March 6 - New Mexico Rep. Melanie Stansbury expressed that "the things that [Trump and his administration] are doing are not only not normal, they are illegal," during a Wednesday appearance on CNN.

N.M. Delegation Oppose Plans to Use Kirtland & Fort Bliss for Immigration-Related Operations (Office of Senator Martin Heinrich)

March 6 - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Pete Hegseth opposing the Trump administration's reported plans to use military installations, including Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) and Fort Bliss, to create a nationwide network of military detention facilities.

Luján, Rosen, Markey Introduce Legislation To Prevent The Political Weaponization Of The FCC (Los Alamos Daily News)

March 6 - U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, and U.S. Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) announced the introduction of the Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act, legislation that would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from revoking broadcast licenses or taking action against broadcasters based on the viewpoints they broadcast.

Tribal Water Rights Settlements Legislation Passes Unanimously Out of Senate Committee (Office of Representative Gabe Vasquez)

March 5 - “New Mexicans know the importance of safe and reliable water access, and today’s progress brings us one step closer to securing these fundamental resources for our Tribal communities. I’ll continue to honor my commitment to our Tribes and Pueblos to ensure they have the water infrastructure they need to thrive,” said Vasquez.

DOGE includes Carlsbad WIPP office on list for termination (NM Source)

March 4 - The building’s potential closure poses risks to both the environment and national security,  U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) said in a written statement. “The abrupt closure of the Skeen-Whitlock building would further strain our ability to manage nuclear waste effectively,” Vasquez said.

Some Democrats to skip Trump's joint address to Congress (ABC News)

March 4 - In a statement to ABC News, New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich said he is "not going to President Trump's Joint Address tonight. I'll start attending when he starts following the law."

Luján, Colleagues Press for Timely Disaster Assistance for All Farmers (Office of Senator Ben Ray Lujan)

March 3 - In a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, the Senators wrote: “Farmers are making decisions right now about fertilizer usage and their crop mix and are working with their bankers to figure out if they can secure the financing they need to continue farming this year. Without the timely delivery of economic and disaster assistance, farmers face the prospect of reducing plantings or liquidating assets to remain in business as they head into another potentially difficult growing season.”

Resolution to eliminate education cabinet secretary position advances (Organ Mountain News)

March 1 - A proposal to amend the New Mexico Constitution and reconfigure public education governance passed the Senate Education Committee Friday and advances to the Senate Finance Committee. Senate Joint Resolution 3, sponsored by Sen. Bill Soules (D-Las Cruces), chair of the Senate Education Committee, received a do-pass by a vote of 7-2 by committee members…“Education needs consistent leadership at the top,” he said during the meeting.

New Mexico legislature passes Behavioral Health Trust Fund bill (Organ Mountain News)

March 1 - The New Mexico House of Representatives has approved Senate Bill 1, a measure aimed at creating a long-term funding source for behavioral health services across the state…“No one should have to make 10 calls to find an appointment when they need behavioral health care, and that’s the reality that we are trying to change,” said House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, who sponsored the bill in the House.

February 24 - March 2, 2025

New Mexico AG says DOGE is ‘destabilizing the American system’ (MSNBC)

March 2, 2025 - New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez joins The Weekend to break down the efforts of state Attorneys General to meet with workers impacted by budget cuts on behalf of Musk’s DOGE. 

Las Cruces activist group chants ‘Musk must go’ during Tesla protest against DOGE (KVIA)

March 1, 2025 - Activist group, Indivisible Las Cruces say they are protesting Tesla charging stations because they don't support the Federal job cuts made by Elon Musk and The Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE.

Heinrich, Vasquez call for investigation into health center’s citizenship policy (Organ Mountain News)

February 28 - U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, both Democrats from New Mexico, are urging state Attorney General Raúl Torrez to investigate reports that Ben Archer Health Centers denied medical care to individuals unable to provide proof of citizenship.

Mother, health providers, lawmakers sound alarm over proposed Medicaid cuts (Source NM)

February 28, 2025 - “What Republicans are doing is they’re gutting these programs, they’re taking programs away from people, all so that they can give tax breaks to the most wealthy in the country,” U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) said at the news conference.

An interview with NM gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland (Source NM)

February 26, 2025 – “As governor, it would be my job to ensure that every single New Mexican feels safe: safe in their employment and in what they need to live their lives here…It’s hard to sit back and do nothing when you see that there is so much that is wrong about this administration…I know that here in New Mexico, we have some very strong communities, and I think we’re all going to have a part in lifting each other up, and I will continue to be a voice for people who don’t have a voice.”

N.M. Delegation Demands HHS Secretary Kennedy Take Immediate Action to Contain Measles Outbreak (Office of Representative Stansbury)

February 26, 2025 - U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. demanding immediate action to contain the recent outbreak of measles in New Mexico.

New Mexico announces $5 billion investment in manufacturing (Source NM)

February 26, 2025 - The governor’s office says the project will bring 1,000 jobs to New Mexico, along with $5 billion in project construction spending over the next 10 years, $1.5 billion per year in IT equipment purchases and $230 million per year in manufacturing equipment.

Rep. Gabe Vasquez Statement on House Republicans’ Budget (Office of Representative Vasquez)

February 25, 2025 - “The House Republican budget is a direct attack on the people of New Mexico. Their plan rips away critical health care, makes it harder for families to put food on the table, and prioritizes billionaire tax cuts over everyday Americans.”

Rep. Gabe Vasquez Condemns Federal Employee Firings in House Floor Speech (YouTube)

February 25, 2025 - U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez took to the House floor to denounce the mass firings of federal employees and funding freezes that are devastating families and communities in New Mexico and across the country.

Rep. Vasquez calls for answers from DHS on checkpoint incident (Organ Mountain News)

February 24, 2025 - U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) has sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security demanding answers about what happened. According to Vasquez, a Border Patrol agent boarded the bus after the driver was unable to respond in English. The agent allegedly ignored attempts by coaches to explain the situation and questioned students directly, leaving them shaken.

February 17-23, 2025

Las Cruces City Council approves new development code (Organ Mountain News)

February 23, 2025 - The Las Cruces City Council approved changes to zoning and building ordinances Tuesday, adopting a new development code for the first time in nearly 25 years.

How government cuts are already impacting New Mexico (KOAT)

February 21, 2025 - Opponents say the cuts are affecting things like Medicaid, homeless organizations, and education in tribal communities. Stansbury is the ranking Democrat on the House committee on downsizing and government efficiency, making her one of the leading opponents to many of the cuts.

Alleged ICE harassment of tribal members in New Mexico concern lawmakers (WGNO)

February 21, 2025 - “Whether it is simple ignorance or worse — outright disrespect for and harassment of tribal citizens — ICE’s law enforcement tactics reflect an abdication of U.S. trust and treaty responsibility with tribal nations and their citizens, and cannot stand,” the lawmakers headed by vice chair and U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, wrote in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

New Mexico officials express alarm as Forest Service sees large layoffs (KRQE)

February 21, 2025 - There are growing concerns around how those changes are either already, or may soon have an impact on the state’s national parks, forests, and monuments. “20% of the federal workforce at Carlsbad Caverns National Park has been cut,” said Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D).

Stansbury to NM’s fired federal workers: ‘Call my office, call your union, you have rights' (KUNM)

February 20, 2025 - Democratic New Mexico U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury is the ranking member of the House DOGE Subcommittee, charged with working with the White House department spearheading this effort.

State lawmakers demand end of mass firings of New Mexicans (KRQE)

February 19, 2025 - Representative Gabe Vasquez says federal employment is a major contributor to New Mexico’s economy, supporting thousands of families and generating significant local revenue. 

Haaland talks healthcare, safety and changing the game (Las Cruces Bulletin)

February 18, 2025 - "I'm running to make sure every new Mexican feels safe in their neighborhood. I'm running to lower costs and make sure we all have a share in our state's success. I'm running so our kids can enjoy learning and have opportunities right here in New Mexico when they're grown. I'm running to protect our state's beautiful landscapes and sacred spaces," she said.

Mapped: Medicaid recipients across the U.S. (Axios)

February 18, 2025 - Nationally, about one in five people have Medicaid, ranging from about 11% of people in Utah, on the low end, to 34% in New Mexico.

New Mexico farmers, tribes could feel impact of federal funding freezes, members of congress say (Albuquerque Journal)

February 17, 2025 - U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, along with U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, specifically cited the impact of funding freezes on New Mexico agriculture, acequias and wind farm projects.

New Mexico’s federal lawmakers urge unity at the Roundhouse (KRQE)

February 17, 2025 - In a joint session of the New Mexico legislature at the Roundhouse, Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan (D) alongside Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez (D) encouraged lawmakers to push ahead in unity. 

February 10-16, 2025

New Mexico candidate for governor Deb Haaland holds launch tour rally Sunday in Las Cruces (KRWG)

February 16, 2025 - Last week, former Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced that she would be running for governor of New Mexico for 2026. She kicked off her statewide tour of nineteen cities and small towns in New Mexico on Thursday, stopping in Las Cruces Sunday morning.

Rep. Stansbury says there’s cause for alarm on possible dismantling of the Education Dept. (KQRE)

February 14, 2025 - The New Mexico Democrat said if Elon Musk and DOGE dismantle the Department of Education, the effects could be severe for New Mexico. 

Senators concerned that health care providers for Indian Health Services could be fired (Albuquerque Journal)

February 14, 2025 - Sens. Ben Ray Luján and Martin Heinrich urged President Donald Trump not to lay off Indian Health Service staff, including health care providers, in a letter Friday.

14 States Sue DOGE, Blasting Musk's 'Unprecedented' Power as Unconstitutional (ABC News)

February 13, 2025 - Led by the state of New Mexico, the lawsuit argues -- in often dramatic terms -- that the Appointments Clause of the Constitution calls for someone with such significant and "expansive authority" as Musk to be formally nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Heinrich on RFK Jr.: "Snake Oil Salesman" (KSFR)

February 13, 2025 - New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich took to the Senate floor yesterday to voice strong opposition to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to lead the nation’s top health agency. 

Top Dem on DOGE subcommittee calls on Elon Musk to testify (Axios)

February 12, 2025 - Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), the top Democrat on the House's DOGE subcommittee, called on Elon Musk to testify before the body during its first meeting Wednesday.

U.S. Sen Heinrich: USDA funding and firefighter hiring freeze threatens communities (Tri City Record)

February 11, 2025 - In a letter sent Tuesday to the acting secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and colleagues put forth a list of concerns related to wildfires, including a halt of fund disbursement for forest management and restoration projects, and what they characterized as a universal hiring freeze that includes permanent and seasonal firefighters.

Luján Issues Statement On New Portal For Whistleblowers To Bring Attention To Potential Lawlessness (Los Alamos Daily Post)

February 11, 2025 - “In just three weeks, President Trump has shown New Mexicans that his administration is willing to disregard the rule of law, recklessly terminate civil servants, and disband government agencies that Americans depend on.”

February 3-9, 2025

U.S. Rep. Stansbury (D-N.M.) introduces ‘Nobody Elected Elon Musk Act’ (Source NM)

February 7, 2025 - U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) said she and Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) are introducing a bill to shield taxpayers from the financial repercussions of Elon Musk’s intrusion into the federal government: the Nobody Elected Elon Musk Act.

Vasquez slams tariffs on Mexico, calls for ‘real solutions’ to border security (KUNM)

February 6, 2025 - New Mexico U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez on Thursday criticized the potential trade war as harmful to the economy and unhelpful for border security.