Nation

Heinrich Statement on House Republicans’ Immigration Reform Principles

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., released the following statement on the new set of principles on immigration reform put forward by House Republican leaders:

“The lack of consensus among House Republicans on immigration reform has been disappointing, so I’m encouraged by the recent progress made toward finding common ground and common sense solutions. I’m especially pleased that there’s consensus that we need to provide a special pathway to citizenship to DREAMers.

“But the reality is, passing immigration Read More

FBI Director Rates LANL Security ‘Excellent’

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National FBI Director James B. Comey flanked by New Mexico law enforcement agency leaders Friday during a press conference at Albuquerque FBI Headquarters. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Daily Post Publisher Carol A. Clark, left, and Russell Contreras of the Associated Press are among the media invited to Friday’s special press conference with National FBI Director James Comey at Albuquerque FBI Headquarters. Special Agent in Charge Carol K.O. Lee of the FBI’s Albuquerque Division is fourth from left. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com Read More

New Mexico Man Nominated to Lead Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

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Norman C. Bay

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall welcomed news that Norman C. Bay, a former University of New Mexico law professor and U.S. Attorney, has been nominated to chair the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC.)

Bay is currently the director of the Office of Enforcement at FERC, a position he has held since 2009. 

“Norman is an outstanding example of excellence in public service. I look forward to working with him on the energy challenges facing New Mexico and the nation. We need a ‘do it all, do it right’ approach to ensure energy security Read More

Heinrich Seeks Justice For Service Members Discharged Due To Sexual Orientation

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

  • Restore Honor to Service Members Act Would Help Correct Records of Service Members Discharged Before Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. is cosponsoring the Restore Honor to Service Members Act, a bill that would help service members discharged solely due to their sexual orientation correct their military records to reflect their honorable service and reinstate the benefits they have earned.

“Doing away with the discriminatory military policy of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Read More

Valles Caldera Trust Recaps 2013 Challenges and Successes

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The Valles Caldera. Courtesy/www.vallescaldera.gov

VALLES CALDERA News:

For the second time in less than 24 months, a downed power line dramatically changed the best laid plans of the Valles Caldera Trust. The Thompson Ridge Fire of 2013 burned more than 23,000 acres of the Valles Caldera National Preserve less than two years after the 2011 Las Conchas Fire scorched 30,000 acres.  

Both fires figure prominently in the trust’s Report to Congress for Fiscal Year 2013 (Oct. 1, 2012 through Sept. 30, 2013.) 

The 2013 Annual Report to Congress (RTC) details how post-fire flooding destroyed Read More

Udall, Heinrich Welcome PILT Extension in Farm Bill

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U.S. SENATE News: 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced Wednesday that the Farm Bill conference report, made public last night, includes one year of funding for the critical Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program. The news provides relief for rural counties in New Mexico, which face major budget cuts if PILT is not extended.

The senators were among a bipartisan coalition who wrote to Farm Bill negotiators to request an extension of the program, which expired at the end of last year with no plan for renewal. PILT compensates counties that host large amounts Read More

Udall Urges Support for Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board Recommendations

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON – Wednesday U.S. Sen. Tom Udall urged support for the recommendations of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, issued as part of a report on the constitutionality of the NSA’s spying program.

Among other findings, the board, which was created by Congress, concluded that the NSA’s bulk telephone surveillance program is illegal and ineffective.

 In June, Udall led a bipartisan call for an independent review by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board on the impact of the NSA’s spying program on Americans’ constitutional Read More

IRS Tax Tip: Who Should File 2013 Tax Return?

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IRS News:

Do you need to file a federal tax return this year? Perhaps. The amount of your income, filing status, age and other factors determine if you must file.

Even if you don’t have to file a tax return, there are times when you should. Here are five good reasons why you should file a return, even if you’re not required to do so:

  • Tax Withheld or Paid – Did your employer withhold federal income tax from your pay? Did you make estimated tax payments? Did you overpay last year and have it applied to this year’s tax? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you could be due a refund. But you have
Read More

Udall Statement on State of the Union Address

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

 

U.S. SENATE News:

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall issued the following statement after attending President Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday evening:

 

“Like many New Mexicans, I’m frustrated by the tough economic recovery. People in our state are still working to pull themselves out of the recession. Now is a time for bold but practical ideas that will support middle class families and ensure they can afford to buy a house and educate their kids. I was pleased tonight to hear the president pledge to roll up his sleeves to make real changes Read More

President Delivers State of the Union Address Tonight

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President Obama’s Chief Speechwriter Cody Keenan takes over the White House Instagram account to give Americans a look inside the process. See more behind the scenes photos here. Courtesy/WH

WHITE HOUSE News:

Tonight at 9 p.m. ET, President Barack Obama will deliver his State of the Union Address. Watch online with an enhanced version of the graphics and charts of the President’s plan for 2014 at WhiteHouse.gov. RSVP here.

Including President Obama’s 2013 address, there have been a total of 92 in person Annual Messages/State of the Union Addresses.

Origins and Authorization Read More