Nation

Udall Pushes to Undo Cut to Military Retirees’ COLA

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U.S. SENATE News:

  • Amendment filed to unemployment insurance legislation would protect benefits, close corporate tax loophole

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall is supporting an amendment to emergency unemployment legislation to protect military retirees from changes to cost of living adjustments (COLA) that were included in a bipartisan budget agreement.

 

The amendment mirrors legislation Udall helped introduce in December, the Military Retirement Restoration Act, which would reverse the 1 percent reduction in the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for working-age Read More

Luján Addresses 50th Anniversary of War on Poverty

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President Lydon B. Johnson

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep.  Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., released the following statement Wednesday on the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty.”

“Fifty years ago, in a State of the Union Address, President Johnson declared ‘War on Poverty’ and brought to the conscience of a nation the plight of millions of Americans who were suffering from hunger, unemployment, and a lack of economic opportunity.  He focused attention on those for whom the American Dream had fallen out Read More

Luján: Senate Action on Unemployment Insurance Good First Step

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Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep.  Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., applauded Senate action Tuesday that will allow for the consideration of bipartisan legislation to extend federal unemployment benefits that expired at the end of last month.

On Dec. 28, 1.3 million Americans, including 6,000 New Mexicans, saw their unemployment benefits run out at a time when the economy in New Mexico continues to struggle in the wake of the deepest recession in a generation.

“The Senate vote to move forward on legislation to extend unemployment insurance is a positive first Read More

Los Alamos Registers as NWF Community Wildlife Habitat™

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NWF News:

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) announces that the community of Los Alamos, N.M. is putting out the welcome mat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife, by recently registering its Community Wildlife Habitat™ project with NWF. 

Los Alamos is sending a clear and powerful message to communities all over America that caring people, working together, can help wildlife, wild places and the health of the environment. The residents Los Alamos are making a difference in their own community and beyond.

Since 1973, NWF has provided millions of people with the basic guidelines Read More

Janet Yellen Makes History as First Female Federal Reserve Chair

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Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen

U.S. Senate News:

WASHINGTON–Monday, Sen. Tom Udall joined the Senate in confirming Janet Yellen to serve as Chairwoman of the Federal Reserve. He issued the following statement:

“Today’s vote was a historic moment for the Federal Reserve and for our nation. I look forward to seeing Dr. Yellen become the first woman to lead the Federal Reserve Board. As Vice Chair of the Fed, Dr. Yellen has proven herself to be a thoughtful and extremely effective leader,” Udall said. “I look forward to her experienced hand and strong voice for working families Read More

2013 Year of Important Accomplishments, Improvements for NNSA

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NNSA Washington, D.C. Courtesy/NNSA

NNSA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As 2014 begins, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) released a list of some of its most important accomplishments and improvements over the past year. NNSA reached significant milestones in the areas of nonproliferation and counterterrorism, made a host of significant achievements through its work with the United States’ nuclear weapons stockpile, and saw improved operations throughout the complex.

“In 2013, even with a challenging budget situation, NNSA’s successes ensured that the United States’ Read More

Lujan Grisham Urges Renewal of Federal Unemployment Insurance

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U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

CONGRESSIONAL NEWS:

ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, N.M.-01 continues to urge Congress to renew federal unemployment insurance following a report finding that the expiration of the program on Dec. 28 has already cost the New Mexico economy more than $1.7 million.  

The analysis, prepared by the House Ways and Means Committee Democrats, spells out how much federal funding each state is going without in the first week since the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program expired.

In New Mexico, 6,000 jobseekers lost an Read More

New Postage Rate Increase Three Times Inflation

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NNA News:

The Postal Regulatory Commission handed everyone who uses the mail a lump of coal on Christmas Eve: approval of the U.S. Postal Service’s proposal to raise postage rates by more than triple today’s inflation.

National Newspaper Association (NNA) President Robert M. Williams Jr., publisher of the Blackshear (GA) Times, said NNA respectfully disagrees with the Postal Service’s request as well as the commission’s decision. He insists a lack of action by Congress to enact postal reform is at the root of the problem.

The new rates will likely go into effect Jan. 26 if USPS elects to accept Read More

NNSA, IAEA Conduct Emergency Response Training for First Responders for Ports and Customs

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Joseph Krol, NNSA

NNSA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently conducted an International Radiological Assistance Program Training for Emergency Response (I-RAPTER) course for 16 representatives from 10 countries including Armenia, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

The course, held in Las Vegas, Nev., focused specifically on response procedures for port and customs offices involved Read More