Politics

Udall Expresses Disappointment in GOP Filibuster Over Hobby Lobby Decision

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Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., expressed disappointment Wednesday, after Republicans blocked debate on a bill to restore women’s access to contraceptive health care in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 split decision in Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby.

The court ruled that closely held corporations may deny coverage for certain forms of birth control if members of the board object on religious grounds.

The filibuster of the Not My Boss’s Business Act, which Udall cosponsored, prevented the Senate from considering a measure Read More

Over 100 People Gather in Los Alamos to Meet With U.S. Sen. Tom Udall Sunday

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., spoke at a gathering of more than 100 people Sunday at the Los Alamos home of Marvel Harrison and Dr. Tom Csanadi. Courtesy photo

Gathered at Sunday’s event from left, Jill Cooper Udall, Sen. Tom Udall, Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, Marvel Harrison and daughter Sopahn Kellogg and Dr. Tom Csanadi and son Alec. Courtesy photo

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall chats with Los Alamos County Sheriff Marco Lucero, left, and his wife Sandra Lucero during a gathering Sunday at the home of Marvel Harrison and Dr. Tom Csanadi. Courtesy photo Read More

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard Goes To Washington

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State Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard speaks with U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján at his office in Washington, D.C. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard traveled to Washington, D.C. last week to meet with New Mexico’s federal delegation and discuss LANL Funding and NNSA procurement policies.

State Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard and U.S. Sen. Tom Udall in Washington, D.C. Courtesy photo

In her meetings with Senators Tom Udall and Martin Henrich and Representatives Ben Ray Luján, Michelle Lujan Grisham and Steve Pierce, Garcia Richard stressed the region’s concerns

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Udall: Campaign Finance Reform Momentum Builds With Panel Vote on Constitutional Amendment

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., welcomed the Senate Judiciary Committee’s approval of his proposed constitutional amendment to restore power to regulate campaign finance to the people.

Udall’s amendment would clarify in the Constitution that money does not equal speech, effectively reversing U.S. Supreme Court decisions, which have unraveled campaign finance regulations and handed undue influence over elections to corporations and wealthy donors.

Following the July 10 committee vote, Udall’s amendment is expected to be considered

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N.M. Delegation Expresses Serious Concerns With VA’s Handling of Veteran’s Death

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STATE News:

Thursday, all five members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation sent a letter to the acting director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to express their serious concerns about the New Mexico VA’s handling of the recent tragic death of a veteran at its Medical Center in Albuquerque, as well as its lack of transparency in response to requests for information from the public and their offices.

In the letter, the lawmakers said the lack of transparency is not only eroding the public’s faith in the VA, it is inhibiting their ability to conduct congressional oversight over Read More

Meet Local Republican Candidates July 17

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GOP News:

The Republican Party of Los Alamos invites the public to meet local Republican candidates during a gathering at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 17 at UNM-LA, Room 608.

Local GOP candidates include Geoff Rodgers, State Rep. District 43; Blair Redmond, Magistrate Judge; Alan Kirk, Municipal Judge; Abe Dispennette, County Assessor; Jaret MacDonald, Sheriff and County Council candidates John Bliss, James Chrobocinski, Bill McKerley and Rick Reiss. Read More

State Receiving $500,000 Through LWCF

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STATE News:

U.S. Senators Tom Udall D-N.M., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., have announced more than $500,000 in funding for the state of New Mexico through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

The designated resources will help fund outdoor recreation and conservation projects as part of a $43 million investment in all 50 states, the territories and the District of Columbia.

“New Mexico is blessed with precious lands that are a part of our culture and way of life,” Luján said. “Ensuring the protection and preservation of our land and Read More

‘New Mexico True’ Proves Powerful Tourism Tool

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STATE News:

Gov. Susana Martinez lauded members of the tourism industry for the role they have played in delivering a second straight year of record-breaking tourism growth by putting their support and money behind community-specific “New Mexico True” messages.

“It is gratifying to see so many New Mexico communities working together to create a unified message about our wonderful state,” Martinez said. “The New Mexico True campaign has proven to be a powerful and successful tool in increasing tourism revenue, thanks in a large part to those of you who have come on board and brought to life the Read More

Lujan Grisham Advocates For Federal Labs

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U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, N.M.-01, spoke on the floor of the House today to advocate for policy changes needed to support the work of federal laboratories like Sandia National Labs.

Her speech was delivered during debate on the House’s Energy and Water Appropriations bill:

“I thank my colleague for yielding time, and I commend her and the Chairman for their efforts to put together a bipartisan bill and bring it to the floor. But I do have a couple of concerns with the bill that I would like to address today.

“First, it provides additional Read More

Luján Calls for Environmental Cleanup Funding at LANL

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M.-03, spoke on the House floor July 9 in an exchange with the chairman of the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho.

Luján encouraged appropriate funding for environmental cleanup at Los Alamos National Laboratory and to restore operations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). The exchange occurred during debate on the Fiscal Year 2015 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act. Below are their remarks. 

Lujan: “Mr. Chairman, for Read More