Press Releases
Luján Statement on the Passing of Ambassador Joe Wilson
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, issued the following statement on the passing of Ambassador Joe Wilson: "It was with profound sadness that I heard of the passing of Ambassador Wilson, a friend and fellow New Mexican for whom I had deep respect. Ambassador Wilson was a devoted patriot who put country and duty before politics and who had the courage to speak the truth in the face of extreme criticism. With his passing, our country … Continue Reading
September 26, 2019
Luján Introduces Legislation to Bridge the Digital Divide and Promote Digital Skills Training
Washington, D.C. - This week, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, joined colleagues to introduce the Digital Equity Act of 2019 to bridge the digital divide. The legislation, introduced by Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-CA) and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) would close gaps in broadband adoption and promote digital skills training and digital literacy. The Digital Equity Act would establish two grant programs that would be administered by the … Continue Reading
September 25, 2019
Luján to Cuccinelli: Cancel Appearance Before Hate Group
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján demanded that Ken Cuccinelli, the acting director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, cancel an appearance before a known hate group. In a letter to Cuccinelli, Luján - the highest-ranking Hispanic in Congress - decried the acting director's planned remarks to the Center for Immigration Studies - a group founded by John Tanton, an individual who has espoused white nationalist rhetoric and is … Continue Reading
September 24, 2019
Luján Statement on House Impeachment Inquiry
Washington, D.C. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the House impeachment inquiry: "President Trump betrayed his oath of office, betrayed our national security, and betrayed the security of our elections. His attempt to manipulate our elections by pressing for foreign interference is unprecedented and wrong. "I previously called for an impeachment inquiry because the president's corruption is jeopardizing our national security, … Continue Reading
September 24, 2019
New Mexico Delegation Announces $3 Million Grant for Youth Behavioral Health
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.), announced today that the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded a $3,000,000 grant to New Mexico's Children, Youth, and Families Department's Behavioral Health Services (CYFD BHS). The CYFD BHS will use this grant to expand the existing infrastructure and capacity of the statewide … Continue Reading
September 18, 2019
NM Delegation Announces Funding for Native Libraries
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.), ranking member on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is awarding grants to New Mexico Pueblos to expand and create new library services. The funds awarded will be used to organize and preserve the historical records of Native communities in … Continue Reading
September 18, 2019
Luján Introduces Marijuana Reform Legislation to Protect Immigrant Communities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Luján (D-N.M.) introduced legislation to remove minor marijuana use, possession, and distribution charges from the list of deportable offenses to protect immigrant communities, including DREAMers, from targeted attacks by the Trump administration. Specifically, Remove Marijuana from Deportable Offenses Act would prevent U.S. Immigration and Customs from using minor drug offenses, including possession of marijuana, to target immigrants for … Continue Reading
September 16, 2019
Udall, Heinrich, Luján Announce Grant for the Housing Authority of Gallup, New Mexico
WASHINGTON -U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $1,000,000 to the Housing Authority of the City of Gallup, N.M. to assess risk, inspect, abate, examine and control lead-based paint in public housing establishments with at least one family with a child under six, at playgrounds, and at child-care centers within the public housing … Continue Reading
September 13, 2019
Luján Statement Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement marking Hispanic Heritage Month: "Hispanic Heritage Month is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Hispanic Americans across the country. The crucial role that Hispanic Americans have made played throughout our history have helped move the needle on progress for labor protections, civil rights, and so much more. The diversity of our community is … Continue Reading
September 12, 2019
Luján Joins Colleagues to Restore Pell Grant Eligibility for Victims of Predatory, For-Profit Colleges.
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, joined colleagues to introduce the Pell Grant Restoration Act. This critical legislation, introduced by Congresswomen Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), and Lucy McBath (GA-06), would amend Title IV of the Higher Education Act to restore students' Pell Grant eligibility for any period of time during which they would have qualified for loan forgiveness due to school closure or … Continue Reading
September 12, 2019
Luján Statement on Protecting America’s Coastlines and Oceans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the House passage of key measures to stop risky offshore drilling: "With the Trump administration's threats to sell our coastlines and oceans to the highest bidders, we cannot afford to wait to protect our environment from polluters. Our waters and local economies cannot survive another disastrous oil spill, which is why these votes to ban offshore drilling in the Atlantic and … Continue Reading
September 11, 2019
Luján Statement on Anniversary of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
Washington, D.C. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001: "Today, we honor the legacy of the individuals who tragically perished in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks 18 years ago. These heinous attacks remain a poignant reminder that when faced with unspeakable loss and evil, the American spirit remains unbroken. "We remain grateful to the first responders and law … Continue Reading
September 10, 2019
Luján Statement on Report that Americans Lost Health Care Coverage For First Time in a Decade
Washington, D.C. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the U.S. Census Bureau report indicating that health care uninsured rates increased for the first time in a decade: "With the Trump administration's unprecedented attacks on Americans' health care, it is unfortunately not a surprise that more children and families are living without health insurance. This is the shameful outcome of the Republicans' outrageous attempts to dismantle … Continue Reading
September 09, 2019
Udall, Heinrich, Luján, Torres Small Announces $2 Million to Combat Substance Abuse and Improve Mental Health Services in New Mexico
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has awarded more than $2 million to combat substance abuse and to promote mental health and well-being in communities across New Mexico, including several New Mexico Tribal … Continue Reading
September 09, 2019
Udall, Heinrich, Luján, Torres Small Announces $2 Million to Combat Substance Abuse and Improve Mental Health Services in New Mexico
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has awarded more than $2 million to combat substance abuse and to promote mental health and well-being in communities across New Mexico, including several New Mexico Tribal … Continue Reading
September 09, 2019
Luján, Torres Small Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Poor Health Outcomes for New and Expecting Mothers in Rural America
Washington, DC - Following a jam-packed District Work Period of meetings with constituents and healthcare providers, Rep. Torres Small returns to D.C. to address the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis facing rural America. Today, Rep. Xochitl Torres Small introduced the Rural MOMS Act of 2019, H.R. 4243, alongside Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-IA), Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) to improve healthcare … Continue Reading
September 05, 2019
Luján Statement on Trump Administration Cuts to Military
Nambé, N.M. - U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the Trump administration's decision to divert funding from critical military projects for a border wall: "President Trump's reckless decision to rob our service members and shortchange critical defense projects puts our national security at risk. Our service members depend on these critical funds to keep our families and country safe. It is clear this is nothing more than a money … Continue Reading
August 21, 2019
Advisory: Luján to Hold Constituent Townhall
Santa Fe, N.M. - Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, will hold a constituent townhall to discuss his work in Congress and hear from New Mexico families on Thursday, August 22. WHEN: Thursday, August 22 at 5:30 p.m. MT WHERE: Paradise Hills Community Center, 5901 Paradise Boulevard Northwest, Albuquerque Press interested in covering this event should RSVP to … Continue Reading
August 19, 2019
Luján Honors Distinguished Vietnam War Veteran
Taos, N.M. - Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, presented a local Vietnam War veteran with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin - a commendation of our nation's lasting thanks to U.S. military veterans who served during the Vietnam War. At a ceremony in Taos, Congressman Luján presented Louis Trujillo with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin to thank and honor Trujillo for his service to the country. "Louis Trujillo is a valued community member … Continue Reading
August 19, 2019
Luján Statement on Impeachment Inquiry
Nambé, N.M. - Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on an impeachment inquiry: "I support moving forward with an impeachment inquiry, which will continue to uncover the facts for the American people and hold this president accountable. "This is not a position I've reached lightly. "The Trump presidency is creating grave national security concerns. Our country's intelligence agencies have confirmed that the Russian government attacked America … Continue Reading